Very frustrated and disappointed with DirecTv…

DirecTv, please help me out!

Here is my story…

I just called to cancel our service since we are moving to Haiti to serve with RMI.

They tell me that I have a commitment with DirecTv through April 2011.  I had no idea!

In fact, I can tell you, I was totally convinced that we had no contract.  I wish I could remember what they told me in the beginning, word for word.  I can’t be absolutely certain, but I am quite confident I asked specifically because I was in no position to sign a 2 year contract.   I knew in March/April that our move to Haiti was quite possible. I never would have knowingly done it.  Not asking about a commitment would have been pretty dumb on my part!  We signed up for DirecTv in April of this year. 

DirecTv doesn’t even offer service in Haiti, yet they want me to pay for service.  Ugh.

I called them today, spoke with a customer service rep, Eduardo, then I spoke with his Manager, Ray, and they both tell me there is nothing they can do.  Really?  Nothing they can do?  Hard to believe.  They told me I can write a letter to corporate.  I will.

So, I am told I have to pay $20/month until April 2011.  That’s about $340 to cancel!  Wow…

I am so disappointed with DirecTv!

Rob

He’s Surprising Us!

It seems to me that Braden is doing new things every day!  He is our third child, so we shouldn’t be surprised when he does, right?  After all, we are supposed to remember what Drew and Tessa did at 16 months of age; be prepared.  The truth is, I forget a lot, and Braden is different from his brother and sister. 

New words have been spilling out of Braden’s mouth.  His latest are “car” (cah) and “more” (ma).  Anything with wheels is a car.  He’s trying so hard to communicate and gets really frustrated when he can’t.  That’s very different than Drew and Tessa. 

So the other day at lunch he was pointing and saying “ma, ma, ma” and we just couldn’t figure out what he wanted.  He was getting really mad too!  More milk?  No, cause he threw it when we handed it to him.  More goldfish?  No, he angrily pushed them all off his tray. “Ma, ma, ma…”  Everything we could think of he got mad when we gave it to him.  There was a fork on the table and Rob said, “maybe he wants a fork?”  So Rob went to the drawer and got out a kid fork and handed it to Braden.  He proceeds to poke his watermelon with the fork and starts using it like he’s been doing it for months.  I think he ate the rest of his lunch with his fork!

Sunday, we were pretty lazy after lunch and didn’t clean up the table right away.  A little while later we catch Braden holding his bowl with the rest of his yogurt from lunch and eating it with a spoon.  All by himself. 

I think he thinks he’s a big boy!

~Becky

I’ve got to include some pics of his newest skill, plus an extra one just because it’s cute!

 

Here We Go!

The container arrived today and reality is suddenly starting to set in.  In 2 weeks, that container will be driven to Miami and sent to Port-Au-Prince, Haiti with pretty much all of our earthly belongings.  I won’t see anything in it until mid-March.  Actually, I’m praying we see it again and hoping it’s out of customs by March!

For months we’ve been talking about moving to Haiti and working hard to raise the funds to go.  We’ve made good progress in the fundraising, enough to ship the container, and we are trusting God that the rest of the needed monthly support and one-time support comes in.  But here is where it gets real.  Here is where we begin the real journey of stepping out in faith.  Here is where we put our faith into action.  We are about to move out of our home, and live out of suitcases for the next 3 months.  There’s no turning back.  I’ve given notice at my job.  I’m about to give up the comfort of added income. 

A year ago I would have never imagined we would be getting ready to move overseas.  Sure, it had always been a thought in the back of our minds, but here we are, getting ready to go.  In Henry Blackaby’s study entitled “Experiencing God” he says, “We say that Christ is Lord, and He can interrupt our plans anytime He wants.  We assume He will affirm everything we are doing and never ask us to change anything we have planned.”   We are confident that the Lord has called us to take this new step in our journey of faith.  He has interrupted our plans.  And that’s ok.  I don’t want to go thru life following my plans.  I only want to be where He wants me. 

I don’t want you to get the idea that I think this is going to be easy.  I realize more and more every day that this is going to be hard.   Each step gets harder.  My trust is in Him who sends me.  He has given me a wonderful husband, and we get to do this together.  Pray for us over these next 6 months as we transition our family to a new way of life.  Pray for courage as each step takes us closer to serving in Haiti.

~Becky

Come see what we have For Sale!

Check out our “For Sale” web page at www.robandbecky.com/forsale. 

We are moving to Haiti to be missionaries, therefore we must sell these things.  Your help (buying these things) is much appreciated.

For more information on our move to Haiti, please click here.

Incredible Video Testimony That Explains Why We Do What We Do.

This video is long, but totally worth the investment!  This paints a great picture as to why we do what we do.  It will be worth it to watch the whole thing, but I would especially encourage you to watch Alison @06:35, Dana @14:41, Scott @21:00, and Dan @32:02.

This is a video of a church service on Nov 3, 2009 at one of RMI's churches, CrossRoad Church UMC in Jacksonville, FL.  They tell their story of the broad impact of the partnership they have with their Sister Church in Tiburon, Haiti, through RMI.

For your convenience, here are some timestamps…

• 00:00 – Pastor Scott Crawford (Community Life Pastor) gives an introduction to their Sister Church Partnership.
• 06:35 - Alison (Recent Team Member) shares her story, specifically related to RMI’s Hope for Kidz child sponsorship program.
• 14:41 - Dana (recent team member) shares her dramatic story of Kingdom impact, salvation, being a God Parent.
• 21:00 - Scott shares more Kingdom impact.
• 26:15 - Scott shares message from Haitian Pastor Lundy to the congregation at CrossRoad Church UMC.
• 32:02 - RMI President Dan Shoemaker thanks the congregation for their compassionate partnership and impact.
• 37:38 - Sr. Pastor Gee challenges his congregation to live below their means to make a difference.

Finally, here is the video…

Support Update…

A big Thank You to those of you who are praying for us and to those who have given financially.

Final Goal Progress…  (By March 1)

As you can see from our thermometer, we have raised 81% of our Monthly Need and 43% of our 1X Need.

Short Term Goal Progress… (By Dec 1)

As you probably remember, we need to raise $12,000 of our 1X need by Dec 1 in order to send our container to Haiti in December.  So far we have raised approximately $6000 of this $12,000!

  

Read our Original Support Letter  |  Our Website

Urgent/Special Request from Rob and Becky

We need to raise $12,000 in the next 30 days.

We need your help.  You know we have been raising funds as we prepare to move to Haiti.  We are getting close, and deadlines are quickly approaching!

Right now, we are at 82% of our monthly need and 32% of our 1x need.  You can get an update here.

Although we technically have until March to be fully supported, a significant portion of our "1x need" must be received this month if we are to remain on schedule.  If we are to stay on track, and send our container on or about December 15th to Haiti, we must raise about $12,000 between now and November 30.  This $12,000 covers the container and shipping costs, customs taxes and fees, as well as some required ministry equipment and supplies that we need to pack in the container.

Would you consider a special donation here at the end of the year to help us get to Haiti?

Want to donate Online?
Visit www.rminet.org/donate.  You can donate securely via your checking account or credit card account.  FYI, if you want to make a large donation, donating via your checking account online or sending in a paper check in the mail would be preferred due to Credit Card processing fees.

Want to donate via check in the mail?
Mail your check to the address below.  Make it payable to RMI.  Please note on the check or by separate sheet that it is for our 1x needs to get to Haiti.  If you are sending a check, let us know at robandbecky@robandbecky.com. 

We don't know how this is going to happen, but we believe it will happen.  If you can't give financially, would you please pray?

Rob