Hot

Today has been an interesting one, with the newly instated fuel prices (between 38-51% higher) taking effect this morning, and the country almost instantly exploding.  (You can read more details of the story here) Nobody’s going anywhere, and while most of the heat is in Port-au-Prince, as usual, there are some major manifestations taking place at our gas station down the road and black smoke rises.  Many have lost their life-giving gardens in the drought this summer, Haiti’s favorite team, Brazil, lost in the World Cup yesterday, the heat index is over 100 degrees every day, and it’s just an emotionally charged season.

Dr. Jen and Paul, Matt and the big girls were supposed to get off to the beach today, but instead we’re all hanging tight, and I am abundantly blessed and grateful to have Sharon folding clothes and Paul and Jen playing Legos and Matt turning buckets into outdoor pools for the girls.  We made popsicles and a big pot of spaghetti sauce and ate leftover ribs Nick and Nikki made and will all have a movie night at the McGhees tonight.  

We’ve spoken to lots of our Haitian friends today, and everybody’s just staying off the street, most blocked anyway.  OMS had a team leaving today and more coming, but American Airlines has cancelled all flights for a few days, so we’re all just gonna chill.  Praying that an incoming hurricane set for Tuesday might bring some badly needed rain, which would help cool lots of things down.

Life for Haiti is not easy.  

And I don’t want to downplay this struggle in any way.

But I HAVE to publicly say that I am rather amazed and humbled today by His provision.  

In light of how bad the roads and traffic were when we flew in on the 27th, we were concerned about being able to get to the hospital while in labor. We contacted Dr. Jen and just in case, she ended up bringing in everything she could need in case a home birth ended up being necessary.  

Which today, and perhaps for several days, is our only option.  

Today, tomorrow, everyday through Wednesday, all flights are cancelled. What if Sharon or Jen hadn’t come on the third? What if the McGhees hadn’t totally unexpectedly moved in next door a few weeks ago?  What if?

There have been a thousand “what if’s” associated with this pregnancy, and a Lord so worthy of our trust, and as I sit here in the shade, watching Nora “make soup” out of rocks and mango leaves, I listen to an OBGYN, exactly what we need, playing a dice game with an animated Lily, I come inside to a sink empty of dirty dishes and Sharon on her feet instead of me on my swollen ones, just what I needed, I find Matt resting on the bed with a suitcase full of medical supplies resting next to him on the floor, and all I have needed, and then some, has truly been provided...great is His faithfulnesss. 

This pregnancy has been a not always happy, but continually HOLY-fying process in my life, learning and stretching and deciding and deciding and deciding to trust Him and to pray and to watch for the doors He’s opening and to keep my eyes glued on Him.  Here we are at the end, 40 weeks, the greatest pain still ahead and smoke in the distance, and I am just nothing but humbled and grateful.  

Whatever we’re all up against today, how greatly, how completely, how entirely is He worthy of our mustard seed of faith, of our trust, and with JOY.

Joyfully trusting Him with Haiti, with Ben, with all that could concern me today, and then some.