Ortiz Children In Haiti Airport |
Weather-wise, the days are hot – mid 90’s, but the evenings
are great. They cool off and there is a nice breeze. There have been a few
nights were it has rained. We are in the middle of the rainy season, which goes
for another month or so. Since our house is next to the future hospital, we can
hear the rain hitting the metal roof as we fall asleep. For alarm clocks, we
have the sun itself, which shines brightly before 6am, and a couple of roosters
who follow soon after!
Sunday morning we attended the campus church. As always, we
enjoyed worshiping and singing with the Haitians. They are incredibly
passionate people and it comes out in their corporate worship. We were
introduced to the congregation as a missionary family and I was asked to say a
few words. I declined talking in English and addressed them in Creole and told
them that we were glad to be here and briefly explained that when we were here
last, God showed us that Haiti was to be our home.
They certainly liked the
sound of that – or that I said it Creole, or both – but once again, we received
such a warm welcome. That evening, we led both teams that are here as well as
the staff in songs to worship together and enjoyed that time, as well.
Our timing to come could not have been more perfect (God’s
timing!). Two days after our arrival, Mark Thompson, the new executive director
of NVM arrived, as well. He will be Pastor Pierre’s counterpart in the States. Mark
is here to spend time with the staff to get to know us, as well as meet with
Pastor to get in synch with him, and also to set goals and priorities for the
ministry. It’s been great to sit and talk with him, be encouraged, and know the
vision and the steps for NVM’s future. There is a lot of transition happening
here with several people leaving this summer and new people coming on board –
to include us.
Tonight, we played a friendly soccer game: Haitians vs.
Americans. Between the two short-term teams here,
they put together a team and asked me to join. It was great fun and perhaps the
only time I’ve seen the Americans beat the Haitians! American Airlines lost my
right running shoe, so I had to use another pair (Mikalah’s tennis shoes!).
Within the first 5 minutes of the game, I was missing the whole sole to the right
shoe. Though I finished the game alright, I think I’ll be feeling it in the morning…
It is so great to hear from you and see the pictures and video - makes you seem not so far away and puts precious faces in front of me that I'm praying for.
ReplyDeleteSo fun to read about your welcome and it brought tears to my eyes to know that you're being loved on and taken care of. I had to smile at the soccer game - you truly surprised me when you said the American team won. I'm sure that doesn't happen often.
Love and prayers to all of you!
Shari
you are invited to follow my blog
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear that your home there was better than expected. It's always nice to have a few comforts. And I pray that you and your family stay safe and healthy and that God uses you to show His love to many! And I have no clue how you get a new pair of shoes over there. I seriously doubt you can just run to Walmart. But - I am sure the Lord will provide.
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