Live Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV

Donations came in the form of money, opportunities to work, fundraising events, and supplies to take over for the people in Ghana. When our personal items and the donations were all packed we had 32 bags. Most of the bags weighed in at the 50 pound limit. We couldn't have gotten everything to the airport if it weren't for Jason taking a truck full of luggage. If there was ever a time for curbside check-in this was it. Fourteen of our suitcases were covered with our tickets. We needed to check-in at least 18 bags. Each additional bag costs $200. Ben explained to the skycap, Rodney, where we were going and what we were doing. He talked to his supervisor and was able to wave $400 of it. We checked the 18 bags but only paid $400 more, instead of $800. Then an added blessing was that we were able to check a couple more at the gate for free. We were blessed to be in the middle of those that wanted to donate and those with needs that received the donations.Without others being angle...

Saying goodbye is rarely easy. The time came that we had to say goodbye to our family dog, family, co-workers and an employer of 14 years, friends, neighbors and everything that was familiar. The prayers, encouragement, and love we received made it easier though. We knew we were in good hands, God's hands. And He would continue to bless our path in this adventure just as He had blessed it to get us to the adventure.  Pics: Boston Carolyn Haynes and Pope Loewens cousins Amelia

So many times we thought this must be the end of the trials. Surely we have endured enough and proven we will follow through. Apparently the Lord knew different and gave us more opportunities to grow in our commitment and faith. A couple weeks before we were to leave for Ghana, Ben received some unexpected and unsettling news. He had some blood work run and it came back with a concern. Our path had some new unexpected lows and highs, twists and turns. Orders for more blood work, a bone marrow draw, and a PET scan all needed to be added to the "to do" list before we left. The day of the PET scan we found out it would not be possible. The machine that produces the radioactive drug, tracer, was down as well as all the other places that produce it in the surrounding states. There were many other people that had already been waiting a few days for it; even if we were pushed through toward the front it could be weeks before Ben would get in, if the machine was up and running in a c...

If you started following this blog in the end of 2018, you have been waiting at least 6-8 months for an update. Well, brace yourself....all the drafts that didn't get posted before we left for Ghana are edited and now I'm just adding pictures. I've also started working on our adventures in Ghana -thanks to Ben's Facebook posts this should be considerably faster. Once these are posted we'll make some announcements!

About 12 years a go we decided to follow some wise council that has blessed us tremendously. We got out of most of our debt. We paid off and cut up credit cards. We paid off our cars. We lived within a budget. We started saving more. It was HARD but it was as if as soon as we decided to take this action and make these changes that God poured out blessings upon us in abundance. Its the only explanation for how we went from owing over $10,000 in debts to having a couple months of living expenses in our savings account, within about 6 months. The only debt we carried was our mortgage and we paid extra on it each month to get it gone faster. We had started a food and supplies storage years earlier but we were more intentional about this also. Seven years ago we decided to sell the home we had build in 2002. Another blessing came when it sold above market value. With what we had saved over the years, the sacrifices we had made, and an investment that we could cash out 30 years...

Our time before we left was winding down. Our availability for fundraising efforts was limited. But we finished strong When we would start to feel tired and like we couldn't finish a fundraiser we would remind each other that we could do hard things and it was preparing us for the unknown challenges we would face in Ghana.  Each effort completed was a miracle and witness that if we trust in God and do all we can He will bless our efforts and miracles will occur.  There is no other explanation for how we made 15 orders of cookies or bars, each of which was a dozen treats; babysat 8 times; mowed 2 lawns, hosted a double movie night with firepit activities at the same time; cleaned 28 trash and recycling barrels; sold concessions at 2 more flag football games, and help with yard and house work for a neighbor - all in our last month in the United States, on top of regular life and all the preparations to be gone 6 months. There is nothing impossible when we partner with ...