Ream Team International

Summer Update

We thank each of you for your prayers and support as Eric and our son Evan  had the privilege of ministering in the Dominican Republic near the border of Haiti a few weeks ago.  Evan’s school takes a mission trip for the upcoming seniors and Evan wanted his dad to go with him. “We shared the gospel door to door, in parks, at sporting events and at schools.  We are all praising the Lord that over eighty people put their faith in Christ during the week. Our team had several different types of ministries to many different churches. One afternoon we went as a team to pray for Haiti. Evan prayed one of the most profound prayers for the country where he grew up.  Haiti is in a world of hurt and we continue to pray for her political stability, but even more for her spiritual stability and a move of the Lord throughout the country.” -Eric  

We are hoping to be able to get back to Haiti for a little bit this summer. The roads to our home are still inaccessible due to the gang and transportation issues. We are praying the deployment of Kenyan troops coming “soon” and the new government installation team will be positive steps toward healing the country

Eric has been in four countries in the last couple of months serving.  While in Romania, he had an infection open up from his neck and has been battling this infection for over two months now.  Over the last ten months because of the pain Eric has had in his neck (a potential consequence of his cancer surgery in early 2023 but his doctors aren’t completely sure) he sleeps about an average of two hours a day.  This has been very rough. Today, Eric goes under the knife again and they will remove granular tissue from his airway. Then they will go through the neck and try to locate the infection and figure out what is causing it.  The specialists will try to rinse out the infection and take a few samples for pathology.  We appreciate your prayers for the surgical team, Eric’s recovery, peace that surpasses all understanding and provision.

“But I do not consider my life worth anything to myself, so that I may finish my task and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the good news of God’s grace” (Acts 20:24).

Here are a few recent pics to enjoy while awaiting the next news.

 

Hallelujah is the universal word around the world for praise. When I think of how to sum up 2023, words like “hard” (so, so, hard) and “how” (How will I survive this?) and “heartache” (the kind where you feel like you can’t breathe and have just about given up hope), oh and also “hospitals” (because hospitals were definitely a theme for us in 2023–though I won’t share all of the episodes) are what come to mind.  Honestly, I’ve tried hard not to remember the most painful parts we have survived. But can we know joy unless we understand sorrow? Isn’t our hallelujah more sacred when shouted in the storm? At the end of this long list of happenings in 2023, I am so very thankful to end our year with none other than Hallelujah!

Continue reading “Hallelujah Happenings of 2023!”

“Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:7).

The world’s perspective says that all hope seems lost for our dear Haiti.  Our missionary friend and mentor, Eleanor Turnbull, who served over seventy years in Haiti before meeting her Savior in 2020, shared often how far she had seen Haiti progress in her seventy years on the island. She always encouraged us during the toughest times that we do not know what tomorrow holds, so there is always hope. Eleanor’s hope for Haiti was unshaken because her hope in God was unshaken. We too have seen the believers in Haiti “afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed…” (2 Corinthians 4:8). This is unshaken hope. Elisabeth, shares this hope for Haiti. She continues to fight for the most vulnerable children and mothers, raising education sponsorships, working with our small business loan program for women, and encouraging our faithful leaders on the ground in Haiti. When I look at the present circumstances of the country of Haiti, I am a bit more pessimistic. Yet, on an individual and spiritual level, I have so much hope that Christ can and does intervene, even when we are perplexed and on the brink of despair. God is still changing lives through the Scriptures for an eternal hope that will not disappoint.

Continue reading “Unshaken Hope-Ministry Update”

 

Dear Friends and Family,

2022 has mostly been a year walking through dark valleys but we have also climbed a few mountains and feel God with us in all the highs and lows. A wise friend recently reminded that fruit isn’t produced on the mountaintop but in the valley. Valleys tend to induce anxiety and fear, but they also bring us closer to our Shepherd. It is comforting to be reminded that even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we will fear no evil; for God is with us. (Psalm 23:4a)

Continue reading “Ream Team Highs and Lows of 2022”