full days, full hearts

I will forever love this picture.  Given, yesterday was a bit overcast and rainy.   But it is May in Haiti, and I was still dripping.  Berthil, however was miserable, and I actually caught him blowing warm air into his hands :)

This is a fun time to be in Haiti...our hearts are about as full as our days!

It's hard to believe that another full year is drawing to a close at Emmaus Biblical Seminary...our fourth! Once again, it was a year of instability in Haiti, with cholera and then all the political excitement, but once again the staff and students endured and persevered and are ready to step into the next stage of ministry and training for their lives.

Everyone is tired and excited for the weeks off ahead, but still buckling down to finish well and test well.  Having fun activities (see the EBS blog for the full schedule) in the afternoons helps, and it really has felt like a week of celebration of all He's done and been this past year.

On the homefront, it also feels like a celebration with a full house of friends and family, friends coming to visit and wish us well for our time in the States and Lily elated 24/7.

She has only asked for Mommy or Poppy one time since Aunt Lisa and Uncle Adam arrived.  Yesterday, when scaling the outside of the bunk beds in her room, Aunt Lisa told her that it was not safe, and put her back on the ground.  Quickly realizing that Aunt Lisa was not going to budge, Lily let out a big sigh and said, "Hey, where's Poppy?"

Are ALL dads known for being push-overs when it comes to their daughters :)?

The staff/3rd year soccer match yesterday was a little sad (while the oldest person on our staff is only 43, we looked...old :), we only lost by one point, and everyone had a blast playing and watching.  Soccer competitions bring out this child-like and joyful side to our Haitian brothers and sisters that rarely show elsewhere, and I always love sitting in the middle, listening, and just enjoying being a part of so much happiness and excitement and comedy.

NorthRidge, Chris also proved himself well during the match (the first visiting professor ever to be allowed to play) and we believe that "soccer skillz" needs added to his repertoire in Sabetha!

We feel blessed to be a part of so many different cultures and surrounded by so many different lives and callings and giftings day in and day out!

(every time the ball went over the wall, everyone would collapse :)