Jay: This past week has been a whirlwind of activity. It was amazing to see God work once we put the word out about the items we needed to stock our apartment. We received everything we needed and more...all in one week. Amy was so excited that God provided us with the things we needed... and so many items that we received were in her favorite colors and matched what other people gave. God provided and delighted.
Late Saturday morning we had the right number of people show up to get the container loaded. We were able to load not only all of our furniture and the Elliott's furniture, but also many tubs of clothing and medical supplies and about 11 skids of food. In addition, all the remaining trusses for the hospital were loaded.
We have been humbled by the outpouring of support over the last week. We look forward to seeing how God will continue to work and provide in this adventure.
The countdown is on...I have until noon today to finish packing. It's been overwhelming. Crazy. Head-spinning. Humbling. Encouraging. Uplifting.
We have seen the Lord bless us through so many people. We were not surprised by many of the people who have helped us this week...friends and family who are always there and always come through....driving around to pick up donations, making us dinner and sitting in our house for 2 days sorting and packing and toting our kids places. Although it's not surprising, it still feels like such Agape love and SO fills up our hearts.
And then there are the people who have come to our aid that we didn't expect. Old college friends. New friends and acquaintances. Dads and step-moms of old friends. These givers caused us to go "Wow, God!"
So before I get up and really begin my racing around today, I just want to say, "Thank You!" and praise my Father in heaven for sending us so much love through so many people. Each precious gift I pack today will be a blessing in Haiti when I open it up and remember how God used His people to love on us.
WOW! We are amazed and so excited to see God moving...our list is dwindling definitely quicker than I'd anticipated....which is a blessing since our friend Mr. Mann is coming to pick everything up on Thurs. so he can get it shrinkwrapped on the skid on Friday....
Please know that all the help and support over the last two days has done SO much to encourage us. God knew what we needed...
What's left on the list:
microscope and slides for Anna's biology class
double-sided carpet tape to secure rugs
hooks to screw into the walls
rechargeable batteries and charger
light-weight rolling pin for making pies
stacking mixing bowls
blue spray paint to paint 2 pink bikes for our boys :)
Our living arrangements in Haiti have changed a little. We will begin our adventure in Haiti by living with Esperandieu Pierre and his family. But, after careful consideration of many issues, it has been decided that we will eventually move into staff living apartments on the Nehemiah campus. We will have about 500-600 sq. feet all to ourselves. So, our current dilemma is that a container leaves for Haiti this coming Saturday - the container that needs to have ALL of our apartment furnishings loaded. So that means I need to have everything together by Friday morning so that it can all be packed and shrink wrapped. Yikes. Everything that we send down in the container will stay in Haiti...for whomever lives in the apartment after we come back to Indiana.
So, we are asking for any help you can give us. See the packing list below - if any of you have extras of anything on the list, or see anything at a store for a CHEAP price, we'd love your help. Most of all we covet your prayers for peace!
Many thanks,
Jay and Amy Shultz
I will update this list each evening....please email me if you have a donation and I'll work out how to get items from you. Blessings!
WOW! We are amazed and so excited to see God moving...our list is dwindling definitely quicker than I'd anticipated....which is a blessing since our friend Mr. Mann is coming to pick everything up on Thurs. so he can get it shrink-wrapped on the skid on Friday....
Towels - GOT THEM!
Washclothes - GOT 2
6 pillows
queen mattress pad
4 twin mattress pads
2 curtains for bathrooms - not sure yet on curtain sizes - prob. small - MAY WAIT UNTIL WE HAVE MEASUREMENTS
1 curtain for master bed MAY WAIT UNTIL WE HAVE MEASUREMENTS
2 bathroom trash cans
2 bathroom mats - GOT 1
1 kitchen trash can- GOT IT!
1 kitchen mat - GOT IT!
1 8 x 10 area rug for living room - bought it!
Correll dishes and bowls - GOT THEM!
silverware for 12 – GOT IT!
cookie sheet - GOT IT!
pyrex 8 x 8 baking pan - GOT IT!
microwave
toaster oven - GOT IT!
coffee maker - GOT IT...thank goodness! Ha!
small fridge with freezer
double burner
can opener
iron - GOT IT!
plastic food canisters for flour, sugar, coffee, rice, etc.
Tupperware - GOT SOME
A sharp paring knife GOT IT!
A bread knife GOT IT!
a sharp serrated knife GOT IT!
kitchen scissors GOT IT!
Cutting boards GOT IT!
Spatula GOT IT!
Wisk GOT IT!
Measuring cups GOT IT!
Mixing bowls GOT IT!
Grater GOT IT!
Candles- bought some!
3 small nightstands - GOT 1
2 tall laundry baskets - GOT 1
2 bookcases - preferably in boxes to be assembled in Haiti
2 alarm clocks - GOT THEM BOTH!
underbed storage boxes - GOT 2
3 small fans - bought 1
bean bag chair
2 clip-on lamps for kids in top bunks
broom/dustpan/mop GOT IT!
tv stand
desk for computer and printer - GOT IT!
water/juice pitchers - GOT IT!
screen house/tent GOT IT!
volleyball net/volleyball
old bikes for our kids to ride to leave GOT 4! Wow!
Astroturf - to set up outside to keep dust down and to sit outside in evenings.
foldable Lawn chairs
hand-crank flashlights for when electricity is out
buckets - GOT THEM!
clothes pins and rope - GOT THEM...Thanks, Moe for thinking I'd need them! Ha!
double-sided carpet tape to secure rugs
hooks to screw into the walls