tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79120850149021402422024-03-12T20:54:41.640-04:00"Field Posts"from the ThompsonsRob and Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05657923885781291485noreply@blogger.comBlogger765125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912085014902140242.post-21166797922237485822020-10-05T16:16:00.001-04:002020-10-05T16:16:07.515-04:00NOTICE...<p>This blog is no longer active. To connect with Rob and Becky, email us at robthompson1229 and/or beckythompson0516... both of these are @gmail.com addresses.</p>Rob Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07494703051175726777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912085014902140242.post-36078943392699305512019-02-07T09:56:00.001-05:002019-02-08T08:48:30.757-05:0025 Missionary Values that Trigger Long Term Success...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Missionaries crash and burn all the time. If I'm being honest, I've been on the verge many times myself. I've made my share of mistakes. Through it all, I've received some GREAT wisdom and counsel over the years. As I write, I'm aware of my ability to fail at any of these daily. Here's my collection that has helped me. I hope this helps you...<br />
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If you are a missionary, or planning to be a missionary, I implore you, please read these carefully with a learners ear...<br />
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<li><b>Love Jesus Love Others -</b> We must be absolutely sold out and passionate about loving Jesus, and because of that loving others.</li>
<li><b>Check Your Ego at the Door -</b> Win at outdoing others in showing honor. (Rom 12:10) Those “above” you and those “below” you should both feel like they are honored by you. Never seek honor or deny being honored (but always give the praise to God). You don’t have a monopoly on being right or more spiritual. When you think you are right, seriously consider that others may be right and you may be wrong.</li>
<li><b>Paternalism is the Plague -</b> the policy or practice on the part of people in positions of authority of restricting the freedom and responsibilities of those subordinate to them in the subordinates' supposed best interest. Understand it. Learn to recognize the spirit of paternalism in yourself and in your organization. Avoid it. Make choices, even if it takes temporary sacrifice, to do the opposite. If someone is acting like a child, don’t treat them like a child, but rather help build them up and empower them so they can act like an adult. If you keep treating them like a child, they will always act like a child.</li>
<li><b>Invest Heavily in National Staff -</b> Do all you can to train, empower, and release nationals to take responsibility and leadership positions.</li>
<li><b>Assume that Your Assumptions are Usually Wrong -</b> :) You’re seeing things through your cultural, economic, racial, intellectual, spiritual, geographic lenses. Question your understanding. There is always a good chance you are wrong.</li>
<li><b>Recognize and Crucify Entitlement -</b> If you think you should be treated as special, stop it. Entitlement creeps it’s way into our attitudes and it must be dealt with constantly.</li>
<li><b>Mission vs. Job -</b> Find people to work with who are called to the mission of God, not people who are looking for a paycheck.</li>
<li><b>Set Growth Goals -</b> It may seem obvious to some, but let’s acknowledge that we are not here to maintain. Help others do the same. Keep them S.M.A.R.T..</li>
<li><b>Peel the Onion -</b> Always assume there's more to the story. When you think you understand, ask more questions.</li>
<li><b>Work Hard Rest Well -</b> Work like crazy, but don’t apologize for finding ways to rest well on a daily, weekly, monthly, yearly basis. Take care of yourself.</li>
<li><b>Be a Constant Language and Cultural Learner -</b> Learn the language. Read. Ask questions. Listen well. </li>
<li><b>Hire the Right People -</b> It takes temporary sacrifice and patience, but there will be greater reward, for you and them, if you find people with clear signs of potential, rather than those already able. Invest heavily in them.</li>
<li><b>Seek Outside Counsel -</b> You are not alone. Seek the input of others. Share your disappointments/joys, ask questions, get another’s opinion. Be honest and transparent on a regular basis with a trained outsider who can speak into your life. Give others permission to care for you, to admonish you, to serve you, to love you.</li>
<li><b>Follow -</b> Followership is often the hardest part of leadership. Even if you’re the leader, act and talk like those around you are. The higher your leadership position is, the harder it will be for you to follow others. “Follow the leader” is one of the first things we learn as a child, but it’s one of the first things we jettison as we enter adulthood. It honors the Lord when you even follow when you are under wrong unjust leadership. Reclaim followership. </li>
<li><b>Build a “One Another” Family -</b> Build a team with a culture who constantly and genuinely applies the Biblical "One-Anothers”. </li>
<li><b>Dress Appropriately -</b> Out of respect for the local culture, look around you at local respected leaders of the community and dress like they dress. Here in Haiti, while in the community (even running to the store), men should always wear pants and ladies skirts. Ladies should have covered shoulders. While at home or at play, modest shorts are acceptable. If you disagree, consider that you may be wrong. :) Dressing appropriately has a bigger impact than you likely realize.</li>
<li><b>Find a Cultural Liaison -</b> Find someone who is culturally intelligent and can help you contextualize. Ask questions and listen well. Ask about motivations. Seek to understand values. Learn why. Act accordingly. Learn local sayings and what they mean (Haitian proverbs). </li>
<li><b>Allow Yourself to be Pruned -</b> It hurts, but it’s necessary to trigger increased growth/fruit for you and those around you.</li>
<li><b>Avoid Complacency -</b> Always be thinking critically. Always be looking for ways to improve and grow. Acknowledging mistakes and current weaknesses and shortcomings leads to growth.</li>
<li><b>Avoid Handouts -</b> Gift giving is important, but it must be done in a culturally relevant way. The moment you create a culture of handouts, is the moment you’ve turned from being the hands and feet of Jesus to being Santa Claus and his elves.</li>
<li><b>Focus on People -</b> Develop deep relationships, especially with a few. Learn to trust and believe in others. The more you trust and believe, the more they will do the same with you.</li>
<li><b>Consider Boundaries and Margin -</b> Be vigilant to create and obey boundaries. Create margin in your life so when you carefully decide to step over a boundary, you have room to temporarily dip into that margin.</li>
<li><b>Be Honest and Transparent with Financial Resources -</b> If you say you will use funds for something, so do it. Watch your spending carefully to avoid waste. Be honest, thoughtful, restrained but unashamed, and prudent about profit to cover ministry needs.</li>
<li><b>Character Matters -</b> Be like Christ. Tell the truth. Always.</li>
<li><b>Be Gospel Centered -</b> Never lose sight of proclaiming the Gospel in all we do. If the Gospel is not being communicated in what you are doing, you should probably change the way you are doing it.</li>
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If you think you are being successful in any of the above, you may have missed the point. If you are reading this and you’re thinking that someone else needs to read this, you’ve probably missed the point.</div>
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My missionary friends... what did I miss? I'd love to hear from you.</div>
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Rob</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912085014902140242.post-3738852282243422252018-05-14T09:45:00.000-04:002018-05-14T09:45:37.348-04:00Visit to Anse a Veau<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Since our return to Haiti in August 2017, I have taken on some new responsibilities with RMI. One very new area for me, is working with our Hope for Kidz Child Sponsorship Program (HFK). Some of my work with HFK involves managing the database that contains all of our sponsored child information, communications thru social media and blogging, and serving as a liaison between our Haiti office and Florida office.</span><br />
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I had a request from one of our C3 Partner churches to get some information on young girl they sponsor in order to bring more awareness to the HFK program at their church (with the goal of increasing sponsorships there.) So in early April, I took a day trip out to Anse a Veau. For me, it was special trip! I had not been to <span class="gmail-il">Anse</span> a <span class="gmail-il">Veau </span>since 1999, which was my first trip to Haiti with Linwood Community Church . The church in Anse a Veau has a special place in my heart! It was on that trip that I fell in love with Haiti and the Haitian people. That trip changed the course of my life. I was happy for an opportunity to return, if only for an hour.</div>
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The drive to <span class="gmail-il">Anse</span> a <span class="gmail-il">Veau</span> from where we live (Les Cayes) took 3 hours. The road is much improved since my first trip almost 20 years ago, but the last 30 minutes is still rocky/dirt road and thick mud in some places. (I have memories of having to dig our trucks out from those same stretches of road!) Our 4-wheel drive vehicle handled the mud well, but it might have been more difficult if it had been rainy season.</div>
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When I arrived at the church, Nedchaida, the 7-year-old girl I was asked to meet with, and her mother were there waiting for me. I was greeted by Madame Pastor as well. When I arrived I told Nedchaida that her sponsor sent me to visit her and sent her greetings. I asked her if I could ask her and her mother some questions to learn more about her . She solemnly agreed.</div>
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I really enjoyed getting to know this sweet little girl! She is the youngest of 5 children. I also got to speak with her mother. She has a very kind smile and was very grateful for the sponsorship her daughter receives. When I asked her mother what she did for work, she said she has a garden and has a "little business" which is pretty typical. Likely just selling whatever produce grows in their garden or little snacks. Nedchaida's dad is currently living in the capital, Port au Prince. It sounds like he has skills as a mason and works when there is a job available. She helps her mom washing dishes each day. She loves to play hide and seek and jump rope and she especially loves to play hopscotch! When I asked her what her favorite meal is her eyes lit up and said "mayi moulen ak sòs pwa!" which is polenta (a cooked corn meal dish) and bean sauce. Her enthusiastic reply gave her mother a laugh!</div>
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Nedchaida lives out in the country, not in <span class="gmail-il">Anse</span> a <span class="gmail-il">Veau</span> town proper. It takes her 45 minutes to walk to school each day (one way). She usually meets up with other school-mates on the way. She is in the second grade. There are 45 children in her class. Her coursework includes Haitian history and geography, math, Bible, reading/writing/spelling in Creole, and French. Except for her Creole reading books, the books for most subjects are in French (the official educational language of Haiti) but the students are taught by the teacher in Creole so that they understand. She is learning to read in Creole from a book called "Reading with a Happy Heart." Her class is currently learning addition. She is very involved in the children's group at her church, where they learn Bible verses and sing songs. When I asked her her favorite song to sing she sang "Father Abraham" for me! She was very shy during most of our conversation, but when we were done I watched her skipping down the stairs and down the street next to her mother. That made me smile!</div>
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I really enjoyed getting to know this little girl and her mother and to see the difference a school sponsorship makes in her life. I was also very grateful for the opportunity to return to Anse a Veau! It felt like a homecoming to me and was a great reminder of the impact that first trip to Haiti, 19 years ago, had on my life.</div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912085014902140242.post-676125792793011412018-04-24T08:00:00.000-04:002018-04-24T08:00:00.644-04:00A Promotion!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><b>Benjamin Altema</b><br />
Director of Field Operations</td></tr>
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We are proud to share that Benjamin Altema has been promoted from Field Administrator in Haiti, to the position of Director of Field Operations. Benjamin will directly report to Rob Thompson, Field Director, and the rest of the team (missionaries and Haitian staff) will now report directly to Benjamin.<br />
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This change will allow Rob to focus more on big picture development and less on the day to day operations.<br />
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Benjamin came to work with RMI as an administrative assistant in 2006 and his gifts of leadership and administration were evident in a very short time. Anyone who knows Benjamin and has worked with him over the years, knows that he is a Godly man of integrity and leadership. He has been a blessing to our American missionaries, Haitian staff, and our team members who have had opportunity to work with him over the last twelve years.<br />
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Benjamin has been married to his beautiful wife, Lucette, for seven years and they have four handsome sons; Jason and Jaden are six years old, Alan is five years old, and Ezechias is two years old.<br />
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Benjamin is thankful to be working in the environment of a great team here at RMI. He says, "My team makes me look good." He has stated that his position with RMI gives him "opportunity to influence the people I'm working with, and to transform more lives and build God's Kingdom through them."<br />
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We would ask you to keep Benjamin and his family in prayer as he transitions to this new position of leadership on the RMI team.<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912085014902140242.post-14219483590984517542018-04-23T08:00:00.000-04:002018-04-23T08:00:43.415-04:00Project Complete!Rob's been busy working with the RMI Haiti team to address a problem we've been experiencing.<br />
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We believe that a partnership between a US Church and a Haitian Church, with RMI as the bridge, can't prosper, if there isn't at least some level of communication happening. We realized that our system that we've been using was too arduous, it wasn't passing on information in a timely matter, it was time consuming and it wasn't passing on helpful information. It was broken.<br />
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So, we've redeveloped our system to make it much simpler, faster, effective and all around more efficient. We're already experiencing fruit from the system both here in Haiti and in the US.<br />
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If you attend one of our US Partner churches, and aren't already receiving updates directly related to your Haitian Sister Church, you can subscribe on your Church page <a href="https://www.rmibridge.org/current-c3-partners.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912085014902140242.post-11633898977057680182018-04-22T12:23:00.002-04:002018-04-22T12:23:41.067-04:00How Great Thou ArtWe got the opportunity to worship at our Sister Church in Cance. The pastor asked if Becky would sing, and she's always ready. She loves to sing. Here she is singing <i>How Great Thou Art</i>.<br />
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912085014902140242.post-48384662144233585842018-04-21T13:49:00.000-04:002018-04-21T14:48:15.077-04:00A New System for Short Term Missionary Teams <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The RMI team works hard to facilitate our "pre-trip administration"; all the work that needs to be done on our end, AND on the end of our US Church partners in preparation for a short term team visit to Haiti. Frankly, it's difficult to explain how complicated and protracted this whole process is.<br />
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<b>Problem: </b> This process hasn't changed in many years. It takes full time people on the RMI side managing the load, lots of coordination, lots of paperwork, lots of back and forth communication and documentation, filing, duplication of effort, etc.<br />
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<b>Solution: </b>It was time for a change to bring more efficiency and simplicity to a labor intensive process. After being in development for approximately 18 months, we've just launched a whole new system that embraces technology and automation, including online forms, website integration, automated email invoicing, email notifications and tasks, etc. On the RMI side, it takes many of the responsibilities off of one person, and instead shares these tasks with a team of people. On the side of our US churches, we hope our team leaders find that it's simpler and saves them time.<br />
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We'll keep learning, and we'll keep tweaking, but we're excited to put the new system to the test.<br />
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It all starts with our new <a href="https://www.rmibridge.org/tripguide.html" target="_blank">Trip Guide</a>. Feel free to take a look! Rob's put a ton of time into this development and launch.<br />
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912085014902140242.post-20444278265563174532018-04-21T12:45:00.000-04:002018-04-21T12:45:06.965-04:00It's Saturday, but the work continues...We are out of space at our office, and therefore we have to convert our current office conference room into more desk space. Yet, we still must have a place for the RMI team to meet. We also have LONG wanted a place where we can gather our Sister Church Pastors and School Directors. God has open the door to address these needs.<br />
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We're building a room on top of our current Depot building.<br />
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It's Saturday, but the construction team wanted to work! We're excited for what this "addition" to the RMI Depot will provide to our ministry.<br />
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912085014902140242.post-2997092634122846332017-09-14T15:06:00.000-04:002017-09-14T15:12:20.793-04:00Fund Raising Pointers/Truths...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here are a few free pointers for those of us that find ourselves involved in missionary fund raising...<br />
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<b>WAIT - IMPORTANT NOTE:</b> Before I begin, to those who have given generously and sacrificially to us, we thank you! Your sacrifice sustains us. Your generous giving is grace to us. We are at a loss for words to say thank you.<br />
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Back to fund raising... Let me be very honest. I am NO EXPERT. I constantly feel like I have no idea what I'm doing. As we enter into these things together, I want to share the following pointers that I've found to be helpful to revisit time and time again.<br />
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<b>Be Authentic -</b> There is no amount of manipulation that is healthy or helpful. <br />
<b>Trust God -</b> It isn't about you. Don't get discouraged, seriously, God is at work in you and through you in this process.<br />
<b>Be Truthful -</b> Never deceive. Never hide.<br />
<b>Dream Big -</b> Don't underestimate what God is going to do.<br />
<b>Embrace Overhead -</b> Many want to shy away from talking about it. It's a reality of life so embrace it and be honest about it.<br />
<b>Entitlement Warning -</b> NEVER, and I mean NEVER think you deserve anything. The more success "you" have, the more you will need to resist this entitlement attitude. The more you sacrifice, the more you start thinking you are owed. This is disgusting and we see it all too often. Fight this with everything that you have. You deserve nothing. God deserves everything.<br />
<b>Be Faithful - </b>It takes really hard work. God can choose to drop things in your lap sure with no work on your part, but personally I've found that isn't the norm. Don't just sit back and wait. God calls us to be involved in the process. At the same time, don't ever think your hard work will produce anything outside of his blessing either. Be aggressive. Set hard goals. Don't get lazy. <br />
<b>Be Creative -</b> There are SO MANY ways to raise funds. Google it. Consider doing things differently. Yet, it's important to remember, no amount of cute pretty wrapping paper can manufacture anything. As an example, a pretty blog is simply a helpful tool, but you can't expect good design to produce magic on it's own.<br />
<b>Ask -</b> Many want to shy away from actually asking. I think asking is part of being faithful to the task that God has given you. Many want to share the need, but never actually ask. We must surely be sensitive in our ask and season our ask with humility and grace, but I have found it to be true that you usually don't receive when you do not ask.<br />
<b>Plan Well -</b> Having a plan is a plan to have. Think strategically. Make lists. Set goals. Be organized. Don't stop executing the plan. Track and analyze your giving history. Tweak the plan when it's not working, but plan nonetheless.<br />
<b>Be Confident -</b> Your confidence should grounded in God's omnipotence. If God has called you to this, he will supply your needs. Hard stop.<br />
<b>Say Thank You -</b> Never get so wrapped up in yourself that you stop saying thank you.<br />
<b>Report Back -</b> Tell stories. You must communicate. Help people gain the vision for what and why you are doing what you are doing. Help them understand why it's a worthy investment to invest in you and what you are doing.<br />
<b>Relationships -</b> People give by relationship and justify by cause. Good luck if you are missing one or the other! You can do all you can to explain why they should give, but if they don't have a relationship with you, if they don't trust you, if they don't believe in you, if they don't respect you, if they don't know you, you have a very tall hill to climb. Of course, this means you must actually have character, be one who is trustworthy, believable, respectable, and knowable.<br />
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All to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine...<br />
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912085014902140242.post-44772708498741731682017-01-31T12:05:00.000-05:002017-01-31T12:19:30.046-05:00Last Chemo!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm so excited that TODAY is my last day of chemo! </div>
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This is a milestone in my cancer treatment that I have been looking forward to since the beginning of treatment. I started out in September with a two-drug treatment once every two week for 4 treatments (that took 8 weeks.). That treatment was pretty rough on my system, but not as bad as I anticipated. I was VERY fatigued for 5-6 days afterward and just didn't feel right. Thankfully any stomach side effects were very minimal. My hair started falling out when the doctor told me it would. And so far through my entire treatment, my blood counts have been great and I've had no issues with infection from a compromised immune system. </div>
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When that first treatment was finished, I started a second treatment, one-drug (different than the first two) once a week for 12 weeks. Today is #12 of 12! This treatment has been much more tolerable. The biggest side effects really came from the Benadryl and steroids I had to have with the chemo the day of treatment. These last 5 weeks have flown by especially fast.</div>
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Chemo is winding down and while I am excited to be done, the next step is radiation. The medical oncologist will call today to make an appointment for me with the radiation oncologist and I'm told I'll get a consultation quickly to find out when radiation will start. I'm told to expect that to be 5 days a week for 6 weeks. So my battle isn't finished, but the biggest, most difficult chapter will be finished today!</div>
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The kids are having a great school year! They all just brought home great report cards and (praise the Lord!) handed in their big science fair projects today. All three have recently started playing basketball in the Upward program run by our church. Braden auditioned for a play with a local production company and is excited that he is going to be a Narnia creature in "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" in May. Rehearsals start in a few weeks, so we'll find out more about his small role then. All three kids seem to be embracing this year and new experiences and friendships, but they are always thinking about home and look forward to returning to Haiti this summer, Lord willing.</div>
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I know I've been neglectful with updates on the blog. For that I'm sorry. I'm hopeful that many of you have kept up with my shorter updates on Facebook. Either way, I know so many have been praying for me and Rob and the kids. We have been blessed beyond measure during this journey and have felt your prayers in abundance. Thank you!</div>
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~ Becky</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912085014902140242.post-24959894136412493942016-11-16T09:49:00.003-05:002016-11-16T09:49:41.529-05:00Get 2 Work...Am I worshiping my work, or is my work an extension of my God-directed worship? How about you?<br />
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Worship is an "expression of the heart, mind and soul born out of reverence and admiration that reveals and celebrates greatness". <i>Reference: Thompson Unabridged Dictionary</i><br />
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Let's not disconnect our work from our mission of worship. Let's make sure our worship is vertical, not horizontal, and not directed at the interminable pursuit of self.<br />
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This admonition applies equally to those in "full time ministry", those "in the business world", stay at home moms and dads, retired, students, teachers, engineers, artists, etc. We all just as easily take our eye off the purpose of our existence. When we take our eye off the ball, we swing/kick and miss. We get sidetracked from the mission and spend countless hours in empty pursuits. <br />
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As fellow believers, we are all on the same mission. Let's not allow ourselves to get consumed by the work, let's rather allow ourselves to be consumed in our worship.<br />
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Now, let's GET TO WORK...<br />
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Rob<br />
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p.s. Thanks for reading. Frankly, I write out of personal process, conviction, learning, and challenge. If no others read, that's ok, for I have succeeded at recording my own wanderings and wonderings.<br />
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912085014902140242.post-11146069416949714042016-11-07T11:42:00.000-05:002016-11-07T11:42:01.293-05:00Fear and Worry...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Confession:</b> I've struggled with fear and worry my whole life. I am an expert (<i>tongue in cheek</i>) and can certify that...<br />
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Fear/worry steals.<br />
Fear/worry blinds.<br />
Fear/worry kills.<br />
Fear/worry distracts.<br />
Fear/worry deceives.<br />
Fear/worry devours.<br />
Fear/worry binds.<br />
Fear/worry exploits.<br />
Fear/worry ignores truth.<br />
Fear/worry prevents.<br />
Fear/worry consumes.<br />
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These 2 destroyers are in cooperation. Fear fuels worry. Without fear, worry is dead.<br />
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<b>Fear.</b> Where does fear come from? Fear comes from misplaced self oriented earthly desire and concern. Dousing the fire that fear desires is only possible when we recognize fear and choose to center our will upon God's eternal purposes. Ignoring and allowing fear to take up residence is not without consequence. Surrendering to a God who wholly knows us and completely loves us and wants what is best for us frees us from the power of fear.<br />
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<b>Worry.</b> Worry is trouble-centered frenetic mental and emotional calisthenics fueled by fear. Rather, trust is God-centered quiet resolve, anchored and fueled by the knowledge and surrender to God's character and will.<br />
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<b>The Truth...</b> "We will not fear though the earth gives way. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. Be still and know that I am God. Seek first the Kingdom of God. Fear not. Stand Firm. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent". (Psalm 46, Psalm 23, Exodus 14, Matthew 6)<br />
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<b>Resolution.</b> Today, I choose to not fear and to not worry. I choose to stand firm in quiet resolution. I choose to think eternally. I choose to focus on what God is doing, not on what my flesh thinks he should be doing. No matter what lies ahead, I will trust and follow. I am willing to go anywhere, do anything, be anyone in and for Christ because He is greater, higher, bigger and stronger than anything I fear.<br />
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RobAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912085014902140242.post-22461973211530963702016-11-03T10:30:00.001-04:002016-11-03T11:01:20.348-04:00On Being ONE…<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hTsCB1YgcgE/WBtKCN_kHyI/AAAAAAACCHI/0AHz6PAlHbk/s1600-h/one%252520mosaic%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="one mosaic" border="0" height="109" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pD2CqzttOi0/WBtKEMAOL1I/AAAAAAACCHM/hc699eaIaBc/one%252520mosaic_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: right; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="one mosaic" width="240" /></a>If we expect to be one, than there must be uncommon behavior intentionally applied. Common vision, purpose and goals requires uncommon teachability, eagerness for harmony, admiration of other’s gifts, and meekness.<br />
I am speaking about T.E.A.M.<br />
<ul>
<li><strong>T</strong>eachability - “Never be wise in your own sight.” Rom 12:16</li>
<li><b>E</b>agerness for Harmony – “Live in harmony with one another” Rom 12:16</li>
<li><b>A</b>dmiration of Other’s Gifts – “Outdo one another in showing honor.” Rom 12:10</li>
<li><b>M</b>eekness – “Do not be haughty” Rom 12:16</li>
</ul>
If we expect to be ONE TEAM, one body, one family, we must intentionally act in unnatural uncommon ways. Sadly, a flesh filled, all-too-common pompous and unyielding inability to listen and learn, lazy acceptance of discord, blindness to the gifting of others, and self righteousness are our pitfalls. We are quick to speak (teach) and slow to listen (learn) to other perspectives. When don’t understand that unity follows harmony, not the other way around. We compare ourselves to others and tend to focus on our strengths and other’s weaknesses. We tend to think much too much about ourselves. We are intransigent.<br />
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Let’s listen and learn. Let’s make sweet music by embracing our differences. Let’s celebrate one another. Let’s first consider others before ourselves. These are the characteristics that will drive us and bind us together (convergence).<br />
RobAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912085014902140242.post-22601111255542511332016-09-19T14:41:00.001-04:002016-09-19T15:13:23.405-04:00Chemo, Baseball, Haiti... A Family Update...A few days before my first surgery August 18th, we had my sister-in-law at <a href="http://ashaspen.weebly.com/" target="_blank">Ash Aspen Photography</a> take family photos. We are really happy with how they turned out! Below is one of our favorites! <a href="https://goo.gl/photos/Mzyqy5KHgyb4cMG96" target="_blank">Here</a> is the link if you want to check them all out.<br />
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<b>How am I feeling?</b> The last time I updated, the kids were starting school and I had gotten news of needing another surgery and a chemo start date. Since that last update, I had surgery to remove some skin and a port placed for chemo on Sept 2nd. Unfortunately, a non-serious complication developed from that surgery requiring a third surgery 6 days later. Those were a tough 5-6 days for me and to be honest, I was in pain and feeling pretty discouraged. Thankfully, since then, I've been feeling better and better each day, so much so, that I've been doing normal activities for a week now. It's been a blessing just to feel mostly normal. We got the pathology report back from the skin removal and it was cancer-free and we now have clear margins. We have been praising the Lord for that good news! <br />
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<b>Tomorrow is the big day: Chemo Start Day.</b> It feels like the beginning of the next big phase in this cancer fight... one that should last 4-5 months. It's hard to think ahead over the next few weeks as I have no idea how I will feel or what life will look like. Please be praying with us for minimal side effects and good tolerance. I'm told to expect to start losing my hair around 2 weeks after the start. I've also been encouraged to mention every little thing to the nurses/doctor. Seems like they have ways to minimize/control many of the side effects. </div>
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<b>Rob is going to Haiti for 5 days Next Week.</b> Please be praying for him as he travels and for the rest of us here at home. We will have help if we need it, but it will be hard for him to be gone. Rob is excited about seeing the team in Haiti. The visit will be packed with lots of reunions and planning meetings.<br />
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Last week, I enjoyed participating in a class the American Cancer Society offers called "Look Good, Feel Better." I was one of six ladies with cancer participating, and I was by far the youngest one! It was a lot of fun learning make-up tips and tricks as well as understanding skin care during chemo. We also explored hats and scarves and some of the ladies tried on and picked out wigs. (You won't see me in a wig, it's just not me). We went home with a goody bag of free products. It was fun. <br />
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<b>The kids have adjusted very well to school</b> and we are starting to fall into a routine. In fact, we are already at the point where it is hard to get two of them out of bed in the morning. Somehow that makes everything feel normal!<br />
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<b>Drew has been playing fall baseball</b>, a dream come true for him. He is loving every minute and really learning a lot and improving. He's had two games so far and his team has won both of them. It's been fun to go to his games on Saturdays and cheer his team on. He's had his first strikeout, hit, walk and groundout and has played a few different positions in the field. </div>
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<b>Many of you have asked how you can help</b> or have said to let you know if we need something. Please, keep praying! And the words of encouragement mean more than you'll ever know. We know there are SO MANY of you lifting us up. It is such a testimony of God's love, goodness and faithfulness. After surgery, a friend set up a meal sign-up and it has been a huge blessing to our family. Since chemo is starting, she has extended it into October. If you are in South Jersey and want to help out in that way, <a href="http://www.takethemameal.com/meals.php?t=ZANX7630" target="_blank">here</a> is the link to sign up.<br />
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~Becky</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912085014902140242.post-80822809617907480132016-08-31T21:27:00.000-04:002016-08-31T21:28:49.941-04:00We Missed Our Flight Home...<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps." Proverbs 16:9</i></div>
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When we left Haiti on June 1, we had big plans for the summer. We had prayed through these plans and felt they were God-directed. Even looking back at how some plans weren't quite coming together before we left makes me realize that they were God-directed. He knew what we were going to find out on June 23rd. </div>
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My cancer diagnosis sure threw us for a loop, as it would anybody, but on top of that we were faced with so many questions and decisions to make: where to go for treatment, choosing the treatment option best for us, where to live, where to send the kids to school, etc. We were faced with so many changes for how we thought our summer was going to look and even bigger how the next year is going to look. Through July we were able to still do many of the fun things we had planned, but once August rolled around we had to put off our plans so we could instead make new plans to start treatment. At this point, all the changes suddenly seemed more real than ever. Now we weren't just talking about cancer treatment, I was starting treatment. Now we weren't talking about where to live, we were moving into a house. Now we weren't getting the kids ready to go back to school in Haiti, but registering them for school in the US.<br />
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<b>Yesterday, August 30, was the date we were were supposed to fly home to Haiti. </b> Many of the other missionaries have already returned or return in the next few days and the kids' school for the last 5 years starts on Monday. Yet we aren't home. We weren't "supposed to" still be in the States on this date (at least according to our plans.) More and more we are realizing that life and ministry in Haiti is going on without us. <br />
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Yet I am embracing this place we are calling home for the next year or so. Embracing the experiences our kids will have at a new school and living in the US. I'm not sure I am embracing cancer treatment, but I'm doing my best to "roll with it" and so far, recovery from surgery has gone much better than I anticipated. This new path is all so much more "real" than ever. My "assignment" for the next year is not what it has been the past few years (missionary, bookkeeping, menu/team planning, teaching, etc) but rather receiving treatment to rid my body of cancer. This means being still and waiting, which is not easy for me! My prayer as I go through each step of this journey, is to take each step relying not on my own strength, but on the strength of my Heavenly Father, to carry our family through this trial and bring us all into a deeper, more intimate relationship with Him. <br />
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The kids started school today! Here they are ready to go:</div>
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Drew ,6th grade, Tessa, 5th grade, and Braden 3rd grade. <br />
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Treatment Update...<br />
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We got some disappointing news last week from the pathology reports after surgery. The primary tumor was closer to the skin than they could see in films and scans. What that means is they weren't able to say they got a "clear margin." To be sure there was no spread to the skin, I will go back in this Friday, Sept. 2nd, for a small surgical procedure to remove about a quarter-sized area of skin. At the same time I will have a port placed for chemo. Both of these things are same-day, out-patient surgery.<br />
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We met with the medical oncologist yesterday and now have a chemo plan. Chemo will start Tuesday, September 20th. I will receive two drugs once every two weeks times 4. When that is finished, I will receive another drug once every week times 8. If all goes according to plan, chemo will take about 4 months.<br />
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Prayer Requests...<br />
<ul>
<li>Pray for a smooth surgery and port placement on Friday, September 2nd. Pray for the surgeon and for a positive report of "clear margins" after the skin is removed (meaning all detectable cancer has been removed plus a good cancer-free margin around the site.)</li>
<li>Pray for the kids as they adjust to a new school, as well as school in the US. Pray they will make friends and quickly feel like they are a part of the class. Pray for them as they adjust to a longer school day and get back into the homework routine. Pray for a good adjustment to new curriculum.</li>
<li>Pray in advance as we anticipate the start of chemo on Sept 20th.</li>
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Thank you and we love you all.</div>
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Becky</div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912085014902140242.post-54177115703756279812016-08-23T15:35:00.001-04:002016-08-23T15:35:32.464-04:00A Short Update from the Thompsons...Surgery is done, and it went extremely well. Becky was able to go home within 24 hours of finishing surgery. Frankly, we are amazed at her progress. She is certainly tired, and moving slowly, but we are grateful that her spirits are high, the incisions are clean and doing very well, and physical range of motion is more than we anticipated. God is answering the prayers of many.<br />
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Here are some updated praises and prayer requests...<br />
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<li>Praise for good surgery. The Dr.'s were very pleased, we are pleased, and the at home nurse was amazed at the good work that the Dr.'s did.</li>
<li>Praise for coming home so quickly and praise that the recovery has not been as hard as we expected it to be. This doesn't mean it isn't hard! ;)</li>
<li>Praise for the HUGE numbers of people praying and supporting us. Watch for another update on this soon.</li>
<li>Praise for meals <a href="http://www.takethemameal.com/meals.php?t=ZANX7630" target="_blank">coming</a> over the next couple of weeks from friends.</li>
<li>Pray for continued recovery. Pray for no pain, greater strength and endurance, and no infections. There are drains involved, and we are praying those drains stop draining quickly so they can be removed.</li>
<li>Pray for good follow up appointments on Wednesday, Thursday, and next week. We are expecting to hear from the Dr. on Thursday how successful the surgery was. After surgery, they run tests to make sure they got all the cancer. These results also will determine how aggressive we need to be with chemo. Pray for good news and shorter chemo!</li>
<li>Pray for us as we anticipate chemo starting 3-4 weeks.</li>
<li>Pray for the kids as they prepare to start school on Aug 31.</li>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tessa, yesterday, with her 10 year old <br />Birthday gifts from grandparents.</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912085014902140242.post-60604928734330260182016-08-13T11:28:00.000-04:002016-08-13T11:28:06.332-04:00Treatment Update and Prayer Requests...After what feels like a million doctor appointments, consultations, tests, a second opinion and being flooded with information and statistics, it is finally time to start treatment. So ready or not, here we go...<br /><br />Surgery comes first and is scheduled for this Thursday, August 18th. Please pray for the surgeons, for clear steady hands and wisdom during surgery. I expect a 1 to 2 night hospital stay and then home for recovery. Please pray for us as family during the recovery time, as Rob will step up into many of my usual responsibilities and for the kids as they adjust to Mommy resting more.<br /><br />Chemotherapy will start a few weeks after surgery. They will look thoroughly at the cancer removed during surgery and use that pathology as well as how many lymph nodes they find affected to decide the course(s) of chemo. The oncologist sees two options for chemo that depend on the aggressiveness of the cancer they find. I may receive a less aggressive and shorter course of chemo or a more aggressive, longer duration and multiple drug course of chemo. It is also highly likely that I will have radiation once chemo is finished. That decision is also dependent on how many lymph nodes are affected. Right now we know there is cancer in one lymph node, but surgery will reveal if there are traces in other nodes.<br /><br />I can't say enough how much we feel your prayers. We are seeing God taking care of needs that we didn't even know we had! I have never felt so loved by my Heavenly Father as I have since we received this diagnosis. He is using so many of you to show us His tender, loving care for us during this time.<br /><br />How can you pray?<ul>
<li>Praise for the providence of God through the faithfulness of His Church in our life.</li>
<li>For successful surgery August 18th and good healing and recovery.</li>
<li>For wisdom for the oncologist as he makes a decision on the course of chemo and wisdom when to start in relation to surgery healing and recovery.</li>
<li>For our family, as we adjust and learn what life is going to be like over the next months.</li>
<li>For our kids as they start school August 31st: for a good transition to a new school, new friends, and life in the US.</li>
<li>For Rob, as he takes primary responsibility of caring for our family over these next months.</li>
<li>For Rob, as he continues his role of Haiti Field Director from a distance and picks up some additional development roles made possible by his presence here in the States.</li>
<li>For the RMI team in Haiti as they step up in responsibility and leadership over the next year. They are more than ready and more than willing, but they will be stretched in new ways as ministry continues at an aggressive pace.</li>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On our way to go clamming and crabbing with <br />G-Mom and Pop Pop.</td></tr>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912085014902140242.post-48000443654593246242016-08-02T11:02:00.001-04:002016-08-02T20:46:21.685-04:00Overwhelmed with Gratitude...We are just overwhelmed with gratitude and thankfulness...<br />
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When we came to the US for a 3-month furlough, we never expected to find ourselves staying here for a year. Cancer was not on our radar at all. Within three weeks of landing on US soil, we were stunned and looking at a much different reality for the year ahead than we ever imagined.<br />
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Since my cancer diagnosis, life has been a whirlwind of doctors appointments mixed with working in the fun things we had planned. We've really been able to enjoy fun times with our family and with extended family and cousins. Rob and I still got to take the 2-night anniversary getaway we had planned months ago. We are really thankful for these opportunities amidst the madness of a million appointments.<br />
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As you can imagine, we've been working hard to figure out our living situation for the next year and make a decision on school for our kids. When we first arrived, Rob's parents graciously made it clear to us that we could stay with them as long as we needed to, even if it was for the whole year. In fact, we've set up beds for the kids and fetched some other furniture to help settle them in here. We desired a place of our own as a family, but we couldn't imagine how we were going to afford to go out and rent a place, furnish it, etc, while maintaining our home in Haiti, and paying for medical expenses. It just seemed an impossibility. In the meantime, Rob reached out to supporting churches in the area to see if they knew of any housing available at a minimal cost.<br />
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In the course of a week, the Lord opened some doors that we never expected! A supporting church of ours who has a sister church in Haiti, owns a home right next to the church and have offered for us to live there. It is perfect for our family and we are really excited. They are working on a few maintenance issues as well as replacing some things in the bathroom and we hope to move in before my surgery. Rob spent yesterday demoing the shower to prep it for replacement and the kids and I spent yesterday cleaning. We are gathering furniture and all the necessaries for a home (kitchen, bedding, etc) and so far we've bought very little. God is providing what we need from different places, family and friends who have extra of this or that to help make this our home for the next year. We are beyond thankful!<br />
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Did I also tell you about our vehicle situation? A friends of ours in this area left in March for a two year missions stint in Africa. She left her SUV with my brother's church to be used as needed. We already had planned to use it for the month of July while we were here. Well, she's graciously allowing us to use it for the year while we are here. It has more than enough room for our family. God is good and is revealing His love to us so many ways.<br />
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Figuring out where to live has helped us make a decision about school for the kids. My alma mater, The Pilgrim Academy, is only a ten minute drive from our new home. We visited last week and the kids are excited to get registered there in the next few days and start at the end of the month. One of the things they were worried about was going to an American school. It's the first time for all of them! Rob and I felt that a smaller Christian school would be the best transition for them for this one year (the public schools are quite big here). We are thankful for how supportive the school has been already. The kids are excited to go to school where two of their cousins are.<br />
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Surgery is in the next few weeks to start treatment. I will post an update on that in the next few days, including specific ways you can be praying for us. Please don't stop praying. We are convinced it is the prayers of many that are getting us through each day, each decision, each situation, and we are thankful.<br />
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God is providing for our needs in amazing ways, ways we could never have imagined or expected, and we are thankful. All glory to Him!<br />
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Here we are in front of our soon-to-be home away from home...<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912085014902140242.post-18477979933158786182016-07-08T07:56:00.000-04:002016-07-08T07:56:41.362-04:00Encouraged by Good News...These last two weeks have been some of the hardest in my life. I'm sure Rob would say the same. One of the biggest things I want to say to everyone who read the <a href="http://robandbecky.blogspot.com/2016/07/difficult-news.html">difficult news</a> of my breast cancer diagnosis is "Thank you!" We have never felt more loved and supported and prayed for than we did this past week. I think the thing that has impacted me the most is the peace I have felt knowing so many of you are praying for me and Rob and the kids as we walk this difficult path. We have a long road ahead and many hard decisions to make, yet we have confidence that we do not walk through this alone. For that we are immeasurably grateful.<br /><br />We got some very good news today. It has been a week of many tests and doctor appointments and we are not finished with all consultations, but we walked away from today very encouraged. After MRI and PET scan results, it was confirmed that this is an early stage cancer and is contained to one small tumor and one lymph node. For those of you interested, it was classified as T1N1M0, which as best I can tell is stage 2a. This is very encouraging in that with that classification comes a very good prognosis. Because of my age and the fact that it is in one lymph node, it does seem that chemo, radiation and surgery (not necessarily in that order) will be necessary and will give me the best prognosis in the long term.<br /><br />My next steps are to meet again with the medical oncologist, who now has all the pathology and test results to give his recommendation for whether we do chemo before or after surgery. Also, we met with the surgeon and radiation oncologist today and our minds are swimming with information and statistics. The biggest decision I need to make is what type of surgery to have. We'd really appreciate continued prayers as we pray through and consider all the information we've been given to decide the extent of surgery to have.<br /><br />Even with all these doctor appointments and tests, we've really been able to enjoy our vacation week with Rob's extended family. We've had beach days, pool days, a Fourth of July BBQ, a fun day at the waterpark in Wildwood and lots of family fun. It's been a good week. We are looking forward to spending time with my side of the family next week as well. All these activities are things we had originally planned for furlough, and we've been glad to still have this precious time with family.<br /><br />Please continue to pray, it accomplishes much!<br /><ul>
<li>Pray for clear direction for the extent to surgery to have </li>
<li>Pray for my team of doctors as they consult to develop a clear recommendation regarding a treatment plan</li>
<li>Pray for wisdom as we decide whether obtain a second opinion</li>
<li>Pray for us as as family. We hope to still be able to continue in the next few weeks some of the fun plans we had made and looked forward to for the last 2 years in Haiti. There are going to be many changes in the weeks and months to come, please pray for Rob and the kids as they walk through this with me.</li>
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Written with much love and appreciation, <div>
Becky</div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912085014902140242.post-74633706664526492702016-07-01T09:42:00.000-04:002016-07-01T09:42:54.496-04:00Difficult News...<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
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We have some difficult news to share... We recently found out that Becky has breast cancer. We are shocked and stunned to say the least. We had no concerns when we came to the US. But, during a routine mammogram, something seemed suspicious and required followup. After further investigation, including a biopsy, they have confirmed that it is breast cancer.<br />
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As you can imagine, we have a billion questions with no answers. But, here is what we do know...<br />
<ul>
<li>God is able. God is in this and will use it for His glory and our good. We trust him.</li>
<li>Dr. appointments have already started. There will be 5 within the next 7 days. We are in the information gathering stage, including lots of scans and tests to determine the correct treatment plan. So far we have been told to expect surgery, chemotherapy, and likely radiation. But, a firm treatment plan can't be finalized until we know more. Next major appointment is next Thursday when we will develop a treatment plan after seeing the results of all of these scans.</li>
<li>We have heard story after story of women who have had breast cancer and have survived. This encourages us.</li>
<li>We have many who love us, will pray for us, and will walk through this with us. It is a blessing to have friends and family who equally honor/trust the Lord and who will encourage us to remain in him. We need this and lean on this.</li>
<li>We are currently in NJ with family and plan to remain here for treatment.</li>
<li>Although we don't know what the future looks like, we know we can't return home to Haiti on schedule.</li>
<li>We will take this one day at a time, trusting in and looking for the purposes of God. Again, he has purpose in this for his glory and our good.</li>
<li>Please pray earnestly for all of us, Becky, Rob and the kids, as we continue through this journey.</li>
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Need some encouragement? Read the recent writings of a friend of ours over at the Unlocking the Bible blog. You can check it out <a href="http://unlockingthebible.org/20-verses-gods-plan-welfare-future-hope/">here</a>.</div>
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Rob and Becky</div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912085014902140242.post-1043176038346929252016-06-01T07:57:00.001-04:002016-06-05T16:33:49.131-04:00USA, Here We Come!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's that time again: time to head to the States for Home Assignment (aka Furlough). Every 2 years we are given 3 months to head back to the States. What?! A three-month vacation you say? Not so fast! Yes, we are excited because we have vacation time planned out during these three months, but most of you know it's much more than that. We'll be visiting supporters, visiting our doctors for biannual check-ups, speaking in various supporting churches, spending quality time with our families (who sacrifice the most because we live in Haiti) and yes, having dedicated vacation time to spend as a family of five.</div>
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This past year has been especially exhausting. Both Rob and I have had additional responsibilities placed on us that have stretched us beyond capacity. We feel stretched thin. We'd love an opportunity to share with you this summer how God has been working in our lives, hearts, family and ministry over the past two years. More than ever, we need a break from the daily grind of living and serving in Haiti. <br />
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We fly to FL this Wednesday, June 1st, and return to Haiti on Tuesday, August 30th. Here is our schedule. We really hope we have a chance to connect with you if we are in your area!<br />
<ul>
<li>June 1-24 in SW Florida</li>
<li>June 24 to July 1: NY/PA road trip</li>
<li>July 1- August 1: in NJ</li>
<li>August 1 to 5 or 6: drive from NJ to NW Suburbs of Chicago</li>
<li>Aug 6-15 in Chicago</li>
<li>Aug 15-18, drive to TN, supporter visits along the way in TN and GA</li>
<li>Aug 18-25 Family Vacation in TN</li>
<li>Aug 25-26, drive back to NJ</li>
<li>Aug 26-29 In NJ</li>
<li>Aug 29-30 fly from Philly to Port au Prince</li>
</ul>
If you are in the Florida, New Jersey, or the Chicago area, make sure you read our other posts for more detailed information and opportunities to connect! <br />
Hope to see you soon!
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We will worship at our home church, McGregor Baptist (MBC), on June 5th, 12th and 19th. We are very excited to be the featured missionaries this year at MBC's VBS. From June 13-17, well be sharing our ministry in Haiti with the kids at VBS each night.<br />
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We are also looking forward to seeing you! Please let us know if there is a time we can get together for a meal, coffee or just to hang out. We want to see you!<br />
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On a personal side, we are really looking forward to a short family vacation in the Ocala area from June 7-11. We anticipate a time to relax and enjoy time spent as a family. We are also very excited to head to Miami on June 23rd to take the kids to their first Cubs game!<br />
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912085014902140242.post-39670179248950370382016-06-01T07:40:00.001-04:002016-06-04T16:56:13.934-04:00For Our South Jersey FriendsOne of the reasons we look forward to time in South Jersey is that we get to eat subs and Herr's Sour Cream and Onion chips! Ha! A close second is spending time with family and friends. We will be in South Jersey July 1-31. We are really excited to reserve some dedicated time to spend with our family and our kids are super excited to spend time with their cousins. July 1-8 is specifically reserved for time with Rob's side of the family. We also have 7 days peppered throughout this month reserved for Becky's side of the family. <br />
We'd love to see you if you are in South Jersey! Let us know some dates you are free to get together and we will let you know when we are free. <br />
If you are a member of one of our supporting churches, we hope to connect when we worship together. Here is a schedule of the Sundays in July and where we will be: <br />
<ul>
<li>July 3: Wellspring Church, Mays Landing</li>
<li>July 10: Linwood Community Church, Linwood</li>
<li>July 17: Heavenward Christian Fellowship, Galloway</li>
<li>July 24: Beacon Church, Galloway</li>
<li>July 31: Second Cape May Baptist, Marmora</li>
</ul>
<strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">We have an urgent need</span></strong> that we are hoping you or someone you know might be able to help us with. We are in need of a reliable vehicle that fits our family for the month of August (specifically the 1st to the 26th ) to drive from NJ to Chicago to TN and back to NJ. We'd love to hear from you if you can help us in this area. Rob is hoping for a sports car, but anything will do!<br />
<img src="http://www.allcarsbrands.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/ferrari-488-gtb-sports-car.jpg" height="190" width="379" />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912085014902140242.post-87885510440237211402016-06-01T07:31:00.001-04:002016-06-01T07:31:34.595-04:00For Our Friends in the NW Suburbs of Chicago…<p>It's been four years since we've visited and we are very excited to see you! We hope to arrive August 5th or 6th and we will depart August 15th. We plan to worship at The Orchard: AH Campus on August 7thand the Barrington Campus on August 14th. <p><strong>Can You Help?</strong> <br> There are so many of you that we count as faithful supporters, and we really want to see you all, but we are concerned there is not enough time to see everyone. We really want to connect with as many of you as possible. Might you be willing to host or plan an open house at your home or central location for a group of friends/supporters? Please let us know. In July, we will start sending you individual emails to see if we can find a slot to get together. <p><strong>Save the Date: Saturday, August 13</strong><br>Do you know that RMI partners with Feed My Starving Children (FMSC)? We are their Distribution Partner in the Southern Haiti area. We are very excited to have planned to volunteer at the FMSC Packing Center in Libertyville from 9 to 11 am. We are hoping many of our friends and supporters will join us with your families to help pack meals together. If you already know you can join us, click <a href="http://volunteer.fmsc.org/Register/Group/JoinGroup.aspx?gid=896726" target="_blank">here</a> to sign up. We will send a separate email invite later this month as well. We are looking forward to this opportunity to serve together! Does anyone have an idea where we can all have lunch together afterward in that area? <p><img alt="Image result for feed my starving children" 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/Q1CFl83HtDPvF+aBKujjmuFtw6zONJgWm4O1muDawJMotSNXDhb1u2DmVm2tpXu3TIVP6bUIt9hozA+dxwz8RXzTRsk+pRG6Zad5dLVGbUBVh+CgnE9fg+M5od5XHZeSPEXZh506DvyVbymS5xqbU5VyuGS/45uU+KaLfbb8510zqUsKj1tHRzj9LsuBsvZJCJ5Ie95K2Pe5Yys4vcojs60x8dqeo659puJO7ptrtXk+tj/c3Y9pEbv+ghRA3wnnMxS/VgZykigFDHOq1MkJWZqT+MPCSf5e0P6P4Y87oe2c8XJGVSF6hMi5bjSmQQJUh3oiiFXGTIkW7gzo8eIey+QsiYhMe2ICaf82dtp9H1ROTAk+hCOqiZfCd+WzyuHahDL9wenzs4jhc+JOmoM/W827MwG2ZH12Sa1HFNrbeaYKAWfFO1V6IuHOCByia+5UBFOV8JofCXp3M75Kb/IONfJRY87ZKCL6rFuJ9N+5qzx8NjRCYcLfW7NvgBIq4tYmcjxa/VTeuGylkyqm6nZZGko9LsOYwO5laNoWR0DTMXwvHFkomkVh6/LlDB5wrr2I4X2cnJcfd3QJqvWUgz3eCBwR+yuSMUc8z2wKMqA0H+V2St6AccNLpR19rcs6DG4xVmIgaO8gx+VJb04PdL3ZOtYxaoAxmYbGMGPSTJ2AMpXPMZjOoSwoI/mG3XphTN7AwK9ob5MRTRA2j/ibwaXyxMgG/lvBE1VdtpIZ8+Qs7DSGn89Jnws6jnXUtbbwU0YCYlhsxtZo9aWtH9b4NW9Zn0A3kDLcyg6GW253qPfIjwVxRBsorfyZN/qV6cfioCjMSdM77HYqrNDHN1RCR6mCNGoJJ7wP3vVu3eg7HnCM6FLRBl04tCbs+OuuhiVudMpRGQPE/yV3Q7/73mnaTXnTfzGcREhC5i73vLLZf5evMpHkDy3ki8T8BYBG6whhWwhAKWGOKiG34JgA9ySUMRPYg/atDoZ4kfWAQ6L4Jro9MInXasgi5morZG8X3CeOKK0/9m906o1i+1rZ6hPKaFGaRom7VDPGzmmHuyqRV7TvC5hRcP+Ej14O14dToE/+BzETsPAVIbc0kiGNrU80Edlj0aQmFMwG72tSdgwOxkyjnFq7U4kUP7KjHKODZOB8zOQdLIUZp/towK9y5rD1TMps9W3TrKm7iJzGBwLIaK2ycHCvKUspAK5Bgci3zGMKM8dp4KzI4eV7IAX+t8mcevE33htBkwk+BrOafouuCokfUzygwRomzh54vNrtALHWfrZXWqn9Z9ZFps25MxRxUzv+LPWFMFUqY+iwdS/QAyTegEZ9fk5YCv4FgIZmL9OV/HIL58jpknX/tFXAPrrtgHhAm64PSFR2/ArGYJLWQYpvM9rzNzHP/z2ckpLVzM+LpjzTo7Dv1mNVLsEG+FP4n7DDuYrSM7+KX+DBZsHUsnGNeeQl+JaDYFnSCNfqjBmDG5565KxGzNbRVQAVCzx6yVOqYb7PkpMVcEBnDVk9N8jdlIfmJ112AZjacDqGhi/ppMf43E36lQNYRu26ApZhl1eKtH0mIhHpLVMGO8sVF0PGDW5MBxbZ2HfiabGwnUYog2Q8p0YAiGKKxJEOf8fgBFzKswHTdM7XCFuJUfaGCQi839hKMdfNnr38VMFgibMMNrVwdeNuP51+NsthqIqsqgtuOoXNXJPSknMvZDKF0vheSu2q+Sm+kdvZkpHURsrTLZVbPnDPvDwBOSaZZKTu6gPmPRA7wU0K3BweX123ZlKZgxA/jBAy+8VxH7UeCuRuyqX0BmwEz2bfRhBtfho1iIO4T5W1KTKhm+PVe58XZw2sqW0/xjF0kFMWpjxttk2jbtOrPDau9JOwlrW29SyIPfNBeDhnZ1LzpY38RbFNKIE+uZ90aE6ATCmp4gZunWWdVYWlA3BSsl7zZ4fgezc82a/VbFbH6SKxH0tFB8x5qrxXSEeC/jXu5i3iqC14sPupjxXvLZ0edFXbC+AplRwXg705LoemP/Ne/TiRZ0cWYsKEZp4O+OUyzKkjmOEoUpW5tHZnahbgiw3RVWxsgB/6CqY3YwuNVxHUdXCV3MqppbLnY/xceFrD1sciXsAWUofr86XD9O+ArZohzc2hVCKy3yN+1iZjln/E48xhOCnSptALpMgG+YsQY1txj0JIoMFatA9phk/AF5XkRixgxmBjkv2k4hulggZh5jk7uMTZ6qBAYjT7KDHgzVMWuME5l37KPik4sqQuo0S3zLRcyPYKEwof56+nk7aBq40l4c9wX0mXFePgfxN0MGAXkm+Yzu4CTP/eaxkb3ESv9athArWMXRjkR1cog2h89zmi5vN6x8QuAOUwcy+hIzr3ETtb66DmbzRgT6X8zSCKoNL6BWjsue44XvDoeMrV1Kh5tjYXC2Or4n2uWdOXuEnHapqNkAeyHgZT+E2w5lEifwUrEIr8GsqS9Q+79Szipoa+wcyAth/zTP4IdniwAKlQM2iMSMXiqJ2lELqWuYxUrn+tfzMWfFhrLl3krnlSkMuC6K42G5mZs5tcNnYJEaZhMSMj1loicT+IyrSKWvCe8YtTjIrtujbcSvm/sac42LNR4XB3LnmI8ja14cfsPa8coBZ1NixhRwvrlX58nIPpKXmM3SVfO5+0qicQpG58XenCwIg74s36VTBAYmpR6n5Z8wFQn2PfCWbMXEN5Mk8oViYSfjqdBzYPjcs4tZLCZIWD64rcz62ITCARaRtVLE18A/qDEDSex4zpC0R1J0MUtPaiIB42UB8yNnyWg0yor7+Xze7Q6r22083oxvZz70893u4VFnlgvHzGRMgp/N2IuvPbRpef/NdeqPn/M5rC2QclCSnQ2hRpFZF4Pmq/zlSZ97PYGHvboMKdk34CuiY0mhtqjS9BPTpVH7bep5p/bz0E1RzS/jzfIEMopJKT4V3nVxKL3redffmbwXdaIrWIfZBQzvL8UAIvJMMbXkvAqHQIeQx4Q5uubwS7DeQIcHV+G2yzU8k57IFHXRDTCr4yGL5vk3FGrYNKayBmkHM632QBsTwax9HNrf505wFfYelUoRhhQdH72YLVJUAugHYDUa9tbPBC85BfcP4QSoGcHACHkBEO+BlVDjZTCVMqZsbcbS33fHNaMtKcxUi9vFTmQY2JVWUKTlncIXVXKmR9q+Krg1UwMZobLWGXJPxrUJMWzwNWBtjlC8e2Cc1RkitqhnQ95Dx89LwSV6EqkXgGoDGmQ/QMMwa2IkTfUSsEvcrp+HoSWt4B+eJtf57I3SBqs72u1rutf+OcnvwonCgQSd/CbS3M4gLw3DC1E8Yzqs7jfBuBfDhJ7tQKxAl7klIZYeuSI+q0xyCRAa9xaqsTgZ5IBlVak3CF9hPlysV1RpfDbZt9Yubba2cAW116n77lz4ZvwDzY9y2Afmhdv3xe2pIVtNqC3BGik3lvA1a92I/ZcQKqsaHB3mdIh8AMesZim+NrcQv1Y6o6iYfQAxTngHZWvQyyRka1tbABpmSaFm1OhtPpkwTbk7MFpxup1a7+HxXmd/WNsZuHRigRksvfZtLdY+DBsMRc85+Dkoy0GCKSWjYHffHeh1agoN6Sa1M5jSKuZi12qNjxnhmCm6js/EwbAG3kjTtE+osU9Mz6O3YqhDxRAJJQVzJfZLTu9hVs+MI1Ns2BKvEPBT1yYEyGYpmjIVHm0dSsZnUz7/V0nIgBKaMXe6VHO83pjZX6Su1PfqS4LBMsshHqJiRvyMYwkXXgX2rJZPDuT0qk5NrV6zp2JG97aRmgDGq9nTJgplEJTwDhYZfASTVdUB9JZydTY6cpEMBxxBcIETrPSY0wfPLTFTVeWGirm+DLQ1gFbnFbhdwdwoN4tHysHYIxDKgVnsK+kDYxnEG8d1Ul4hXQeEc0XVen0CvqkJJYu3+KysVz4/tewngiXW8gPIFpYle4Ocp1EHVIw3sKdLrb/2U8Z/zgk97ebb1gi7dJCD6sw7l2/pmp5m1a3dph5if3X9MpPdcjoc+oeZcZyhzietmTe9fdehor7fwizy1NtvEgNgfmm17jS/Vvd6hAp92uFxSdBei1Rzyb0GDLOxHdxUdgDbdgbyyd9f63tFPXJhbHawd+2g5zAKMmliiJVaZjhe3DR/shPXUOrcaX+FY52CflOeSXE6FWlw0RuDbKT76MR1HEUGLP0cZ4EuLu1UmnOdr+njeNbCmP6Et7sqVYvkkcWHIcP9s9BLR4bDRc3lxL+LZxqdL6YBXTpmav827be96oD+e3ozqKO74tTSDEA+M/noCgrOfs2h1D6AdDVx9EJ+Ig5vnWLLTTVT9adqX9BHBaikm85Z+ef9/uarOVSNyfPxjsd5rNlT8Jl83+BOfrHnAh1PvueiNGGJ7kffM9jZYfuP28e2p81Gxyy41MLiVZy2Rva9PbXq3dXkcDF5Hl1vNvfXvMKTKloIx0bBRdrazB8jxLL68TdsJ1Y3bdVlu0RzslsjVPR62iYmSV80Vte1W+/5Ts3CF06erL/JzZgRZ7rIZRM/e/vNAf7uALVO+afUf5sdN5Jont4cJgqtvKeGmJDt43OfT5X1ST/PK9wjcPPAixq+uFUkYAezxpx+Vc1S6wD3rVnSMg/ofshpzrzOh/sBHczo+lJkWXUY5/AY6+O8th3Jvky27Omj2YEDyhY33hNZH+14fnyu5sXHaWhYXGRxTJNklB2v61pQgK0bIyXMMvZ3evEBcdy7Uu/ZwayxaV+1h9UJyvU7E76aQFateGJsfsLwSLcGecETokGZMNsA4jT1jCh6hZg29BHONgMBOvQNEjnUMgjtcpZN6ECbNEGm8qmC5CCcEDWGlk5Jbqdt0OhHGiWbFzZYUI+PedFrbgdLWcL0ThGf5GHe8iYI1iuBeXQ6R3CPWn7VgyRoPdzWSREzbMqGsjOIbePfIs5ex8TKw+fJVVYp+KBlcU8xmi1yOVDTF+5cl66XGx/fTdXCGQZ1JKp10rFbL/LD9SuvSPj6L3tiOySn0BFXSd6BmQ7NbN2YI2rkWYTjxUcDiOXKpkGIb0PtAZZJg28E9WhQ00qBi4JRdjjOqyjh91aeHk1IDBTbbeAMF5DRCrmPSpczmKVEoDxCOIxjZVVjMKHVcdTBLJWqI39leSV8o7SXeeMO1XU9Q0VUQkUnjzm2yYNTh9VmOjxNyvDgQlBCzqsFRgXMsB0RyxMZ+4yG7KFhIu3qtHY9x5suV3NeRp0k9SBM8L1gjRBnUUlXDmpImwoSrLVN1iprQvmRemtd/6i2mV4tO+kmv7PrU7BSiuoaworXDmYE4q3phreifH4yh/nYjKKB54IcHdZEQS4PWiYZvxHKTpyJgXSw1dF2LCoafwmxBntnyoAu7FEzEDg2zfq81lZpqkazPVWdrS5mtQ/4QgcEIvv1cpaETjKeLJ1NQdAe0sEMI6bBTYRxwZ7CGLQQtoLPeEAM1+aj5JiVdUsI/yL1sI4bGm156dyuZgos0MaGLibPmhgZH2Ue7mrdgXK1VUDYxayUUufFuhNbwZDtOxXJsj/DazPnwYQZj/mo1gdiJrQX8AJiBrcI+RTIMeHajOs4Zo0bXeEjJldQIFDULT5HOQUMAnpTKaHk1tOsbhLCBE+qmi1dzEKxUVFd72MgoUbem/Mu16a2pwqDn+cDWk+6s7XcBdYniEcD/kLMJhKzDe9rwHk3ehO7u0cYQojq+Ec7kPE0cNhQ2TI+ayK/cmZ0KqFH2z56vTZl1Rrp6fPC5/Ra5/8mCR2g+VsZ81g6+QDggaT1myHAISrQ5NrEYj+M43/wx6cKMyovwEcZVfgEnknGILk+HHJ5BvV+nLHqWtu7kIuy1vYlZrJh3O33i4TMG743TVrECp1na0Uz5dXNB8AeOu0hKrDsZGk22AMB05s4ux4xW4EJx/9ODfkrDzvICiry7fwkTE5h0o+uSjuy/Dxfy2eK8QYPXEihjIpey7PaF1DtY40Sbp4N3muwOHLzSovLxcyphih/6yFBUrXiZGQBXzp46F4PGaJMlLsX4D1ckxdu6IFci00zMSjw9mgj9CsSeAQY6wddGhRVlBUgwxhm4Ri5JbjyOABgVn3BZ7bs9+9pj2ZU4n3x8unvkxgprvFZwux0aJFQH5Ewpd2aay9KeIrT/pR7/hXssgchfh6KNXnm/TNYb/A0YMZzUDuX8VvIG/69sxw+28iKgoHE5Gby8PkQK9QD2MNUmPgsyKqmhbDkYRfi9JkbvNesv5gNFu8AAAjbSURBVM+uh7jipO2zstuBiHULM1CS2gwVLPEMy7KMZzE+I4gtmIUMywb6PHDeKmCWGYvVodb04G1gpy3Ppd66CuX+MjBDZHS97o7ZwcIhR9nC5bM/CwwqYT2fKiMFZvP92vfzjWyIyIYctG2P/8R3Z/tipFyXIpRQ07ZfD9pRl2feUcxHaojqbsmN8lkuIJ6hsxRnfoKzPzMGL2EftnL9gU93uDKjLYxEtsF72nbuuK43BGk5SKA+w+VB0Y3Dd6JhvruGWZguhhino95gOo5AAp65SUc/TWHYIInxFL15qT7iHKDZZ6DmMeaoEFS+RW0+8/U7geyAE3Bs3ZHQD2A/xMYNsGE2bZA30ibeybAGY6SwuRavaRENVcmW8lJlHbNgonZdU+/0zOriHWqKw2Y515tvbynDizs1eQbPirFtlak2OmZiGJ8dJ6M0q2fJAmbsXogb8/N0/ekGC8bK9+mHvOrspubilf0toNY2r9cQ8CKuTbX+gGGmb03E/NfDSAY/iMEEK9ZcnQ/fCQTZtZOqYQaVSJhDUTH71OUZfWAMY7vNmU2whnX6KdYms/rwb6zdgxrayKQ4LY95Vw8HMAMuKG9NnJbpm+ZaxBe1tqIV7uhjfKU1BtJPCj7moD00PJ/InjPadcNlncr0rRx6Ha/y2rHdyhG5Og2zQNWbhPf6XritMYgEZnLGGShwdBkhuZyYCozoIhCYZf+3TOxQySsz3mzm/JKFmLFkUW58nvnYblWvrI+gb5m2P7UGrJDh8ir+Ne0qTx4vfbPuoC671HZvwFjORLM1IKDWWmJc2QozFxmcyUEMXkLpKGyihC8S+8Me3bVJ8zvIIAjCXVznI8XaBHEtpjca85kuZa0t4aEE3l3ZGvWWw52R/Jkl8xOs8Hq0Ds1zeU7d2k8uwuZ9c7ePeX2PKoG/2MEMFGnLD/BwQYskzAAuzOQYxm2glGoj98ciHzOl/64534IpytkJbd8HtZxTbMcn2UewT5Q2a7oJhV9MrHMtQ9q1QdiRwNPto6s7nF5WnZdE9WF7op68byZcL/H1YMIM8uqta8IvElXOch0tYPTEvh9YI8/+BoHNJT8By2DexQweMGKLueB1apCWjcUQCPChWpjJ/fqEPEDMOj5svfqy+wj646iW3KOLtlM95gLj7RpH8f61tQmYYSu1SlALGJ6bcUHiYuIMYN+GMn724H+LzSXAOq70NB3EKGcZyOxM1PY5j4T51fzDD7UeVK21pSf53KE21hZ7sBU67q/Xj9unryQIHWXSbLAciHyj9SIoaSJxL0SzaaGeCqZ3tu8JhrjOlgiR4+RMM2JhnUQ9VmJBJx6PFHFvckuVvRA5+cMlxC8h4pvIekjnxjxTHMbP/HqlZ5PJsxozPo0bMdMLPPR8G0qpWZEpNgjZHOt1eJQZ0Hd34pGP4rY1cWbCjEeAR+Nfw+H0UCQHl6/NXTNiBpxXjNts+VB23sPDZN0Z9p5rwHfd/J6OM2HnhHKQFoFR91gGA7GQRt0wLaHokKm41VDfuGnTkzsK774nc9fU+pRcVW+UKWdcfJdkXZI2IxLjETd9r2/cG9cOR0UGL2vi8b3yRHh4IeqQ0aMQ/MY3PhH/5q8VFsrjcGP2V0F4kVDezCtGfQBhfoiPNWzkFWoNpOzL0GaVv+httcvJYy3rQqglrFtFHL63ODP5Ktu+BfAOpAjamFmemsa/Ory6WqQ/IK8JvQ8Yuz0RGINvl/coSY5MoICtJuTTLY3gefdHMcyRLuu5i8BEtxgqSGCfv+XQdXmNg9euGxWNsdr80L4ZghK246dwG8QegplSFPZ/b2Em7XMtfoZhv3EHM0sJqrCFhUUOYu8O3G8eMQPmgw1gasV+9NDO3UMemNeJZUtaV2Aw/apuMO0WdrxxwZ+MrqvDbrdh9kC7ptvig/oDzRsbfrVxSbxDd1RW9Nb5f+JY78WCasxa/Xq4vw/t7iPWzB3BOBYOFhFrDnN9kFPHeDezppyaJyFWXY3s4rFnqt//qO5ntY6AyT91hjtcYbTneeSA2a7BByVumoxUPwLaecJLGzKy+DITHqYQKCA8r17ynndCh/7uG3uGmTATcw4E8faHgyGPzhxu2EImvuLWjpOwbsiDmaLYAIuzhqQfAHeK26KDLxCC9usUTTG+VPfjxE1YRz5IzhCn1bCVvYzv7XGh06CutZX0LeVXER7XtPkeNUzE5ePi7cFBkRQKvuI/8Hyco9tnHDR3cZuPLVxZIO5lYxdoDAy8YC3+A1Nw8ygrzuOT7I+Fvnp8ua0TDkba3Gq6Gdnn4Wl3uM1Xt5xZI+zlabPcvUl21CyN/n3EFEooH39lQ7PiNH+sqt/op6tTbzA2tya+KQqkTLqYQbBAdtDTj2dUfMpCnsMTy83cQxpNuI0K0+o8Lun9eZilE9NAU7q6aCxDt/O7Q5j453tGMY7tjKFyvHz9G5jZ42G9CWp6zN50zQWVtbHtNZiFPJNEdd/JAJ+T10kV4vISKWJtTUW4+Ue+NZ+EdippCdEaDU3lo9qXvodZcv3zzTeb/LYyek5sjzm9f1mDbCRCTEWg3eLPHyXzPhX/CMWy5FXd8wPzz8QC48EylOL/lWSc6/7PUDh/LCxmOXoLJa6BM8v49mvWq41w/yaSvWf/E0qy4lg9n1mjcYMxb+5FzIypj7+Q3u0l/AFSbZQQ6yTE7JtXg+//Jvp6hsY/S+mJmQo44ci2Xm2w8DeRVj/3v6dZVN2PfB+x1X8Fs/G/jFlDlj4H9m8lqCP6S8g6d8L47xNRybQlww/Qe/1K/yhZxk1uviBCwedhf+KcAc+ZquTn28XagjFmCuG8ENnZ9FuYitmtfwNZ9wFBCIiEoEXDAQyS8Ry+b7GkfHNYOtZieYWNmXfzImpRlqZZVFRzlZ7XMXY25c5waC3zFpwObqnlOALXFsniDqh++3swi8/L/W13Wz4em8ukQ1kCzz+/4wbCNcVlWM5wLi7Qt64TlEjxLI2SMk6O86qm82p8ux4u5/tk3KEluHb5cmFZy/eqO/9J+n+7O9qkV5fuNwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==">Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912085014902140242.post-62688593415056713552015-12-23T10:47:00.000-05:002015-12-23T10:47:14.487-05:00Family Update...<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As the year 2015 comes to a close, we wanted to give you a little update on our family!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ywl60QfOpe8/VmyVTThuHMI/AAAAAAABxUc/c-SqBSTU85I/s1600/IMG_8915-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ywl60QfOpe8/VmyVTThuHMI/AAAAAAABxUc/c-SqBSTU85I/s400/IMG_8915-2.jpg" width="400" /></a>As always, we've had a busy year of ministry in Haiti, so we were appreciative of some opportunities to serve together and rest and play together. </div>
<br />It had been a while since our whole family had been out in the country with a team. In June, we were able to join a group from Harper Church in Port Orchard, Washington to visit their sister church in Les Irois, Haiti. It was about an 8 hour drive to the westernmost tip of Haiti. For Becky, Tessa and Braden, it was their first time seeing that part of the country (Grand d'Anse region). We really enjoyed serving together as a family and were thankful to be a part of that team's ministry in Les Irois. <br /><br />This wasn't a furlough year for us, so we chose to spend our vacation time in the Dominican Republic. We drove with another family to Puerto Plata, DR (a looooong 15 hour drive) and enjoyed 10 days at a resort there. It was really refreshing to get away as a family, rest, and enjoy the pool with our friends. Then we drove to the capital city, Santo Domingo and explored the city for 1.5 days. There we were in awe of US chain restaurants, a shopping mall and the infrastructure. It was hard to believe that we were still on the same island as Haiti. One of favorite parts of the trip was doing a walking tour of the historic section of Santo Domingo. As the oldest, continuously inhabited city in the Americas, there was much to see.<br /><br />This year, for the first time in our kids lives, we spent Thanksgiving with our families in NJ. Our oldest niece (and flower girl, yikes!) got married the day after Thanksgiving so we made it a priority to be there for the big event. Becky's 97-year-old grandfather had passed away a few weeks before, so we were also able to be there for his funeral service.<br /><br /><b>Rob</b> continues to be Field Director. This means leading and managing all initiatives, projects and staff. This means facility, project, administrative, and team development. There is NEVER a down moment as the work to be done never stops. Some of this latest projects were related to leadership development, QuickBooks support and report development, web development, conversion from Google Drive to Office 365, church partnership development, etc etc. The list certainly goes on. He continues to feel like God is using his abilities for the advancement of the kingdom.<br /><br /><b>Becky </b>continues to be responsible for RMI Hospitality and Bookkeeping. In addition, she volunteers as Chair of the School Board for the kids' school. In September, she also added second grade teacher (devotions, math, and science or social studies) to her list of responsibilities. This task has been challenging but Braden enjoys having Mommy for a teacher each day for an hour and a half. She still enjoys digital scrapbooking and has fun playing basketball and volleyball once a week.<br /><br /><b>Drew</b> is 10 years old and is in the 5th grade. He enjoys playing football and Minecraft with his friends. When he's not doing those things, you're likely to find his nose in a book and considers the Narnia book series his favorite. He still really enjoys creating things with Legos and likes to have 'creation marathons' with his friends. We've appreciated seeing him grow in maturity this year.<br /><br /><b>Tessa</b> is 9 years old and in 4th grade. She loves playing on her Ripstik, playing with her Lego Friends creations and refuses to let me cut her hair. She enjoys games and is the one Becky can count on to play games with. Our little girl who liked princesses, unicorns, and pink and purple is gone and she has grown into a young lady who likes anything involving dolphins, horses and the color turquoise. <br /><br /><b>Braden</b> is 7 years old and in 2nd grade. He's still as silly and sweet as ever and loves cuddles and kisses from anyone in his family who will offer it. He's having to learn to ask his brother and sister if he can hug them, as not everyone in the family appreciates his snuggly nature. Our dog, Jersey, is still his favorite non-human thing in the world and we know that if we can't find Braden, we just need to find Jersey and there he will be. He loves reading, Minecraft and playing with friends.<br /><br />We pray you have a wonderful Christmas wherever you find yourself and may your New Year be full of the hope that comes with a relationship with Jesus!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0