First Place

Another snow day! The wind is blowing so hard that most of the day we've not been able to see more than a quarter mile down the road. I spent some time this afternoon going through the photos on our computer - they've been accumulating since mid-summer. The kids enjoyed looking at images of warmer, greener days. So far this shot of Willem with friends Pam and Lanae is my favorite. :)

Sherry's Essay

Shaking of the Nations

“Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts.” Haggai 2:6 and 7

Can you imagine what that day will be like when the Lord shakes all the nations, and the Son of God returns? What a day that will be!

At 4:53PM EST on January 12, God gave me a tiny glimpse of what that day will be like. I had the privilege of witnessing the power of God as He struck Haiti with an incredible earthquake. This was not a privilege from an earthly point of view, but from a spiritual point of view, for we see God’s glory when His power is displayed in such a fashion.

My coworkers and I journeyed to Haiti as part of a medical team. We planned to travel to different villages and do dental work for those in great need, but God had other plans for us. When the 7.0-magnitude earthquake rocked Port-au-Prince, we became a trauma team and tended to the injured. The death and devastation we witnessed is difficult for me to accurately relate. It was beyond words. A nation of people who physically had so little now has even less.

How does a Christian begin to put such an event into perspective? God has used Rev. Overway, my family, and friends to help me do so. First, we must realize that any earthquake is a picture of God’s wrath against sin. At the end of time, He will shake all the nations and save His people alone. We can further compare an earthquake and its unsteady foundations to a life of walking in sin. There is no surety or comfort in such a life, but when we walk with God, He is our Rock. “The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.” Psalm 18:2

Though it is difficult to understand, we must realize that God is using this great trial for the good of His people in Haiti. For some it was the divine method He used to take them from a life of earthly poverty into the riches of eternal glory. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 Although they may have little food, no home, and no family, God is there with them. He will be the Comforter of His people and provide the help that only He can give. In the minutes after the earthquake, I heard many of the LORD’s people in Haiti crying out to Him. What a blessing to know that He listened in love to every word! “This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.” Psalm 34:6 When night falls upon Port-au-Prince, the voices of His people singing can be heard. They are blessing the LORD at all times! (Psalm 34:1)

It pleased God in His grace to bring my medical teammates and I back to the United States safely. We see God’s glory displayed in this as well. God placed us in Haiti at the time of the earthquake to do His work there. Even so, He has brought us back home according to His plan to continue to serve Him here.

Praise God from Whom all blessing flow! Praise Him for what He has done for you, for His people in Haiti, and for His people in all nations of the world. “Oh praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. For his merciful kindness is great toward us; and the truth of the LORD endureth forever. Praise ye the Lord.” Psalm 117

Ouch!

Marie tipped off a chair yesterday, planting her face

into our concrete basement floor.

Her nose and cheek are sore and swollen, but she's still smiling!

Sherry's home!

Some of our family members were able to spend time at Dad & Mom's today to eat lunch and to see Sherry! She is tired, but she took the time to share some of her remarkable trip with us. Our family is looking forward to all being together tomorrow evening. Once again, we praise our sovereign God for bringing our sister home safely, and we pray that He will continue to be her strength and comfort in the days that lie ahead.

Sherry's coming home!

I just spoke with Sherry on her cell phone. She is in the airport in Newark, New Jersey. Their group was flown out of Haiti during the night by a military plane. They will soon be departing for Dallas and are scheduled to arrive in Omaha at 11:10 this evening. It was good to hear her voice - it will be even better to see her in person!

Sherry Update

Sherry has made it safely to the Port-au-Prince airport and is waiting there. We know this because we caught a glimpse of her on ABC. Here's the video link: http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=9559647.

e-mail from Sherry

"Hello all,

I don't know where to begin...the last 24 hours have been unreal. For now I will just say that the injured people who we have been caring for since the earthquake struck here early last evening have all been loaded into vehicles and taken to some sort of hospital for further care. The coast guard is here. They will be evacuating the critically injured and then later...possibly today, we will be evacuated. It as all up in the air. For now we are safe and saddened at all we have been a part of. I will contact you by phone whenever we reach the US.

Take care and God bless.
Love,
Sherry"

According the KIWA, a radio station out of Sheldon, Sherry's group was supposed to head for the Port-au-Prince airport at 4:00 this morning. We're waiting to hear from her again and praying for her safety and peace!

Haiti

God brought my sister Sherry to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Monday, as part of team of dental, medical, and construction workers who were going to serve the impoverished there for ten days. Sherry is a dental hygenist.

On Tuesday, God sent that region the greatest earthquake they have had in 200 years. The devastation in the city is serious, with many buildings crumbled, and possibly thousands dead.

My parents received a brief e-mail yesterday evening, saying that all members of the team from Northwest Iowa were safe and are helping with medical operations. Thanks to God for their safety!

Heavenly Father, You are sovereign. Your ways are past finding out. In Your providence, You have placed Sherry in that foreign country at this time. Care for her, equip to do the work that Thou hast called her to do, and bring her home safely at Thy appointed time.

Can't wait to have you home, Sherry!