YAYY!!!!
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Sunday, May 22, 2016
tidbits.....
School ends June 10. The children had a lapse during the move, and then getting back into things took a little time. They are excited for vacation! I hope to do maintaince school during the summer, just a few hours several days a week to keep them in tune ( and for some concentrated mom time too:)
We've discovered (in a whole new way) the love of reading!! I read aloud as many evenings as we can, and we are All enjoying the books, but also, the family time.
We just pulled our first green bean stalks out and are ready to replant. We have a very small garden, but are anxious to utilize the space better. So far we have had green beans, a bit of spinach, and have cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers that LOOK promising. We'll see. Also, we have a little row of zinnias that are just a sweet reminder of our garden at home. A pop of color in our little garden!
We are learning Creole!
And so are the children. One day I asked one of them a question in Dutch, and they answered in Creole. Ummmmm???!!! I enjoy being able to successfully bargain for the fruits and vegetables that come to our door, and also, communicate with my new friends. I can't wait til I can join the ladies in Bible Study, and understand them! We have so far to go yet with language, but its coming!
Occasionally we listen to a CD for our Sunday worship, so that we can take in a message in English. Today was special... we listened to our home congregation, over the phone. What a blessing!
An invitation to our fellow teammates in Gode tonight, for ice cream because they have to much milk?! Yay!!! (The milk itself is a special treat. We only have powdered milk here)
HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE!!!
We've discovered (in a whole new way) the love of reading!! I read aloud as many evenings as we can, and we are All enjoying the books, but also, the family time.
We just pulled our first green bean stalks out and are ready to replant. We have a very small garden, but are anxious to utilize the space better. So far we have had green beans, a bit of spinach, and have cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers that LOOK promising. We'll see. Also, we have a little row of zinnias that are just a sweet reminder of our garden at home. A pop of color in our little garden!
We are learning Creole!
And so are the children. One day I asked one of them a question in Dutch, and they answered in Creole. Ummmmm???!!! I enjoy being able to successfully bargain for the fruits and vegetables that come to our door, and also, communicate with my new friends. I can't wait til I can join the ladies in Bible Study, and understand them! We have so far to go yet with language, but its coming!
Occasionally we listen to a CD for our Sunday worship, so that we can take in a message in English. Today was special... we listened to our home congregation, over the phone. What a blessing!
An invitation to our fellow teammates in Gode tonight, for ice cream because they have to much milk?! Yay!!! (The milk itself is a special treat. We only have powdered milk here)
HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE!!!
Monday, May 9, 2016
My work....
Sometimes people ask, "what is your job or responsibility there in Haiti?"
You know, as I was struggling the other day, feeling like what do I really do? I was again reminded that every time I answer the door with a smile, (again) answer another question, or fetch keys for someone else, I am doing something important.
Why do we think that its great and big things that matter most??
I am thankful for the gentleness of Jesus, in reminding me that even tho I may "only " cook lots of food, host lots of visitors (which I love todo, btw) or answer the door for the 5th time in a morning, that when I do it FOR HIM I am doing something important.
I want to be faithful in little everyday things. I am mostly doing here what you do there.Normal things like being a mom, cooking, cleaning, reading stories, assisting with homework, rinse and repeat.
I am honored to do this. I am blessed. And I choose to joy in the mundane. These moments turn to hours, and the hours into days. I want to make the most of every one.
Blessings to each of you, wherever you are, in whatever He has called you to. BE FAITHFUL!
Friday, May 6, 2016
All in a day....
Wednesday May 4 was a day we have been anticipating.. The return of Preston and Apphia and their family. We have grown to love them a lot, and working with them as a team has been a privilege. They had been gone on a two week furlough, and even tho everything went well while they were gone, we anxious to have them back.
We decided to take Jorden and Kayte and the four of us go in to Port to pick them up. Just the time out with Jess was a treat. The school children were looking forward to spending time with Janella after school. All was set.
Soon after we left we got word that Prestons might miss their flight. Then, we heard they were on track. So we continued on.
Jess made special effort to stop along the rode where lots of vendors were selling bicycles. To Jorden and Kaytes delight, he found them each a bike. Now they have a piece of their "life in the US" back!
Lunch at the VOL French Restaurant was special. Located at the end of the runway, and seated on the second story, we have full view of planes taking off and landing right over our heads. For the children, the "just like McDonalds" type playground is a highlight. We meandered through lunch, enjoying the special food and the time together. We were in great time for picking prestons up, so Jess stopped at a hardware store just to acquaint himself with what they carry. Then the phone call.
Prestons missed their flight due to weather and had to reschedule for the following day. Stuck in Ft. Myers with luggage and a tired family, my heart went out to them.
We started for home. With no idea if their flight would be early or late, not having all our family together, and really not prepared to spend the night in Port, it seemed like the best option.
But, it wasn't to be a fast trip home.
First, a police stop. Our windows are tinted. No go.
We show the paperwork for them being tinted.
Oh, so now its because Jess didn't have his seat belt on.
A phone call to Richa ( our Haitian contact) and we were soon on our way. He seems to have a way with people like that, even the police.:)
A hour or so later we come up to stopped traffic.
Ugh oh.
Roadblock. Demonstrations.
These things are frustrating. Sometimes it because of political reasons. This time we heard it was because the people are wanting electric in their town. They will stop tap-taps or semi's, (usually larger vehicles) make them park across the road to block it, then either slice or burn the tires. It holds up traffic for hours and hours. I haven't heard if it got them electric or not:P
We waited for what felt like much longer than what it was, i'm sure, and FINALLY got moving past the unfortunate vehicles. Arriving home around 9:30, we were so thankful to be safe.
Jess got up around 5:30 and retraced the route to try for Prestons again. This time they had an early flight and around 10, it looked like he would soon be on his way back. Everything went well until they came back through the same town we had seen the demonstration in the night before. By this time Prestons poor family had been traveling for over 24 hours, and wouldn't you know, the wait for the demonstration to clear for traffic to pass was FOUR HOURS.
When they finally arrived last night, weary and worn, we were thankful that they were here, and safe.
It was just another couple of days in Haiti..........
We decided to take Jorden and Kayte and the four of us go in to Port to pick them up. Just the time out with Jess was a treat. The school children were looking forward to spending time with Janella after school. All was set.
Soon after we left we got word that Prestons might miss their flight. Then, we heard they were on track. So we continued on.
Jess made special effort to stop along the rode where lots of vendors were selling bicycles. To Jorden and Kaytes delight, he found them each a bike. Now they have a piece of their "life in the US" back!
Lunch at the VOL French Restaurant was special. Located at the end of the runway, and seated on the second story, we have full view of planes taking off and landing right over our heads. For the children, the "just like McDonalds" type playground is a highlight. We meandered through lunch, enjoying the special food and the time together. We were in great time for picking prestons up, so Jess stopped at a hardware store just to acquaint himself with what they carry. Then the phone call.
Prestons missed their flight due to weather and had to reschedule for the following day. Stuck in Ft. Myers with luggage and a tired family, my heart went out to them.
We started for home. With no idea if their flight would be early or late, not having all our family together, and really not prepared to spend the night in Port, it seemed like the best option.
But, it wasn't to be a fast trip home.
First, a police stop. Our windows are tinted. No go.
We show the paperwork for them being tinted.
Oh, so now its because Jess didn't have his seat belt on.
A phone call to Richa ( our Haitian contact) and we were soon on our way. He seems to have a way with people like that, even the police.:)
A hour or so later we come up to stopped traffic.
Ugh oh.
Roadblock. Demonstrations.
These things are frustrating. Sometimes it because of political reasons. This time we heard it was because the people are wanting electric in their town. They will stop tap-taps or semi's, (usually larger vehicles) make them park across the road to block it, then either slice or burn the tires. It holds up traffic for hours and hours. I haven't heard if it got them electric or not:P
We waited for what felt like much longer than what it was, i'm sure, and FINALLY got moving past the unfortunate vehicles. Arriving home around 9:30, we were so thankful to be safe.
Jess got up around 5:30 and retraced the route to try for Prestons again. This time they had an early flight and around 10, it looked like he would soon be on his way back. Everything went well until they came back through the same town we had seen the demonstration in the night before. By this time Prestons poor family had been traveling for over 24 hours, and wouldn't you know, the wait for the demonstration to clear for traffic to pass was FOUR HOURS.
When they finally arrived last night, weary and worn, we were thankful that they were here, and safe.
It was just another couple of days in Haiti..........
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