Peace in the storm:

“And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder’s part of the ship, asleep on a pillow; and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace be still. And the wind ceased, and there was great calm.” Mark 4:37-39

Today a tropical storm or hurricane is supposed to hit Haiti. We all have storms in our life at different times. You may be in the middle of a storm in your life right now. Today, Lord, we speak peace in the middle of the storm. Amen!

Missionary Bobby Burnette

Bobby and I wanted to share an amazing story, of how God can lead us to make a decision, even though “it doesn’t make sense.”

I’ve always wanted Bobby and me to go to Africa for our Anniversary and see “God’s creation.” We had saved our money for a long time for two African safaris and planned and planned. Prepaid the whole trip including Qatar Airlines. On our Anniversary we had paid for a “hot air balloon ride,” looking down upon the great migration of all the animals. We were to leave on Saturday, August the 14th, so we would be there on our Anniversary on August 18th. We left Haiti, went back to the states, took care of some doctor appointments, and got all our paperwork done for Africa. We learned that we had to buy special safari clothing, which were certain colors! We went shopping! Bobby and I had so much fun getting those African clothes… three shirts and three pairs of pants, for each of us. We had to pack everything for the whole trip, in a small carry-on (which for me and my make-up was quite a challenge!).

We got our Visa, filled out lots of paperwork, etc. We did everything and waited for Saturday the 14th to come. But, even though we were packed, ready to go, with our carryons, we kept feeling a strange feeling in our hearts. It was almost like a heaviness as if we were “going in the wrong direction!”

I actually got depressed. I did not want to tell Bobby that after all his work for months, planning, buying clothes, etc., that I did not feel led to go. We sat down two days before we were supposed to leave, we both said, “I feel that we are not supposed to go to Africa at this time.” At that moment, peace came over us! We both agreed it “was not the Lord’s will for us… maybe in the future, but not now.” We both said, “Let’s leave our African stuff here and go back to Haiti. There must be a reason for this, and if not, let’s just obey the Lord.” (We postponed our Africa trip till next year) PTL! We did not lose any money.

We actually flew into Haiti on Saturday the 14th, (the day we were supposed to leave for Africa) only to learn about the earthquake hitting at 8:29 AM that morning in South Haiti, a 7.2 magnitude, lives lost, the great devastation, and the despair of the poor. We must always listen to the “still small voice, not what makes sense in the natural,” but the leading of the Holy Spirit as Pastor Jentezen Franklin wrote a book entitled: “The Right Place, the Right Time.” We are here in Haiti at our orphanage, making our plans and strategy for helping the earthquake victims. We have never been so happy. “To obey is better than sacrifice.” We love, what we do!

Bobby and Sherry

Remember last week, I told you Lomene was frying eggs for Bobby, and that she just couldn’t get them right? Well, she is registered in a Non-Profit “Cooking  School” in Haiti! Tomorrow, she has to take a test to see “if she can be accepted.” Please pray! Bobby’s eggs are at stake!! Ha!

Sherry

“Haiti’s Earthquake… and God’s Hand.”

The earthquake that shook the island of Haiti and killed many people brought much fear to the Haitian people. Fear grips us all when the buildings sway, and mountains roar, and it sounds like a freight train coming right at us. But, God is still with us. Psalms 46 declares, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be removed, and the though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof Selah.” This sounds like an earthquake to me. But, “The Lord of hosts is with us.” Psalms 46:7

We must realize that no matter what happens, the Lord of hosts is still with us in fire, in the flood, in the battle… in the earthquake. He is still God and He is still with us! Have a blessed day and let’s pray for wisdom and guidance to help the people and children of Haiti in this time of disaster and need, Sherry

As you may know, we took Dieuferly, one of our older children, to the Dominican Republic for surgery on one of his club feet. The doctor did the worst foot first and it was quite an undertaking. Dieuferly had so many operations in the past when he was a child and most of them left his feet in worse condition. He has suffered all his life. With the help of some of our friends in the DR, we found a great doctor over there.

Dieuferly has been there about three weeks. He is staying with a Haitian friend, Emmanuel, in our Love A Child Mission house. Dieuferly did not want to waste time “sitting” so he is learning a lot of complicated editing systems. (I told him Americans say, “Don’t let any grass grow under your feet!”  Ha!) He loves it! Watson, our Haitian employee, who does camerawork and filming, is teaching him “virtually.”

Dieuferly will return to the Dominican doctor in a few weeks to see if he is well enough to come home to Haiti. His “Haitian family” misses him… but he’s getting quite spoiled there because Emmanuel is a great cook!! All of us love Dieuferly and want him home.

Sherry

“Manna Packs… A Food with Many Names!

Haitians have a name for everything!! They are cute, simple names!! All the Haitians love the “Manna Packs” that Feed My Starving Children send to us, and those only come to us because you, our wonderful partners, pay for these containers to travel far, ocean freight to us in Haiti.

A sweet note came in from our friend, Rene Lako, who has an organization with children, called, Hope Force. You can see the children eating, gaining weight, and looking bright and healthy because of this wonderful food, that Feed My Starving Children call, “Manna Packs.” Hope Force is one of the “100 organizations” that come to get food from us each month, providing the containers have it to Haiti! She and the children she works with are very grateful for the food!!

Most Haitians refer to this as “ti pa nou.” It means, “a little for us!” They love the fact that even if they eat a little, their bellies are full of good food! However, when they get the Manna Packs, they fill their plates because this is the main meal of the day, and for most children, their “only meal.” Some call this food, “Little Jesus!” Many times, our drivers have to “tip gang members” in order for them to let us have our container of Manna Packs to take to Love A Child. Food is like “gold” now, in the country of Haiti.

Last month, we had to cross the border the of Dominican Republic to take Dieuferly, one of our older LAC kids, to surgery for his club feet. As we crossed the border, we heard some of the border guards say, “Hey Blan! (That means; ‘hey, foreigner!’) “Where’s my ti pa nou?” Ha! We didn’t have any!!! But, we realized that we might have to take a box with us next time, if we want to make it across the border!! We believe this food is blessed by God!! Thank you and God bless you, Bobby and Sherry

“And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. And he (Elijah) said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee…” 2 Kings 2:9-10

Take time to read 2 Kings 2:1-14 today. If Elisha  had not stayed “focused” on Elijah, he would have never had the “double portion.” We must stay focused on what God calls us to do and keep our eyes “on the prize.” Let nothing take you “off focus!”

Bobby and Sherry