5 week countdown!

Wow! It's been a while since our last post! Time is going by so fast and we've had lots happening to catch you up on.

God is good and this post finds us all well. Our baby (Melainey) in Haiti has been sick with flu-like symptoms and then boils all over her body. We've been trying our best to not be anxious about that but to pray all the more for her and trust her to the Lords hands. We are happy to report she is feeling much better after having been treated for a 'rare and serious skin infection'. Last we head, however, 8 more girls at the home are infected. Please pray with us for the health of the girls there.

Sheldon and I have just returned home from Asheville, North Carolina. We were there taking the MMI (Missionary Medical Intensive) course to equip ourselves to help with medical issues when we are in Haiti. It was the most intense time of study we have ever been involved in but we are SO thankful for the wonderful specialists that came through everyday to impart so much knowledge of things that we will deal with often in developing countries. We were up at the crack of dawn every day and went to bed long after it was dark. The days were spent in lectures, hands-on learning, reading, home work, demonstrations, case studies and the like. Of course we got to know the rest of the class and were blessed by the fellowship and testimonies they shared (usually at breakfast, lunch or dinner:). We were in cabins (like summer camp) but didn't have the chance to enjoy the rustic atmosphere much since we were in the classroom about 12 hours a day.

We learned so much and had to give each other three different kinds of shots, NG tubes (up the nose and down to the stomach) and thankfully we only practised suturing and catheterization on models...he he. We can diagnose and treat many sicknesses we might encounter now, like Giardiasis, TB, Cholera, Hep, Malaria......etc...... We also had courses in emergency situations(casting, skin grafting, setting fractures), midwifery, dehydration, malnutrition and so on. I am truly amazed at what was accomplished in two weeks. Of course we have these big fat doctor books to bring, since a person could never memorize all the information on disease and drugs, and the truth is we hope not to have to use a lot of what we learned.

We are so thankful to Grandma Joyce who had the kids most of the time and Auntie Melanie who had Kira the first week. Kira went to ER while we were away with a bad cold and some breathing difficulty (that was very hard for mommy so far away!) and Jordy missed us a whole lot, so it was very good to get home to our kids and let our brains rest a bit! I think Dawson could live at Grandmas forever:)

Now that is behind us we can focus on getting ready to go! We can not wait to be with out girls in Jacmel! We meet weekly with our 'Haiti' team (Melissa, Carl, Jaimee). Stephanie is in Salmon Arm so we stay in touch and Kathleen Horita has come out too since she plans to come for a couple weeks in Feb. Our meetings are spent in prayer and prep. We want to make the most of our time in Haiti and are seeking Gods guidance in everything and to know Him more individually.

I still feel the effects of jet lag and am afraid this may be scattered. I want to share some pictures so we'll see how that works and we'll be in touch soon.

I want to leave to leave you with what God has spoken to our hearts over the last couple weeks in devotions with the MMI crew and individually. It is this: Life is not always smooth sailing but Jesus commands the storm. He may take you through it safely to the other side, or he may take you to himself in the midst of it, but he promises to be with you through it all. We have been impressed that serving Jesus is not and will not be easy but it will be worth it all in the end. We win!

Love to you from all of us,

Sheldon, Kim and kids (5 of them! Loco por Dios!)