Saturday, January 7, 2017

Christmas happenings


The Christmas season seemed to go so fast for me this year since Haiti took up a week of the time.  I missed out on our children's program at church - the first time maybe EVER since we've attended our church!

But I was able to go to Sophia's program.
Claire was supposed to be in it too, but she didn't want to. 
She was a little verschroben (cranky)

Hannah has gotten too old for it, so it was only Sophia this year.
I LOVED how they put the words up on the screen using pictures the children had colored!



On the way home, we saw so many hawks!  They were on posts or in trees EVERY mile!



Can you find the hawk in this picture?

We went caroling with a group from church.
We divided up into many groups and took vans to sing.
It was VERY cold and most people invited us into their homes to sing.

There was soup and lots of treats at church afterwards!


I had a Christmas celebration with Japanese friends




My crèche from Haiti



Thursday, January 5, 2017

Hait trip 6 - the end


Many of our meals were sort of on our own.  We brought along granola bars and such to grab for breakfast and lunch, although sometimes there might be leftover oatmeal or sandwiches after serving the children.  
 But in the evening, we would eat together with the missionary family and the interns.  Delicious American style food, but also wonderful mango or avocados!!
 Dinner was followed by a time of devotions and worship.

On Sunday, we went with the family in 2 vehicles to the church they attend that is located at an English speaking school for missionary kids and diplomats kids.  It reminded me of CAJ where I went to highschool in Tokyo.

 The worship and preaching was in English.  The sermon was one of encouragement for missionaries.



 After service, we went to a type of fast food place they have there.




Hannah and some of the others enjoyed the pool that the missionaries had.

  Hannah made friends with the missionary's daughter.  Isabella and Hannah playing the violin.

Sarah decided to have her hair braided.
It took 13 hours! - I kid you not!
2 days worth!  But it is BEAUTIFUL!


Hannah wanted just a few braids too!

And then, our week in Haiti was done.
We packed things up.









 In Atlanta, Hannah wanted to do the escalators.
 And we had to have Starbucks, of course!

It was an amazing trip.
Very emotional on many levels.

Now, we can understand a little better, about the children who receive our Christmas shoeboxes.  Our hearts will be left there and our prayers will be with them.