-Haiti just is continuing to struggle in alarming ways. The last few months of relative 'peace' after such a challenging and broken few months has been increasingly speckled with crime. There may be political issues involved, but long story short, I think, is that while there is some stability and fuel again, life in Haiti continues to get more and more expensive, there are LESS jobs (less stability/less tourism/schools closed/businesses closed) and people are simply MORE desperate. As things grow increasingly difficult and desperate, we have been seeing and hearing about more and more crime...crime you never/rarely hear about...break ins, neighborhood violence, violent theft, kidnappings for ransom, etc.
Perhaps there is a lot more crime like this happening right now, or perhaps there is just a lot more talk of it now than ever, but what IS 100% true is that it is UNsettling, UNcomfortable, and very challenging for our staff, students, friends and family and country. To live in a constant shadow of concern, caution and continual rumors of awful things happening is...awful. We've all lived that way for months last semester, and to be there again...
Please be praying for Haiti...for His true peace, and as we try to BE it, for perseverance, for courage, and for PEACE for every person. EVERY friend we said goodbye to last week, every one, asked us to pray for their protection and for peace, asked us to pray for this NEW wave of darkness in Haiti. People are tired, people are discouraged, people are afraid. Pray for the Lord of Heavens Armies to be close and mighty in and among His people.
-I really like eating ice cream every single night after the kids go to bed. Every. I'm going to be huge when we go home, and I'm not wasting it on vanilla.
-My children are ridiculously social. They may be oddballs culturally, but these girls know how to talk to anyone about anything for any amount of time, and love it. From Nora stopping to greet each and every child entering the playground at Chic-fil-A tonight, and again when they left with a "thank you for being my friend!" to Lily and Sofie going to youth group tonight with their minds set on, "I'm going to make 75 best friends tonight!"...they surprise me with how at home they are in their own selves, despite being so far from home and what they know. They even tried to visit the homeless man they have befriended living at our bay IN his lean-tofort, and the friend babysitting had to stop them. I love this terrifying comfort and care in my children.
-People can be really, really lovely. From the wonderful women taking hours from their days to have dance parties with the Ayars kids so mom and dad can get to an hour of counseling (through the above Haiti prayer requests fleshed out for 13 years :) to the strangers who gave us the Chick-fil-A gift card or the invite to youth group...I feel continually surprised and humbled by the acts of love and service being poured out on our behalf from people who don't know us or owe us ANYTHING, simply because they love Jesus. His goodness and kindness and love for us is FELT through this, and I'm so thankful.
-I know I always say that you are missionaries too, that where you are is a mission field, too, but man. Thirty seconds in the States and it just is TRUE. You are. Where you are. So badly needed. Rekindle that first love you have for Jesus, renew that calling He has on your life to be a LIGHT, and KEEP ON. So needed...this is all just broke, broke.
-If you hear or notice or think that something with someone is wrong or hurting, GO LOVE ON THEM. Ask them how to pray. THAT IS NOT being nosey. That's being a caring person, and if they say it's good, then leave it with God. But don't ask someone else about what's going on with them...don't talk about them but refuse to "bother" them.
Maybe even don't ask them what you can do, just DO something. There are so many hurting people out there that don't need to be talked about...they need to be LOVED on. Don't make them ask, for many never will...but think of what you would want someone to do for you and DO it. "What night can I drop off dinner?" "It's gotta be a lot to go through this with little ones...what night can we babysit?" "We are praying for you as you go through this medical nightmare...here's a devotional I'm loving and a giftcard for dinner when you just can't." "Marriage is TOUGH and we are here for you...would dinner or childcare or laundry help more?" Get creative, give me some ideas in the comments. If nobody did it for you, redeem it...go do it. And if somebody DID, all the more, pass it on.
"Mountains may move
and the hills may disappear,
but even THEN My faithful love for you will remain.
My covenant of blessing will never be broken,"
says the Lord, who has mercy on you. Isaiah 54:10
How's all that for random :)
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