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I am safely back in Haiti...6 flights in 5 days and I am glad to be staying put for a while! Despite about a dozen issues with flights, cancellations, changes and FINES, I made it to graduation, got to see my gorgeous sister graduate from college, got to spend time with two grandpas and two grandmas, my aunt, my brother, my dad, and our dear cat. I got to eat at Olive Garden, Chipotle, DQ, a pizza place, and Bob Evans, and I got to sleep in air conditioning every single night. It was wonderful.

All my stuff made it back safely along with random much longed for gifts for Matt: pickles, bacon bits, balsamic vinegar, his favorite mug, and cotton running shorts. We're happy to be back together, as that neither of us do very well being apart for more than, well, a day or so :)

It was a wonderful trip, and made me realize how much I had needed to "get out", if only for a few days. Being in my own culture with my own language allowed me to be myself in a way I haven't really been able to, and we are both looking forward to a more extended trip next month!

While I was doing all this, Matt was teaching and working alongside our guests. Don headed off yesterday, and Josh leaves tomorrow. All that they have done was priceless...we're so thankful they joined us...

Matt's students also decided that they wanted to show him how much they appreciate him by giving him a gift. On Monday they came to class with a huge pink bag, covered in red roses and "I Love You! I Love You!" Inside were these three gifts, a vase, an "I Love You" pencil holder, and an "I Love Haiti" desk...thing. They said the "I love Haiti" was for him, because they know Matt loves Haiti, and that the "I Love You" was from them, because they have come to love him. It was quite an emotional gifting, I hear, and Matt was quite touched to receive gifts from these guys who struggle to provide for their families, pay for tuition...pay for food.
We are coming to the realization that this life and the Lord has provided us with two worlds. Our two worlds are far too different to merge into "our world", but we have found aspects of home, family and peace in both places. The idea that there is nothing better than being where God wants you is proving quite true for us. We are so thankful for the blessing of so many dear ones in our lives, for such good work, and for so many places to call home!