Overseas Life Good-bye Blessings.

 Living overseas I'm sure molded my life in more ways than I can comprehend, however some I recognize. 

My medical experiences and living overseas away from family shaped a couple intentional practices in my life. 

I've witnessed countless times how suddenly, unexpectedly life can change due to an accident or sudden medical crisis.

None of us know what the next minutes, days, weeks may hold.

Living hours of travel and a few airplane rides from most of our family make it even more possible that each good-bye could be the last in this life.

So one practice we do as a family is good-bye blessings. 

Before we part for a while we pray over our kids and often my folks also participate. 

We pray around the room over each one.

This precious time I pray my children will remember, and I wish my grandparents had blessed me in this way. 

While I know they prayed for me I don't remember specific times of prayer.

I remember on LaGonave when I would introduce a different or new way of doing something in the hospital that I would tell myself that if one of 10 ideas made a lasting difference I was doing OK. 

Change is hard.

Until someone does what you advised on their own,  you really can't know if they really agree with you or if they changed because you are their boss, parent, just to please you, or some other reason...

Therefore my heart was warmed greatly to hear that at the end of Anna's Christmas visit with my folks, while Eli visited us in Zambia, she requested the good-bye blessing prayer. She gets it!!!

The night before she headed off to Rwanda we gathered in my folk's living room for a pray-around over her, as well as Eli and Fritz.

Special, blessed, holy moments.

Occasionally these are not good-bye blessings but transition blessing prayers at significant points in life like graduations, job changes, end/start of school year... pivotal points in life. 

A second practice that I've been intentional about, the last few years, is sitting down and writing a letter to my parents, Cory, and the kids. 

I point out the things I see in them, what I appreciate, review key memories, lessons I've learned from each, my prayers for them, and a bit of advice here and there. 

I want to gift tangible evidence of my love for them. 

If I am suddenly called to my heavenly home without a chance for one last prayer, hug or 'I love you to the outer edge of the universe and back...' they will know how I feel about them.

Or     if the Lord calls one of them, I'll know I tried to share a bit of how blessed I am by the great gift  the Lord bestowed upon my life by adding them to my tribe.

So if you want to cause blessing ripples to those in your life: pray good-bye or pivotal-point blessing prayers.

In person, over the phone, video call, text...reach out and bless. You'll also be blessed. 

Write a letter of affirmation. Mail it. Leave it in a suitcase or on a pillow. Or read it to the person before handing it over! 

Time may be short.

“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.” 

Guest Post by Kris' Mom

  It is Saturday and we have almost completed our first week.

Work has in some cases been started and some completed, shelves are ready to be put up in the bathroom, bedroom,  lights have been installed, clothesline put up, school has been taught, meals prepared, etc…we have been busy.  

But that is not where my thoughts take me this morning.

 When we see how much Kris and Cory have accomplished on their home, we are amazed.  The house is truly now their home.  There are still many things that need to be completed, but the house is a safe, secure, wonderful place.  The mission at Delice has begun!

[Kris here-so very thankful for the help with house projects and getting the hoop house up. By helping us do what we can't do or jobs that stress us out to do or even think about, the team is helping us have the energy and time to minister and work in our areas of strength. ]

  What I have been pondering is the potential for the Lord’s kingdom in this place.  The presence of voodoo worship is very evident here.  

There are a few small churches, and at least one with over 300 attending.  

There are many, many people who need to be touched by God’s love.  

When Kris, Cory and Fritzlin return from their next trip to the states…they will begin traveling to the remote villages in these mountains.  

They will go and share information on health, gardening and the good news.  It is almost like they are early pioneers going into areas untouched by the modern world.  

Hoop house/ plant nursery.

And every one of the people in these villages, in these mountains is so precious to our Lord.  

We, in our lives, are so used to having availability  of the scriptures, Christian music, TV, churches…I think we forget or can’t even know what life without our Lord in it is like.  

A quote that I learned years ago comes to mind…”Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God.”  

In this place is a huge opportunity for all of us to become involved in reaching people for the kingdom.  


Our children are in need of faith promise support, financial support, prayer support…the battle is real.   

  There is so much that is beautiful here, I wish everyone who reads these words could have the privilege of coming and seeing.  

But for most of you, these words will have to suffice.  May God bless this place.

First week of Christmas Vacation

A very good week. Dustin, Nancy and kids came to visit on Tuesday. We enjoyed our first bonfire and named the location, Wowwop.

A good view of both the fort, coffee plantation ruins and in the other direction the sunset. 

They graciously assisted us in deciding where to hang wall decorations and made bunk beds in Fritzlin's room.

We hiked to the fort, talked about additional house projects, laughed, read lots of children's books, the kids played, a good time had by all.

We kept the Calvin students in prayer who had finals the first 1/2 of this week. 

We continue to praise the Lord for allowing both our college kids to be able to complete their testing and projects before this week.

The extra 5 days made the decision to fly them home for Christmas easier and we are enjoying our second Christmas as a family of five. 

Eli and Anna helped paint after our great guests left on Thursday. 

Second coats yesterday, and this morning Fritz was not allowed in his room until it was cleaned, pictures hung, beds made.

He had a huge smile and said 'WOW!' when allowed back into his room.

Not all work. Computer games, reading of fun books, cooking, Christmas videos and just hanging out as a family.

Tomorrow we plan to join the Agape staff and children for their Christmas party.

Merry Christmas!

Folks 2017 visit.

Today the downside of visits occurred, the good-byes.

We enjoyed their stay.

Sorry we did not keep you updated as much on their visit as other years.

In addition to our agricultural trip we enjoyed our family time.

My mom worked with Anna, helping her with schoolwork...reading history, Bible, and literature.

Dad worked with Cory's guys for a couple days down at clinic repairing screens on doors and windows, and replaced a few ripped screens on the guest house.

Dad also repaired the goat house and put on a new roof.

Dad and Mom's big project consisted of making storage containers for under our bed mattress.

Laughing because they feel short...feet not touching the floor.

Dad and the guys made the 3 boxes, while Mom and I varnished, two coats.

The three boxes will travel to the new house packed with lightweight items. Now our mattress sits a bit higher and sleeps great.

The space-wasting box-springs were put in the guest house. With the under-bed storage, we won't need as much dresser or closet space in the new house.

Dad and I potted up some starfruit trees for Cory.

We talked, we laughed, we enjoyed making family memories and just hanging out together...what I miss the most- just normal days as a family.

And on their last full day we celebrated Anna.

Words cannot express what the support of both our families mean to us.

Thank you to all our friends and family who sent birthday wishes to Anna and donated to the Délice project fund.

Now a few days to focus on school, office work, gardens, education and the like before mid-week next week when we head down to missionary-team-meetings.

Highlights

Seeing Eli's room and meeting his roommate.

Hearing Christmas carols and seeing the beautiful lights and trees.

Remembering and sharing with my kids the stories behind the decorations and ornaments-some from 2-3 generations past.

Traditional foods that we rarely share with family.

Family for Christmas celebrations.

Family to ring in the New Year-some who prayed for me before my birth.

But the best moments for me:
 Normal times of laughing during meals and just simply hanging out together.

 Getting to hug Eli and my folks.

On the first Sunday of 2017, worshipping in my heart language...in the same row with my folks, Cory, Eli and Anna. Not thinking of what we need to share but just being part of the body of Christ. Praising the Lord and being very grateful for the generations of believers in our families who preceded us.

[Its been at least 16 years since we had so many Sunday services in English, without visiting supporting churches and speaking in the services.]

The only tinge of sadness occurs when thoughts of F creep into my mind...the missing one. I pray that he can not only come home soon but he will get to worship with his grandparents and other family members one day. Then my heart will overflow.

Enjoying our last days with Eli and family before returning to our Haitian family later this week. Thankful for the time together to make memories and rest. Looking forward to 2017 and the hope that comes from our Lord and Savior.

Merry Christmas.

This week we enjoyed family time building memories, the US Capitol 3-D puzzle while 3 generations watched the Sound of Music [Eli and Anna's first time seeing the whole thing], and a ginger bread house.

Enjoying a bit of snow [but not the cold wind], Christmas music, and the houses decorated with Christmas lights.

We also worked on the plans for the new house at Délice while continuing to research ideas like fog catching.

Praying for F as his foster family will be moving back to Michigan this week. Thankful for the Haitian nannies who love and care for him.

Looking forward to more family time with Christmas celebrations starting tomorrow and continuing through early next week.

Merry Christmas!

So very thankful that the Lord came to seek and to save the lost with His Great Love!

Peach Palm Agricultural Videos

  Enjoying time with Eli, family, friends..some very different snowy winter weather for us. Researching house construction plans and trees/plants that would likely do well at 4,500 feet.

Making a ginger bread house, shopping, gift wrapping, family time, Christmas lights...good memories.

We took a few short videos around the yard at Fauche before we left. We will try to show you a few in the coming week. Enjoy. And remember to ask any questions you may have.

The first video is harvesting a bunch of peach palm fruit with a pole saw. Since then we found that the bunches usually pull off the trunk easily which is faster.

Double tapping will make the video bigger or go to full screen on the lower right. We may try youTube or a link next time to get clearer video.

Last full day...good byes looming.

Peanut Butter fruit

Well 3 of us made it past our normal bed time of 9 p.m. [also known as missionary mid-night] and 3 other's busy with a computer game did make it past mid-night on New Year's Eve, but forgot to check the computer for the ball-drop or notice when the new year started.

The neighborhood stayed awake much later than normal with party music competing with church service music.

Before breakfast time we received a gift of traditional Haitian New Years Day / Independence Day pumpkin soup from Jean Pierre's family.

Yesterday we mostly just enjoyed being together...one of the things I miss the most about being away from family, just getting to hang out.

This morning the kids and Dad finished getting the guest house ready for a team of 8 due to spend tomorrow night with us as they bike across Haiti.

Mom, Dad, and Eli helped me with some cooking...both special dishes that Eli likes and some for the team.

Lipstick tree

A nice sunny day so two loads of laundry drying on the line as I write. Packing, organization, letter writing...and then we will spend the rest of the day enjoying our time together.

Tomorrow Cory will head to the airport about 11:30 a.m. for their afternoon flight to Miami. Then, Lord willing, they will continue their travels on Monday, bring Eli to Calvin on Tuesday, in time for him to settle back a bit before class on Wednesday.

Mom-
So we begin our good-byes.  Last supper together, last evening with videos and computer games, last good night hugs..at  least the last for a while.

Good-byes are an ever present fact of missionary life, but also life in general.  Many have said good-byes in the last year and those final good-love ones are always difficult.

But as I think of good-byes, I also think of precious hellos.  Hellos when we will greet each other again, hopefully with a new hello for F; hellos someday when we are all gathered in our eternal Home.  Precious hellos...it helps the good-byes to think of them.

Mom's guest post. Happy New Year

New Years Eve

The day today was filled with cleaning, washing and now some cooking.  In the morning, five of us plus John Pierre, cleaned the guest unit.  

This included washing walls, dusting, sorting of linens, fixing screens and doing some wash.  

Keeping up the guest unit was Eli and Anna’s job and now it falls on Anna.  

A group is coming in Sunday afternoon and will be staying here overnight.  This afternoon Anna is making some special dessert for this evening.  

I suppose, like many of you, the last day of a year is a time for reflection,  As I look out the windows here and see beautiful flowers, green grass, trees all blowing in a gentle breeze, the world seems a very peaceful place.  

But as I think of the days of the year, I know that peace has so often not been found in our world.  

Turmoil in war torn countries, terror attacks all to often have shattered peoples’ lives.  

In our own lives, 2015 has been a waiting year.  Waiting for a new little boy to join our family.  To say at this point that I even begin to understand why there is trouble in the world or why a little boy continues to wait for his forever family to come and get him is and understatement. 

  And so I am left, where I have been for many “Old Year Eves”..at a place of choosing to trust.  “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not on thy own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.”  

These words are one of two verses that I gave to my grandchildren this summer with the advice for them to say them each day and to take heed to their counsel.  

Sometime, all we have is the trust in  Him and I have found in the 70 plus years of my life that it is always enough.  So for the New Year..I find myself understanding so many things if life..NOT, but trusting and leaning ..YES!!

When we were flying to Haiti a couple of weeks ago, many of you were aware that we were detained in Grand Rapids airport for 7 hours when they declared our airplane unable to fly.  

As we sat and waited, I wondered why we needed to have this happen.  While we were waiting, I talked with a couple who were on our cancelled flight.  They were on a journey south to the bedside of a dying mother.  Their urgency was very real..the doctors had given his mother 3-10 days to live.  

As we chatted about mothers, I was able to share how my mom had died only 8 days after we had returned from an overseas trip.  How I really believe that my mom had waited until I had returned, until she was content in letting go!  

As we were getting ready to go our different ways, the man gave me a hug and told me they would be praying for our journey.  

I told him that I would pray that he would be able to see him mom once more.  He looked at me and said...”Maybe that is what this delay has been all about...”  Waiting and then a blessing...sometimes we just need to trust. Carol

Happy New Year!

Jwaye Nwèl, Joyeux Noël, Merry Christmas

Jwaye Nwèl, Joyeux Noël, Merry Christmas!!


Wonderful celebrating our Lord's birth with family for a second year in a row.

We enjoyed a normal breakfast and afterwards headed out to share with our neighbors on campus and a few workers some homemade cookies, caramel corn and store-bought candy.

Back up to the house, we straightened up a bit, and after that I hid presents while Eli and Anna chatted outdoors.

This tradition started years ago but for the first time I did not come up with one rhyming hint for the gifts.

After their gifts were found and opened my folks, Cory and I opened ours, right before Anna headed off to practice a special song with a couple of friends for the Kid's Club Christmas party.

Our home will fill with new music as both children, I, and a couple of the family gifts consisted of new CD's.

The rest of us worked on lunch, serving both as Thanksgiving and Christmas...so ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn casserole, and some Christmas cookies and treats.

After dishes and a bit of nap, the campus started to fill with children heading to the Kid's Club party.

Cory and Dad decided to brave the crowded and loud dining hall while Mom and I placed our chairs close to the outside door.

Songs, skits, reading of scripture, introductions, fun, and happiness with between 275-300 children participating.

I helped a few children tie their shoes, temporarily fixed a pair of sunglasses and waved at lots of children.

Leftovers for supper this evening with some reading, videos, and games in our future.

We will finish up our Jessie Tree and Adornments tonight as well...each with a short devotional talking about the Lord.

Wishing F was with us but trusting the Lord. We look forward to family celebrations with him at home.