A Glance...

at the last week or so of my life:

• Watched Dynasty from the early 80’s in French, in Haiti (twice.)
• After 7 weeks of doing battle, my non-friend, Ringworm, is under control, and is packing his bags and leaving.  Note-tea tree oil did nothing to stop it or get rid of it.  Neither did rubbing alcohol, random creams, or bandaids.  Strong French prescription did though.
• Watched the Vin Diesel movie about him being a nanny, in French.  The whole thing.  No idea the name because I haven’t seen it in English.
• Realized there may be something wrong with my right pointer finger.  It is sore, ever so slightly swollen, and is noticeably colder towards the end.
• I forgot 2 of the kiddos bdays this week.
• Feel like I’ve missed a lot of life with my family and friends.
• Figured out that children respond to death and grief the same way no matter where they were born and raised.
• Smelled the difference between a large dead rat and a small dead mouse.
• Had a huge burst of thankfulness that I am a princess missionary, and that someone else cleans my house for me, and makes my bed when I don’t.  She even does my dishes if I leave dirty ones in the sink.  Yes, I’m spoiled.
• Discovered I want to speak Creole really well.  Like well enough to translate accurately, and to understand the news on TV or the radio.  And to hold intelligent conversations without sounding like I’m four years old.
• Am thankful I can speak Creole like a four year old because we have lots of them at Maison.
• Ate two cinnamon rolls (gifted to me by two older gentlemen building orphanages and feeding kiddos here) for dinner.  Paused between the first and the second to ponder saving the second one for breakfast tomorrow.  Decided that I’ve had too many things go bad or had ants or other creatures devour my treats to wait.  Wow, were they good.  They were from the Baptist Mission.  
• Had the gigantic gecko-like thing come out from behind the medicine cabinet again yesterday.  My first spoken words of the day: ‘Why are you so huge and ugly?’
• Figured out the mission team coming in October must have something that God wants them to do because Satan has decided to mess with the communication between us.  I serve the Great Physician, and His plans will come to pass!  Amen and Hallelujah! (*update* The team raised a gob of money to purchase supplies and medications...yep, they are up to good stuff!)
• Doesn’t have a long enough layover in Miami to go to Starbucks.  But it’s late anyway.  I’ll live until Tuesday morning’s run…
• Found the Haitian coffee maker (small piece of fabric sewn around a thin piece of metal—like a coat hanger) in the office.  Gave up looking for it 3 months ago.
• Remembered how much children like to see their names on things.
• Started involving the kiddos in the devotions in the morning.  They love volunteering to be the song leader or the prayer leader.
• Earned more respect from kiddos this week because they realized I know about their scheming and plotting, and am not afraid to call them on it.
• Watched my Haitian family continue to grapple with the huge space left by Kiki.
• Watched a group wash my kiddos feet, and put shoes on them.  The older kiddos even got to choose their own shoes.  I learned that some children, no matter how little they are raised with, are never happy with what they are blessed with, even when they get to choose.
• Was reminded several times that I cannot help everyone.  
• For about the price of a Coke at the hotel, I can buy 27 diapers.
• Bought avocadoes from a young girl carrying a huge bowl full on her head.  Her companion, who also had a bowl of avocadoes on her head, informed me that she was hungry.  I remarked, “Ou gen zaboka su tet ou!—You have avocadoes on your head!”  She grinned at me and kept walking.
• Wants to rediscover the utter joy of living daily with a servants’ heart.
• Wishes I didn’t cycle so quickly between closeness with God and wondering how to get back there.
• Improved my Spider Solitaire score from 14% wins to 16% wins.  And set my new high score.  Go me.  Will be deleting the game because it may directly be impacting the point above.
• Heard her nephew say ‘snake’ correctly for the first time.
• Had a child tell her “I love you” out of the blue.
• Loves when the babies use me as a pull up post, or a climbing structure, or something to hide behind.
• Watched an over two year old take his first unassisted steps, and rejoiced in rejoicing with everyone.
• Realized that I am truly part of the Maison family.  A sister sharing in the beautiful work, not an outsider.  Joy.
• Heard 30 children recite this weeks’ Bible verse (Acts 16:31).  Gastin stood up, put his shoulders back, and proclaimed with a huge expressive voice, “Believe IN the Lord Jesus, and you WILL BE SAVED!”  Oh sweet boy, let that be planted in your heart and claim it as your own!
• Sees just a little bit of how God is using sad earthly things for his glory.
• Will be in St. Louis late Monday night for 2 weeks!  Cannot wait to see lots of you!!!!  Email if you'd like to get together.