Come and Gone...

Come and gone..

Well tropical storm Isaac has come and gone. I am so thankful that we were all safe and made it through. It was quit the experience from preparations, to the storm, and the aftermath. It’s tricky to plan for something that you have never experienced or gone through! But we hunkered down in the dorms with the big metal doors locked and no one was allowed to leave. We were supplied with snacks, water and activities to do with the kids. The night of the storm, which I was anticipating to be the hardest for the kids was actually the easiest. Almost every child slept through the storm! I was shocked that they didn’t wake up from the wind and heavy rain pounding down on our roof. Kathy and I woke up often and then would be up for a few hours wondering what to do or what to expect next. Besides a few leaks in the ceiling and some water coming in through the seals on the windows everything held up great! I think our room was the room that had the most water in it. We had puddles of water on our floor and my bed on the top bunk was soaked-thankful I wasn’t sleeping in it like I normally do.

A tent city where many of the tents and been blown over.

This river was flowing over the bridge during the storm! 

The wind got a hold of this sign.

The morning after the storm the rain was still coming down and the wind was blowing so we decided to keep the kids. Luck for them they got breakfast in bed and got to have a picnic in their rooms for lunch! Finally by late afternoon the rain had stopped and the kids were able to get out and play a little bit. I think we were all excited to get some fresh air.

The morning after the storm also brought some sad news. A man who worked at Grace Village doing a lot with the school and hiring the teachers was overcome with guilt and depression in his own life and decided to take things into his own hands. He was a great man and always seemed to have a smile on his face. Just goes to show you never really know what people are going through. He will be greatly missed.

With all that had happened Kathy and I took some time away from Grace Village. We went to church on Sunday in Port au Prince, it’s an American church, and it was just what we needed! God knew we need it and it filled us right up. We sang  ‘Never Once’ by Matt Redman and ‘No Sacrifice’ by Jason Upton both songs were just what I needed. I love it when God’s knows just what we need and He provides us with it at just the right moment. After church Maxim took us to see his sweet little baby girl Princess. 

Later Sunday night we went salsa dancing. It is always fun to go, but I am always reminded of just how uncoordinated I am! J It’s fun to watch the Haitians dance. I think every single one of them could make it on dancing with the stars!

On Monday I was able to go with a friend to visit some other orphanages and love on some kiddos. It was a perfect day and interesting to get a look into other orphanages. It’s crazy because as we were driving you would never have guessed some of these places were behind the big metal gates!

I was also able to connect with some the kids that live by the guesthouse that I know and hangout with them. I had brought two stuffed animals with me that Ruby and Annabel had given to me before I left and wanted some kids in Haiti to have. So as I was out an about I came across two sisters and gave them the stuffed. They loved them and were so excited to have them. It’s the best when you can make someone’s day with the little things and things that we have an abundance of!

On Tuesday Guyto, a man who works at the guesthouse and I walked down to see my buddy Mackenley! It was so wonderful to be able to reconnect with him again! His mom was so excited to see me and said she had not seen me since January-she has a good memory! They sang for me and I was able to meet his sisters. This little guy made my day! He asked me for a camera so if anyone has an old digital camera that they don’t want anymore and would like to donate it to him I would greatly appreciate it and I know he would too!! J

While at the guesthouse for those couple days we also were able to hangout with some of the team that was here and had some good laughs and played some games.

It was a nice little couple days away, but I missed the kids and was excited to get back and see them.

Thank you all so much for your continued prayers, especially during Isaac, and your support. It is such a blessing to be able to have so many people praying for me and support me.

Blessings to you all!!