days "away" and a new year...

We've had just a fantastic few days with my family, continuing to find some much-needed rest and Godly encouragement in them. We've been some beautiful places: to the beach, and the pool in town, and spent a few days at home, enjoying each other and the joy of friends and family.

begging for Coke on tippy-toes :)

Haiti may not be a "dream vacation", but as you can see, there are some beautiful places, and Dad and Lisa have been awesome sports about the roads (which are particularly bad right now following some rain), the ants (their must be 8 billion ants just in our home, despite Lisa's many efforts to exterminate the species) and the cultural differences (they have by now been hugged and kissed by at least 6 dozen strangers).

Because January 1st is Haiti's Independence Day, the largest holiday of the year, everyone is getting very excited for the big day. Small, skeletal bamboo and wood-slat stands are popping up everywhere, and already groups of people are holding parties and dances in them. Loud disco-type music is playing loudly far into the night, and you can feel the excited buzz around town.

Add this excitement to the joy of a new year and the anticipation of the new Emmaus Biblical Seminary site opening, we are waiting on the Lord with eager hearts, anxious to see what His hand will unfold. We are so grateful that He is on the throne! God has proven to us countless times His faithfulness, and we are overjoyed to head into this new chapter resting on that faithfulness and on His Lordship.