Some of you who know me, know that I have successfully completed the Rubik's cube a few times in my life. I cannot work it "on demand." I have to work on it over a few days or weeks or even months. Those of you who don't know that about me - don't hate! Be jealous! I have a very logical mind and LONG for things to be completed.
I've been working on it now since we landed here for these "90 days" and we are just barely more than half way into it (day 47 or something like that...I'm not really counting). Things are hopping. Life is moving very quickly (or as quickly as it can go). We will have TWO different "a door to hope" teams in from March 6-20 and we will be in Grand Goave... somewhat unplugged and sweaty. Misty will be leading a "a door to hope" team to Calebasse March 14-21. We are hoping to be able to visit with that team on the 20th. So, we've got to get everything tied up with a pretty bow before we head that way. Sunday is March 1st. Can you believe it?
I cannot seem to get that one little tile flipped on the Rubik's cube. There's actually two seperate instances of this same problem (one's on the opposite side). Nothing I can figure out will put them in their right place. I even tried googling it. It's the one solve I can't solve. But, hey, can't I at least brag that I can ALMOST get it finished?
It's another gorgeous day in Haiti. The police are down on the road stopping motos as they come along. I watched them for a few minutes but couldn't figure out the logic in exactly who they chose to stop. It's still very interested even if I can't quite understand it. Some people they motion on by and soem they stop.
Yesterday we headed down to PV for an extended lunch break to check our mail and eat some "real food" (food that is NOT pasta perfectly peppered or put with parmesean or soup - say that real fast - lol). So, we walked down to wait on a tap-tap around noon. While we were waiting a car pulled up, Madame asked, "you going to PV?" then rolled on down about 20 more feet. "Yes," we said... as the car kept rolling. This is one thing I can't figure out. Why won't the car just STOP so that we can finish a conversation? This happens ALL the time in Haiti. Yes, it frustrates me. Needless to say there was a fair skinned Haitian lady willing to carry us down to the city and we were willing to take the risk of jumping in the car with a stranger. She asked us some 20 or 50 questions and we answered somewhat guarded but believing that we were not placed in her car by "accident".
Madame Marleen invited us for lunch some day soon and told us of a school in need just within a mile or so of our apartment. She talks with the people who run it (I think they're neighbors) and they are always telling her how hard it is to keep it running when the parents don't help fund it. We told her we'd love to go meet the people running the school and talk with them about their needs. I'm not sure I've ever heard of a school in Haiti that is excelling in anything. Sad to say. But, you must remember it is a privilege to be able to attend school here. There are many days when I sit and watch the traffic going by and lose track of exactly how many children I see walking during school hours to get water for their families. They amaze me. They are carrying huge buckets and containers full of water and they somehow manage to balance them on their heads. I have a hard time getting my body from point A to point B let alone with gallons of water on top. But, these children are not going to school.
We believe that Madame Marleen picking us up on the side of the road like that was a Divine appointment. It could be that we were being protected from something or someone on the tap-taps or somewhere else along the journey. We are anxious to see what else will come of knowing her and her story. Chris looks very forward to the possibility of some good old-fashioned Haitian lunch!
We are still working on our final arrangements for the "next 90 days" in country. We're almost finished... I'll be the first to admit it's been very tough on both of us physically, emotionally and spiritually. There have been more days that we'd like to admit that we wanted to just pack up and come home. Wave that white flag. We've seen, heard and tried to process a lot of different situations while we've been here this 90 days. We've had conversations that have lasted hours and even days as we've tried to process this way of life. This culture. Our eyes have been opened even wider to the culture and the massive differences. Our hearts have been moved as we've watched people in great need live their lives with contentment. We've taken a look in the mirror at our ugly selfishness and had to start to redefine our needs in life. It has not been fun, but we believe it's God's way of shaping us into what He needs us to be. And that's what we're here for.... to know Him and make Him known.
Thank you for your prayers and notes of encouragement. It is only because of your prayers and cheers that we've even been able to consider the possibilities of "the next 90 days." (Of course, the 18 precious children loving us at the Godet orphanage hasn't hurt either! They are very good therapy!)
All the while, we are learning more about the verse, "He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it" and realizing that we are all a work in progress. And we're thankful that it's not within our own strength we can go on, but with the strength of our Almighty, Everlasting, All-powerful God we go forth.
P.S. Wishing that I can finally finish my Rubik's cube... I'll let you know. Don't hate on me!
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