DRIBS AND DRABS

DRIBS AND DRABS

Dribs and Drabs.  What does that mean?  According to dictionary.com: “bits and pieces, negligible amounts, as in There's not much left, just some dribs and drabs of samples. The noun drib  is thought to be a shortening of driblet , for "drop" or "tiny quantity." I suppose it depends on what you are talking about that comes in ‘dribs and drabs.’  Some things that would come in dribs and drabs would be business if it dribbled in all day.  We moved out of a house one time in dribs and drabs - a little at a time here and there.  Dribs and drabs of leftovers – yummy - especially dessert!

We’ve been praying for a huge financial miracle. I mean a BIG one!  Constant looming deadlines for things due had us blinded and stressed about what God could do.  We had an amount of money in our minds and knew we had to have it, nothing less. We were also seeking God’s plan for the mission work we felt led to, but God was silent. We felt like He had abandoned us.  No answers were forthcoming. What was He up too? We begged Him to tell us. What did He want from us? Why are we back in this classroom learning this same lesson again?  

A small amount of the needed funds came in and we were grateful. We really were…..or were we? I began to realize I was doing more complaining about our lack (because my idea of what we needed hadn’t happened) than I was praising Him for what He had brought to us.  Ok, attitude adjustment needed!  The Scripture talks about a sacrifice of praise. (Psalm 50:14, Hosea 14:2, Hebrews 13:5 NLT)  I needed to do more than just say a small “thank you.”  I needed to REALLY thank Him, and He was asking me to trust Him with the dribs and drabs.  “But Father,” I argued again, “we need this and this and this.  This is due.  That is due.  How will we ever pay it and on top of that get Steve to Haiti?  You aren’t opening doors.  You aren’t sending in what we need!”

“TRUST ME!”  He said to me. 

“Ok, Father, I’ll trust You.  But please, can You send more than just dribs and drabs?” 

        Somehow things were getting paid.  We weren’t going hungry.  Even the dogs were getting fed, but still I felt so stressed - constantly begging God to relieve this stress.  I kept hearing in my head that its sin to not trust Him.  I had the verse that says worrying can’t add anything going through my head, but somehow I couldn’t let it go. (Luke 12:25,26 NIV) There were even certain days that I couldn’t help but resent the dribs and drabs.  I begged Him to sell off a few more of those cattle on a thousand hills. (Psalm 50:10-12 NIV) Once again I heard Him say to me, “When are you going to just let it go and realize I’ve got this? I just want you to learn to trust me in the dribs and drabs before I can trust YOU with the big picture.”

        Really, this is the GOD OF THE UNIVERSE.  What is wrong with me that I can’t see that He does care more for me than the birds and flowers and He takes care of them?  He has taken care of me for all of my years.  (Never mind how many)  He has done some pretty awesome things too.  So as I thought I hated dribs and drabs I was going to learn to trust in them!  I read more of His Word.  I talked to Him instead of sitting and worrying. 

        My “AHA” moment came one weekend when I knew of no way anything would come in.  I knew no way.  Get that?  I, ME, knew no way.  Well, I can’t see the whole picture can I?  I knew of two things that needed to be paid by Monday.  Every door we knocked on seemed shut tight.  We were once again in a place in our lives where God demanded our attention and trust.  Dribs and drabs came in that weekend from two unexpected sources.  Ok, I’m grateful. I really am but we are a few dollars short.  WAIT!  I added wrong.  We have $10 more than we need.  Really?  We have enough?  Wow, what relief!  At least for a few days anyway.

        Here we go again - another deadline.  This time I knew that no way, no how was there anywhere for it to come from.  We both were working the course God put before us, but it just wasn’t bringing the results we needed. Yet somehow I didn’t feel as stressed.  I knew somehow God was going to make it all work out, and He did.  He provided more dribs and drabs from some very, VERY unexpected sources; and again, just enough. 

Now as another deadline approaches I feel excitement to see where God is going to bring the financial assistance from.  I still find myself feeling stressed a little but then I just go pick up His Word.  Has He taken care of yet again another due date?  What do you think?  I think I’m learning to love dribs and drabs!  We’ve let the ministry in Haiti that has requested Steve’s help know that he’ll be there soon.  We don’t know when or how but we know it will be soon and through God’s wonderful, but powerful, dribs and drabs. 

I LOVE dribs and drabs!!

Been a long time

Its been quite a while since I posted on here.  I've decided to do more than post trips and what's happening on them here.  I"m going to be posting my journey with God.  Past and present.  Be looking for more of my mess ups and lessons!  Maybe there's someone out there that is like me.

From Jim Hambrick

Wow, this has been an awesome trip in Haiti. The team work so hard. Martha almost got the whole second floor painted and it looks great. Dave got all of the electric on the second floor working and also got all of the plumbing fixed through out the house. Steve built 5 bunk beds, two twins and one king bed. He also built two beautiful tressel ? tables with benches. Danny screen all of the bed room windows and had a hand in everything. Donna planed every meal and kept us fed along with painting, cleaning and a lot of other things. Amber painted every day and was a joy to have around. Even tho we were so busy with the house we still had Danny preach Sunday morning, I shared a bible study with the Philippine UN, Debbie sung for them, We had two bible studies with the men here and the neighborhood, I had the privilege to lead one man to Christ, visited the sick and much more in ministry. God is so Good.

CHRISTMAS

CHRISTMAS. Yes I don't like to start thinking about it yet either. But missionaries have to plan way ahead to get the stuff they need to them in time. I am going to be gathering items Sherrie Sherrill Blankenbehler Fausey is praying for to give to the children that have become her family. Here is her prayer list. Anyone want to give and help?
I have 280 children. This is what I want for Christmas:
100 baby dolls
150 toy trucks
100 games - no batteries needed

50 soccer balls
100 other bouncy balls
50 other lightweight toys
Various hair stuff & jewelry for older girls

flights and storms

Steve is set to fly out Monday.  A storm has put itself in the way and we will be keeping our eye on Isaac.  As I write this Isaac has reached Haiti.  Please pray for the folks still living in tents.

Help us get Steve down to get the HOUSE OF HOPE up and running. First trip is 8/27-9/11. We need $632 immediately and then funds to cover expenses.

Time to travel again

Its time again.  Time to return to Haiti.  Steve thought he would be spending a great deal of time in Haiti this summer but that ended up not being the case.  He has been asked to go down in September.  It looks like it may be a few trips back to back.  We NEED your support.  Prayer and financial.  As details are finalized we will post them.  We do know it will be early in September and that is only a few weeks away.  We will need God’s provision in a big way and fast.
If you or anyone you know can give to help us help the folks in Haiti learn more about Jesus you can do so online.
www.christianlightonline.com
DESIGNATED to Steven Dawson

 

URGENT POST SENT BY MIKE DAWSON

"Dear praying friends,

In April of 2006 a young man in the village got into a fight with his wife. He beat her savagely, and when her mother took up for her, he beat his mother in law, actually taking a machete and chopping her twice in the head. The lady's husband, the boy's father in law, was in church and when the service was over, people ran in to give him all the details. He told Gary and I that he was just going to go get his wife and go home that he had no desire to fight. When he did get to where his wife was, there was a large group of people all yelling at him to take his son in law in hand and show him he could not get away with chopping his mother in law. He insisted he did not want to fight and turned to go, but his son in law's family insisted he take care of the situation. He finally gave in and took the offered pole and hit his son in law a blow to the head and much to his surprise, and to the surprise of everyone in the place, his son in law fell unconscious and died a short time later. As you can imagine, the village was crazy. We were up all night praying and counseling trying to find some way of diffusing the situation.

The next morning, Gary and I were two lonely guys standing between the opposing sides of the village. it was real ugly with people urging the Rivas family to just run over us and knock us out of the way. It seems like we were staring death in the face, and things were tense but finally with God's help first one, than another turned to go home. I had hidden Jaime in my house all day and secretly got my boat and motor ready and found a neutral driver to sneak the boat away from the village and wait for us up river. Then we got jamie out of the house and spirited him away and up to where the boat was hidden. I can't tell you how relieved we all were to have him safely out of the village.

He has been living in exile ever since that time and has had a really good attitude about the whole affair. He never had intended to hurt the boy and at the same time knew the family had every right to demand his death. He has repeatedly asked if there were some way that he could make restitution and has asked the family for forgiveness. He has spent the time since this happened working in the church up in yajanamateli and to be honest, the Lord has really used him up there.  Part of the Rivas family are strong believers and they have forgiven Jamie and have urged the family to forgive him and to allow him to return but to no avail. It has been a closed subject.

Last Sunday, unknown to most in the village, Marcos, Jaime's cousin, went up to Yajanama to get Jaime. Bautista, Jaime's uncle almost died a month ago, and the family was worried that he was going to pass away and not get to see Jaime again, so Marcos took matters into his own hands and left to go get him. Like i said, most people in the village, Gary and I included did not know anything was going on. Well, they got home this evening and things are not good. We really covet your prayers for the situation. Gary and I met with the believers in the Rivas family and they are really worried that they are not going to be able to control the side of the family that is insisting on revenge. We prayed together asking God to intervene and show HIMSELF strong tomorrow morning. We ask that you all be much in prayer tomorrow right at dawn. This would be around 5 AM ven time, which would be 5:30 AM eastern.

Thanks for your prayers, this is of course only a brief accounting of all that has happened. This has been a black cloud over the village since the day it happened and we have all spoken about the need to forgive and restore. We have thought at different times we have been on the verge of a solution but it has always eluded us. Now for the last two months we have been meeting as a group of believers at 5:30 AM every morning and asking God to heal the village and give us a real revival. Honestly, looking at the last six years, this is where it does have to start, so my prayer is that this is God's timing and HE is going to do a real work. Pray with us.

your partners,

Michael and Keila"

Haiti calls

When Steve first went to Haiti he saw a people without hope.  He thought he knew poor people having grown up with the Yanomamö people in Venezuela who seem to have nothing.  But after he saw the people of Haiti he knew the Yanomamö had much much more.  They are a people that have the whole rain forest to live in.  Cool trees and clean water to cool off in.  A place to fish and grow food.  Meat to hunt and eat.  They can move and live in a new place anytime they want.    In Haiti this is not the story.  They are stuck in the small world they are in with no hope of improving their state.  They cannot even go to school because even with a public school system they have to pay to go school.  Each day they have to carry money to give the teacher.  No hope for the Haitian children.  EXCEPT with Jesus!  He brings them hope.  And oh! How they love Him!  Steve speaks of hearing singing coming down the street as the Pastor is on his way to church.  As he comes walking down the street others come out to greet him and begin to sing.  Voices lifting up praises to their Savior, the author and finisher of their Eternal Hope!  They are a joyful people despite their lack.

Sherrie Fausey came to Haiti to be the hands and feet of Jesus.  She began with a school to bring in those children that have no hope of going to school otherwise.  She has school for them at no charge.  Her desire is to raise up educated Christian young people to become leaders in the country and bring about change.  Her school was growing and flourishing.  She needed more room so groups began to go and help her add to her buildings.  This was when Steve first ventured to Haiti.  He helped work on a building that would be her school.  Then a few years ago the hurricane season seem to target Haiti.  One even came and sat on Haiti for several days.  An orphanage in a nearby village was destroyed.  The children were brought to Sherrie’s school.  That began the school/orphanage partnership that meant this building had to get done.

2 years ago last month the world literally shook apart when the earthquake rattled their world taking with it buildings, possessions and lives.  The only building left whole and standing was the new unfinished building.  Part of Sherrie’s house fell on a precious young boy and he was lost to them.  Some of her workers never came back to work and eventually it was found they too had been lost.  Compared to some, though, they did very well with just a few lives lost.  Most possessions were lost and Sherrie has had to start over.  At first funds flooded in to help but as time has gone by that slowed.  Rebuilding has been slow.  As she gets funds to continue she sends for Steve who has become her foreman.  He works well with the Haitian workers and keeps them going in the right direction.  Since this is the work he has been called to do He goes alone and travels back and forth.  We are being a part of the rebuilding of the school and orphanage that will raise up Godly leaders in Haiti.  We feel this is what God would have us doing.  We NEED your help.  Without God’s people supporting our part in this work we can’t be free to go when needed.  There were 4 trips last year.  Sherrie has sent for him again.  She had a flood of funds come in to start the next phase of the building.  The plan now is for him to go February 24 and spend the month of March there.  No building will go on in April as she holds Bible camps that month to keep the children out of Carnival (Mardi Gras).    Then he will return May or June for another month or so. 
 

Will you join us in this work?  Will you help these children have classrooms and bedrooms?  Will you help Sherrie have a home as she continues her work there?  We NEED YOU!!!    We must raise enough for expenses while Steve is gone.  And please consider regular monthly gifts as it hard to find work that he can come and go from.  When he comes back and begins to find work it is time to go again.  We need to have monthly  support so we can be ready to go when called.  We are open to going to other fields in support of other full time workers.  You can be a part in any work we take part in. 

We need you.  Is God speaking to your heart about the children in Sherrie Fausey’s school and orphanage?  Help us help them.

We need to raise $3000-$3500 for him to be gone 5-6 weeks.  Everything has gone up so much that a few years ago we needed $2000 per month support but not anymore.  We are believing God is going to supply this for him to leave in 2-2 ½ weeks.  Join us in believing and perhaps being a part of it.

Steve and Theda Dawson

111 Polk Ave.

Front Royal, VA  22620

540-514-2940

stdawson@metaconi.com

giving online

www.christianlightonline.com    designated to Steven Dawson

Send checks to:   designated to Steven Dawson

Christian Light Ministries

PO Box 23882

Jacksonville, FL  32241-3881

Headed back again!

The orphanage in Haiti has received more funding to get started on the building again.  God opened up heaven and poured out His blessings on Sherry and her kids.  Now she is ready for Steve to return and help supervise the workers and help move the work forward.  We thought it was going to be late Feb. into March but things are progressing much faster.  She needs him to come ASAP.  Once again we are asking for your help to fund his trip and expenses.  We need heaven to open up on us to fill the void when he is not here working.  You can give online but today is the deadline for us to get it in February.  www.christianlightonline.com

YEAR END GIVING

MISSION YEAR END GIVING: If you are looking for a place to make a year end donation, would you consider our mission work? We can give you info to our mission to help us as we help rebuild the school/orphanage in Haiti that was destroyed by the earthquake. You will receive a tax deduction for this year as long as it is postmarked by December 31. contact me for into.

Mission Calendar

MISSION CALENDAR SALE: We have created a calendar highlighting our mission work in Venezuela and Haiti to supplement our support. If you would be interested in purchasing one leave a comment for details.

BUILDING NEEDED IN HAITI, NOW!!!!

 URGENT REQUEST FROM SHERRIE FAUSEY.  Please read below.  Sherrie needs this work done ASAP and she wishes for Steve to come to supervise the work and groups getting it done.  We need the provision for him to do this.

"We will need our rooms on the roof sooner than expected.  One of the rooms was to be for Wisnal & Yvoinette who were getting married in December.  Both have lived on campus for a few years.  Their parents are demanding that the marriage be moved up to Oct. 30.  We don't have a room ready for them!!!    Please keep this young couple in prayer.  God will make a way.

 

My worker's problem is my problem.  We are like a family with me being the mama.  Please keep the wooden rooms to be built on the roof in prayer.  We need them ASAP!!!!!  It will cost about $5,000 per room and we need teams of Americans who can swing a hammer ASAP!!!!!  We also need the funding ASAP!!!!

I will have Pastor Leny start the Haitian masons on the concrete posts for the roof as soon as I can.  Then the Haitians can put up the tin roof.  It will look much like the church roof in the picture.  The outer wall will be of either concrete or wood.  All the inner walls can be of wood.  This way we can design the rooms to whatever size and shape fits our needs. We need 1 room finished by October 30th!!!  God will make a way."

 

Recognizing God in the small everyday things

How often do we get help from our Heavenly Dad and not notice it and give Him thanks and credit?  This jumped out at me yesterday.  I woke up with such and awful pain in my neck.  You know, that kink that gets in there down the side of your neck into your shoulder.  I knew I did not need this as I had a lot to do.  It was around 3 a.m. and I could not get comfortable or pain free to go back to sleep.  I started talking to Dad about it and asking Him to help the pain and help me go back to sleep.  I tossed and turned.  Prayed and complained.  I tried different pillow positions and combinations.  In frustration I took a deep breath and asked once more for help with the pain and flopped over on my back.  I remember thinking how it wasn't feeling too bad in that position.  Next thing I knew it was time to get up.  I had fallen off to sleep and even woke up with the pain gone.  I went about the morning and somewhere along the line heard that 'still small voice' asking me if my neck felt better now.  'Why yes, Lord, it does.'  Then stopped in my tracks.  'YOU put that in my mind to lay in that position.  And YOU took away my pain and I have not even said a single thank you!!!'   His subtle reminder brought me to my senses to be more aware when our pleas are answered and not just give the credit to our amazing intelligence.  After all Who gave us that intelligence?  ALL things come from Him even the idea for a more comfortable position at night to ease a pain in the neck!

Tropical Storm Emily barrels towards fragile Haiti

Tropical Storm Emily barrels towards fragile Haiti

FW: Flood in our ravine

 

 

---

From: Sherrill Fausey [mailto:fausianno@yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, June 07, 2011 11:11 AM
To: Sherrie Fausey
Subject: Flood in our ravine

 

Hello from flooded Haiti,

 

We had a terrible rainstorm last evening.  It was not a tropical storm but many people died in floods and mudslides.  EDH went out so we have no electricity everywhere except for the solar panels and generators.  Praise the Lord for our solar panels!!!!!

 

I walked though our ravine area this morning where most of our children live.  Some of them lost their possessions and some lost their homes.  Children came to school is old clothes and barefoot because they lost everything.  We can at least feed them.

 

We need to help the families of our students who lost homes and possessions in the flood.    We will distribute whatever clothes & shoes we have.  We are still assessing exactly what to do but we know they need help.  A lot of help.  Some are homeless.  And another rain storm is headed this way.

 

Please pray for our people in the ravine as we try to help them.

 

God bless you,

Sherrie
 

Sherrie Fausey

Christian Light Foundation

PO Box 23881

Jacksonville, FL 32241-3881

  

Please be sure to include my name on any donations.

The Day Jesus Died

 He thought he’d won

the devil smiled

 And rubbed his hands with glee

The maker of the world was dead

 Hanging on a tree.

“The world is mine

I own it ...now,

I finally won,” he cried.

He didn’t know he’d lost it all

The day that Jesus died---  

Two days he smiled

His heart was light

Now man was his alone—

Then words that echoed

through the years,

turned his heart to stone

“For God so loved the world,

He gave His only Son to die—

But on the third day He would rise,

give man eternal life.”  

 That Sunday morn

He waited there

As darkness changed to light

Then terror seared his burning heart

And anguish filled his eyes…

The empty tomb—

He’s risen! It can’t be true,” he cried

He finally learned, he’d lost it all

The day that Jesus died…

By Velma Dawson Griffis

Flight travel woes

Well, yesterday was to go off without a hitch but someone forgot to tell US Air that.  We were to pick Sherrie Fausey up at Dulles airport at 5 p.m. and then bring her back to meet all our family and a few friends.  She calls in the afternoon to tell us they switched her flight so she is coming in at 5:25.    Half way down Interstate 66 we get a call from her that her flight is delayed for mechanical reasons.  So we stop at a Sheetz to kill time people watching while we wait rather than turn around and come back home.  By 6 p.m. her flight is completely cancelled and now she is on a flight arriving at midnight.  so home we go.  Then pick her up and this time that flight was early.  She got in around 11:30.  Her day started at 5 a.m.  She was exhausted.  Now today we are off to help her shop at EQUIPPING THE SAINTS.  A great place for missionaries to find good 'experienced' items at bargain prices.

Support will be needed

We will be looking for more full time supporters for prayer and financial needs. If you want to have a part in works all over the world use this address.

Steve and Theda Dawson

Christian Light Foundation

PO Box 23881

Jacksonville, FL 32241-3881

  

Please be sure to include our name on any donations.

http://www.christianlightfoundation.com/