INTERNET

The last five months have been full, fulfilling, busy, and honestly, without internet we probably did read, play games, as well as spend time standing at the window where there was just enough service to send WhatsApp messages. A voluntary fast is good, a forced one can leave you kicking at times, or, simply, feeling resigned to what was totally beyond our control.

After the hurricane in October, we lost cell service. In January, our satalite went out and we haven't had proper internet since. We had limped along using the schools WIFI for awhile, but it was very undependable and didn't have a lot of allowance. When that went out, well, life goes on and you adjust, almost:) Positioning your phone at the window, (or a few other select spots in the house) became a norm; I took for granted that I could chat with my mom, sisters,  and friends from the sofa, porch, or while I am sewing. Trust me, I wrote LOTS of blogs during the last few months, in my mind.:)


This week we got our internet back. So I will try to update you here, but it might take a few posts:)

Having sweet cousins visit is pretty special!

The winter was full of  friends and family, visiting. We felt so supported and loved by each one who took the time off work, energy, and put so much thought into blessing  and supporting us. We feel your love!!! Thank you to Joel & Mary Landis and family, Mark & Lois Myer, Devin, Annalise, and Alissa, Beryl Landis for supporting Maria and your visit, Daryl & Ivy Peachey and my niece and nephews!!! Grandpa and Grandma Myer, Aunt Ida and cousin Kristen, Jeff & Marj Hartzler and family. We made so many memories, and I know that you all showing up gave us energy and encouragement  to keep on in what God has called us to down here.

Of all the places this guy couldn't have stopped to pose, you

gotta say he's pretty concerned about color coordination!

Another highlight was Jess driving over the mountains and through the rivers to bring Rhonda, her 11 children, and Les and Ida here for a weekend. We had arranged it at Christmas, and we had such a fun time giving back some hospitality to those who have served us in their home many times! 

Having my Aunt Ida and cousin Kristen

here were a highlight. Ida treated the little

guy on the left for a badly burnt foot.

I enjoy helping with things like that, but

he took a lot of time, and many bandage

changes.

The children enjoyed their new ciriculam and their teacher, Miss Maria.  Jess and  I enjoyed joining them for their first break, and we got some Haitian students into jumping rope too. They beat us all in the high jump! School had started later, so when Miss Maria went home the end of May, we still had a few lessons to finish. We welcomed our friend, and "summer school" teacher, Lynita, the end of May as well, and she finished out the year, and continued with school three days a week. Lynita also helped with whatever needed done around the house, did ALOT of sewing for me. (school uniforms are almost finished for next year, thanks to her!) and we had fun doing market, a trip to Terrre Rouge, and beach outings together too.

After Lynita left on June 5, we became the sole "whites" here. I am continuing summer school, and thanks to God, its going better than I anticipated! We do about 3 mornings a week, enough to maintain and "drip" school so they don't fall into that slump students so often face during summer. I'm enjoying the time with them, and even Jorden and Kiara have adjusted to the schedule surprisingly well!

Jess and I have talked about how good summer is.... its QUIET. With the school here being out, ( and that means hundreds of students aren't here) the Dorcas Center being closed, it feels like a good time to do some odd projects, and do special things too. Jess and some of the garden workers did a beautiful garden in  the back of the compound that was basically brush and scrub. When the banans, moringa trees, eggplant, redbeets, cabbage, tomatoes, pineapple, papaya, beans, and coffee get bigger it'll look a lot different.

How could I have forgotten the Agriculutre Confrence that was held here in June? With about 100 attendees and 30 staff and teachers, the week was full and enriching to all who were here to learn more about donkey training, growing various fruits and veggies, trees, and many many other things.

Jess and the garden guys were busy preparing the garden inside the compound. They got a lot done, but I think it simply was a start, and that already there are plans and dreams for what it may look like next year. A garden is always a work in progress,no?

Getting pictures on here is a little feat I need to learn to master. Bear with me.. hopefully I'll get more soon...

Kiara... 3 months and 8 months. Such a joy to our family!

Kiara says..

Hi everyone!!! I am doing a guest post on Mommy's blog today! I am 10 weeks old now and getting chubby. Mommy tells people I'm like playing doll. She thinks I'm so sweet and cute and I hardly ever cry. Unless she puts me down. I don't like that! Sometimes when she picks me up I like to make her feel like I'm really miffed by sniffing a bit before I'm quiet. Mommy thinks that's cute too!

I get to be in mommy's moby when we go away. I like it there, all tucked in and close to mommy. I feel safe and secure.

Right now Uncle Mark and Aunt Lois are here visiting us. It's been grand!! Aunt Lois is spoiling me rotten with all her holding  me. 

Almost everyone thinks I look like Kayte, or my daday. Mommy is proud about that. She thinks my daddy is very handsome. 

I often settle into sleep around 7 or soon after, and only wake up about one time, around 3 or 4. Mommy thinks I'm awesome about that. 

My life is full of sunshine, siblings clamering to hold me, lots of kisses from mommy and sometimes a bumpy trip to Port.  I'm happy you stopped by to see how I've grown and a little bit about my life.  

Still here....

It's been so long since I've blogged I'm pretty sure some of you think I forgot this space.

Truth is, I've blogged alot,  in my mind:)

Truth is, I couldn't blog. Even now I am feeling strong enough about the need to pop in here I am typing on my phone. I don't mind texting, but typing a blog here? Not so much.

After Hurricane Matthew last fall, our cell tower went out and we were without cell service.
Then, our Internet went out. We limped along with some very limited service from the school,  but then...
My phone fell and broke.

Talk about having stateside communication taken a bit at a time. I honestly felt resigned. ( what other choice did I have? Complaining  and fussing doesn't build cell phone towers, buy new phones or get Internet again)

Bless my Mama's heart, she sent me an old phone she had ( that really wasn't old) and we got some cell service.

I agree with my mom's feeling when she said " I missed you more in the last month than I did in the last year!!" Being able to communicate on a daily basis; having a group chat with my mama and sisters sure does make the distance shorter.

So hey everyone!  I'm here.
And I just might get brave and post again very soon :)

We heard about furlough. We heard about the rushing and the busy-ness and the constant activities and coming back all weary.

So we began to plan for our furlough with intention long before it arrived.

Wide open spaces in the planner

Focused goals

margin for more or less....

and lots of lists...

It paid off.

We came back rejuvenated, refreshed, and ready to dig in again,

with plenty of good memories to think on besides!!!

The children did SUPER well with traveling. Thanks to Mom, they each have their own carry on, and back pack.

They each carried all their personal clothing and fun things for travel . This certainly eased up a lot of disorganization on my end, and we had very few check-ins tied up in clothing.  I'll do this again!

We had arranged our trip home over the time Jess's family was together at a cabin.

What a great time!!! The cabin itself was so accomidating, so beautiful, and we

enjoyed being able to see family we don't see very often.

Def a highlight of our trip!

Enjoying Eicorn scones from my little sisters kitchen....

And taking a walk back the scenic field lane... drinking in the beauty of Autumn in Pa....

Mom's moon pies will never be beat by anyone else. Even a torn rotary cuff didn't stop her from making some for all of us!

Thank you so much, each and every one of you, who made our stay so enjoyable. Thank you for the grace you extended, the ways you gave, ( time, monetary, gifts, babysitting, encouragement, and support) We are so blessed to have each of you in our life!

Sunday evening family time

Sundays are a mixture of rest and fun for us here. Yesterday was a day just like that. We went to one of the village churches, then had lunch with Mary, who was here from Pa, working on some hurricane relief efforts.

Jess slept off a headache, and the rest of us visited with Mary, watched the littles do their "daring" skateboard escapades, and read books. Around 4, we packed up the marshmallows and grahams and choc, along with Aunt Ev's famous Sterges seasoned pretzels,  Uncle David's yummy summer sausage, some ice coffee,and we headed off to the rocky beach.

It was beautiful. The sunset was perfect, the waves a perfect rhythm of sound that

somehow reach the soul, and renews you from the inside out.

Away from the busy-ness and noise of the village, this

space is a special reprieve.

I have more pictures to post, but for some reason I can't load them.

Just picture gooey, sticky marshmellows,

a tiny little fire ring,

and some adorable children making memories and having fun:)

Pressing on....

Short update....

 Jess headed out to Les Cayes yesterday mid morning and we haven't hadn't had communication since. He has passed messages through Bryan's, which at least allowed me to know that he was ok. He was sent out beyond Les Cayes..and that's about all I know. He was planning to return tonight, but after deciding he wasn't fit to make the drive at this hour, decided to stay and come home in the morning.

I know that their are many men who are exhausted, and the needs are astounding. Riots are breaking out; some trucks had people try to steal the food before they reached their destination. There are places where its impassable with vehicles, and men are coming out of villages on foot, reporting cholera outbreaks, people with broken bones, and food supplies are running out. ITS A DESPERATE situation. Please, first pray, and then, if you are able, funding is needed for food and tarps. The mountainsides are stripped and with no shelters, people have no where to go. If you want funds to get to the relief quickly send them to: Haiti Relief and Missions
                                                    PO box 433 Berlin Oh. 44610
Thank you all for praying for us. The more I hear about the areas further south, the more I realize that even tho it was aweful here, we were spared SO SO MUCH.
I'll try to keep you all updated. I 've tried to load pictures but the computer wasn't cooperating. Thank you for caring, praying, and sharing. We need you all!

Safe and Busy

That pretty much describes us here, right now. After the events of the last few days, I feel like I need to try to catch up here, and let everyone of you who have shown so much care, concern, and sent prayers for us, know that we are ok. I will try to describe our lives as best I can.

We heard the warnings of the hurricane on Saturday, but it was really hard to believe that anything was amiss. We had sunny skies, and everything felt normal. Becca, Maria, my girls and I went out to the beach abit, and there we saw a turbulent ocean, and waters full of sea weed. THAT was a sign of something amiss.

Sunday came, and we finally decided to carry through with our plans to go to MGM  and visit their deaf school. It felt like the storm, should it come, was still a ways off. We were glad we went. It was refreshing to be with our friends and share fellowship and a meal together. They are located about 1.5 hours from here, higher in the mountains, and it was chilly! We got home and still, nothing to major happening.

Monday was overcast and dreary, but really, if we had not had warning, it might have felt like a cozy  autuum day. We met with some men from the village and talked about what we would do, should the storm come. The church and school would be "safe places" and the canteen would serve food if needed.
Then came night. The wind picked up ,and the rains started. By morning, we were seeing a hurricane arrive. We had tried to prepare, but there is really only so much you can do. Our shudders were closed, (we have no windows) and we had gathered in things that could blow.

By 8am, we were in a storm. Such blowing and rain as we have never seen. Sheets of whiteness came across our house. The trees swayed wildly, and scraped against the roof. We cringed, wondering if they might fall onto the house. We made coffee, and played games with the children. We mopped the dripping water from the leaks in the ceiling, stuffed towls into the window that didn't have a shudder and occasionally, stepped onto the porch, only to run for the inside again where it was safe. I finally gave up trying to soak up water in our bedroom... and left it make its path across the room, under the bed and out the porch door.

I was astounded to see people about... drenched as they walked about, most likely checking in on family members. It was amazing to see everyone caring for each other. Families hunkered down together in their small houses.
Big limbs fell, roofs blew, and unsecured items were sailing.

The day was long and tedious. It felt like it would never stop.


I kept thinking, the sun will shine again, this can't last forever.

I couldn't help but think on the wonder of water.
When it comes hard and furious, it doesn't feel like a blessing, but the moment the storm is over, I was running it into a bucket, NEEDING it for cleaning up the mud and mess.

The storm finally did subside, but I had to be sad for those who's path it would cross next. One notable thing about Matthew was how SLOWLY he moved, and because of that, he worked long and tediously. Go on to sea, Matthew, where you won't affect anyone! But he wasn't in control of his path.

And that thought was one I pondered too. Why God?? Why do you bring these things to us? Why do you allow such devastation to such a poor country already??

On the other hand, what do we ever do to deserve favor? God is good. And all He brings is good. All He chooses, is GOOD. We see the here, the now, a fraction of His grand picture. I want to walk through this with our people well, and bring Him glory however that may look.
It may be going to serve some hot tea to the yard guys again, who are working so hard to clean up.
It might be helping Becca interpret for yet another lady who is coming to look for some clothes to buy.
It might mean putting up with soggy laundry another day, without complaining.

I pray He finds us faithful.