Wednesday, December 14, 2016

A nice calm...

It's not often I get to write an update at a time when all seems to be calm at the House of Hope.  I do realize that "calm" is probably a very relative term.  Calm in some of your houses will likely look very different than "calm" in a house full of 100+ bodies at any given time!  But, calm is how things feel at the HOH at this moment, and it feels good.  It reminds us of how many things we have to be thankful for.  Here are a few that have encouraged us and we hope it encourages you as well:
  • After a fairly rough virus went through the house over the past couple of weeks, it's nice to have everyone in good health.  We continue to pray for Lyse as she still needs blood transfusion every couple of weeks.  But, a pediatric friend in Quebec is running some tests on her blood and we hope for a more complete diagnosis soon.
  • The boat arrived last week bringing some new Christmas decorations and also some Christmas gifts for our staff.  The Christmas gifts for the kids from our partnering church in Pennsylvania are presently on the boat and if all goes well should arrive before Christmas.  These things have everyone excited about Christmas.  Here's some pictures of the decorations...




Here are some wreaths they made out of old Christmas cards... 


  • We have been receiving numerous financial gifts that have helped us pay back over half of the money that we owed to our partnering hospital.  This is a big relief for us to see that number getting lower instead of higher and we are so thankful to all who have helped us out in this way.  We also have been receiving more monthly gifts that will help us not get back in debt so badly in the future.  Thanks also to those of you who have been praying with us about this need.  We ask that you continue pray as we try to finish off this debt in the New Year.
  • Our kids have almost completed this semester of school.  They are in the process of writing their exams, and should be done in the next week or so -- just in time for Christmas vacation.  They work hard and study hard and certainly appreciate your prayers for them in this area. 
  • We just love this time of the year.  It creates such excitement and fun for our kids.  But the real reason it is such a special time for us is because it's about Jesus.  That he became one of us, one that we can relate with very much at the HOH -- a poor baby.  And that he lived and died and rose again to save us and give us life -- this is our true Hope.  What greater reason is there to celebrate?
So you see, there is much to be thankful for and each one of you plays a part in making this thing called Hope happen at our House! 

We want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas in your corner of the world.   Thanks for reaching out and touching ours.