Today was another busy Saturday with plenty of work done. One of the goals for shelter this year is to spend some time in other towns or cities so other people can gain some awareness of what is going on in Haiti. In order for that to happen though, we have had to make some changes to the design of the shelter to make it more portable.

The first thing to go was our metal roof. It was too heavy and too dangerous for us to put it up and take it down all the time. We hated moving the shelter last year because of the roof. We have replaced it with a tarp this year, which has caused it’s own trouble.

When we moved the shelter to the fair, we kept the bunks in one piece, which was great, except they didn’t really fit in the trailer. So today, we cut the bunks in half to make them easier to move. We went ahead and took the bunks out after that, so tonight the girls are sleeping on the ground.

Becky, Jessica, and T-Money stayed tonight, and since it was a beautiful night, I’m sure they got plenty of sleep. In the guard shack we were pretty full. Simon, Jake, and I were ever vigilant AND well rested.

Another good day in Shelter 127.
$9,500 to go until we can all go home. It’s going to get cold soon.

Tonight we had a little taste of real life In the Shelter. It rained. Alot… We had an amazing lightning storm with just a little wind and rain. We took some great pictures and had an awe inspiring moment or two. Shortly after the first storm rolled through we noticed another storm approaching on the phone. Excited by the previous storm and the epic lightning, I got busy getting the camera ready for round 2.

Big surprise! Round 2 was a torrential downpour with a heavy wind that tore the tarp halfway off the roof. We spent the next 20 minutes pushing water off the roof with a stick and baseball bat. We were pretty damp the rest of the night.

God protected us…even in the midst of a storm.

Shelter 127.

Tonight was a lot like old times…played some cards and finally got the signs out etc. The donation box is secure and awaiting donations, and Max and Matt are in the shelter tonight.

It has been raining since about 11:30, and it’s 2:30 now. Lots of lightning and thunder. Got some good time-lapse stuff I think. Had some conversations with people including some people who had significant knowledge of Haiti.

Yesterday afternoon was a surreal experience. I quit one of my jobs(two weeks notice)…which was very hard for me to do…walked out to my car…got in, and realized that I was almost completely out of gas and out of money until my next pay day. So there I am broke, gasless, and soon to be with one less job. It reminds me of the way most Haitians seem to live. Working hard but never having a surplus (in my situation it is my fault, in the Haitians it may not be their fault at all) living day to day. Having to trust that somehow God will provide…even when I doesn’t make sense.

When everything is said and done, if God asks you to do something you should do it. I believe that God has asked me to leave a job and trust him. I believe that God has asked me not to go home until 2 Haitian families can. We can’t reach our goal without Him, and I can’t wait for Him to show up.

What is God asking you to do? Will you do it?

Shelter 127

(p.s. Tune in to 88.5 Wednesday morning at 8:30 as Joel Teeple shares our mission with them and their listeners).

Another night where I am not really sure who is with us. I think it is Joel and I for sure.

A HUGE thanks to everyone who helped with the signs!!! You guys rock.

It should be another calm night tonight, but who knows what is in store.

Did you know you can now donate online? Check out our page. Shelter127.org

Today I learned how easily I am frustrated…and how much I want to make people happy. I always want everyone I know to be happy with me, but that simply will not happen. I need to be striving for Gods approval instead of mans approval. You know what I did today God, I hope that it was what you wanted.

Grant me the strength to always do my best for you. There are going to be some tough times ahead God, show me how to be faithful. Thank you for the courage you gave me today. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Night 10 features Joel, Jared and I in the shelter and night 3 at the fairgrounds.

Just a little update for you all. We have raised over $1000 so far! In fact we are almost 1/10th of the way to our goal!

I hope to be able to spend some time at the fair this week. I have only been here at night so far. There are a lot of great opportunities passing us by. The good news is that we are grabbing hold of some of the possibilities as well! Joel will be doing the morning show with Yes FM on Wednesday and we will be featured during parts of the broadcast day through out the week.

Please join us in prayer for

Opportunity
Time
Faithfulness
Safety
Unity
An abundant harvest.

Thanks everyone, and good night from Shelter 127