And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.
                Psalm 35:28

We rejoice and praise God that Paul was able to be involved in a mission trip since recovering from his surgeries a little over a year ago. On Wednesday, February 13th, a Work and Witness team from our church left for the Dominican Republic to work on a pastor's home and several other small projects as well as participate in some outreach ministries to children. The main work was on a pastor's home in a Haitian village outside of Santo Domingo. Living in a shack for over twenty years, the pastor and his wife were going to be treated to a new home that seemed like a palace to them. Our focus was to do a lot of the finish work on the home such as painting, plumbing, digging of septic system, and cement work. Paul's job was to finish the bathroom plumbing and caulking and smoothing the walls. Everyone on the team worked very hard, and we were able to complete the project so the pastor and his wife could move in this past Saturday.

       The church is on the first floor and pastor's home on the second floor.

                                              Children in the Haitian village

            Woman beatiung dried bean husks to get the beans in Haitian village

Saturday evening the church held a special service of celebration and praise that the project was completed. There was lots of singing and members from our team and the church shared what this experience meant to them. The people were very happy and praising God for what had been accomplished. The people on our team feel that God directed because when we left for the trip, we were not sure what our tasks were going to be. However, God knew all the time what needed to be done.

The church services we attended in the Dominican Republic were very lively with lots of singing and sharing of God's blessings. They are very passionate about their walk with God, and it shows in their enthusiasm in and out of church. We met a Pastor Jesus in a village on the north side of the island who is wanting to build a new church because they are renting a small space at this time, and the church is growing. They are presently trying to secure property so they can begin their building project. We are hoping to be able to help them raise funds for this land. It will be exciting to see how God provides for this pastor and his congregation.

Pastor Jesus needed some work done on his home so Paul and several others from the team broke away and spent an afternoon building partitions for the inside of his home, which originally was just two large rooms. While working on his house, Pastor Jesus grabbed his machete and cut open several coconuts so we could enjoy the milk and the coconut meat.  They also offered us a cup of Dominican coffee which is very strong and sweet. All in all everyone we encountered was so kind and appreciative of our work.

                          Pastir Jesus and his wife and child in front of his home



While there we stayed in aWwork and Witness compound which was surrounded by four tall walls with razor wire on top of all the walls as well as the front gate. Our housing conditions were very good with many of the comforts of home. Paul took his alarm clock but never needed it as there were lots of crowing roosters and barking dogs at 5:00 in the morning. You soon forgot about that nuisance as every morning broke into a beautiful day of sunshine and 80 degrees. Our evening meal was always prepared for us by two wonderful ladies that served there at the compound. The meals were excellent and always had plenty to eat.

The team returned this past Sunday, February 24th, and everyone concluded this mission trip by feeling that God had guided us the entire time. Hopefully, we were great encouragement to those who serve God in the Dominican Republic. There is so much more to tell but must not make this too long.

                          The finished church and home for the Haitian pastor

Blessings and Encouragement,

 Paul, Gail, Patsy, and Penny

ANCHOR FOR THE SOUL

Gail continues to glean truths as she has her weekly visit with Clara at Lenawee Medical Care Facility.  Today Gail found Clara a bit downcast as she shared how she has been missing her deceased husband and feeling that she didn't always measure up in life. Gail reminded her how in difficult times  Bible verses are a healing balm. One that could be helpful at such times as this is: Philippians 3:13b-14 "---forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

You wobble too much and the rows won't be as straight if you look back when you are plowing, was once told Gail. Clara chimed in and said the farmer needs to fix his eyes on a point straight ahead when plowing. In real life if we keep our eyes on Jesus, we are (Clara puts emphasis on the word  and appreciation for) ANCHORED and secure and you can hold on because of Him. (One thing Gail has learned about Clara is her love for words.)

 Psalms 40:1-3b:  " ---he heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God." Gail went on to share with Clara this portion of her life verses from Psalms 40:1-3b. In closing they felt God had heard Clara's cry, he brought her out of her downcast, he anchored her soul, and he put a song in her mouth. God's Word continues to minister to the soul.

Blessings and Encouragement,

Paul, Gail, Patsy, and Penny

I will bless them and the places surrounding my hill. I will send down showers in season: there will be showers of blessing.               Ezekiel 34:26

As of late, God seems to be showering many blessings on our lives. This past weekend we were able to spend some good quality time with our daughter, Christiane, who happened to be in the area on business. Our time of sharing and reminiscing was very meaningful. From the stories Christiane told about the things going on in her life, it is evident that God's hand has been on her for many years. That truly is a special blessing.

While at home she thoroughly enjoyed playing with Penny and Patsy, who seem to add a lot of joy to our lives. Both pups really took to Christiane and enjoyed being around her. We were afraid that she might try to sneak one or both of them in her suitcase when she left. Fortunately, they are still here.

Each week Paul teaches the senior adult Sunday School class at church. This continues to be a great blessing to be able to interact with people who have walked with the Lord for many years. The interaction in the class is rich with wisdom and encouragement. It is obvious these people have walked with the Lord through the good times and the difficulties of life. Paul looks forward to spending time with his class each week.

There are many more lessons we want to share, but we will wait for an opportunity in the next week or two to be able to elaborate on them.

Blessings and Encouragement.

Paul, Gail, Patsy, and Penny                   

        - - - the righteous shall sing and rejoice.                                              
                                                                  Proverbs 29:6b


Today we made two important visits.  First, Gail went to see Clara and Betty at the Lenawee Medical Care Facility.  Second, Paul drove to Ann Arbor for an appointment with Dr. Kreske at St. Joseph Hospital. Gail's goal was to read devotions and encourage Clara and Betty in the nursing home, but instead, Clara wanted to share a story.

As a young person Clara grew up on a farm during the depression. Her father sold milk and other farm products, but when the depression hit, the prices went so low that he could not earn enough to cover his expenses. As a result, their family lost everything. But then, as Clara was telling the story her face lit up and her eyes twinkled with much excitement, and she exclaimed with a mixed chuckle and sob, "through all of this I remember my mama. She sang through the depression."  It was evident that there was deep joy in her mother's heart in spite of the circumstances. Seventy years later Clara still remembers hearing her mother sing no matter what life through at her. It's clear that God provided a peace and joy that only He could give.  It is a challenge to us to sing through our difficulties and hard times

As we mentioned Paul had an appointment with his surgeon today. As a result of the surgery Paul has  developed two hernias that need repair. Dr. Kreske is not wanting to correct the problem until after a CT Scan which will occur in August. He wants to be certain that Paul is cancer free before moving ahead with the hernia surgery. Most likely this will not take place until next January. However, he gave Paul the green light to go on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic, which begins next Wednesday, February 13.

Whatever you are going through in life, just remember to keep singing and you just might leave a legacy for someone like Clara.

Blessings and Encouragement,

Paul, Gail, Patsy, and Penny