Good-bye do-over ?!?!

Close to 1 p.m. I started praying for Anna knowing that she would be close to saying good-bye to Grandma and Grandpa having gone to the airport with Cory. During yesterday's rain she verbalized a few times how a delay would be nice but realized that it would mess up the flights and their plans.

Within a few minutes of praying Cory called to let Eli and I know that they ALL would be heading back home as the 3 p.m. IBC flight changed the flight time to the morning and they missed it.

A second phone call an hour later and they have their flights all arranged for tomorrow and will still get to Michigan albeit later.  Rather than today's departure time at 11 for the airport tomorrow's will be close to 6 a.m. I'm guessing for a 10 a.m. flight.

Mom preached a sermon in the Allegan Wesleyan Church in January before they came down titled 'It is what it is". Only the Lord knows why this delay and additional stress and cost but...

While they may stop for lunch on the way back I know the folks had some cookies and pizza along and I expressed my wish for them to return ASAP to limit the time in the truck for them both. Mom's back is much improved over when they arrived and I hear that the main road repairs happened for Carnival but our dirt road is still rough on the body.

I know that Mom at least thought about our washing their sheets and linens, putting Eli's bunk-bed back together, being totally packed and bags weighted not to mention that Eli and I already did the hardest thing the sad good-byes.

But we'll enjoy 1 more afternoon, 1 more night, 2 more meals, 1 more sleep, 1 more good-night, and sadly 1 more good-bye hug.

Rain Delay

The rain moved on mid-morning allowing our solar panels to start producing some electricity at this time and letting the internet signal strengthen.

We worshiped in a close to full church yesterday morning.

Part way through the song service over 100 children from Children's Church joined us for the praise part of the service and some prayer.

As we sat in the back and the children came in the back door the pews reached maximum capacity with some of the smaller ones sitting on laps.

They left before the sermon. Our local dentist preached on how we each need to be using the gifts/talents that God gave us for His kingdom.

The rain started mid-afternoon and continued throughout last night watering Cory's trees and plants with 2.5 inches.

Additional rains this morning added one more inch to the total rainfall.

Dad's working on organizing the tool sheds as well as packing.


Mom's doing school, helped Anna organize her clothes as well as helping Dad pack.

Tomorrow the hard good-byes and adjusting back to 'normal' starts.

Before we will really find our stride post visitors the Warsaw team will be here [2 weeks from today], the week after they leave Pastor Carl will be on campus for a few days of pastoral training and then one week before Cory's family/KCC team comes!




Enjoyed my folks visit as always. So very thankful for their support and the support of our other family members!

Anna's pre-birthday.

Nice Day.

 After a bit of house cleaning the kids, Mom and I went down to the House of Hope and shorted through the sets of sheets and towels for guests.

We marked some to be used on a more regular basis.

Then Mom and I worked on Anna's lasagna.

 Dad and Eli helped prep the carrots.

 She decided that jello would be good for lunch as well.

This afternoon we watched several volleyball matches including two of Anna's.

Dad and John Pierre handed out the candy afterwards.

Left overs for supper but super brownies by request from Anna [not a big cake person].

Oops! Sorry.

I know that some of you asked "Why no blog post yesterday?"

• Nothing of interest?
• Electrical storm caused us to unplug?
• Internet not working?
• Kris trying to get more folks to comment?

The truth is very simple and without drama. I forgot! Sorry.

Yes, I woke up this morning and realized that I disappointed and confused some of you by totally forgetting to blog. It's just that as school finished for the week I started to research and then make ricotta cheese for Anna's pre-birthday celebration lasagna. 

That task overlapped with supper. Once the clean supper dishes returned to their storage areas, Friday night family movie time had arrived, closely followed by thank you's, prayer and bed.

So yesterday's report. Dad found a few jobs to do while Mom helped with school that included removing the pulls from my kitchen cupboards. Why did I want this done?? Because these pulls over the last several years have managed to catch and tear several of my shirts and some of the kid's clothes as well. Cory and now Eli did not have to worry so much being tall enough to avoid this problem.

Thanks Dad.

He also helped the guys work on protecting the guest house bunk-beds from continuing to be eaten by termites by treating the wood again. I have a couple eye witness reports that at least one termite lost his life by being stabbed by the needle used to inject the wood!

Laundry, school, E-mails, study, and the making of cheese completed our day.

Today we plan on preparing and enjoying Anna's pre-birthday celebration meal of homemade lasagna, glazed carrots and deluxe brownies. We also plan to watch her volleyball match this afternoon following which Dad will award the winners and losers with a couple of different types of candy. Will report back how that goes!

Cory's Trip to Bouk O'Boy

Cory and the guys left about 7:30 a.m. minus Dad. When he heard the report that the travel would be 2 hours, not one, he decided to stay back with us.


 The actual travel time ended up being 3 hours there and 2.5 hours on the return trip so he was happy he stayed.

Cory had the camera so no pictures of our day. Dad worked on a few more stepping stones and this afternoon he and Eli put a gutter over the enterence to the gazebo.

 School continued as usual. One load of laundry and this afternoon we cooked some. Tonight's celebration we'll enjoy beef noodles by Anna, glazed carrots by Eli, and Key Lime pie by Mom and I. We also have some fresh cinnamon rolls.

A bit about Cory's trip from Cory.

The first hour the roads were good as we went along the coast to the west.

Then the road turned back into the big mountains.

Both resembled rocky LaGonave but the plant species confirmed as I was told that there are good rains all year long.

 It seemed like most of the road was mud puddle or rocks.

The main crops of the area are tropical yam, cacao, cooking banana, and breadfruit.

We unloaded the plants at the church and then took a walk around the town.

The church has a small two story school with an impressive number of small, open ceiling classrooms under one roof.

We visited the vacant police post where they showed the Jesus Film for Children last week, it was packed with kids to see the film.

Nearby was the open air market and an impressive cacao cooperative.

It purchases local cacao beans, frish from the pod, ferments them in the back building for a few days, dries them under the shade hoop house, the sun dries them and ships to Italy.

Police Station

Bonus picture day!!

Truck loaded up for another tree/plant distribution tomorrow.

The guys plan to visit Bouk O'Boy tomorrow but time will tell as the reports of the road range from bad to passible.

Like the last distribution this one includes banana plants x 100, bamboo x 20, breadfruit x 30, chaya cuttings, 8-10 starfruit, jackfruit x 5, mulberry cuttings, [numbers are educate guesses as with 4 guys loading the truck the counting could be off].

Dad and the guys put in more steps to the Dearest house including fancy leaf pressed designs on the tops.

They look very nice.

They also took a trip to Port Margot to shop for some veggies, fruits and stuff.

 First of the key lime for the year so will try our hand at pie tomorrow.

Carrots for a very good price today and the corn not bad. Tomatoes and onion season is on so they are cheep.

 Dad overheard a lady commenting that the 'foreigners' are cheap too but he did not comment.

Mom finished stamping the books for the Book Herder project.

School continues to march forward.

Today Anna practiced volleyball a couple hours before school and then headed down again for a few hours of practice at 3 p.m.

A short school day with all the practice but when she's motivated she can complete school faster than normal.

The House of Hope will be filled tonight with 12 guests. Medical people coming to examine the school children in our community.


Cory, Mom, Dad and I took a short walk to see Gener's new son and give them a small gift.

Taking a few pictures did not bother the baby but woke up the middle son so we didn't stay long.

Think Gener will need to start replacing some of the bamboo on his rabbit cage soon as they appear to enjoy nibbling on it. 

Trees and Oliebollen. Mom's post.

Today was delivery day for the plants..100 banana pups, 4 starfruit, 20 bamboo, 20 breadfruit and seed corn were brought to a small village called Ti Bouk.

Larry went along across the river he said Cory also gave information and instruction along with the plants.

 In the village, they saw one small Maidi Gras celebration.

School went as normal and the wash was done and hung out to dry in the warm tropical breeze.

 This afternoon, Kris tried her hand at making Oliebollen "Fat Balls" something from her Dutch heritage.

 It was a learning experience, but all enjoyed the results.

 It is hard to believe that we will be headed home in a weeks time and we are trying to enjoy as much of this beautiful weather as we can.

Kris-Glad for Mom's help again with school.

Glad that Cory and Dad could cheer Anna on while Mom and I cooked.

Glad we could share trees and knowledge to help the folks live better lives.

Glad for the many blessings in my life.

Glad for folks who take the time to write E-mails or comment on the blog! Thank you for the encouragement.

Cloudy, cool Monday

A cloudy cool day with sprinkles on and off. A bit of sunshine early this morning tempted Cory into putting a load of wash in the machine but by the time it finished the threatening clouds made us decide to hang the wet clothes on the inside lines.

Mom helped Anna with school while Dad dug some holes as the start of a stepping stone project so that visitors to the Dearest house can walk across the lawn safer during the rainy, wet days.

While the day's appearance remained dreary the energy level on campus ran high with lots of yelling from the school grounds this morning and into the afternoon. Know the older students did not attend school today but the younger ones must of had a special time.

This afternoon's roar during the volley ball practice we learned from Dad who witnessed the event came when Anna in a rare move hit the ball back over the net overhand instead of her normal underhand. He reported with a smile that everyone on both sides yelled causing her to break into giggles while smiling broadly.

I think that this represents the best part of having family visit. Yes, we all benefit from the projects that get completed as well as a improved menu. But the best moments in this mom's opinion come from the 'normal', day to day events:

• Having grandparents cheer at one's volleyball skills
• Three generations talking over dish washing
• Hugs at the end of the day as part of good night
• Sharing prayers and what each one is thankful for at the end of the day
• Sharing popcorn while watching a DVD
• Discussing the best parts of a book
• Time to talk about life and make memories.
• Working on projects together, including homework
• Worshiping together 

While we do not want to think about the folks leaving in just over a week thankfully we can then start the count down for the Warsaw team and then the KCC team in March [KCC team will include Cory's mom, sister and niece!!!!] 

Fun Saturday.

Sunny Saturday. School and house cleaning done for the week so today will be a fun day!

Anna's practicing volleyball with Grandpa watching.

Eli and Cory battle on their computer game-something that they missed the last several Saturdays.

In between his turns Cory will send out copies of our Newsletters by E-mail.



Mom helped me wash up the dishes and this afternoon we will join forces to make tortilla for supper.

Today we'll play some games, read books, maybe watch a moved and enjoy being together.

Yesterday Dad worked on the dental cupboard while Mom helped Anna with school work.

 Cory and the guys spent the day digging up and transplanting flowers.

Already the beautification efforts received a compliment from a college student who attends the beautifully landscaped campus of the Christian University of North Haiti.


Gener and family welcomed a third son into the family!

No further details at this time as the information came via Anna from volleyball practice but we assume that all is well or we would know.


Waiting a bit impatiently for the advancement of the book translations. Please continue to pray that these projects advance.

With this being Carnival weekend in Haiti we will remain at home and avoid travel.


Last night the drums continued all night.

Many of the church youth will spend this weekend attending church conferences designed to remove them from Carnival temptations and provide a fun weekend of fellowship and encouraging their faith.

Thursday. February 7th.

Dusk outside and looks like rain.

Today Dad worked on a massage table after we received the dimensions yesterday in an E-mail.

 Last year a massage therapist from Battle Creek, Michigan visited and by the request of the staff held three classes on massage.

She plans to return with the March team from Warsaw and sent us the measurements.

Cory's guys planted a new Sapote tree in the front yard. Although other sapote trees have not done very well this one came from the Dominican Republic where the fruit sell for double the price of mangos.

School went very well today with the Grandma helping Anna.

Tonight for supper we will be enjoying a selection of foods popular in American in the 1920's as part of a project for Eli's history.

Anna will be giving a short report on the 'Roaring 20's' instead of this week's current event.

Cory helped set up one of the churches with the Jesus film for this weekend.

 Bouk O'Boy a distant church that we haven't visited now has a road to it. Cory may go visit and deliver trees and plants next week.

More library books received stamps and check out cards as well.

A good day.

Bonus Blog Pictures.

Genner up a breadfruit tree to trim off branches that would drop fruit onto Cory's plant/tree nursery potentially damaging pots and their contents.

Also in the nursery today star fruit trees repotted for give away and spiny bamboos. 

Smiles at the start.

First shift.

Second shift.