May started off with a bang! We still had the team here visiting their sister church. They came in at the tail-end of April. It was good to spend some time with them and get to know them better. May 1st is a big agricultural day in Haiti. A friend’s mission holds a fair each year and we went to that. It was fun to see all the things for sale, kids running around, and eat good food.
Towards the end of April, my grandpa was hospitalized. After some testing, they learned that he had lung cancer. In the beginning, we were given hope of treatments and a few more years with him. After talking to my family, we felt there was no need for me to rush back to the states. My upcoming furlough was already planned and I would be back in plenty of time. He was sent home after his first round of treatments and was to return after three weeks for another round. He continued to have issues and was taken back to the hospital. Among other concerns, they realized that the tumor was pushing against his heart and causing it to not work correctly. He called in his children and announced that he wouldn’t be continuing with treatments. Preparations started being made for him to go home on hospice. Thankfully, during this time he chose to commit to Jesus and said to his family multiple times that he knew Where he was going. I was informed that it wasn’t even likely he would make it through the next few days…I wouldn’t have been able to close up my home for 2 months to return in time. He would already be gone. I stayed in close contact with family as we reminisced about the many good times. On the morning of May 10th, 2022 Pop went home to be with the Lord. While I will miss him so much, I am thankful for the grandfather he was to me and the many wonderful memories I have with him. On Saturday, the 14th a sweet friend (Tina, the angel that she is) came over to watch the funeral with me. I was so thankful to not have to do that alone. It felt fitting to honor Pop by watching his funeral with a basset by my side. That night, we had a steak dinner thanks to a cooler Mama had sent a while back. I am not sure that the friends I had dinner with are aware but steak would’ve been Pop’s go-to. Any time he was left to figure out a dinner on his own he would go outside and grill a steak. It was another good way to honor him.
It can sometimes be the littlest things that are so tempting. This Reddi Whip screamed to me as soon as I saw them. I was already planning to put it on coffee, cover french toast with it, and just squirt it directly in my mouth. Thankfully, Tina pointed out to me that it wasn’t in the refrigerated section…I didn’t even notice because of my excitement. It has been there for almost a month now. Thankfully, it doesn’t seem anyone has bought any yet. But it does make me look forward to buying some when I get back to the states.
Getting ready to leave home is hard. You are packing for several months with a limited amount of weight and space. You are closing up your house for several months. You want to spend time with everyone you can before you leave. And it’s almost guaranteed that things will go wrong. I am thankful to miss Haiti so much while I am in the states. I am so thankful for the people God put in my life here that makes it so hard to leave. I am thankful for the last week I got to spend with my people. Everyone’s furlough happens at different times so while I may be stateside for 2 months there are some I won’t see for many more months.
It was good to get in a few more trips out to schools before leaving for the states. Being with the kids just makes me feel at peace. Things may be crazy, but I know that these children are what God has called me for. And along with your help, we can give these kids hope for education but more importantly share the hope of the Lord with them.
Every once in a while Lee plans a kids’ night for our Wednesday night missionary service. I am always thankful that he asks me to tag along. It is a great reminder that we are supposed to have childlike faith. And nothing brings my spirits back up than watching little ones sing their hearts out for Jesus.
As you are reading this, I am traveling back to the states. I will be there for the months of June and July before coming back home. I have somewhat of a schedule but have some things in the works still. I would love to see you if it’s possible. Let me know!
Love You to Haiti and Back 