The Move:
We had four wonderful friends travel over to help us with our initial move. Curt, Nancie, Kyle, and Katie. We cannot thank them enough for their sacrifice of time and money to support us in this move. From luggage problems in Miami, almost not making our flight to Port-au-Prince (ohhh boy), unpacking our stuff, cleaning our apartment, watching our kids, bathing our kids, entertaining our kids, doing projects around Hands & Feet.....they were such a blessing and gave some amazing moral support! From the bottom of our hearts we thank you guys!!
The Transition:
It hasn't been an easy move. As we've stepped into our position there have been inevitable challenges....and let's face it: we're directing an orphanage with close to 70 children - there's going to be tons of challenges! Days are long and there's always lots to do: from bringing sick kids to the doctor (and another doctor, and another all in one night to get the child accurately treated) to getting supplies, to payroll, to staff meetings. We also must not forget stopping in the middle of business to love on a kid who's having a rough day. It's crazy, but we're loving it. We already love each and every one of the Hands and Feet kids (we've seen quite a few of them grow up over the last five years too) and we're beginning some good relationships with our Haitian staff.
Our children (as in Grady, Ella, and Mikah :) have done amazingly well in the transition. Even better than we anticipated. They were of course a little reserved at first, but a couple days into it I started having a hard time getting Grady to come inside for supper. He would rather play with all the boys outside! Not a bad problem for this mommy to see! He loves playing with the older boys - and it probably helps that they are the ones that have some good English-speaking skills. I heard him speak his first Creole word without prompting in the second week. He opened up the front door and our dog, T-Bone, came up to him. Grady said, "T-Bone, Alé!" (T-Bone, Go!) It cracked me up. The girls have done very well, too. They love to go upstairs with one of our nannies, Francine, to play!
The Unexpected:
Some of you may know that there have been some unanticipated events in the first 2 weeks of our move. The area we moved to has been a very peaceful and safe area. Unfortunately, there have been a string of armed robberies in the past few weeks. American missionaries have mainly been targeted. We've been on it, trying to "up" our security even though we live in a fairly secure compound. After the third armed robbery (to missionaries in the area we know) happened last week, we started getting quite a bit more concerned. They've appeared to be getting more frequent and bold. After a bunch of prayer and talking with our director, we decided it was best to send our kids home for a while. It was a very, very tough decision. We decided that they needed to be in a safe place while we get some additional security measures in place, and even wait to see if the dust settles with this group of intruders. The UN has started a night patrol of the area, and the town police have shown up when called to the robbery situations. We're praying that these men are found and pay for their crimes, but even more importantly that somehow their hearts would turn toward God. I brought the kids home last Thursday, made it all the way home on Friday, and leave early tomorrow morning to return to Haiti. I (along with Stephen) am going through some pretty raw emotions right now as we will be apart from the kids for a while. They have loved Haiti, the kids, and are doing sooo well. We don't want to confuse them or anyone else that will be rattled by this situation, but are very comforted knowing they're safe while we figure situations out in Haiti. After all, we've only lived here about 3 weeks. We're hoping for them to return in a few short weeks...but will play it by ear. We will not bring them back until we're confident to do so. In the meantime, it's very hard on us as we have a job to do in Haiti and a bunch of very special kids to take care of. We're praying for things to be settled as soon as possible.
SO........we're calling out for some huge prayers over this situation. For us, our kids, Haitian kids, staff, and all area missionaries. We almost didn't want to share this crazy news, but know that Satan likes deceit. We want people to know the truth and how to specifically pray for us! Pray for safety, for our kids and family back home, for peace in the hearts of those who have been robbed and are fearful as they try to move forward, for the men to be caught and arrested, as well as their hearts - we know they need a savior just as we do!
I've struggled as we've dealt with this whirlwind JUST as we got to the mission field. WHY, God? That's been a pretty common question in my heart these days. I was reassured this weekend, by the book of Isaiah:
The Transition:
It hasn't been an easy move. As we've stepped into our position there have been inevitable challenges....and let's face it: we're directing an orphanage with close to 70 children - there's going to be tons of challenges! Days are long and there's always lots to do: from bringing sick kids to the doctor (and another doctor, and another all in one night to get the child accurately treated) to getting supplies, to payroll, to staff meetings. We also must not forget stopping in the middle of business to love on a kid who's having a rough day. It's crazy, but we're loving it. We already love each and every one of the Hands and Feet kids (we've seen quite a few of them grow up over the last five years too) and we're beginning some good relationships with our Haitian staff.
Our children (as in Grady, Ella, and Mikah :) have done amazingly well in the transition. Even better than we anticipated. They were of course a little reserved at first, but a couple days into it I started having a hard time getting Grady to come inside for supper. He would rather play with all the boys outside! Not a bad problem for this mommy to see! He loves playing with the older boys - and it probably helps that they are the ones that have some good English-speaking skills. I heard him speak his first Creole word without prompting in the second week. He opened up the front door and our dog, T-Bone, came up to him. Grady said, "T-Bone, Alé!" (T-Bone, Go!) It cracked me up. The girls have done very well, too. They love to go upstairs with one of our nannies, Francine, to play!
The Unexpected:
Some of you may know that there have been some unanticipated events in the first 2 weeks of our move. The area we moved to has been a very peaceful and safe area. Unfortunately, there have been a string of armed robberies in the past few weeks. American missionaries have mainly been targeted. We've been on it, trying to "up" our security even though we live in a fairly secure compound. After the third armed robbery (to missionaries in the area we know) happened last week, we started getting quite a bit more concerned. They've appeared to be getting more frequent and bold. After a bunch of prayer and talking with our director, we decided it was best to send our kids home for a while. It was a very, very tough decision. We decided that they needed to be in a safe place while we get some additional security measures in place, and even wait to see if the dust settles with this group of intruders. The UN has started a night patrol of the area, and the town police have shown up when called to the robbery situations. We're praying that these men are found and pay for their crimes, but even more importantly that somehow their hearts would turn toward God. I brought the kids home last Thursday, made it all the way home on Friday, and leave early tomorrow morning to return to Haiti. I (along with Stephen) am going through some pretty raw emotions right now as we will be apart from the kids for a while. They have loved Haiti, the kids, and are doing sooo well. We don't want to confuse them or anyone else that will be rattled by this situation, but are very comforted knowing they're safe while we figure situations out in Haiti. After all, we've only lived here about 3 weeks. We're hoping for them to return in a few short weeks...but will play it by ear. We will not bring them back until we're confident to do so. In the meantime, it's very hard on us as we have a job to do in Haiti and a bunch of very special kids to take care of. We're praying for things to be settled as soon as possible.
SO........we're calling out for some huge prayers over this situation. For us, our kids, Haitian kids, staff, and all area missionaries. We almost didn't want to share this crazy news, but know that Satan likes deceit. We want people to know the truth and how to specifically pray for us! Pray for safety, for our kids and family back home, for peace in the hearts of those who have been robbed and are fearful as they try to move forward, for the men to be caught and arrested, as well as their hearts - we know they need a savior just as we do!
I've struggled as we've dealt with this whirlwind JUST as we got to the mission field. WHY, God? That's been a pretty common question in my heart these days. I was reassured this weekend, by the book of Isaiah:
6 Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake their ways
and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
call on him while he is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake their ways
and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the LORD.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the LORD.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
In my mind, this situation is ridiculous. Why now? Why would God allow this to happen? Right as we moved our family down? But God's thoughts are not my thoughts, His ways are not mine. No, God is not responsible for the evil-doing, but I'm confident that He has a way in which to work this situation out for His glory! I'm not sure how yet....but I know it will be done. I'm confident. Until then......we appreciate all your prayers!
