Thoughts turing toward 'home'

First day of school! Eli starts his final year at Calvin studying mechanical engineering; Anna starts her college studies with French, English, and political science classes today; and Fritzlin started second grade this morning.

Now that our oldest two are settled into college and we shared at our last scheduled church, our thoughts and days focus on our return to Haiti. In addition to having tickets to return on the 18th we will celebrate moving to Haiti, 20 years ago on September 11th.

During this time of so many transitions I've become reflective and so you'll be hearing some of my thoughts in the next couple of weeks.

First, I'm so thankful that the Lord arranged for us to attend Anna's International and Freshmen orientation actives just weeks before our move to Délice. I'm thankful we could be together along with the grandparents to celebrate Eli's 21st birthday.

Yes, we basically moved up to Délice in July last year, but due to the building of the house, house setting, and living out of boxes with much of our household items unaccessible, it feels like we are just now moving as we will be living in our new mission house on our return.

So hearing the advice given to Anna's class about 'Thinking Deeply, Acting Justly, and Living Wholeheartedly as Christ's agents of renewal in the world' has been timely for us.

They talked about how it is ok to feel both excited and anxious; normal to have many questions on how things will work and how to balance it all. How to take care of mind, body and spirit in a new place, new roles, new experiences.

   All very timely for us as we look at all the work we need to do to get the household up and running, the start of the agricultural ministry at Délice, the development of the AMP team.

They stressed how important our faith is during times of transition and to be intentional about staying connected to the Lord and family. How to venture out of one's comfort zone and try new things.

Trust in the Lord when you don't know the future or how things are going to work out.... trusting in the Lord as we wait for Fritzlin's American passport so we can travel [So excited to be at the last stage of paperwork!!!!].

     Trusting that the Lord will help us figure out how to get internet on the mountain so that we can stay connected to family, friends, supporters, our teammates, and the world. We were going to move the system we had but it stopped working and is 11 years old. The phone signal at our Délice house is off more than on and is dial-up slow for internet.

To make new friends. I'm so encouraged by the new folks who signed up to receive our email updates and to join our support team, supporting us through prayers and financial gifts!