Dear friends, Sunday night

I had maybe one of the greatest days today, of 2010. As you know I have been slowing getting my running legs back as I prepare physically and mentally to go back to Haiti.

This morning through a "God" chain of events, I was invited to an all black church, a baptist church called "Beams of Heaven" located in the hood. A church which just recently got electricity. A simple church, with wonderful people, Godly people, real beams from Heaven.

There was something so simple and genuine about this old, Baptist church. We spent the first hour or so, just praying, singing, Bible reading, then a wonderful Heavenly choir.

I was then asked to share about Haiti. These folks found out about Haiti when a donor of ours was mailing some of our Jesus in Haiti t-shirts. The assistant pastor is the post master and we connected that way. They sold several hundred dollars of t-shirts to benefit our ministry.

Two and a half hours after the start, we were done, and I was ready to go back to Haiti, now. I was refreshed, blessed and not stressed. The pastor gave a stirring sermon from Acts on rejoicing in spite of all we endure. They are planning a mission's trip to Haiti this fall. Pray for Beams of Heaven Baptist church, they are fighting the fight in a very tough place, with very few resources, earthly ones that is.

Our friends the Neal's, the Hassey's, and Jeanty's were all there, then we got treated to Wendy's so it was a great day.

Very exciting news: I just received news that 150 tents are in, and Roger and Claudy will be picking them up in the morning. My first temptation was to have them wait until I get back to pass out, but how dumb is that? These folks are sleeping outside. Roger has a list of 150 families, and the tents go out before Wednesday. Thank you for making this possible with your sacrificial gifts during this tough period. 150 families or well over 1000 people will have homes, and what a thrill that is.

These tents will be temporary, probably a few months, until we get the houses rebuilt. There is a plan in place for this.

I go back to Haiti next Monday, the 3rd. I have a big week with the grandkids, and I am being taken to see my beloved Tigers play Wednesday.

I will let you in on a secret, Minnesota is having an email drive, getting everyone to send emails to put them in first, in the name of fairness, I needed to let you know that so Indiana and Michigan, better fire it up. Thing is, anyone from any state with many friends could rise from the ashes, get 60 people to vote, and your state could win. I told you first prize was free health care for your whole state. Second prize is a NO expense paid trip for everyone in your state, to Haiti. How's that?

There you have it, a full Sunday report. My body is feeling great, my back is almost healed and I am preparing to go back, can't wait. 7 days. tom

p.s. Minnesota is running a power play. They have organized and I received about 25 emails all from Minnesotans just yesterday. The state that produced the great governor Jesse Ventura and congressman Al Franken have kicked it up a notch.