Reflections

I am currently waiting for my ride to the airport. It will be my 5th day of plane travel since February 15. We traveled to Florida from Haiti on that day and I have made two trips to Ohio since then. Why, you might ask....because, I have blest with a wonderful and loving family and extended family!

 I commented to darlene after the funeral meal that people can't seem to comprehend the closeness of our families. She responded with, "No, thay can't.  They really can't". I know there are other extended families that share a similar bond; we definitely do not hold the corner on that market. There are also so many who do not even get to feel the love of a parent. I can feel so overewhelmed sometimes with the love surrounding me. Unfortunately, I did not always recognize it or value it.

Scott commented that many tears were shed and a couple bitter days, but thereare many worse things to cry about than the loss of a loving dad. Wow! what a testimony to focus onwhat we have been given rather than what has been taken.

With that in mind, I have a young man that I would love for each of you to pray for when you have a chance. He pulledon our heart strings each trip we have made to Haiti.  his face lights up when he smiles, but often there such a look of sadness about him. He loves to hang out back by the shop and seems to have such an inquisitive mind. His name is Galence (sp could be all wrong). He doesn't know how old he is -prob around 7.

There are so many more boys and girls like him. Many in worse conditions yet.

Au Revoir, Haiti 2014

We are currently waiting in the PAP airport for our flight...it will be a long wait...we leave at 1:30 and we arrived at 9:30. Of course, that also means the drive to Port went very well. We rode on Capital Coach, a very nice public bus - Greyhound style.

We sat up much higher and were able to see a lot more (once it was daylight). Port is always overwhelming, but to be up higher and to see how the tents and shacks stretched endlessly, left such a heaviness on my heart. It can seem so "useless" to start. But then I have to remember that the great commission isn't to "fix" or even to save the world. It is to love the people and to share the gospel.

As Americans we can  be so proud and think we have all the solutions. If you take a sincere look at our country, you will realize that "our"" way doesnt turn out so great. I had some great discussions with Ada this week about how different nursing is in Haiti and how to while working within the culture.

I pretty much spent the week in the Grand depot, helping inventory all the mefical supplies! Wow! I thought I was tired at the end of the day duringthe construction week! I was so hoping to take a picture at the end of the week of a pristine (relatively speaking, of course) central supply. We didn't quite finish. About 99% complete, though, and Eric seemed satisfied.

We did go to Rainbow beach yesterday afternoon. It was a very welcome break!

Miss Martha

Visiting Jimmy's bees

Haitian man working his garden.  All of this area will be tilled by hand.

Thursday

Sunday, mike and susie and girls were up in the afternoon/evening. We walked in the village behind the hospital before supper.

I have been counting, counting, counting all week. Rudy has been doing a variety of jobs.

Tuesday night we went to Klopfensteins for pudgie pies. It was "spirit" week at the zBonne Fin missionary school.

Saturday

Saturday morning the sea container arrived. We watched ( and helped a little). The afternoon was a lazy day for us. We have moved into one of the vacant missionary homes, and the kids came to visit for a couple hours. The medical team arrived early afternoon. Next Saturday we will be heading back to Florida.

Friday evening

I have been busy staining/varnishing bed frames. Rudy was working on the slats this morning with me.

 Yesterday afternoon, I went to town (Cayes) with Jami.  We stopped at a couple different stores, picked up the mail Agape delivers on thurs), visited ciy lumiere ( the construction compkex and other missionaries - sid a quick hello to Susie), dropoed some money off at the Domestic center (linens, etc), and ent SEED for vegetables, and eggs. Jami does so well! She just buzxes around in that crazy traffic!  We were buying for her and four others!

This afternoon, mona (cook at the guest house) directed us to some homes of sick people,  and we handed out rice and oil. Jami, kids, rudy and I continued on for a gator ride. It was beautiful!! I didn't have my camera out at first - just relaxed and enjoyed. The first part of trip was the most scenic. We passed many friendly faces. People way oit in the fields would wave.

Wednesday evening

Cleaned out woodshop. Whitewash started on ceiling.

Working on the air compressor

Haitians working on the overhang in front of depot - the building we have benn working on.

Last evening we babysat the hartzler children hile there was a meeting. We also had 10 month old Oren Zimmerman. It was a busy (fun) night! It is exciting to work together as a team and to accomplish sooo much. It is also wonderful to go at a slower pace and have more time for fellowship. We had a good chat with Daryl today. Janella and Oren hung out with us while worked on the gator. Linoece shared his concerns about the local school and the quality of education his girls are receiving. We have lunch with Sheila and hear of her life experiences.. and of course, we are thankful for any time with eric, jami and kids!

Wed am

We have been kept busy with a variety of things the last couple of days, though we also have been moving a bit slower. The flu bug has hit the area. We have not been full blown  sick like some. We just make sure we rest when we are feeling worn out.

Monday morning, we cleaned the woodshop out! Those that were working here can appreciate that! Sonny is whitewashing the ceiling and walls and then rudy and David will look at the lighting and electrical. Rudy also did some repair to the air compressor, checked out a key cooying machine, and installed the windshield and roof on the second gator. The in the afternoon the school kids were there and they were crawling all over it. He went into the shop for a wire to help pull the wiper wiring through the frame; whenhe came out shaking his finger (with a wire in hand) they scattered. We enjoy them, but later we left a bit early, because they were getting braver and wanting to turn all the switches and climb. They were just being kids, but ee didnt really have a way to control them.

I did some touchup painting in the depot with Poshan (sp?) and did some sanding on somebed frames for the nurses dorm. I will prob varnish them today.

Will try some ppictures later today. The wifi signal is weak this morning. The electrical continues to be a problem!