November 1st and 2nd are Haitian holidays so this month started off at home. It was nice to have some days of rest but also some days to get some personal things done. I have been working on renewing my teaching certificate which expires in July. These days helped me to find the time to work on that.
Despite having Monday and Tuesday off, we were able to visit six schools in the first week of November by sending out multiple teams each day. Normally, we do not like to travel on Fridays, but it has been necessary this year for various reasons. All year I look forward to this time on the road with my friends on the HFKz team. We get to spend so much time together getting to know each other and making memories. On top of that, we get the opportunity to minister to these kids and adults involved in the schools.
That being said, I do look forward to the weekends when I can rest some. Sometimes I have to be reminded that it is okay to rest…maybe I don’t need to take work home in the evenings or on the weekends. Weekends are Otis’ favorite, too. Some weekdays he hardly sees me at all. He really looks forward to what I have dubbed “Snuggle Sundays”. On Sundays, I do my best to not have many plans or any work to do and we just hang out.
In the 2nd week of November, we are able to visit 11 schools. This means crazy hours, leaving early, and getting back late. I went over a week not even being in the office. It is so sweet to travel and see so much of this beautiful country. So many people that live here never get to travel as much as I have gotten to in just over a year. And to come in contact with so many new faces, wow! Speaking of new faces, this month alone we have entered over 330 new kids into the program. What a blessing!!!
The third week of November was busy as ever!! We traveled to five schools this week. What is really awesome with all of this traveling is that I am getting to see so much of Haiti! I am slowly checking off all of RMI’s sister churches as visited. I love getting to travel so much and learn so many things. Every single day I learn something new! Traveling and spending so much time with the wonderful RMI staff really helps me to pick up the culture and language.
Oti had a scare during the 3rd week of this month. He got sick one morning and it was scary for a bit there. I was a little anxious, you could say. I am so thankful to have such sweet people around me. Perguens checked him out and gave him meds. So many in the office and among the missionaries asked about him and said they were praying. Poor Tina had to deal with me panicking at odd times of day for a few days. Thankfully, he is all good now. I get the feeling he is saying he never wants to be sick again!
My birthday was the 20th. While I am not a huge birthday person, it was nice to feel celebrated and appreciated. Thank you to all who sent birthday wishes. I hung out with a very small group of people the afternoon of my birthday and had a sweet treat made by a sweet friend. I even snuggled some puppies. The next day I went out to lunch with a newer friend. All fun stuff, a small break away from the craziness of it all. I am thankful for those that make me feel like I have a family here.
This month is long!! During the 4th week of this month, we did something a little different. In total, 7 schools were visited. On Monday and Tuesday, we did our normal schedule of two teams. Tuesday was the last day of this year that I will be out visiting schools. Unless there’s a sudden change of plans, of course. Wednesday and Thursday our hardworking guys went out. They were going to some churches that are farther away. There is a large bridge to go over to get to these churches that were damaged in the earthquake so only motorcycles can go. All of the ladies stayed back in the office while the guys went out and spent the night. Have no fear, we had plenty of office work to do! Thursday was also obviously Thanksgiving so I stayed home from work. We celebrated Thanksgiving as a missionary community as we do each year.
Thank you for all of the prayers and encouragement. Please continue to pray for me, the country of Haiti, and all the work being done for God’s glory.
Love You to Haiti and Back 