As my time for furlough is coming up soon, I am already homesick for Haiti. It makes me sad to think that so many don’t understand the longing that I feel to be in this beautiful country. I feel like all you hear or see about Haiti is negative. There is so much more to Haiti than that. There is so much beauty that is hidden by those that speak about this country. It’s called the Pearl of the Antilles for a reason.

Pearls are interesting things. When you open an oyster, you never know if you will get one or not. In fact, I recently read somewhere that there’s a 1 in 10,000 chance of finding one in the wild. Of course, not everything on the internet is true so we will take that as it is. But regardless, they are rare. And they are beautiful. Part of their beauty is their rareness and the fact that they are hidden in something that doesn’t look so great from the outside.

I didn’t give Haiti the name the Pearl of the Antillies but I do find it fitting. Looking in from the outside, especially with what is reported about Haiti, you may not think that you will find much beauty here. But wow, when you look inside what a wonderful surprise you find. I would say the natural beauty of Haiti is rare in todays world where we work so hard to create manmade beauty. So much of Haiti is still left as God created it.

I have often struggled to describe the wonder that I find while being in Haiti. And I can share hundreds of pictures, (enjoy plenty here in this post) but none will ever truly do it justice. This beauty that requires more than just your sight. It requires all five sense, as well as your heart and soul. It digs its way inside of you and you can’t escape it.

The beauty of this country is so much more than the landscape and views. I have chosen not to share photos of people in this post. But so much of the beauty is the Haitian people. I was speaking with a fellow missionary today (who’s served here almost 50 years) and we were both saying that we feel the relationships we have here are different. You don’t find relationships like this elsewhere. We both admitted to quickly feeling at home when we came here, quickly finding a family. Relationships made here last so much. The Haitian people, my Haitian family and friends, they are remarkable. It is again something that I can explain to you but you will never understand unless you experience it.

I continue to struggle to pinpoint a good explanation to others as to why I love this “pearl” so very much. I know that I love the views, I love the people, I love the food, I love the experiences, I love the culture. I know that I feel God here. I know that this is where He has me. But I cannot describe this to others. However, I can share as much of the beauty as possible. I must say, I have never had someone visit and not be in awe of God’s creation here.

Please, take some time to consider the beauty and wonder of Haiti. I know you only hear the negative when anything is actually reported on, but there is so much positive. Please continue to pray for this country and her people whom I love so very much. Haiti, it’s going to be a hard two months without you. See you soon, si Dye vle.

All photos taken by me or family and friends. Photos range from March 2017 to June 2023.

This month started off with a goodbye. As you saw in last months blog post, Mama and Gigi G visited for a week. Sabina and I took them to the airport on the 2nd to see them off.

You can often catch me walking around my yard taking photos. It may look like the same photo over and over again, but they are all different. Flowers are so beautiful and show God’s creativity. How wonderful to think that the One who clothes the flowers cares for you and me.

I was thankful to go out with another team this month. This team from Creekside in Gainesville came to visit their sister church in Baraderes. Some of the leaders from Baraderes met us at Zanglais. It was a wondeful time for a womens retreat and just to be with one another.

A few months ago, I was asked if I would assist in an educational conference. Two of my coworkers and friends are a part of an organization that is working to help with educational issues here in the South as well as some other issues. I was nervous but excited. As the day came I grew more and more nervous, knowing that not only would I be sharing with teachers more experienced than me, but I was also going to be sharing in a second language. I am so thankful to say that it went well! I enjoyed getting to spend some time with these teachers, discuss ideas, and listen to the other presenter. It still amazes me that even with such different backgrounds, we have such similar experiences.

I always make time to see sunsets and play games with good friends. Sometimes you just need a break! We got to play Monoploy Haiti, which I loved. It was so fun to see the game and all that was put into it to make it specifically Haitian. And of course, I always love watching a sunset from a rooftop, being with a sweet friend only makes it better.

A last minute trip to enter new kids into HFKz means that I got to have an impromptu photoshoot with these adorable littles. It is always a blessing to enter new kids, that means that more can be sponsored! Taking new applications is one of my favorite parts of the job because we typically enter new students at a young age. I just love their little personalities and getting to spend some time with them. The babies on this day were so shy.

It has been another wonderful month. Toward the middle of next month, I will head to the states for about 2 months. Please continue to pray for me as I handle the traveling, planning, and general culture shock that comes with being in the States for me. I am looking forward to seeing so many of you while I am there. Continue to pray for Haiti, the beautiful Haitian people, and the challenges that are constant.

I am running out of ways to start these things. The whole “it’s been a busy month” is getting a little repetitive. But as it seems these last few months have been, it’s been a busy month. It’s a blessing to be busy… part of the fall I longed for these days.

Spend the night parties are our favorite. I am still not sure who gets the most excited out of the three of us. This little lady lights up my world. I am so thankful for her. We had pizza because that is what she wanted. She took sunset pictures and played with Oti and watched movies. The first movie she started watching by herself as I was washing dishes and such. Once I sat down and started listening I asked her if she understood what they were saying. She said no, it’s in French…oops! No complaints from Kambria, though, she was just happy to sit and watch. We enjoyed some snuggles and silly conversations. Otis almost pushed us both off the bed during the night. We love this girl so very much.

Easter fun. The missionaries had sunrise service on the roof again this year. It was a smaller group than some years but still a nice crowd. Halfway through service we had to move inside because of the rain. Then we ate a delicious breakfast. I quickly took a nap afterwards. We had some fun dying eggs that afternoon before wrapping up the day.

MEBSH convention 2023. Convention is a huge deal around here. MEBSH holds it once a year in the spring and as many people that can come from the churches come. They also live stream and are on the radio so those all over Haiti and the world that can’t make it can still participate. Thursday night is missionary service…you can see us sitting up front. It is always fun to listen to the many choirs sing and spend some time in Simon walking around. Vendors come from all over and set up during the week. This year Simon was full again, it hasn’t been for the last few years. On Wednesday, there was a lunch for the pastors and missionaries. Lydianne and I had fun messing around in the kitchen with the pastors wives. We got to wear a cool getup.

Sweet girls from a sweet family. It was bittersweet spending some time with them this morning. I had to get in some last smiles, hugs, and giggles before saying goodbye. What a blessing this family is to so many.

I had visitors! It was wonderful to have Mama visit again and bring Gigi here for the first time. I believe that they both enjoyed their time. We were busy, busy! On Wednesday, we visited Centre Lumiere, another ministry of MEBSH that ministers to women, and a local nursing home. It is always a pleasure to go to the Centre and see the things the ladies are learning there. I had not been to the nursing home in quite a while, they were so sweet and sang many songs to us. On Thurday we visited their sponsored children and passed by Zanglais ministry center on the way back. I love watching sponsors interact with these kids!

We got to spend some good quality time with my family (check out the photos directly above and below). Rameau and Noilita were so happy to see them come in on Tuesday afternoon. Noilita brought her precious baby boy and we spent an afternoon loving on him, we tried to take turns but it’s hard with such a cute baby! He loves Otis and just kept trying to share food with him. Rameau gave lessons on how to properly drink tea, of course he had to throw in some jokes along the way. Sabina was over several times to hang out and even got her hair done, her mom came up to say hi and brought karapina. You can see the two daughters with their two Mamas (above to the left). Noilita gave some cooking lessons. Did you know that if you blow in a coconut it makes it easier to open? When everyone got ready to say goodbye there were a lot of hugs. It is always nice to bring my two families together.

We got in some good scenery, too. We visited the botanical gardens in Cayes. They were beautiful, my first visit as well. We were also invited down to a fellow missionaries home for a tour of their beautiful yard and some yummy treats.

Beach day with my favorites! We enjoyed a day away with Sabina, Lydianne, and 3 of the Nunemakers. Such a good time of fellowship. Everyone knows I love to eat lobster on the beach. We met up with a little cutie who I have seen before at the beach. He told us he was okay with his photo being taken, his shirt says, “ain’t no Mama like the one I got”. Good times with good friends!

On Monday we went to the fair at SEED ministries. It was fun to walk around and see what all was going on. You can also see here Mama with one of my sweet friends and coworkers, everyone here asks about her often and vice versa. Also, check out that spoiled dog…I am sure he didn’t enjoy this week one single bit.. from playing to being fed to extra snuggles and jumping on beds.

Oti corner. Otis just wants to play with lizards and enjoy his time with whoever comes up. I am so thankful to have this silly little guy around. He is always happy to see me and always ready to take a good nap. He loves his people and loves getting snacks.

It has been another blessed month, thanks to the Lord above. Please continue to keep Haiti in your prayers.

March! How in the world is it already March 2023?? It is so crazy looking back over the years at what March has been. Just a few years ago this was the month that the world shut down. It doesn’t seem like so much time has passed. It has been a very busy month and a blessed month.

If you know me well, you know I love animals. I happened to be at Rameaus one afternoon and caught up with all kinds of friends. His dog recently had 4 precious little puppies. They are so cute running around, playing, and causing trouble. He has two Mama pigs. Both had piglets in the last few months. Many are already gone but two or three are still around. Of course, Rameau would not be complete without a cat around. This little one is named Lisa. She follows him EVERYWHERE! It is sweet watching her run around behind him crying for some attention.

Gods blessings come in many ways. This little cutie was at one of the schools we visited this month. I love his toothless grin.. he was hesitant to show me at first. I also love Kerlines smile in the background. How blessed am I to work alongside people that truly love these children. Sunsets always remind me to see God’s handiwork. Everyday is something new and different and beautiful. I just imagine him with a paintbrush taking time to paint the sky for us. Oti is a blessing to me, too. He is always around and shows God’s love to me by reminding me of God’s constant presence.

This little babe goes to a local school. She came to the office on a Friday monring to get her picture taken. I saw her and instantly could tell she was a troublemaker… I asked her if she was and she said yes. Then she ran up and jumped into my arms. She was all over me.. even told her principal that she was going to stay with me. The next Monday, we were at her school. She ran up to me screaming, “my friend!!” Again, she followed me around and was all over me. That Friday was the first time I had ever met her but she saw a soul similar to hers and went for it.

With such a busy month, it is important to take a break. A sweet friend celebrated a birthday this month. We knew that is was already going to be a hectic month for the both of us but we carved out some time to go to the beach together. It is always nice to spend a relaxing day on the beach. We chatted, ate lobster, read our books, and napped. God blessed us with the reminder that even He rested.

School visits are one of my favorite things ever. It is always a pleasure to share this time with team members. We had a team here one week, one of the members works in RMIs home office and she spent a day with us here in Haiti office. I took her to visit the two schools we work with here in Simon. I love seeing the light on the faces of both the kids and the team members…so much love and excitement. Kids always point me to Jesus.

Y’all know I love snacking… mango season is coming! Madam TiJean bought mangoes to make mango jelly for the team…I may have had to taste test some to make sure they were okay. I was craving chocolate chip cookies and made enough to share. So good but also so bad to keep in the house! Rameau enjoyed milk and cookies one morning for breakfast..he is a fan. I love when I have the time to go buy a pate. There is a place in Simon that makes amazing pates and they always accomodate me by making sure there is no ketchup on mine.. it’s the breakfast of champions.

Spend the night parties are our favorite! This little sweetheart has been spending the night with me for almost 5 years. We always have so much fun! It was sweet watching Otis get excited as she came up with her little backpack.. it was as if he knew she was sleeping over. The two of them played for a long time. Kam had to taste test some icing that I made… turns out it was good. Movies and backporch meals made up our time. I have so enjoyed watching this fiesty girl grow. She is so full of energy, love, and excitement. I love the way that she always points to God and she articulates herself so well. Otis loves getting to play and snuggle with her.

A day of celebrations! It was my sweet Rameaus 73rd birthday. I am so thankful to know him and call him a friend and father figure. He is a blessing to me in more ways than I can count. I had to make sure he had chocolate cake and pink candles…gotta keep him happy! Later that afternoon, we held a baby shower for a fellow missionary.

The last week of the month was busy! I was blessed to go out with a team that came in to visit their sister church. This was my first time being in the missionary host role. It was such a wonderful time out in the community and with the team. This sweet team was so patient and gracious with me as I learned to lead them. As always, it was a pleasure to be alongside my RMI family and watch them truly serve with passion. Myself, the guys, the Haitian church, and the American church were truly blessed by this visit.

Please continue to pray for Haiti. There are many problems that the Haitian people are facing between both manmade issues and natural diasters. There are Christian brothers and sisters here who need your prayers and encouragment so that they can continue fighting the fight and bringing the good news to the lost.

Sometimes I feel like I post all the sunshine and rainbows. The beautiful flowers. The joy. The smiles. The uplifting verses and quotes. The good reports. I get comments about how wonderful it all is, about how great I am, about how happy it all seems.

And that isn’t it. Well, it is some of it. But it isn’t all of it. Sometimes there is rain. Sometimes there are tears. Sometimes there is fear. And doubt. Screaming. Pain. Hurt. Sometimes things don’t go well at all. Sometimes it isn’t wonderful, it isn’t happy. And honestly, I am never great.

It is always God who is great. And that is easy to see in the things I share. God is wonderful, He is there in the joy and the beauty. But we forget that He is also there in the pain. He is still God in the hurt.

It is not easy. I am not always the person you see online. There are days that I miss the mark, big time. There is hurt I have caused and hurt others have done to me. There is fear of the future, of the unknown, sometimes of the known. There is doubt that God is truly there. Doubt that He is with me. Doubt that I am where He wants me. There are tears. So many tears, sometimes more than I have. I make mistakes culturally, lingistically, spiritually, emotionally. I hurt my Haitian brothers and sisters, my fellow missionaries, and my family and friends in the states. I don’t answer the phone. I speak without thinking. I long for a better day. I’m not content in where He has me. This is the reality.

The reality still includes those wonderful days. It includes the joy and smiles. The reality is knowing God is with me, knowing I am where He has me in all aspects of my life. It is being able to minister to my Haitian brothers and sisters, my fellow missionaries, and my family and friends in the states. It is what I share online.

The reality is both of those things wrapped up together. Sometimes it is 50/50, sometimes it is different. Both sides sometimes outweigh the other. The reality is that what you see is not always real. The true reality is that I struggle. And you struggle. And sometimes we put up a front that we do not struggle. That causes others to see us and feel alone in their struggling. But none of us are alone. We all have bad times. They may look different but they are there.

Please, know that I struggle. Do not allow me to cause you to feel alone. Do not allow me to cause you to feel less than. Allow me to take this time and say to you, I see you, I feel you, I am you. God can use my struggle and yours. But we cannot hide it from one another.

Do you struggle?

I cannot believe February is over. It feels as though this month as flown by. I almost can’t remember what happened this month as if it was a dream.

One thing that is crazy about missionary life is getting to know the other missionaries, hearing about their family and friends. You feel like you know the ins and outs of their life even when you have never met these people. So it is always a pleasure when a missionaries family comes to visit. I hear so much about the family it is nice to put a face to it! A sweet friends family came to visit and I was thankful to spend an afternoon with them at a waterfall about an hour away. So much fun!

Typically each week the missionary ladies get together to spend a few hours in fellowship and snacking. It is always a joy to spend time together. Sometimes I help lead worship for Wednesday night service. I always like to be well practiced even if I know that Lee is going to change it up at the last minute. Mama and Gigi drove a cooler down to Agape for me. I was so excited to get some treats that I don’t get around here. A nice steak! Heavenly.

Little blessings in life bring joy. Rameau may pretend he doesn’t like pictures or to sit and chat but he will always do so for me. Otis loves getting toys from Mama and can’t wait to show them off to anyone who shows up. I got to spend some time with Noilita’s precious baby boy. Mamas know how to calm down a crying baby…even if they don’t speak the same language. I am not sure who of the 3 of us enjoys our sleepovers more.

Family photos! I cannot begin to explain how thankful I am for Noilita, Sabina, Rameau, and Oti. They are my family and I love that they have become each others family as well. We all look out for each other. There is never a lack of love around my house.

Thank you for always thinking of us, praying for us, and encouraging us. Times can be hard but God is good.

If you’ve been in church long enough you have certainly heard the phrase “share the gospel”. In fact, if you’ve been in church much at all you have probably heard it more times than you can even begin to count. It’s a common phrase in Christian circles. Many relate it back to the Great Commission at the end of Matthew 28. Your pastor says it so much he doesn’t even realize it.

And I don’t agree with it. *que the audible gasps*

Tessa, WHAT?!?!?!?! How DARE you say you don’t agree with the phrase “share the gospel”.

I know, I am a terrible person. Go ahead and do away with me. Or…. stay with me for a minute. I don’t agree with it because I think a better phrase would be “SHOW the gosepl”.

We’ve all seen it happen, someone talks bad about a certain person or people group or treats someone poorly. They go on and on about how awful they are. Or they just aren’t welcoming to them. And then, inevitably, they go to that same person or people group to tell them that “Jesus loves you!” And this is why I don’t want to share the gospel. What good does that do? If the people or person you have spoken poorly of or treated badly knows that you’ve done these things, what good are your words to them? And even if they haven’t, others have witnessed or heard these things and your words suddenly mean nothing to them either, even if they are already Christian.

A lot of non christians will tell you that they don’t want to get involved in Christianity because “it’s just a bunch of hypocrites”. They feel that Christians want to tell you about Jesus but do not act like Him. And they’re right. They’re SO right. And it’s our fault. We have to be clear that we will NEVER be able to fully act like Jesus because we aren’t Him. I will always be sinful. I will forever have harsh words or actions towards others. No matter how hard I try, it will always be there. But, and there is always a but, I can do my best to love. To strive to live like Him. That’s where it is, that’s where we show the gospel. We strive to live like Jesus and show His love. And we have to admit that we fail at times.

Let’s look in Matthew 7:15-20. ¹⁵ “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. ¹⁶ You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? ¹⁷ So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸ A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. ¹⁹ Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰ Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.”

False prophets. Not athesits, not murderers, or gang leaders, or people that have never been to church. Prophets. Think people inside the church. Think pastors, leaders, etc. People who hold the Bible in their hands. People who KNOW the Word. See, just because people know that Truth, and are speaking it, that does not mean that they are in the Truth. Even Satan, in Matthew 4, quotes scripture. Jesus warns us not to pay attention to the words coming out of their mouth, but to their fruits. Not to pay attention to what they are sharing, but to what they are showing. It’s the big difference between head knowledge and heart knowledge. We have to look out for it not only in others, but also in ourselves.

As Christians, we have to be aware of what we are showing others. Are we showing them that God is the ruler of our hearts? Or are we showing them that we simply know how to spout out words that we have read? What are our fruits saying? Jesus says in John 13:35 that people will know we are His by our love. Our love. Love that we both speak and show.

I am not against sharing the gospel. It is so very important. But let us not forget that it is also important to show it. It is important for people to see us acting out what we are saying. It is important for our fruits to show that our tree is planted in the Lord.

Are you showing the gospel? Do people know that you are God’s without you having to say it?

January. Okay, so maybe December 31st. We had a wonderful, small New Years Eve dinner together. Everyone put something on the grill and shared sides together. We learned about traditional communal tea from Uruguay as well as had some wonderful Cuban espresso. I actually managed to stay up until midnight. A friend and I sat on the roof to watch the fireworks. You could see them happening all over the country.

There were a few more schools to visit this month. Due to schools starting late this year we are a little behind schedule but have worked very hard to stay up to date. It was a chilly few weeks. I stayed in a jacket as did most others I came in contact with. Otis enjoyed laying under his blanket or snuggling up. New life is always just around the corner. It’s something that God promises to give us if we will accept it and something we see in nature often. This little goat had been born just the day before.

A weekend spent at Zanglais with a team. Zanglais is one of my favorite places. It is beautiful and peaceful. I always try to wake up early enough to have time to walk on the beach before the day gets started. These are wonderful chats with God and sometimes little crab friends.

We had a team here this month and what a blessing that was! I was thankful to have Ashley spend the day with me while they were here. We visited a local school as well as the hospital and dental clinic. I had never seen dentures being made before. While at the school, one teacher asked if I would teach her class. It’s been a while since I have done anything with volume and capacity but we figured it out. You can also see young students learning to write their numbers, on this day they were working on the number 3. Ashley and I explored CLC campus as I gave a little background on all of the missionaries here. It takes so many people from different backgrounds, denominations, missions, and walks of life to work together for the Lord. She also was encouraged by Rameau to drink some ginger and cinnamon tea. It was a wonderful day spent with a sweet and Godly young lady. We will all continue to pray for her as she follows where the Lord leads her.

This month has felt both long and short depending on how I look at it. It has been a good start to 2023. We are continuing to pray that HFKz will be able to travel and RMI will be able to receive teams. Beautiful Haiti continues to struggle in a number of ways. Please keep this country and the Haitian people in your prayers. It often feels as though the suffering comes from all sides. Thank you for also remembering me in prayer.

The life that counts blessings discovers its yielding more than it seems. 

Ann Voskamp

December has been full of blessings. Some so little that no one would notice and some so large that they are impossible to ignore. For me, they have all added up as one big reminder of how wonderful our God is. After several months of being on lock down, it was so good to have a “normal” month.

We continued our travels to schools. These days start early and end late. Sometimes we are traveling for hours on end. Sometimes things don’t go right when we get out there. But every single time, we are blessed. Benjamin and Benson had the opportunity to share RMIs testimony during MEBSH assembly. Another reminder of how our God loves and protects us.

If you know me well, you know that there isn’t much that makes me happier than littles. Oh how I long to be more like children. Kids are so resilient and forgiving. They all just want to be shown love. Kids live in a world full of hope even if their world is in shambles. These littles lift up my spirit. I also quite enjoy eating fritay early in the morning.

We weren’t the only ones blessed by being able to travel again. So many of these children and their families depend on these sponsorships. When they don’t see us, they don’t know if they are sponsored or not. Arriving and giving them the good news allows them to finally take a breath. Children once again get to receive gifts from sponsors which always encourage them. Pastors, schools directors, teachers, and parents are all affected by the childrens sponsorships as well. $32 a month carries blessings to more people than you can count. Another remind of blessings bestowed on us was given this month when I attended a service of thanksgiving to the Lord and heard a sweet friend give her testimony.

We were invited to a childrens choir concert at a local church. Such a wonderful time giving praise to the Lord. These kids and young adults put so much work into this concert and it really showed. Another remind to be like the children came from this young man (around 11 years old) who shared from Matthew and inspired the congregation.

This month alone we have visited over 30 schools. Taken thousands of pictures to choose from and edit. Helped hundreds of students write their letters to translate and send. Entered a number of new students into the program. Held parents meetings. Traveled many, many miles. We have been blessed with God’s protection through it all. Of course, not every day goes as we planned, but every day goes as He has planned. Sometimes kids don’t come to school, pastors forget to have parents there, we forget things at the office, the tire goes flat, the lighting is off, etc. And whatever it is, we have to remember to be patient and glorify the Lord. We make sure that one way or another, the job gets done…even with hangups.

I am personally blessed with family and friends who love me and encourage me. I am blessed with coworkers who love me, the Lord, and these kids. There is not a single person on the Hope for Kidz team that doesn’t absolutely adore these kids and long for them all to have an education and a bigger hope.

Robenson has been a blessing over this last year and a half or so. Being able to sponsor him has given me much more than I believe it gives him. He is the sweetest little guy, although not so sure about photos. I love getting to see him. This month I was able to enjoy a beach day for the first time in months with some of my favorite people. This specific beach means so much to me. It was a wonderful day spent with those I love.

During the days surronding Christmas I got to spend some more time with Oti. I love traveling so much but I am not home a lot during those days. He was pretty happy to have me around again. I was able to chat with Mama and Gigi one day. We had a beautiful Christmas service on the 23rd complete with candelight Silent Night, a tradition around here. Rameau is always around and is a constant blessing to me in more ways than I can explain. God’s beauty and love is all around us, we just have to open our eyes.

Ah, November is over. Crazy to think about! In some ways this month felt so long but in most ways it has flown by. It has certainly been a busy month full of blessings. We finally got to go back to work this month! And the work was certainly waiting on us. At the beginning of this month I had a new gate put in at my house. The one that was there when I moved in was broken and had been for a while. The guys made a new one for me that should last a long time. It is another thing to check off the moving in list. There is still much to do! Next on the list is putting in the chainlink fence. It has been fun to decorate the house as well, check out the doormat a friend gifted me..Oti seems to like it.

Then it was my birthday. I have now celebrated 5 birthdays in Haiti. I moved here at 21 and celebrated turning 22 a few months later. At that time, I was only staying here for 9 months. This year I turned 26 and am so thankful that God has allowed me to stick around longer. It was wonderful celebrating with yummy cheesecake and sweet friends.

Later that same week was Thanksgiving. This year has certainly been different around here and Thanksgiving was no exception. We typically have a large group for Thanksgiving every year. This year we kept it simple and had a small group. I hosted for the first time and enjoyed it. I made cinnamon rolls for breakfast and helped cook lunch along with some other ladies. We all gathered together and spent some wonderful time in fellowship. Of course, we had to watch the soccer match that was going on, too.

The 28th finally brought my favorite time of the year! We are back on the road again visiting schools. We are typically almost done if not finished by this time of year. Because of many different reasons, it hasn’t happened yet this year. It it such a blessing to be out again. Nothing fills my heart quite like sweet babies in school uniforms. Interacting with these kids is one of lifes greatest joys. I also so love the time spent on the road with the HFKz family. It has been a hard year for these kids and it is a pleasure to watch God’s love pour out from this group of people onto them. You never know what you are going to get on the road but it is always exactly what God wants you to get. December will be very, very busy as we work hard to catch up with this work.

In my own family, things have been happening as well. Rameau continues to work hard to make my yard look nice. I remember telling him I was moving and he was already so excited and full of ideas. Of course, you can come up with ideas a lot faster than you can actually do the work. He has a lot to still do but I am so thankful for him. He is one of my bestfriends. He was pretty happy when Mama sent him a new hat. Noilita always brightens my day with her sweet smile. Mama sent her a new fan which made her day. Hers had just broken! She is loving the new house. Otis loves that he gets to spend all kinds of time underneath her feet begging for food. Sabina has been our neighbor since we moved in while she was housesitting for another missionary. We already had such a good relationship with Otis’ so called godmother but we have all grown even closer these last few months. She fits right in with our family. I am not quite sure what Otis is going to do when she is no longer right next door. He loves to play with her and will sniff at the door that connects the houses if she is near it, scratching if he hears her. I will miss having her as my neighbor as well. As we get busier we both know that we will not have as much time together so we are soaking it all up. Oti is as silly as ever just being a little snuggle bug. The transition of me being back at work has not been his favorite thing but as long as he gets to see his people and eat special treats he is okay with it.

November has been full of blessing, as I mentioned earlier. Thank you for your prayers during this time. Please continue to pray for Haiti, this country is not out of the woods yet. Please pray for my Haitian family as they live through these many different changes. Pray for our kids as they finally get to go to school, the things they have experienced in their lives are more than they can imagine. Pray for traveling safetys as we will be on the road constantly. I am so thankful for the many ways that God provides and protects. What a mighty God we serve!