Silver Lining

As our time here in Haiti is quickly winding down, I have felt throughout the last week that I need to make a contribution to the blog. There have been several times I have sat down with ideas and even gotten some things down on paper to post, but they just never came to fruition. One of the biggest reasons is simply Michaela is an amazing writer, so why change up a good thing?

First and foremost I would like to express thankfulness. Thankfulness to those who have supported our family throughout this journey and walked alongside us. The kindness and encouragement through notes, cards, emails, prayer, financial support, and traveling to Haiti to visit have been priceless. We have walked a lonely road at times while living in Haiti and commonly as we would pray for God’s comfort, encouragement would come from those who support us. Again, thank you for taking the time to send the Facebook message that seemed insignificant, or dropping the "Just Thinking of You" card in the mailbox that at the time may have seemed like more bother than what it was worth. 

If there are those out there who continue to feel called to support missionaries, Michaela and I have friends serving in other parts of the world that could use the same Godly support you have given us. Below is their information:

Scott and Amber Thomas 

(and their three children) working with Operation Mobilization serving in South Africa

Paul and Jeanne Zahn 

(and their four children), serving in India

Kurtis and Emily Strunk 

(and their three year old son) who will be working with Extreme Nazarene Ministries, leaving next week to serve in Ecuador

It has been especially difficult the last couple of days to feel the heaviness of reality sinking in. We have started strategizing the packing of our belongings that will come back to the states with us. The process of “for the last time” has also begun.

Today was the "last time" a small group of GNO kids came to the house for summer enrichment activities. (Lovensky, Myshana, Schnaider, and Loudrige)

Today was also our "last time" trip to our favorite eating out spot. 

Throughout the last week we made our "last time" trips to the Apparent Project and Heartline's Haitian Creations. We really love the heart of these ministries as they continue to offer solutions to keep families together instead of adding more children to orphanages. Not to mention they have the coolest handmade and artisan merchandise around.

And as you can imagine the “last times” only get more significant and difficult the closer we get to the day we leave. 

Already some of our familiar household items have begun to disappear as their new owners have stopped by the house for pick up. You would think going through this process from the move in Arizona would make things easier, but I was caught off guard at the emotional attachment that I have developed for our things. As I look around the house, nearly every item has a story of how God provided. I reminisce back on the countless time spent in prayer and the thankfulness we had as God always came through for us. It has been amazing to see how God used simple, and for the most part inexpensive, items to transform our house that initially had the feeling of a prison into a home of comfort and rest. 

As difficult as it will be to move from Haiti, we are equally excited about what God has next for our family. We plan to pursue a vision for God in Michigan by establishing an organization that will potentially serve teens and young adults recovering from drug addiction, military veterans, and foster families. Although Michaela and I are disappointed that we were not able to serve out two years in Haiti as anticipated, we see God’s perfect timing unfolding during this transition time. 

Once again, I cannot express our thanks for all the support throughout our time serving God in Haiti. Please continue to support and serve missionaries. 

“But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.” John 3:21