Spring Update

We have a lot to share with you in this update. For starters the board members of The Master’s Mission met in Jan. and accepted us to serve as missionaries through TMM. We are still hoping to serve in Ecuador. At this time we are in the process of raising support with the goal of being sent to Ecuador by March 2011. We are at about 18% of our monthly income and 5% of our outfitting expense. If you would like a detailed list of our outfitting needs we can send one to you. We are excited by the progress we are already making.

The Clymer Hope Houses Project is complete! Here are some exciting *details: Project began late Oct. finished Feb.17. Approx 47 people helped with the project from 9 different churches and 5 denominations. The goal of Hope Houses is to help the “working poor” obtain a house, help put the house into “move in” condition, connect them with a local church, mentor them in finances, home maintenance and repairs, parenting, marriage, as well as help them meet other physical and spiritual needs to help them be successful in our communities. A convenient payback plan will be put into place for the family that will not be burdensome, but help assure a feeling of ownership and also assure that there will be finances for the next project. (*taken from Charlie Hodges report on the project)

The Findley Lake UMC’s praise bands (one of which I (Tracy) am a part of) put on a concert to benefit Bert and Roberta Anderson, who are not only friends of the Findley Lake UMC but local missionaries stationed in Haiti. The mission guest house which can house up to 40 people was destroyed. The medical clinic/hospital that the Anderson’s direct and live above and the orphanage sustained structural damage and have already been repaired as well as part of the security wall that surrounds the clinic. The plan is to build a new orphanage and turn the existing orphanage into the new mission guest house. Work teams will continue to be sent until the project is complete. It is very encouraging to hear stories from the Andersons of God moving in the hearts of the Haitian people despite the devastation.

Marshall continues to teach the kids, while I assist, on Sunday mornings. Small group on Saturday night continues to be a blessing. I have been meeting with a couple of my friends on Monday afternoons to lead a bible study. It has been a great opportunity for me to continue to learn and grow. Monday evenings our home is filled with friends for dinner. We were using this night as a make up time for the adult Sunday School class but since the lessons have ended we have continued to get together and plan to continue some type of learning.

The kids enjoy their pets. Not only do we have a house full of Great Danes, but we have Lionhead rabbits. Devin spends hours at the sewing machine to make them outfits and Cameron sets up photo shoots. They even had a rabbit wedding, complete with bride, groom and bridesmaids. We now have baby bunnies as a result!

My original plan for our dogs was to train them as therapy dogs. I have been taking care of an elderly stroke patient who also suffers from dementia. One of her struggles is that she had a dog she dearly loved and misses. I have been able to help fill that void by bringing one of my dogs with me when I take care of her. Although not certified, I feel like I finally have my therapy dogs.

Cameron has been attending Bright Lights meetings with a friend and Devin has been working afternoons at a nearby farm feeding calves. Kaiden continues to be a help to Marshall on the many work projects he is involved in.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support! We are truly blessed!

(Tracy writing for) Marshall, Tracy, Devin, Cameron and Kaiden Dixon