Goodbyes....again

Ah, life always seems to be full of so many good-byes! This one was a hard one, as we, all in tears, saw the Hubele family off on Tuesday. This was the seventh year that they have come to Haiti during the off-season on the farm, and as soon as the Haitian sun begins to burn, everyone knows the fields are thawing in Illinois. Lily was so convinced that Zo-zo-phine and Jacob were her siblings, and that the house next door was as much a place for love and happiness and wonder as her own.

Besides the beautiful friendship they provided, John and Rachelle were incredibly helpful to us personally and to Emmaus Biblical Seminary, carrying out dozens of energy saving steps, fixing ovens, stoves, hot water heaters, beds, computers, generators, water pumps, tutoring students, helping to feed and house visiting professors, sharing errands and trips to the airport with us, watching Lily, feeding Shay, praying with us...

So thankful for this family that God gave us, and for the intimate way we have been able to become in true Christian community with them these past months. Please be praying with us for their transition, and for ours!
We also saw Paul and Kathleen off today, and are so thankful for the precious time that we had with them and that they had with the students and staff here. So grateful for Cornerstone Church, for their sacrifice in sending their pastor for two weeks, and for the many beautiful ways they continue to "hold our ropes".

I know you're probably growing tired of hearing about Pehpay, but today Belo and I led a weekly Bible study down the road, and stopped at Pehpay's house on the way home. When we entered the house, he was laying on the bed, and it was as if, for a moment, nothing had ever changed since that first week we prayed for him.

But as soon as he saw us, he threw his skinny legs over the bed and popped up. It was like the miracle happened again before my eyes.

"Hey! Pehpay!" we said, and he grinned from ear to ear. "I hear you can walk!?" I said, and he grinned, "Oh yes, don't you want to see?"

In an instant he popped off the bed and trotted right out the door of the mud hut and traipsed about the small dirt yard, waving his hands and grinning while Belony and I laughed out loud. I cannot WAIT to get to heaven, just from the small taste of it I experienced today...