Settling In

I arrived in Port au Prince Sunday afternoon, about an hour or so later than scheduled.  The brakes on the plane (not snakes on the plane) had to be replaced before we could leave Miami.  Thank you Jesus for attentive mechanics!
I was greeted at the airport by my friend Franckis, and the new van!  We rode in style (and a/c!) back to the orphanage, where I was greeted by my sweet toddlers with kisses and chants of "Misssssaaaaannnngeeeeeeee".  I walked through the house and headed towards the back where the older children are.  Three of the girls saw me coming, and we ran (in very movie-like fashion) towards each other and met in the middle of the yard.  All the other children soon followed, and we had a gigantic group hug outside.  I was able to keep my balance and not be pushed over by the excitement.
I came inside to see my babies.  Oh my goodness, the changes are most evident in that room!  Each baby has grown.  And I mean grown.  Ones that had skinny legs before now are little chunka monkas.  And my sweet Samson has grown even more handsome, as if that were possible.  I met the two new little guys, Hugeunson and Ronaldo.  Ronaldo was born with both club feet and club hands.  It is extremely rare, and we are working to get him to the states for medical help.  Two hospitals are currently vying for the privilege of serving this sweet little boy.  Please keep Ronaldo in your prayers.  He is not growing and gaining weight as he should be.
I spent just a bit settling into the tent.  Signs welcoming me back were posted in the tent and the office.  Sheets and a towel were on my cot in the tent, and I was told that the unworking bathroom had been fixed so that I would have my very own place to use.  The toilet was replaced, and the shower had new pipes installed so that it works!  Talk about receiving the royal treatment!  I offered to share the bathroom with others, but was firmly told that it was only for me.
Here are highlights from the rest of the week:

• teaching a group of girls to play Go Fish
• spending time with Wideline, a sweet, almost 4 year old, who is hooked up to an IV and in a bed isolated because she needs time to get her strength back.  I introduced her to animal books.  She loves them. 
• being tackled in the baby room and playing on the floor with all the babies who are now walking and crawling!
• eating beans and rice, along with my favorite corn-mashed-up stuff
• we have a new inverter and batteries, which means we have internet almost 24/7, and the fan in my tent always works!
• hired a new teacher, eager to work.  Filder is an exceptional young man, he lost his home and family on January 12.  Last week, in the storm that came through Port au Prince, he lost his tent and the rest of his possessions.  My heart breaks for him.  I am excited to work with him in the school.
• waking up at 5 to hear the ladies singing
• sleeping on a cot that is somehow not as comfortable as I remember it from August.  Maybe I was exhausted then. **since writing that, I've added a thin layer of padding, and enjoyed a night of Tylenol PM induced awesomeness.**
• Running through the rain to close up the tent in the middle of a torrential downpour. ***I have gotten smarter...when it starts cloud up, I go running out to zip it closed***
• being greeted with hugs and smiles and queries about my American family by all the nannies and workers.
• learning new things about how I communicate
• being challenged to the very core of who God has made me to be, and clinging desperately to the hope and the promise that ALL I need truly comes from Him
• fighting the urge to have a pity party for myself, as I have no way to go anywhere, and even if I did, I have no where to go.  Sad, but true.
• realizing that somehow, my tent is no longer mouse-proof.  And I live with a gecko.  And a zillion ants.  But I will win, yes, I will win.
• waking up to young ladies knocking on my door and trying to get in so we can play Go Fish or listen to my ipod.  At 6:15 am.
• Introducing the older girls to the tradition of watching TV before bed.  Yes, I am attempting to corrupt them now.  A few short youtube clips of Sid the Science Kid and Word World never hurt anyone.  I'm trying to introduce them to Peanuts, but they don't get that yet.  In due time...
• Realizing that I am far more selfish than I ever imagined myself to be, and being thankful that it has lovingly been revealed to me, and that God is gonna work it out and refine it out of me, 'cause He's good and faithful like that.

I'm taking another try at "Praying the Names of God" by Ann Spangler.  I've tried twice before to learn more about the OT names for God, and I'm hoping to stick with it past Elohim (Creator God...did the whole thing this week).  I'll also be starting a long-distance Bible study with a friend in Texas.  I hope that will help me stay more connected and all that jazz.
Thank you so much for your constant prayers and support.