Live Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV

A few times of the last 7 years we have read The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom. Then this last year we read Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates by Mary Mapes Dodge. Both of these books had me so excited to have a long layover in Amsterdam. I was hopeful that we would have enough time to leave the airport.  We had a 7 1/2 hour layover. With a little research I found several people say that it was plenty of time and highly recommended using the time to explore the experience the beauty of Amsterdam. There are several places detailed in Hans Brinker and I wanted to see so many of them. In the end we choose to go to Haarlem.  It was so easy to go through customs. There was a very convenient and inexpensive luggage locker so we didn’t have to take our carry-ons with us as we went to explore.  The train station is conveniently located in the airport.  The train ride along the countryside was beautiful. Most everyone rides bikes most everywhere. Probably the most interesti...

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...