14 Years and counting.

Yesterday marked the 14th anniversary of Cory, Eli and I moving into our first home on LaGonave.

We marked the occasion with a cake [baked by Anna] shared with a couple overnight visitors and some of their questions concerned the highs and lows of the last 14 years.

I think that a big part of the positives of living in Haiti comes from reminders.

Family and relationships take priority. Even in daily greetings the custom is to ask about one's family before getting down to any other business. People matter above things, time tables or to-do lists. One does not see as much loneliness here as in the USA.

Make every day count because it could be your last. Living in a country where a two vehicle accident can kill 12 people and injure an additional 24 as occurred in the South this week one does not take travel lightly. Cholera or cerebral malaria can kill within 6 hours or so. Earthquakes strike without warning as do flash floods.

Gratitude for the simple things. Running water. Electricity. Enough food for a meal. Soft bed. Money for schooling. Medical care. Unblocked roads. Days without protests. Children's laughter. Good health.......

True friendship comes from listening and sharing in people's life stories. Over the last 14 years we have had many occasions to laugh, cry and experience every emotion in between with our Haitian friends and acquaintances. Our fingerprints touched many lives.

Joy and contentment are not based on material goods. Sunday mornings during the songs of praise lift one up to taste a bit of heaven. A weekly reminder that it really does come down to who we are, Children of a Living God, and not what we do, earn, powerful jobs, titles, but who we are in Christ.

I once read a comment that life on the mission field could and would show you the worse parts of your self. I have found this to be true in my life. Thankfully the Lord does not stop there but after showing us the sad sorry truth He then works in our lives on these areas to improve them and help us grow spiritually.

Pictures are of some of the smaller children who watched the final volleyball games last night.