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Excitement!

There is an excitement in the air!  And not just because of the holidays.  This past Saturday we went to pick up two of the motorcycles we need for Haiti.  What an adventure!  With prayer, ingenuity, and the help of our good friend, Jake, the journey began.  It is surprising how many looks you get from people when you have a motorcycle strapped halfway in your minivan as you’re driving down the highway, in the rain.  And surprisingly, you really don’t get that cold and wet. . . unless your sitting in the backseat like Daniel ;)

A Time. . .

Not too long ago I (Lee) led the funeral services for my Aunt Joan and I spoke from Ecclesiastes Chapter Three.   Verse one states that, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Oh how I am learning that. 

Back in September we had the opportunity to travel to RMI headquarters, in Florida,  for a week of training.  This was a time of enlightenment and brain overload.  It was one of those trips where you try to mix a little “business” with some “pleasure”.  We had to leave early to make sure we took in LegoLand  (with four boys, it wasn’t even an option) and visit I-Tec (a Christian group founded by Steve Saint which aims to provide tools and technologies to God-followers in frontier areas to meet their needs.) This was very cool!  How often do you get to see a flying car first hand?  Yep, that’s right. . . I said a flying car!

We also had a wonderful time, although way too short, visiting with long time friends along the way. We even had the opportunity to participate in an outreach to children in the projects of Jacksonville. 

It’s always amazing to see how God works if we are looking for His hand in our daily life . . . God sightings is what we used to call it when I worked with youth on missions trips.  During the last leg of our journey, while eating breakfast, we met two wonderful ladies from Georgia.  Little did we know that before we would leave, they would give us a donation towards our Haiti support.  But the most exciting part of our time together was when we spent time praying together and giving each other teary-eyed farewell hugs. To us, they were angels, sent by God, to give us the encouragement we needed for the transitions ahead.    

Now here’s the great news! . . . and not so great news. . . While we were at RMI, we had a chance to discuss our future plans and finances, as well as, a timeline for getting us to Haiti.  The great news is that we have had a wonderful group of individuals, families, and churches  who have given faithfully so we have met our one time goal!!  Therefore, we have the money we need to go to training, pack our container, and head for Haiti.  The not-so-good news is that we don’t have enough monthly support to keep us there. So RMI suggested that if we raise 25% more (75% of our goal) they would allow us to go, with the hope and prayer that the remaining 25% would follow.  We would like to take the missionary training course we need in the spring, so we can be on the field by this summer.  In order for that to happen, WE NEED YOU!!  If you have not partnered with us, NOW IS THE TIME!  Or, maybe, like some others have graciously done,  you would prayerfully consider increasing your monthly pledge.  

We are close enough to see a new leg of this journey, just before us, and we look forward to seeing how God will enable us to begin this new time of transition. 

Reflection

I (Tina) just realized this afternoon that this week marks four years since I first stepped on Haitian soil. That thought caused me to go back to all the things that were going on in my heart and mind at that time. My first thought was the silent discussion that I had with God as our team stood before the Otterbein church congregation during our commissioning prayer on the Sunday before we left for that first Haiti trip. I left God know that I was not happy about leaving my four boys at home to go on this missions trip and whatever He did, I did not want him to call our family to Haiti . . . . I didn’t even want to go to Haiti for this week long trip. It didn’t take too long for God to start changing my heart and mind, as you can see from my journal articles just a week or so later.

 

July 15, 2010

Alright, we just spent our last full day in Haiti, or have we? God has really changed my heart about this country. Rob talked to Lee today about the possibility of our moving down here when RMI expands their staff. As hard as it is to think of leaving our family at home, I could really see the boys enjoying living here. It’s definitely something to take to the Lord in prayer, daily.

July 17, 2010

Almost 24 hours home from Haiti. Lots of mixed emotions!! What’s on the horizon? Is God doing something new in us? Can’t wait to see!!

Following this July 17, 2010 entry, we got readjusted to our life here in Greencastle and put the idea of returning to Haiti in the back of our minds as we jumped back into the ministry that we had here. It was about a year later before we would even begin to think much more about the possibility of moving back to Haiti . . . . but God continued to work in our lives.

Wow, my head continues to spin with the thought of all that needs to happen in order for us to make it back again. We said from the beginning, that if God wanted us there, He would work out all the details. Sometimes the wait seems unbearable . . . . but we are continually reminded that it is all about God’s timing, not ours.

It’s Been Exciting!

Where do I begin?  We prayed that God would open doors and He has!  Last week at Good News Camp was incredible!  I (Lee) got to teach a great group of students, Tina was a helper, Daniel and Josiah were Jr. counselors and Nathan and Isaac were campers. We also had the opportunity to share Haiti with over 175 students and adults during “Missions” time.   Their goal was to raise $700 to go towards one of our motorcycles.  It was the last day and we still had $200 to go.  The children were excited to see if we would reach it and they eagerly chipped in to help.  “Mr. Lee. . . Mr. Lee. . . I brought in thirty-five cents!  Do you think this will be enough?” a little girl asked.  Another boy excitedly chimed, “Check this out Mr. Lee!  I got all the new pennies out of my safe to bring in.”  Humbled by their generosity, I was reminded of the widow who gave all she had to God.  Soon it was time to reveal the final total.  With great anticipation, we began to count down from 10.  Before we got too far in the countdown, my family noticed I was already crying. . . they knew we had met our goal.  But not only did these campers and adults meet their goal, they almost tripled it.  We left Good News Camp feeling incredibly blessed not only with the financial increase toward our move to Haiti, but with precious memories of times spent with a great group of young people and adults.  God has this.  Once again, He smacked me upside my head and did more than I could ever hope or imagine! 

This week we are sharing during a Vacation Bible School.  Although there will be no monetary gains, our hopes are that God will use us to plant seeds into the hearts of these children. 

Next week we are off to speak at another summer camp.  It’s keeping us busy, but we are grateful that we are being used by God along this journey!

Thank you for your prayers, love and generosity!

God Continues to Answer Prayers. . .

. . . in HIS time, in HIS way.  That is one of the lessons we are learning along this journey of faith.  We have been praying that God would open doors for us to share about His work in our lives and He is doing just that through many of you! 

We had a wonderful time with some great people in the Lancaster area this past Friday and Saturday.  It was a pleasant surprise to see so many friends and family.  In a way, it was like a joyful homecoming celebration.  We were blessed to see friends, family and mentors from over 20 years ago.  Individuals who God used to help shape us and mold us.  We were also excited to meet new people and see faces lit with excitement as we shared about God’s work through RMI.  We pray that we can be a blessing in the same way they blessed us. 

We have a busy schedule coming up these next few months, but we are THANKFUL.  We will be interacting with a local church during their services, sharing in a Sunday School, participating in two weeks of day camp and overnight camp, and leading the missions time during a VBS!  As busy as we are, we would love to be invited to your church, small group, Sunday school or kids camps :)

We were asked this weekend, “What’s your greatest need?” Without reservation our response was, “prayer” and “monthly supporters.”  We NEED you!!  If you have not already joined our team, what about now?  Is God prompting your heart?  There is joy in giving! 

 

There is always room for one more in Haiti!

Seeing God’s Hand at Work

As I sat in the pew waiting for the service to begin, I was reviewing all the notes in my head in preparation before I shared later in the service.  I was selfishly praying that God would use my words to stir people’s hearts to join us in the work God was calling us to, in Haiti.  The service began with a hearty welcome and a time for greeting. As I stood to my feet, crossed the aisle and reached out my hand, I was met with a wonderfully broad smile and an enthusiastic lady’s voice,  “We want to support you! We want to support you monthly.  How can we begin to do that?”    I was dumbfounded.  I was shocked.  I was bewildered.  In that very second, I realized that God really doesn’t need me.  He has this.  He can do immeasurably more than we hope or imagine.  As I slipped back to my seat still numb, my faith being stretched, I sent word down the pew through my boys to my wife. . “You will never believe what God just did . . .”

 < < <  REMINDER > > >

Everyone in the Lancaster Area. . .

Hope to see you all there!

Invite a friend to join you!

Our House. . . SWEET!!

 Hot off the press. . .

Urgent Need for Construction Teams to Complete Missionary Housing

As RMI grows, so does our need for additional missionary staff to come along side our current field missionaries, the Thompsons and the Harvies.  God has called 2 families to join RMI in Haiti - and they are badly needed!  Joel and Laura Sutton are currently raising their support and plan to be in Haiti by August, 2014.  Lee and Tina Nunemaker (and their 4 boys) expect to finish their support raising and be in Haiti by December, 2014.

Missionary housing on the mission center is full; however, God has provided a beautiful two story duplex in the village of Simon, almost adjacent to the mission center.  The structure is finished, but the inside is not.  It needs windows, kitchen cabinets, flooring (tile), plumbing and electrical work including light fixtures.

Construction work teams are urgently needed.  Work teams can be scheduled beginning April 4 through August 1, 2014.  Teams are scheduled from Friday to Friday.

Help us get the word out!  RMI needs your skills.  To schedule a work team, please call RMI at 877-764-5439 (toll free).  For more details on the projects and opportunities, ask for Kim Rose.

Simon Missionary Duplex
Completion Goal:  July 31, 2014                      
Work Team Costs          
Cost per team member for 7 day trip costs          $495

Now we are more anxious to get moving!  There has been a lot of excited talk among the younger boys today, as they have seen their “Haiti House” for the first time.  But we need your help.  Partner with us today so we can get moving sooner! 

Also, keep watch for our next newsletter.  It’s due out in the upcoming week.

Sap Season Continues. . .

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.”  Philippians 1:3-5 (NASB)

It seems that words are never enough.  We can never begin to tell you how much we have appreciated your prayers and your participation in our desire to share the gospel in Haiti. 

It has been a great month!  We picked up 7% in both our monthly and one time goals!  That brings us to 41% monthly and 65% one time.  Continue to pray that God will raise up monthly partners so we will not only get to the field, but we can stay there as well :)

As we continue to work toward our financial goals to enable us to minister in Haiti, we also continue to be busy with ministry here in the States.  Lee continues as the Associate/Youth Pastor at Calvary Bible Church  and Tina continues to direct PMI Pregnancy Resource Center, a crisis pregnancy center in Greencastle.  In our spare time, we are enjoying (hopefully) one last year of maple sugaring on our property and our neighbors.  Following are some more pictures of this activity that has become a family project for us.

Temperatures fell below freezing make it a challenge to collect sap.

After collecting anywhere from a few ounces to a over a gallon  of sap per tree, the long process of boiling it down begins.  Lee  usually gets the cooking started between 6 and 7am. 

Every 10 minutes, it is time to stock the fire and strain the impurities from the cooking sap.  Somewhere between 7 and 10pm, we will usually have the completed maple syrup in jars.  On most days we will cook off between 20 and 25 gallons of sap, which results in just over a quart of maple syrup.

Sap Season Begins!!

“Be still and know that I am God.”  Psalm 46:10

Take a break. . . let your hands fall. . . relax. . . I am God. This is not always easy for me to do with my personality (Lee’s) but God IS in control and He WILL work to accomplish His will.

It’s been a great couple of months.  God has continued to open doors and stir people’s hearts.  We have had the opportunities to meet with a missions committee, talk with a missions' chairperson and work on setting up a time to share in a church.  We have also shared God’s calling with families and individuals;  At times we were blessed by prayers and others by tears. 

Currently we stand at 58% of our one time goal!  We are thankful for each and every one of you who have graciously given and have partnered with us!  Keep praying for our monthly support!

The end of January brings a favorite time of the year for us.  It is time to start tapping trees and collecting the sap to cook down into maple syrup.  We thought last year would very possibly be our last sap season, but God has blessed us with one more to enjoy!

Heading out to tap some trees.

Tapping the tree involves drilling an upward slanted, 1.5” southern facing hole.  Pound in the spiral (tap), hang a milk jug and you are good to go!Nothing tastes as good as those first few drips from the tree.  Cookie waiting eagerly to get the sap season underway.  She knows her sweet treat is right around the corner.