A Sign In Patios

Meet Grosse Point

Grosse Point was a BIG 60 person team from Michigan.

The first two days of their week I was away with the sea container and I think God knew I needed that. This team had some hard workers, but the maturity level and focus of the team were a real struggle for me to deal with. By God's grace we made it through, the team had a great time and talk of coming back again.

The team spent the week pouring an emergency exit way for our vocational building, doing some painting to give some of our buildings a face lift, and clearing foundations down on the farm.

Sea Container

Monday morning Chad, Blake and I took Chad's son Paul and 4 kids from the Ohio team into Mobay to help us unload and distribute the sea container

Blake, Chad and Paul getting numbers so we know how the container is packed, and the easiest way to unpack and distribute its contents
Austin, Eric, Dan, and Erin
The kids we pulled from the Smithville team to come and help us

Unloading the truck at our first stop Monday.

About 100-200 ft. from our second stop the clutch went out on the truck. So the driver ran it into the side of the road and stuck some rocks under the tire so the truck wouldn't roll the rest of the way down the hill. From there we carefully (because everything had been thrown off pallets and was in piles some that were falling out of the truck as we opened the doors) unloaded the materials for Granville place of safety. Once unloaded we started walking some of the materials up the hill, and the containers that were to heavy we loaded into the bus and made multiple trips back and forth to get all there materials delivered.

Then we sat.................................

and waited for another truck to come so we could unload the broken truck and load the new truck to continue distributing the materials.

While we waited we........

Got to know the people who lived on the street were our truck broke down. It was so fun to get to talk and learn a little of their story. They went to one neighbor up the street and got us water, then to another neighbor down the street to get us bag juices (kinda like a Popsicle in a bag).

With the long wait for the new truck to come Erin and Austin crashed on boxes that had fallen out of the truck while we were trying to find all the materials for GPS.
The new truck finally arrived but was smaller so we had to make two trips to finish our deliveries for the day. It was about 8 when the last truck was about to be unloaded and the power in Sherwood Content went out and so we worked by flashlight to unload the truck, and carry the materials into Ms. Gardeners little pitch black store room:).

Thankfully we were able to get a little over half distributed that first day and 15 hours after starting we pulled into the MoBay campus to crash for the night.

Loading up the truck Tuesday Morning to make our final deliveries.

The second day we had two more deliveries to make and the big truck was fixed again (praise Jesus!) so we only had to fill the truck once. On Tuesday we unloaded at the Falmouth Hospital and Infirmary. Since we didn't take dock workers with us this day to help unload we needed all the hands we could get to help. While I was trying to help unload the truck the Matron took me by the arm and pulled me away telling me this was not work for a lady and to let the men do it. So I obeyed until she left to attend to other work then got right back in line to help unloading again. :)

Austin and Blake putting up the last bag of soy protein at our last stop completing our deliveries for this sea container!

As you can see from the pictures it was VERY HOT, but we were able to do what needed to be done and in good time too. I love these trips and was thankful that some of the Smithville kids could join the process since a lot of them helped in making or putting together the supplies that were distributed around the island. Their eyes were opened to how without there knowing it they really are making a difference and blessing the people here in the island.

Its Here!

Today I was informed that 2 cases of Swine Flu have been found in Manchester Parish (a parish would be like a county in the states. Because of these two diagnosis ALL Manchester schools where closed A.S.A.P and graduations cancelled. So my kids are on there way out a week early and graduation that was supposed to be Thursday was postponed to a later, to be determined, date. Please be prayerful for my kiddos as they are home for the summer. I don't like breaks like these because I never know who won't show up in the fall and I have to say goodbye to the graduates whom I may never get to see again:(

But over all... God is good all the time no matter what!

Meet Briarwood Pres.

This is Briarwood Pres. from Birmingham Alabama. This was an AMAZING team in so many ways. For the most part they were left to fend for themselves since both Kirk and my Focus was on getting their family what was needed. This team was so helpful, they were hard workers, and great with the kids. I was sorry I didn't get to spend as much time as I liked with them, but with the two days I was given I was able to get to know a few but because of the size of there team not very many at all.

Linda Norton was also here with a small group helping out the team. I have gotten to work with her many different times. She was here on a P.O.T. team when we were doing our interviewing down here two years ago. She is also involved in many different ministries on the island and its always fun to meet up and catch up with her.
This has become a common occurrence. I bought a chair from the factory thinking how nice it would be to sit outside and read or just relax but 9 times out of 10 when I go out to use my chair this is what I find. Work teams, Students, Staff, Random People are always in my chair. Sometimes taking, sometimes sleeping, sometimes just hanging out. I'm thinking I am going to have to get another one for my use but know if I do that it will just end up being used like the one I have now is:)
Before the team left Yesterday Patrick one of the youth pastors on the team prayed and in his prayer he said something that really made me stop. He prayed "Thank you for the opportunity to lean on you today". He was talking about leaning on God for a safe travel day but in my mind with all the business that statement really made me stop. I know God is always there and I can lean on Him but do I see it as an opportunity? That is something I am going to have to start working on.

GSS VIDEO

Here are some video clips from the Goodfield Sunday School Trip to JDV. Sorry its taken so long to get them up. In some of the videos the wind is very strong and very loud so you can't hear much but it will give you an idea of some of the work done. I hope you enjoy!

She Made It!!!

Once again PRAISE JESUS

About 5:30 this morning Daisha and Keri arrived at OSF in Peoria safely.

Kirk and the Boys left to catch their flight in MoBay 15 min ago and will hopefully meet up with Keri and Daisha by the end of the day.

GOD IS SO GOOD!

Thanks for all your prayers.

Daisha Update

Praise Jesus!

Daisha has been accepted at OSF in Peria and flight arrangements have been set up. Lord willing both Keri and Diasha will be flying out of Kingston tonight and flying back to Illinois.

Kirk will then bring up the boys to meet them as soon as he can make arrangements.

Please continue praying that Daisha will be strong enough to make the trip. Strength and Comfort for Keri as she makes the trip. A Peace for Kirk as they fly to Peoria. Health for Truitt as he woke up with a fever this morning. and traveling mercies and wisdom for everyone involved.

Thanks so much!

Meet the St. Paul UMC Team and Catch Up

This is a random post but I have a lot of down time for now that I have been blessed with to catch up on blogging, get laundry done, donations sorted and hopefully distributed soon.

St. Paul UMC was the team that was here at KP with us in between my stays at JDV(after Ted's team before the Goodfield team). They were a good group of first timers. They truly enjoyed big tree. I have never seen a team or any persons spend so much time up in a tree.

Here is what else I have been doing with my time...

a family graciously donated shoes for all our students and staff. My job to go around and get every ones size. ( A very good and Humbling job for me since I HATE FEET!) They sent a shoe sizer the only problem was it was a child size so my feet fit into it but half of my kids did not.

so it took some creativity to get shoe sizes for those who didn't know what size they wore, and their feet were to big for the shoe sizer. We had to try a few different ways ie: measuring with a ruler. They shoes are to arrive by the end of the month so hopefully the sizes are right!

These last few weeks a crew of 4 was back down from Goshen College. This time it was a film crew doing a documentary on Pastor Damian, his wife Felicia, and CCCD. They had the lights, cameras, microphones, and everything else you can imagine. One Sunday as they were taping a church services over at JDV they came up to me and wanted me to wear a mic. while I was voicing so the camera could hear my voice over all the ambient noises. I was NOT okay with this and thankfully was able to talk myself out of having to use it:)

Thats all I can think of for now and Drew just woke up so I should go.

Blessings

Keri and Daisha did not end up flying to Miami today. This morning when they got to the hospital the Dr.'s said there had been improvement so they are going to continue down here.

Daisha Update

In a few hours Daisha and Keri will be flew to Miami so that Daisha can get the medical treatment she needs. Please keep them in your prayers that Daisha and Keri can stay strong through the flight and that once back in the states Daisha can get the medical treatment she needs. Thank you and God Bless.

A correction

I had written early that Daisha was moved to the public hospital, but I talked to Kirk later and he informed me that she was still with Keri at the private hospital. She has not gotten any worse, but has not improved either. Please continue to pray Thanks!

Meet Daisha

Yesterday Little Daisha Plattner (middle name not yet decided on) was welcomed into this world a month early. Last night I had the opportunity to go over when Kirk came to get the boys and see this little blessing myself

Little Miss Daisha

The boys getting their first look

Truitt just wanted to poke and touch her so his hands had to be held down:)

Drew first thing wanted to know her sign name

This morning Daisha was put back on oxygen and had I.V.'s but in again. They are scared she has an infection so medicine was started and then she was moved to the public hospital. Keri is still at the private hospital waiting to be discharged. Please pray for their family that the medicine will help Daisha, and for healing for Keri so they can both come home.

Thanks

Blessings

The Goodfield Team

This past week I had the opportunity to go to JDV and spend a week with my home church.

(if you click on the pictures they become bigger)

The group picture after church

Getting to spend a week with:

My Mom, Cousin Rod, his son Kyle, Cousins Emily and Tiffany

Interpreting in Church while Jed preached on Sunday

He did a great Job as the deaf kept coming up to me telling me

how much they learned and enjoyed the sermon

Tony Driving the Mule and only having 3 people fall off while doing so.

The Slip n' Slide that was set up on rainy afternoons to have fun and pass the time.

I have a lot more pictures but not a lot of time to post.

I will get them up as soon as possible.

Thanks for such a great week Goodfield! I love you!

Please Pray

Please Pray for the Plattners. Keri was taken into the hospital yesterday when she was experiencing bad pains. She was not in labor and given a shot for the pain then kept over night for observation. This morning she did start having contractions. I don't know if they were going to let them come or try to stop them. They were planning on flying back to the states tomorrow to have the baby. Please keep them in your prayers. Thanks

To Show Our Appreciation

I had to wait to post these pictures just in case Ionda wanted to do this again with the Goodfield Sunday School who will be working with use this week. Now a week ago Friday after we had finished our work week and the team had cleaned up I asked the team for one more group shot. They all lined up and Ionda was in the tractor with the bucket up and filled with water. As you can see to show our appreciation for all their hard work we wanted to cool them off a little after they worked so hard:)

All ready for the picture not suspecting a thing
Still mostly clueless to what is about to happen.
Wayne looks up and sees the water...

Wayne takes off while the water starts to hit the top row

bottom row still clueless...

Those on the outer parts of the line not phased by the water being

dumped on those in the middle

Chaos as realization hits and people start running

Screams and Chaos continue...

Screams, laughter, and lots of wet people!

Last week in Review

If I only had time to put up all the great pictures from last week....

Or I was smart enough to know how to put a link that you could look at all the pictures....

But since I am not I will do a quick over view with pictures of last week:)

Sunday Afternoon after church we go to the Manchester Infirmary to sing and visit.

Monday -Friday

is the work week taking 1/2 days Thursday and Friday

Skylar, Lori, Brittany, Lindsay moving rebar to make cages

Laying blocks and getting the decking up

pulling forms out of the cistern and getting the prep work done so we can pour

Our big pour.

We started with a bucket brigade passing buckets up a ladder and across to the floor we were pouring. Once the tractor was fixed we were able to use the bucket on the tractor to lift loads of cement to the 2nd floor.
Working with the CODA kids in an after school program

Playing volleyball after long days of work

Spending Thursday afternoon at Hanbury Children's Home

Yay Kansas!

Taking group pictures Friday after breakfast

The water fight instigators

Spending Friday Afternoon with the kids at the Knockpatrick campus

Me And Jaimie

On May 16th I had my first visitor come and stay with me!

My friend Jaimie came down from Indy to hang out with me for a week. We spent the first week here at KP hosting a work team before we both headed over to JDV to join Ted's work team.

Tuesday Night eating supper at Big Tree
At our Jamaican Cookout

Adding door sweeps to my door to prevent the entrance of 4 legged creatures

Friday spending the day at Font Hill Beach
A quick picture before we leave the beach

Working together at JDV

I love you Jaimie. Thanks for Blessing me. Come back any time!