Sorry it's taken so long to write a newsletter, but I just returned from the Dominican Republic spending the holidays with Earl and Gabriel.  What a glorious time we had, the sun was out most of the time, the time of the year was great for a friends wedding, (Earl, Gabriel and I stood up for our friends), we would like to congratulate Alberto and Pretchy Pena on their marriage, we do pray God continues to bless you all, we were able to visit some friends we haven't seen in a couple years,(Renaida Garcia), is expecting her first child, her husband and her are delighted to be having a daughter, and we worked on some of the adoption for Gabriel, of course, it's not over yet, we are still trying to get all the paperwork in order and the attorney to find time to work with us to finish this up.  We are leaving it in Gods hand, please  be in prayer for all of us. 

I did accomplish my visits with the Haitian Christian Education Center, we are learning more and more about our Savior, they are so smart when questioned about him, they truly do love the Lord as much as he loves them, we were able to teach them a couple new songs in English, those of you who are coming on the mission trip in March, you will be able to hear them.

For those of you who didn't know, the mission trip is set for March 19th thru 26th, 2012, there will be some carpentry work, brick work, painting, visiting families, and VBS, VBS will be lead by April Gaines again this year, the kids loved them coming last year and are looking forward to them coming again.  The cost is $450.00, and you buy your own airline tickets, if you sponsor a child in the school and would like to bring them something, feel free to do so.

I want to share a little story with you, when I was with Earl and Gabriel, they were telling me about these two boys, which are twins, Gabriel was telling me how mean they were to him, they would hit him in the head, chase him down the street until he reached his front gate, no matter how horrible they were to him, he was still going ? out to play with them, I told him, if they are mean to you, you just come home and leave them alone, don't fight with them, he understood what I was saying, but  before I left for the states, he told me that they were being nice to him again, only God knows what had happen to make them stop being mean.  Today I called to see how he was doing and he proceeded to tell me about the twins, they had an electrical fire last night and lost everything they owned, including their home. Gabriel heard what happen and he and Earl went into his closet and started picking out clothes that don't fit him anymore, he said pants, shirts, underwear, and socks, they took them to the twins. I said to him, I thought they were mean to you, but he said mom, they lost everything! 

Now, I thought Gabriel wasn't listening to half the stuff Earl and I have been teaching him, God showed me otherwise, what would you have done if you were in Gabriel's shoes? Take a lesson from a 6 year old, never turn your back on someone, you will never know when God will put someone into your path for help, lets love one another, as Jesus has loved us!

Please be in prayer for Earl and Gabriel, the Haitian Christian Education Center, the children, our mission trip coming up in March, the missionaries that are coming, the supporters for the school, and of course our teacher, Wilbert Darius and his family, what a blessing he is   

                                                  All for the love of Jesus,  Shirley,Earl, and Gabriel