Just an update...

Hello! Just wanted to say hi and update. We've been home from Haiti for almost two months now. We are still in contact with several folks there, three or four in particular. Reghi and Palto are still working on coming to the US, hopefully in May. We cannot get them Green Cards, which is what they need to join the Navy. So, we are praying and asking the Lord what He wants us to do. We would love to have them live here with us and send them to college, but even to send them community college, we need $20,000 a year. Ugh! But we know that if this is what is in the Lord's plans for them, He Will Provide. Something cool if they do come in May is that Palto will turn 19 on May 16th, and has never celebrated a birthday. We'd love to throw a big party for him, and invite anyone and everyone that can come. We love birthdays in this famliy!

Mikenson (the refrigeration tech) called yesterday to thanks us again and again for sending him money for food. He calls me "mom". :) He asked us to please help him go back to school again, for more certifications. The connection was horrible, so we couldn't get any details as to what he wants to study, but he will be calling back today. We think we heard him say that it will cost around $300 to go back to school.

We had an incredibly beautiful sunny spring day here yesterday, and the whole family worked in the yard for the whole day. Michael borrowed a friend's tractor, and tractored around all day. He tilled the garden (which will be HUGE this year!), cleared paths in the overgrown orchard for the kids to run around in (and eventually ride horses in...), and mowed the creek area and pasture. We sat in the sunshine for a few minutes in between and talked about Haiti. It's still so on our hearts, and we are anxious to go back. The kids are, too. Adria is saving her pennies to "give to some kids there".

We are praying and asking the Lord if going back to Haiti intermittently for the next few years is what He has planned for us. It sure is what we'd like to do, and we believe that when we earnestly seek Him, He will align our desires with His. With us homeschooling this next year, we will be able to all go as a famliy if He should provide. That is very exciting for us!

In other news...we now 8 chicks! We've had them for almost two weeks, and they have doubled in size! We shall soon have an abundance of farm fresh eggs.

Also, for those of you who don't already know - Michael is now a Certified Flight Instructor! He passed his exam almost two weeks ago, and did an awesome job of it. He's now working on his CFI-Instrument, then he gets to start fixed wing training. We are constantly amazed at the Lord's provision for this training. Thank-you Jesus!

May God Bless Your Day!

Love,
The Stephenses