Hunkering down in Ti Goave

Life in Ti Goave has been anything but boring lately! Normally our town is quite calm and unruffled but lately there is much political tension. Apparently the magistra and the deputy, which would be the equivalent to our mayor and another high standing official, have stolen a lot of money from the town. The president of Haiti has visited a couple times and found that the money given for certain projects was not used in the way it should have been. However, the magistra and deputy certainly have several nice houses and cars. Or so the story goes. Regardless, there are manifestations more days than not. Manifestations vary, but generally involve large groups of people burning tires, stopping traffic, and occasionally stopping a big truck by parking it across the road and letting air out of the tires so that no one can pass. Of course the police become involved as well as the BIM-special forces- by firing tear gas into the air and occasionally firing shots to get the crowd to dissipate. It's all quite exciting! I used to go out and about without thinking but now ask the neighbors if it's ok. It's nothing to be scared of, but I feel it's wise to be cautious, especially with two little girls in tow. Things got really bad one week, someone got shot, another person's car was burnt and that is what it took to get a meeting with the big wigs. After that, the magistra was supposedly stepping down. So our town returned to it's peaceful, quiet self. For about a week and a half that is. Then on Wednesday last week things started getting hot again and by Friday, we were stuck at home. The manifesters decided they wanted our area to be more involved in the ruckus so they brought all the commotion up. We heard gun shots repeatedly all day long and got the drift of tear gas once. After the police shot the tear gas, people ran up past our house to get away from the fumes. We just sat on our roof with our neighbor for awhile, watching and listening. We are praying for things to get figured out and soon. It really hurts our local economy. None of the vendors dare venture out to sell and people don't go to the market to buy. Finally on Saturday, things settled down and life went back to normal admist all the rocks in the roads and the remains of burnt tires in the streets. Today, Sunday was normal as well; but we hear things will probably escalate again tomorrow.

Quality is poor, I was trying to drive and take these at the same time, but
it gives you an idea!

 One day we drove out of Ti Goave in a rush. We were going north to a meeting and heard that that day was going to have a more intense manifestation. We didn't think to count but by the time it was all said and done, we passed about 8 places in a 10 mile stretch where there were remnants of burning tires on the road, rocks blocking the way, and in one spot, a big truck was getting the air put back in it's tires. Exciting!

About a month and a half ago, Clint had been invited to a workshop up in the north that would last for about four days. He chose to go, so I decided we girls would go to. We don't love to stay here by ourselves for that long. The day arrived to leave and Ava woke up vomiting. Hum, we didn't think too much about it, she had never vomited before in her short three years of life. We figured it was a flukey thing and went ahead and left. Thus began a 5 hour journey of more throwing up than I care to remember. Ava faithfully threw up about every hour to hour and a half while Mia also got her two bits in. Mia very rarely fails to get carsick and this was no exception. Especially on the hilly, curvy road we took to get there. I was so thankful to arrive around 2 p.m. There was a late lunch ready and waiting, rice and beans. I like Haitian food, but only on days when my stomach is NOT queasy. True to form, Ava seemed to be all better by around 4 p.m. However, by 5, I was pretty certain I was going to be the next victim. And so I was. Our accommodations were very basic, three twin beds, one small lightbulb, no fans, and bucket showers. As I lay in my bed, sick, I heard Clint come in our little house and say, 'wow, that's a big one! Maybe the biggest I've seen.' Ack! He proceeded to kill a rather large tarantula. This wasn't the first time that night I wished I had stayed home with the girls. Thankfully, my sickness only lasted a few hours; in the morning I was fine. Haitian food still had the power to turn my stomach though, as well as the girls', who had both woken up with fever! Well, that day wasn't horrible; the girls were drugged up. The next day, Clint woke up not feeling the best, and sure enough, by 9 a.m he was calling me to come pick him up; he was sick. So began the two and a half hour drive back to Blue Ridge where we had planned to stay the night in the Life Building. I drove while poor Clint suffered beside me. Mia was faithful in getting carsick and I couldn't take care of her while driving so Clint got to. That was an absolutely miserable trip, but I think we can almost laugh about it now! A couple weeks later he had a different seminar about five hours away, also a four day affair. I nearly chose not to go, remembering the previous time. But we gave it another shot and had a MUCH better, enjoyable experience that time!

We got home the second time on a Sunday evening. We didn't do much beside unload and take showers. While we were showering Clint kept saying that the water stank really bad. He warned not to get it in our mouths, just in case something was in the water. I inwardly thought it couldn't be and didn't worry much about it, but our water did smell awful. I did a couple loads of laundry the next day and they came out smelling about the same. After some checking, our cistern was clean but low and behold, Clint had to climb inside our 200 gallon tank on the roof to fish out a deteriorated frog! I nearly gagged and I'm certain Clint had to. The stench at that close of a range was worse than words can describe. It took several days for the smell to go away and several more until I actually felt "clean" after my shower.

Not all is doom and gloom as it sounds though! I get the privilege of taking formula to a set of darling twins every week. A couple of months ago, we heard a lot of wailing and weeping not far from us. Our neighbor said that a lady had died who had five days previously, birthed twins. He didn't know any more details than that. A couple Sundays later, one of the church ladies asked Joanna Seibel if she would like to come see these same twins! So we both went to see them that day. Jo got ahold of CAM and they have a special needs fund; they were able to buy three large cases of milk to give to these babies! Formula is outrageously priced here so this family is so thrilled! Since I can walk to their house, the formula is here and I have been taking a new can every 5-6 days. It's been so fun to see them growing! Their names are Jouri(you ree) and Jouranna(you rauna), a boy and a girl. It's also been fun to begin a friendship with the ladies that care for them. They call me ' Mama Let', their Milk Mama.

Clint continues to be busy at the Goat Farm. The barn is nearly finished and he has moved in all the goats. There are currently around 30, but they are actively buying more until they reach around 100 nannies. He borrowed a purebred Nubian buck to breed the nannies that he has now, so come January, we will have lots of cute, frisky kids playing in the barn as well. I love to watch them play and can't wait to take the girls to watch also! There about 100 little things that always need his attention at the farm so he is there a lot. Some days he has been there a couple hours and will call and say he is just now getting started on what he originally went to do! :)

At the farm

Our rainy season is here now, making our nights so pleasant I forget how hot and muggy it was in the summer. A sheet feels wonderful and if I can make it out of bed early enough, a jacket hits the spot! Winter here is pretty wonderful:) Although come Thanksgiving and Christmas time, it feels quite strange to not have at least a little cold weather.

Ava has been coming up with several funnies lately. I love this age. Mia is also a lot of fun. They love each other to death but can also be pretty fierce enemies. They don't let life get dull:)

Sweet Sisters

Ready for church

A depiction of life in Haiti when there was still slavery

Kiana and Ava-sweet friends

Home.... Sweet Home

Home.... Where the heart is! I was pondering this the other day, as we have been home from Ohio for about three weeks now. As I thought about it I realized how blessed I am.... I have numerous "homes". Going to my parents' house is home, going to Clint's parents' is home, going to several friends' houses feels like home, and of course, coming to our house in Haiti felt like home too. How amazing is that? Some people have only one place that feels like home, others none. Lord, help this home to be a blessing to others who enter it!

The weekend after we got back, we went to the wedding of a man who works for the soil conservation program. Ah... Haitian weddings never fail to entertain! We were told by the groom that the wedding would commence at 9:30 a.m. They were having the ceremony at his home in the mountains about an hour and a half away if we took the 4-wheeler. Either we are becoming Haitian or we were just being lazy, but we didn't arrive until 10:15. Of course, nothing was happening yet. The church was full of murmuring people. We were barely set down in the back of the church when a man approached Clint and wondered if he could go pick up the pastor who would be helping with the ceremony. Ha, ha! I had a small chuckle. This is why we didn't try to arrive on time! Clint went back down to where the truck had parked and proceeded to haul up a couple pastors and the speakers. After they arrived back at the church, the pastor had to go change and the speaker system had to be set up. By this time the day was really warming up. Our girls were becoming pretty fidgety.... The wedding finally began around 11:30. What followed was a church crammed full of people, barely any standing room left. This meant we couldn't feel a STITCH of air movement at all. Whew. I fed the girls several packs of cookies, gave them lots of drinks of hot water and finally sent them outside looking for Clint. He had lost his place inside when he went to get the men. The groom also happens to be a pastor so this ceremony lasted very long, at least an hour and a half. We girls were happy when it was finally over! In Haiti, instead of forming a line to congratulate the newlyweds, or even for them to come around to receive congratulations, everyone floods to the front of the church to offer them best wishes. We followed the crush of people forward where we were happy to congratulate them. I thought it was hot at the back of the church but it was worse in the front. The poor bride looked like she was nearly in a daze, with sweat beaded on her face. We left right after that because we were afraid it was going to rain and didn't want to get caught in it. Usually they serve a nice meal of rice and beans, chicken, and several special foods.

The newlyweds a couple weeks after the wedding

Our time spent in Ohio went fast, too fast really. We loved every minute of reconnecting with church family and friends. We are blessed beyond anything we deserve. It was a busy time and we tried to make the most of every minute! It was an encouraging, refreshing trip. Now it feels good to be back home in Haiti as well. August and September are our hottest months so we have fans going full blast trying to keep cool! Poor Mia has a bad heat rash that just won't go away... she can't get cool enough for enough days in a row for that to happen. I'll have to say, we felt like we had to come back to Haiti to 'thaw' out--Ohio was strangely cool while we were there. It WAS nice to have a few weeks free from sweating.

Last weekend we got to help 'Grandpa' Harold celebrate his 80th birthday here in Ti Goave. A couple of the ladies planned a big birthday bash for him. He thought only a few people would be there. It's not every day that you get to celebrate an 80th birthday here. Harold is 'grandpa' to many of us, and has lived here for several years. We also got to spend last week with Ryan, Kyra and family. It was wonderful to have special friends here for a few days!

Happy 80th Birthday Grandpa Harold!

Special visitors! Headed to go watch the sunset over the ocean

And now for more pictures....

I'm just readin' a few books Mom....

Excited?? YES! Ohio bound.....

'Now go to sleep, we'll soon fly the last little bit to Grandma's!(overnight in freezing Chicago)

Playing 'Doctor' with cousins. I walked by and
 overheard,  'Now Ava, drink your oxygen!' :)

Friends!!!

All they need is a puddle....

These things are most DEFINITELY more fun
 for the riders....  I nearly took out several displays.

Riding in the combine!! Ava actually loved
 it, contrary to the look on her face!

Happy 3rd Birthday Sweet Ava!

Celebrating with Natalie, what could be better?!
 (one day and several years apart)

Thanks Grandpa and Grandma!

Friends....

Snuggling with Grandma

This girl could slide for days

Thanks God, for lifelong friendships!

Goat farm

These girls love to go...

Warm mashed potatoes licked off the beater, the only way they 'like' them

SHELVES for my cupboards!!!

Sweet sisters

Home, where my heart is, with these girls and their papa!

Child-like Devotion

It's 8am and we've been up an hour and a half. Yep, that's right, my girls don't sleep in. Me, I'm a late-night owl, always have been, and this early hour is a stretch for me. My oldest daughter is usually the one waking me up... I think that breaks a mom rule somewhere along the way. I don't EVER remember being up before my mom. We are already done with breakfast but I'm not saying we're all out of our pajamas yet. My mind is spinning with what I need to accomplish today. Laundry, clean, work outside, finish up a couple projects that have been laying around for far too long. Of course, this means my girls need to be real angelic, like perfect child are, so that I can get all these things accomplished before midnight. Oh, did I just put those two words in a sentence together?? Angelic girls?? HA! Well, it is certainly a good thing that I'm not a perfect mama because let me just tell you, this mama needs a lot of grace. I mean a lot.

Both my littles are pulling at my dress, they want up they say. Well the one says it, the other just motions. Go play, I say. Look at all those fun toys in the living room, those babies, books, etc. Just find something to do. Disagreeing eyes star back at me. Oh sigh.... really?? Why do we have all these toys anyway?? So we find a job to do together, while I inwardly rebel. Over the course of the morning, my littles follow my EVERY step... to the bathroom, to get a drink, outside to water flowers, upstairs to hang up laundry. I 'sacrifice' a few moments of precious time to read a couple books. Wiping noses, getting drinks, fixing lunch, changing diapers and helping one go to the bathroom..... Lunchtime is here. I have certainly not gotten very far on my list. Naptime... whew, I think I can make it. I long for a few minutes of time alone. Time not spent guiding, directing, re-directing, correcting. Just a small break please Lord.

And then God shows me.... and tears flood my eyes. It's this kind of devotion he wants from me. He wants me to pull at his robe, to look at him with love in my eyes. He LONGS for me to follow him around, for me to ask him EVERY single question I can think of. He wants me to follow every footstep, to be lost without him, calling for him when I can't see him. He wants to direct me and to help re-direct me when I go astray. He wants to be everything to me. These two precious souls love this mama, this imperfect mama. How can I not love HIM--perfect being??? His patience for me is endless, his love, everlasting. Oh that I would curl up in his lap, that I wouldn't take one step without knowing he is near.

I am broken... all my impatience, my 'sacrifices' of time... are selfishness. I know I am not God to my girls. I don't want to be. But they are young enough yet that I am the most important person on earth to them and they LONG for my affection, care, attention and affirmation. They desire to be near me, to share life with me. Every single day. Even when I act ugly and impatient. They have no idea that I have other work to do, that the other work takes time. Oh Lord, please forgive me... It is not a sacrifice to spend time with my girls, rather, a privilege. Help me Lord... to give my day to my girls after first giving it to you. I am here to take care of them at this time. The day will come when they no longer need me, when they no longer even desire to tell me every single detail of their life. But I have today with them. Help me embrace it! My other work will pass away but their souls will not. Help me guide and direct them to you... Days come when we mamas get tired and weary, bear us up to your side and remind us gently of just how much you have done for us. Our work is nothing compared to your sacrifice... Help me long to be near you, just as my girls long to be near me, to seek your approval, your attention, your affirmation. Mold me, Jesus, one mama in thousands...

Contentment

It hit me like a ton of bricks. "I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me,  but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have LEARNED in whatever situation I am to be content." Phil. 4:10-11 Why has it taken me 27 years to see that word, learned?? The definition of learn-to acquire knowledge of or skill in by study, instruction, or experience. Seriously!? And all this time I thought Paul was a super apostle, that when God returned his sight and saved him, he received everything he needed to be the perfect evangelist. Great news people, learning is something we do every day, all our lives long. If Paul can learn this, then I can too. I just pray that as we learn to be content with what gives us and where He places us, that we don't let ourselves become complacent! Keep your fire burning in us Lord....

January started the year off with a bang! We have had several visitors this year and everyone came within a few days of each other. It was a busy several weeks but we had so much fun! Dwayne, Trent and Clint spent four days in the mountains teaching about the soil. All the meetings were well attended and the people were so excited about what they learned. After their group left, Doug Flora's stayed with us a few days before going to help on the GB team. This was our first time with their sweet family and their first time here. We didn't give them a lot of time to catch their breath!They were real troopers. A few days after they left, Brett and Tina and her family came to stay with us for almost a week. They helped us do so many things around here, poured some concrete, moved our water tank up higher, planted grass; they more than earned their keep:) I can't believe I'm looking back on all of this as a memory already. Time flies....

Happy Birthday Justin!

Fun with the Flora's!

Ava and Bryce

Playing at the beach

Thinks she is big stuff!

While Clint's parents were here, we spent a few days in Soliette finishing up Massouk's house. We are pretty excited and so was Massouk, that he can finally have a place to stay every night! Thanks everyone who contributed... we can't say enough how much we appreciate it! After they finished up his house, they worked on building a pen for the goats. Now the goats stay in the pen everyday, all day and Massouk brings grass from the garden to feed them. Massouk had wanted to be baptised for several months now and it finally happened in February. It still thrills my heart to remember that day! He loves the Lord so much....

The finished house and goat pen!

The back side of Massouk's house

The hillside is where the grass gets cut to take to the goats

'Helping' Grandma

This is what was really happening! (notice the socks and shoes-this
girl begs to wear them on occasion. Bet this isn't the story you other moms
are hearing right now is it?!) 

Before baptism

Angels are rejoicing!!

Clint's days continue to be very busy. The program has switched its focus from coffee, to soil conservation and a goat farm.  I see less and less of him here at the house as he's out and about organizing and planning. He really enjoys going in the mountains and helping teach the farmers about soil conservation. So far, we have been blessed with godly, hardworking employees who really work hard. In the near future, building the goat barn will commence.

At the nursery

Nursery-Vetiver grass-the kind used in soil conservation

As for the rest of life lately, I'll let the pictures tell the story of the highlights... Celebrate Jesus!

Sweet Mia

On our way to Soliette

Big truck on it's side-part of the traffic jam

Playing in the cupboards

Majesty.....

JOY!

Worms... the reason I sift my flour!

Happy 2nd Birthday Onyl!

This is how we get our drinking water...

Playmates... on a rare occasion!

Erica and Ava

Trusses for the goat barn that Layne helped weld

Buying a pair of sandals---he had to finish sewing them before giving them to Clint. 

Grandpa and Mia

Happy 1st Birthday Mia Gabrielle!

This girl didn't want her hands dirty--she barely touched her cake

Yep that's right-two cupboards! This is a big deal people, I
still walk into the kitchen just to look at these beauties!

Much better than my grandma's gold, tupperware silverware container

Busy days--three under three... We got to babysit Onyl
every morning for a week!

~Family~