Friday, Saturday, Happy Days!

Last evening we were invited guests to a prayer meeting/dinner at our landlords home. So, we didn't have far to walk. Just up the driveway. We were the first ones there. They brought out chips and salsa. Romeo and Juliette, our guard dogs, wanted it all. They played around trying to get the food. Finally, Henry chained them up. Romeo does not like me in particular. I asked why. Henry said I needed to get a little sun on my legs. It's probably cause I want him to like me so bad. But, it's ok. He doesn't have to like me. As long as he's guarding the property. I'll let the dog think of me however he wants.

Landlord's wife, Marie Carmel came out and sat with us a while laughing that this is how it is in Haiti. You tell people 4:00 and then they show up at 5:00 or 6:00. We didn't mind getting to know them a little better. Just after 5:15 the rest of the group showed up.

We met Madame Michelle (aka Priscilla) in her black beret speaking mostly French. She was born in Haiti. Her father was a minister. She can't weigh 85 lbs, but she packs a punch spiritually. She spoke of her dear friend as being "well converted" and I'm guessing from the rest of the conversation that means she was discipled and disciplined in her walk with Christ. She spent much of her time and energy in developing that personal relationship with her Lord. If her friend was alive now, I'm sure she'd say the same about Madame Michelle.

Then there was Reginald (pronounced in a rich French accent) who was somehow related to our landlord Henry (pronounced OnRee). Not a brother or cousin, but somewhere in between. At 18 he came to the US and spent most of his life, but returned for a season and couldn't take Haiti anymore and then finally has returned to his roots. He's into giving private tours to foreigners. He's as delightful as Madame Michelle.

Henry, his wife - Marie Carmel, son - Joseph and then the five us us sat in a circle and prayed. Madame Michelle started in French. She was so eloquent. I don't know what she said, but I could listen to her speak ALL day long. What a beautiful voice. A beautiful soul. Always finding good in every situation. We sang "Amazing Grace" in English. They pulled an old Methodist hymnal out of the closet and I heard them sing a verse I had never heard. We hummed along when we didn't know the words, but mostly were able to kick right in there. After 2 verses Henry stopped and asked if he had started it in the wrong key. We Wards laughed and said, "No, we just can only make a joyful noise..." He changed the key to make it higher. It only got more joyful. LOL.

After they exchanged a few prayer updates on people who were sick or not at church, we were invited to eat dinner. You are never going to guess what we ate as the sun was setting so beautifully. Can you guess? Hamburgers and hot dogs!!! And a salad that was amazing! Just as it was getting cold outside because the sun had gone away and we are in the mountains, dessert came out. It was a large bowl full of fresh fruits. Oh, my. It was amazing, too. Such delicious goodness! ALL FRESH: Mangos, cantaloupe, pineapple, cherries, blueberries, strawberries, blackberries and probably some other fruit I don't know.

After dessert we went inside and circled up, held hands, prayed again and sang another song. It was "Abide With Me" and we didn't know it at all. As they were trying to find the tune I remembered that the initial pictures of our apartment showed a piano. So, I asked if they had one. The song only had 2 sharps, so it was a piece of cake. I played it, but didn't recognize it at all. They sang along. Chris and Brynn would want me to tell you that Henry called me an angel. He said from now on, I'm an angel. They loved me playing the piano. If they only knew what therapy it is for me... Just another TREAT from the Lord. Not a day doesn't go by that we don't recognize that the Lord is showering us with undeserved TREATS.

I believe he's continually showering us with underserved things that we can touch and see because there's so much going on in the unseen. There's still a war in my head and an unseen spiritual battle going on. To be honest, I know the Lord brought us here. I just don't understand the full reasons why and how... I'm having a hard time sleeping through the night. I hear noises and get scared a lot more than I sleep restfully. As our schedule kicks into a higher gear here soon, I guess I can ask you to pray for me to sleep sound in Jesus. I fall asleep almost every night to myself reciting over and over again, "when I am afraid I will trust in God."

Psalm 121 is another Psalm that helps me and all I have to do is look out the windows in the morning. I can even see from my bed the beautiful mountains surrounding us.

"I lift up my eyes to the mountains - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip - He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you - the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm - He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."

That's the ocean out there!!! I finally got it. Trying to catch it on a blue skied day...
but, it's about rainy season... so, don't know if I ever will.

Where does your help come from? Mine comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth and clouds! 

That is RAIN!!! Far, far away... but, we got some, too.

P.S. Saturday, I woke up with a cough, runny nose, sinus headache, plain ole allergies kicking the life outta me. Hoping it'll pass. Will you pray with me? Thankful my honeyman made me noodle soup with bouillon chicken salt cubes we bought in the market for lunch. It made me feel much better for a few hours. I fixed fried potatoes, onions and carrots for supper... again. Pray for them!