A Simple But Changed Life

The dishes sit on the rickety table outside waiting for water. No electricity. No indoor bathroom. These things may never change...but their lives can and will!

I bought myself a pair of little black shoes yesterday. I had plans for those shoes but God had a purpose for them.

This past week on the Chapel Project build, I befriended a little Haitian lady named Jenny who lived next door to the chapel. She knew that Jesus is God's Son and that He had died on the cross for the forgiveness of her sins. She even knew that she needed to accept Him as her personal savior but she wasn't ready she said. She knew she wasn't promised tomorrow but she wasn't ready.
Jenny and I became friends this past week. We spoke in a funny little mix of broken Spanish, Creole and English. We shared coconut, peanuts, laughs, smiles, hugs, waves and a sweet friendship, oh and how to marinate and massage chicken liver for frying!
On Thursday, as we prepared to leave, Jenny asked me for a pair of shoes. Jenny became frustrated a bit with me when I told her I didn't have any extras for her. Something that was beyond her understanding. I was a bit frustrated with Jenny for asking me for something. Being constantly expected to give someone something because I am a white American is a bit irritating. This is part of the struggle of being in a foreign culture where you don't blend in.
Friday morning, we were able to enjoy sleeping in a bit and running some errands. During errands, I found a simple pair of closed toed shoes on sale. I bought them as I have been needing a pair for ministry and don't like to borrow the girls because they are a bit too big.
Last night as we headed to the Chapel Dedication, I felt like God told me to take my new shoes to Jenny. I was like, "What?!? Seriously, God!" Yes! and leave the tags on so she sees they are new. So I took them to the dedication and got ready to give them to her. God told me to present them to her as a free gift...like the Gospel is a free gift. God gave His Son for us but it is up to us to decide to accept this gift.
With a translator, I headed over to deliver the gift of my shoes. I start with sharing about the Gospel being a free gift and Jenny calls over her husband Johnny. After talking with both of them, they both decide to accept the free gift of the Gospel! What an answer to my prayers for my friend all week!
Yes, Jenny liked the shoes too! God had a purpose for my shoes that was much greater than a pair of shoes. Johnny and Jenny still live in the same little house with no running water or electricity or indoor bathroom but their lives are forever changed! No matter how simple our lives are we can always be changed with God. God will always use what we have and where we are when we are obedient. Even if it is a little pair of black closed toed shoes.

PS... the daughter of Johnny and Jenny enthusiastically gave her heart and life to the Lord during the Chapel Dedication service! What a new beginning for this sweet little family who lives in the little shack next to the latest chapel project site.

We had a great time hosting the Paz ladies who came for a cultural visit for college credit. We were able to learn more about the local history. Learning about the past helps us to move forward to the future without some of the same mistakes.

Here is a map of where we have been for the past 19 months and where we are moving to. Note the roads go from Santiago to Santo Domingo and then over to Azua.

Thanks to everyone who has donated towards a car for us to purchase. We are excited about having a means of transportation. We are still a bit short of funds so if you can give that would be super appreciated!

A few pictures of last week's Chapel Project build. We always enjoy working hard together as a family. And Jesse is in a couple of the pictures but he is on the roof some. Please like our facebook page: Walker 5 for God or friend any of us as we post lots of pictures there also.

We would like to ask you to prayerfully consider helping us financially at this time with either a one time gift or a monthly amount of support.
Financial support is one of the hardest things to talk about as a missionary but it is needed. God does provide and we are thankful.
Presently we are in need of some more support due to this move to Azua. Moving expenses, purchasing a car, higher staff fees, more outreaches... along with the fact that our kids are growing and our clothes get more worn out...this all makes for more needs.
So thank you for considering giving a donation! We appreciate it a lot.