Meet Little A

Yesterday around noon I got a call asking if we could

take in a 1 month old for a few weeks. I told them

we would love to, and then I was informed she was

at court now but I would get a call when court was

over. I tried to get as much ready, without making

it obvious to Neiah when she would get home from

school just in case the baby didn't come I didn't want

her to be disappointed.

At 4:30 I still hadn't gotten a call so 

I called CDA again to check in and see if

we for sure would be getting a baby that night, or

if plans had changed. I was told they had not and

at 5 we were called to come collect Little A from 

the CDA office.

Neiah was BEYOND excited that Jesus had

sent us a baby to care for. She ran right into CDA 

and I thought she was going to take the baby right

out of the social workers hands :)

 Neiah once more smoothly transitioned into the role

of big sister, holding, reading to, and singing to Little A

Little A arrived with a nasty chest cold, but Praise

Jesus thanks to the help of oils, and a humidifier,

she had a peaceful night sleep.

 Brita didn't know what to think of Little A. She

just continued to walk circles around her and every

once in a while would bark at her. :)

 We had Little A less then 24 hours, but Neiah

soaked in every possible min. she could loving on her.

So Thankful for a few hours to love on this little girl.

An added blessing to getting to love on Little A. Was when we

picked her up at CDA last night we got her from Mrs Henry (the head of

the CDA office in MV). She was the one who also picked her

up today to take her to Kingston. When she came (Along with

Ms Lyons who is now working with the kids in the court system and knows

 when kids get removed and are in need of placement.) both her and Ms

Lyons were able to go through En Gedi for the first time and were

so excited to see the new place, and how we are now better

able to accommodate babies. And also Mrs Henry could not believe

how much better (sick wise) Little A looked and sounded in just 

a short time with us.

Praise God for his healing over little A, and for continually providing 

steps forward for us.

Please be praying for Little A as she transitions into her

long term placement.

Thanks.

Little Things

We were blessed by a donation from some local 

Jamaicans who have heard about En Gedi. They 

have some boys who are older now. As they 

were cleaning out, and getting rid of things they no

longer needed they thought of us, and blessed us

with some boxes of baby things.

So thankful for peoples continual kindness to

us here at En Gedi.

This past week, Friday actually, we were finally

able to get someone from CDA over to En Gedi.

She asked to come early afternoon, but then got called

out of the office for the rest of the day. She told me, when she 

called me at 5 that night, (they close at 4:30 on Fridays, I think)

that she had originally called to cancel the visit, but if I was 

okay with it, she would be willing to come then and keep

her scheduled visit to En Gedi. We gladly welcomed her

(Neiah of course is open to any visitors we can get to come)

and she spent the next hour plus talking through things with us.

What a blessing that she was willing to give up part of her Friday

night visiting with us here at En Gedi instead of simply going

home after what I am sure was already a full week.

I am so thankful for these continual little things that

keep up focused and remind us that God is still

right here running along side us.

Blessings

God's Goodness.

Yesterday I was at one of those points. I didn't know

what to do, should I call CDA again? Go in and talk

to the head of the office about En Gedi again? Be still

and do nothing? Trust God to work as only He can?

I feel like its such a fine line down here of hurry up 

and wait...., but also, I know that the squeaky wheel

gets the attention so if I am not 'making enough noise' 

I will be forgotten. Its so hard to know when to push, 

and when to simply be still.

For a few days I had been going back and forth debating

if I should try contacting CDA again, and if so what I would

say or do.

Then God moved, as only He can. So perfectly, and

again I just stand in awe of Him and His goodness

to me. Yesterday morning I got a call from one of my

contacts at CDA checking in (that is something that almost

never happens) to see if anyone has come to do the home

visit for En Gedi yet (they haven't), and when I told her no,

she then asked me to write out a letter, she told me specifically

what to put in the letter, and also who to write the letter to 

(giving me another contact at CDA).

So, in a matter of a few minutes I went from feeling convicted

to do something, but having no idea what.... to, having 

specific instructions on what to do, and who to send it to.

What a GOOD GOOD FATHER we serve! 

The letter was written, and emailed out today.

Another door was open, another step was taken, and now

again we wait to see how God moves.

To God be the Glory!

Meet Brita

One of the things I was excited about when we moved was

being able to get a dog. Down here in Jamaica dogs 

are not pets. Dogs are something to be feared, and Neiah

has always had a serious fear of dogs. She wanted to like

them, tried to like them, but would get so overwhelmed that

each experience she had with dogs ended badly for her.

I didn't want her to grow up with a fear of dogs, and so I have

been looking for puppy for En Gedi. And this month we 

were able to bring home a German Shepard. 

 I am so thankful to say that Neiah has done GREAT with

Brita (her name means strength in German... or at least thats 

what the internet said:). I was hoping that if we got a new puppy

then she could be able to get used to the dog and as it grew and 

still be okay with it.

 Its been a few weeks now and almost all of her free time is still

spent outside playing with Brita and 'training' her.

So thankful for this opportunity to add a new member to En Gedi.

To God Be The Glory.

This past weekend we were blessed to welcome friends and family

to En Gedi as we dedicated the house to God.

 With the Joc here on the island we thought it was the perfect 

opportunity to ask the construction workers who renovated En Gedi,

and all those who have helped us through this process, together

to Thank God for all the ways He has run ahead and blessed us 

with this property.

 We were able to all come together and share a meal.

 Scriptures were read

 Prayers of dedication over the house were said,

 As well as prayers over Neiah and I.

After the service we had a sweet time of fellowship.

 Neiah liked the "Thank You Jesus" cake, and having her friend

Matthew over to the house to play :)

We were blessed with a beautiful day, and are so Thankful for

all those who came to celebrate with us.

Continued prayers, as we continue to step as God leads are appreciated.

Thanks

Once Again...

During our time in the states we were once more blessed 

 by random strangers hearing about what we are doing and sending

us box full of wonderful things to bless the ministry.

And Sunday schools collecting donations during their vbs, that

we were able to pack up, and get ready for the sea container coming

down next month.

Thanks to all who continually bless us with their prayers, support,

and donations.

Erin Vs. The Yard

For months I have been slowly trying to clean up the yard. 

Sadly after months of construction on the house, the yard is 

now a landmine of uneven terrain, rocks, concrete blocks, chunks of concrete, rebar 

parts, screws, nails, chunks of wood. ect.

Neiah and I have made multiple trips around the yard collecting 

and throwing away things we find hidden. 

Sadly we are still finding things...

Or shall I say some of them the lawn mower blade is finding for us :(

This mower blade lasted 2 months.

Thankfully another blade was sent so I was

able to simple change it, and keep mowing.

The next day, with the new blade on, I was

just about finished. I only had one more strip to

mow, when I looked down

And realized a nut had fallen off the mower, I was

now mowing with only half the handle in tact.

Whoops.

Thankfully I was able to finish mowing and will

simply be able to replace the bolt that is now

also lost in the landmine that is our yard.:)

I also called in some guys to clear out the 'bush'

part of En Gedi's yard.

Over the span of 2 days (a few hours each day)

a couple of guys from KP CCCD came to cut

down the overgrowth for the cows.

They were able to get a couple of truck loads of

food for the cows.

And I can once more see our neighbors, now that the bush area 

has been cleared!