Still Amazed By This Garden!

Yeah for Awana!

We love the Awana program and our kids worked really hard this year! They just received the trophies since there was a mix-up in the order for the church, but they didn't care! Great job guys!

Experience in a Wheelchair

Last summer I spent a day using a wheelchair to get around. Here you can see a little of what I learned ...

Happy Father's Day!

My dearest Rob,
Our kids are so blessed to have such a wonderful father! Thank you so much for building into our family, loving Jesus first, and working so hard! You are our hero!
I love you and am so proud of you!

J--

YEAH FOR DADDY!

God has blessed and we are so excited!! Rob has now officially completed his qualifiers to complete his PhD program!!! He has worked so hard and we couldn't be prouder -- or more thankful to our faithful God! This PhD program has 2 qualifiers for which you have to get an A and you only get 2 chances at each one. This is one of the places many people drop out of the program. God has brought him so far and taught all of us so much.

Between our 2+ years in this adoption journey and this PhD God has refined us much as a family -- we pray very differently today than we did 2 years ago, we look at things differently, and seek Him more than ever. God is accomplishing that which we cannot on our own.

There still are still two more classes to be completed in this program, and of course more papers to write to ultimately complete the dissertation, but tonight we rejoice in today's blessing!

Loving Summer

If you were to stop by our house this summer you just might find some of this going on, or you would be likely to find us at the pool! I was just telling someone the other day how much I feel like we have already accomplished and how much I am enjoying our kids!

Everyone is reading up a storm for all the wonderful reading contests going on this summer, N is learning to take care of his garden (one of his merit badge requirements) which is growing strong, the girls are learning some baking skills, M went to camp, and slip-n-slide with daddy is always a hit!

I have started baking our own bread (something I have always wanted to do) and have found some wonderful cooking blogs from which we have found some terrific time-saving recipes that are helping me fill our freezer and my family! I love the feeling that we are finally getting things done that I never found time for before!

Will You Help?

The orphanage where the boys are is in a real financial crisis. They provide wonderful care for the kids and I know their needs are being met. That being said, perhaps God would lead you to give a gift to help them continue their care and share Jesus with the children. Please take a moment to consider the needs of these children.

Dear Friends,

We hope this email finds you well and enjoying the warmer weather of summer. We are in Haiti now and it’s hot, but a great relief from the colder climate we live in, in the US.

We are writing to you today asking for much needed help.We are facing a financial shortfall of approximately $100k for 2009.The longer adoption process times as well as the challenging economy all over the world is taking its toll on Haiti and on the orphanage.

As I sit here in the office, the generator is humming loudly outside the window, a nanny is mopping up the floor after the toddlers enjoyed a lunch of rice and black bean sauce, hammers are banging loudly as missionaries that have come to serve are making improvements and some youth missionaries are cleaning up the remains of water balloons in the backyard.

None of this would take place without your help. I realize that you may hear this in many pleas, but I believe I still need to say it.These children would not be in the safety of this home without you. They would not have just completed a day of VBS and heard the story of Daniel in the Lion’s Den. Their days before entering the orphanage do not provide for many feedings of their bellies, or of the souls.

We launched a campaign last month that we call Fifty2K. We are looking for 2000 one-time donors of $50 to help us get through our shortfall. It’s not an easy task at all and we are in desperate need of your help. With only 1000 people on our email list and the shortfall effecting us already, we need some miracles. If everyone that received this letter will donate $50 and find one more person to do the same, we can do this. Please help us.

Yesterday I saw a new little girl I had not seen before. She was washing clothes with the nannies and carrying a large basin of water on her head. I called out to her
and asked her to come to me so I could meet her. She broke into a smile that lit the whole orphanage up. Such a lovely girl!

Geurdi is a new little girl in the orphanage. She gave a letter to a Manager here at the orphanage to give to me when I arrived. It reads: “My name is Geurdi. I don’t
have an adoption family. I am ten years old. I want you to help me pray and find me a family “please” because my both parents died. Their lives is gone. I love you. Thank you for talking this letter”.

Geurdi has a testimony much like the other children in the orphanage. She loves to serve others and pours out all that is in her.

Last night, Pastor Kirk who is leading the mission team we have in Haiti now from Grand Junction. CO, was sharing with us that we have to have servant’s hearts. Our cups can only be filled to the top. Once they are full, we have to pour out to make room for more filling. He said that often times when we are filled back up by the Lord, it’s better than what we poured out.

Guerdi is Pastor Kirk’s message lived out. With nothing left but Jesus, having lost her family, Guerdi pours out to others. Her smile is evidence of Jesus’ filling and
indwelling – an outpour of her strength of mercy.

Please consider helping us to keep serving and keep pouring out to others here in Haiti. If you would, please consider sending this email on to anyone that might be willing to help. We so appreciate all your support and your prayers and consideration of this urgent plea.

With every blessing,

Linda J. Kohn, Director
For His Glory Outreach
www.ForHisGloryOutreach.org
MesiSenye@aol.com
719-217-7698
A ministry to the people of Haiti

WELCOME SUMMER

The end of the school year is a much anticipated event in our household! As a homeschooling mom I may look forward to it even more than the kids! Don't get me wrong -- I truly enjoy my role as mom and teacher and there are many wonderful opportunities which this provides, but I do get tired!

So now that we have officially celebrated the end of the school year with lunch at Dairy Queen on the last day :-), I have been enjoying catching up on so many things that have gotten pushed aside this last year. And one of the wonderful things about having school-age kids is how much they can help you too!

We have a garden well underway, a shed that is almost done being painted, a basement that has been cleaned up, rest that has been taken, flowers that are planted, doctor's appointments completed, swimming that has been done (we love the quiet days at the pool before everyone else is out of school), and lazy nights sitting out back talking with our favorite people - our kids! There is so much more I hope to accomplish this summer, but I am finally beginning to feel "AHHH, summer is really here!"