Photography by Paige Pruitt-Haase

Gregory, like a lighthouse,
was a beacon of light
for so many in his life.
Not just guiding friends,
aquaintances or family in a storm,
but simply a light of hope
when you weren't certain
of your next move.

Time to Share My Grief - A Letter

Photography by Paige Pruitt-Haase

Ok, well, it is not exactly "mine", but through Grief Share I have learned how important it is to share with everyone a letter hopefully explaining my grief. This way there are no guesses as to how I am feeling and maybe what I need from everyone. I copied it mostly from my workbook, sometimes it is hard for me to come up with words, clearly. So here it goes:

Dear Friends,

Recently I have suffered a devastating loss, as you all know. I am grieving and it will take months and maybe even years to recover. I wanted to let you know that I will cry from time to time. My tears are not a sign of weakness or a lack of faith. They are God's gift to me to express the extent of my loss, and they are also a sign that I am recovering.

The past 4 months have been far more difficult than I could have ever imagined. I now realize this process of grieving is messy and lasts a lot longer than I had anticipated. Thank you for being my friends and supporting me during this season of grief. You don't always have to know what to say or even say anything if you don't know how to respond. Your presence and a touch or hug lets me know you care. Please don't wait for me to call you since sometimes I am too tired or tearful to do so.

Please know that I do not need fixing... that is God's job! Your love, patience and prayers will sustain me through this time. God is faithful; He is my sustaining grace.

Please pray that God will use this time of grieving to grow me and equip me to minister to others with greater compassion than ever before. I know I will not just survive... joy will return!

If you have experienced a similar type of loss, please feel free to share it with me. It will help rather than cause me to feel worse. And don't stop sharing if I begin to cry. It's all right, and any tears you express are also all right!

This loss is so painful, and right now it feels like the worst thing that could ever happen to me. I will survive and eventually recover. I cling to that knowledge, even though there have been times when I didn't feel it. I know I will not always feel as I do now. Laughter and joy will emerge once again someday.

Thank you for for caring enough to read this letter. Thank you for listening and praying. Your concern comforts me and is a gift for which I will always be thankful.

In Christ,

Paige

The Oregon Coast - Through My Eyes

Photography by Paige Pruitt-Haase

As time slips by, I either learn to deal with specific dates or I just stay busy. One thing I do know, when I come across photos that I have taken, somehow I can always place a memory of Gregory with it. I am beginning to feel as though I am taking a journey with him. Instead of it leading somewhere physical, it's emotional.

In this photograph, I can picture Gregory and I dangling our feet over the cliff, sipping a glass of wine, and sharing our life's dreams with each other. Those times with him were few, but when we had the chance we made the best of them.

A time to laugh, a time to cry....

The Beanie Babies Hit the Road

Photography by Paige Pruitt-Haase

I am taking the Bag 'O' Beanies to Portland!

Driveway Sale!

SATURDAY

JUNE 26th

10am - 5pm

Located between Belmont and Morrison

on

SE 19th

in Portland

look for the signs

Once again, we will be holding a sale to help raise funds for the Mission Team.

There will be more treasures to discover and another chance to pick a

Beanie Baby to send to Nicaragua.

We hope to see you there!

Bendecidos!

Mission Team Sale was GREAT!

Photography by Paige Pruitt-Haase

As a team we prayed for "dry" conditions. We got it! The morning started with misty weather, but it did not "rain"!!! We had many people we know stop by and pick out Beanie Babies to send to the children in Nicaragua, sip on coffee, enjoy yummy treats, and find those little treasures.

We had fun, even though it is always hard work. It was nice to spend the day together as a team!

Thank you for the donated items and wonderful treats that we sold - we raised over $300 to go towards the mission!

Bendecidos!

Nicaragua Mission Team Annual Garage-Bake Sale Fundraiser

Photography by Paige Pruitt-Haase

The date is set and you are invited!

We will be holding our annual fundraiser on

Saturday, June 19th

9am - 4pm

Corner of 12th & I Street in Washougal

(Two Blocks North of Gateway Church on 12th Street)

As always we are excited to work together as a team to help raise money for the building supplies we will need in Nicaragua. This year we are building floors and roofs on two churches in the Tipitapa Area. We will also be holding events for children and would like to spend time with them doing small craft projects and give them each a goody bag on the last day. The goody bags of course have great treats in them like a bouncy ball, crayons and stickers, but also items the children need and may not have like a toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, etc. We expect 400 children each day for 3-4 days.

What do these things cost?

Building Materials: $7500 (approx)

Goody Bags & Craft Projects: $2000 (approx)

At the Sale, we will have some yummy baked goods to eat, so come hunt for your perfect treasure while sipping on some hot coffee and enjoying your treat.

Maybe even pick out a special Beanie Baby to send in a goody bag to a child in Nicaragua, from the BEANIE BABY BIN!

If you are unable to join us at the fundraiser but wish to help. Any donations can be delivered to Gateway Church with a memo "Nicaragua Mission". In case you would like to mail a check, the address is:

Gateway Church
1235 'E' Street
Washougal, WA 98671

We thank you in advance and always, your generous donations
and prayers are greatly appreciated.

Gateway Church Mission Team to Nicaragua 2010


back row l to r: Michael Bailey, Paige Haase, Larry Basham, Mike Lamb, Nick Barnes

middle row 1 to r: Morgan Wilson, Donna Basham

front row l to r: Jackie Miller, Harvey Miller, Bob Barnes

Mission to Nicaragua 2010

Photography by Paige Pruitt-Haase


July 20th - August 1st

Once again, I am preparing to return to the land of volcanoes. I am looking forward to being there again, unfortunately Doug and Sterling are not going this year. I am sad about it, a little nervous, but I know God has once again showed me how He wants me out of my comfort zone, in order to do His work. I am listening!

Nicaragua became a special place in our hearts four years ago when we travelled there to help build a vocational school, El Shaddai. The people there have become family, and to see their accomplishments fills our hearts with great joy. We have been back every year since, but don't get me wrong, if God calls us somewhere else we will go. We truly believe that our mission field is wherever God puts us each day.

This year, our team plans to go to two different areas during our time there. One place is called Cristo Rey, a very poor community where many of its people live off the garbage from the dump nearby. The other community is Ciudadela, equally as poor. Both are near the town of Tipitapa. Our church built a church in Tipitapa several years ago. We have visited the church on a few special occasions. We will be building "sister" churches to the first one. This is wonderful growth to be witnessing in an area that was filled with gangs and violence.

The people live in extreme poverty and are deeply grateful for all we do. Our main project for both sites is to put in the cement floor and roofing. Currently they just have wood posts, most likely to be old tree limbs, and black plastic wrapped around the posts for walls.

We will also be involved with helping a 3-4 day children's program by leading them in simple crafts and activities. We are expecting 400 children to attend each day during the week. We hope to give every child a goody bag with a few items they can use, like toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, and maybe a few fun things like crayons, etc.

While I am paying my own way, our team will need to raise approximately $7500.00 for the building materials. The team will also need about $2000.00 for craft materials, goody bags for the children and partial scholarships for team members.

Please consider how you can support our team financially and in prayer. I hope you'll remember to pray for the whole team, but in addition, please pray specifically for me that God will help me with my nervousness about the trip. I know He is big enough to protect us, but honestly I am a bit nervous going without Doug.

Any donations can be delivered to Gateway Church with a memo "Nicaragua Mission". In case you would like to mail a check, the address is:

Gateway Church
1235 'E' Street
Washougal, WA 98671

If you have questions or want to contact me, my e-mail address is: paigechappy@yahoo.com
I am also on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/paigehaase

Bendecidos!