Night on the Mountain

It's Friday, Chris is in Nashville for the 10th Anniversary of "a door to hope - BGM". Brynna and I are up on this mountain feeling a little like spoiled little brats after taking a hot shower for the first time in a week and enjoying electric for the first time in a week - other than the 22 minutes from yesterday that just don't even count!

This morning on our way up the mountain we purchased water and propane gas for the Center. Here's a picture of the top half of the "new and improved" or rather "new and demolished" Crazy Corner (Brynna spotted an Auburn Under Armor shirt for sale):


We spent the day with the kids in Godet with Heart of God Haiti. We called them in class by class and spent some small group time with them. We let them chose what game they wanted to play together and we played and laughed and had fun. Class Four wanted to play Uno. Most of the other classes wanted to play some sort of "Memory" game. Erin has taught them English so it's easier to converse with them, but there's still a real language barrier when it comes to words or themes beyond the scope of what they've been taught. We tried our hardest to communicate to them that we wanted them to be able to share a special memory of their time with Erin (because she's leaving to go back to the states after serving 2 years with them). We wanted them to tell a story of a time that they laughed with Erin or she dried their tears when they were sad or she taught them something new and so on. The had a really hard time understanding the concept. Brynna chimed in yet we just couldn't get them to understand. It was eye opening for me to see that their brains can't possibly come up with answers to my questions like this when they don't know enough words or concepts in the English language to convey what they're feeling. So, we'll have to ask for help from Peterson next week. I'll keep you posted.

Loudina, one of the youngest lost her first tooth!

Baby Ann (pronounced more like "on")
She's the daughter of one of the ladies who
works at the Godet Center.

After we played with each class we watched a David and Goliath animation with Charlton Heston and they all watched intently. It's amazing to me how these children are so thankful for anything they are given because they don't have much to call their own. Every week when we hand them a bon-bon with peanut butter or any other little snack they each look me straight in the eye and say, "thank you." And I believe they truly mean it. If any of you have children's DVDs that you are cleaning away after Christmas - please keep us in mind. They have a rotation of DVDs, but I'd love to see their library expand. Currently they watch: Annie, Frozen, Smith Family Robinson, and Elf. We wondered if they'd like The Incredibles, Ice Age, Lion King, Marry Poppins, etc... They don't seem to "get" Veggie Tales as much as we'd like for them to. Here's a pic of them enjoying David and Goliath today:


This is my theme song for our 115 days in Haiti between August and December of 2014 from the king himself... David Crowder. Listen here.

"Up on the mountain where Your love captured me. Where finally I'm free, this I know. Up on the mountain, where You taught my soul to sing, 'Amazing grace, the sweetest thing, this I know.' Then the storm's rushing in and here I am again, this I know. Take me up to where I was, when I never wanted more than You. Lift me up to feel Your touch. It wouldn't be that much for You. This I know."

We know that some of you are our biggest cheerleaders, prayer warriors and we truly, truly appreciate you and all you've done for us. We couldn't be here without you. I tell you we believe with all our hearts your prayers and cheers have kept us safe in this foreign country and satisfied in walking with Him. Yet some of you don't understand why we have come to this mountain and may never realize the purpose. I wish we could sit down and talk and truly get to the heart of it. It's not glamorous nor is it much sacrifice in light of eternity. It's simply obedience. Thanks for loving us.