DOMINICAN REPUBLIC BREAK

A few months ago we called a family meeting and asked the kids to make a choice - the usual presents under the Christmas tree or a few days in the Dominican Republic with friends from Emmaus Seminary. We couldn't do both and it wasn't just gifts from their mom and dad that would be missing if we chose the DR; we'd also be talking to the Grandmas about just giving money towards the trip. The kids didn't hesitate or waver: We were going on a trip.

Melissa and I figured it was a win/win. We could certainly use a little time away from our "norm" and there was really NOTHING our kids were needing ... or even asking for. (In their words, "We don't have any commercials to tell us what we need!" And, anyway, Haiti would be a terrible place for anything like a hoverboard ... unless it actually, you know, hovered.) Besides, anything we "Amazon in" costs their shipping fees PLUS nearly two dollars a pound for the flight from Florida PLUS unpredictable customs charges at the airport. 

Furthermore, Melissa, as Chief Shopper for the family, reasoned that we could offset the cost of the trip by stocking up on groceries in the DR, where food tends to be much cheaper and where we can find things (like an entire turkey breast) that simply don't exist in Cap Haitien. 

(OK, technically there ARE a few turkey breasts nearby, but they are covered in feathers, owned by our neighbors, and a LONG way from being ready for slicing as lunch meat.)

The Heckman and Ayars families had already found a great, reasonably priced, all-inclusive resort in Puerto Plata, had planned their own getaway and were kind enough to let us tag along. The only part I was not looking forward to was the drive there and back: two hours to the border, an hour plus of hassle AT the border and then three more hours across the northern DR.

Slowing down for hundreds of random speed bumps, passing and being passed on countless curves, dodging potholes, dogs, cows and motorcyclists...

But only one incident of a town with tires burning in the road, policing approaching from behind our vehicle with guns drawn, then opening fire on the protesters, prompting Melissa to yell, "Kids - get your heads down!" Within a few minutes water was being thrown on the tires and we were waved through to continue on our way! (The kids could hardly wait to tell the grandmas...)

But it was worth all the driving stress once we arrived!

Family selfie on the beach:

The beach was absolutely gorgeous.

And never too crowded. I suppose there were plenty of other attractions around the resort to keep everyone busy. Our kids particularly liked this pool where they could swim up to the bar and order Sprites and Cokes all day long.

We all appreciated time to hang out and relax with friends ...

And family.

Everyone appreciated the all-you-can-eat buffets. And we made good on them. (And NO time spent cooking meals or washing dishes.) 

The food settings ranged from sit down, beach formal ...

To poolside service ...

Our two teens and one near-teen especially loved being able to return to the dining hall at 9:30 pm for "second dinner" before bedtime. 

Our marathon shopping trip took several hours but the kids enjoyed the fact that there was a bona-fide Domino's Pizza inside the store. 

Melissa and I even managed some time alone as a couple as well. (Carnival ships anchor in the harbor just on the other side of our beach's point. Not far, by the way, from where Christopher Columbus established his second settlement in the "New World", La Isabella.) 

I was much happier than I look in this picture...

There were lots of little shops to visit and some special surprises, like this pet monkey that Sarah was so excited to hold.

Melissa and Sarah enjoyed taking turns holding Matt and Stacey's sweet little baby Nora.

 Our kids and their friends enjoyed getting involved in some of the planned activities around the resort. Like the beach olympics. (Their team won.)

Caleb's competitive spirit got plenty of exercise.

By the 23rd, we were rested up, overstuffed, and ready to head home for Christmas. Thankfully, the drive back to Vaudreuil wasn't nearly as stressful as the first day. We even made a side stop to get a new bunny for Hannah. 

And you know what? The Grandmas couldn't resist sending in a "little something" each. (What a "surprise"!) And our dear friends the Kooikers from Iowa and the Forshees from Florida also sent some special presents, so our tree was far from barren. And Caleb truly impressed Melissa and me by doing his Christmas shopping last summer, getting a little something for each family member, smuggling the gifts into the luggage in August and hiding them until December. We were thankful for each gift and we know the memories from our trip are going to far outlast any battery-powered gizmo from China.

Assuming I can get photos to load, I hope to share a bit more about our Christmas Day and also yesterday's Christmas party with Daniel's kids, but for now I should simply close with a heartfelt Thank You for all you who have financially enabled our ministry in Haiti this past year, all who have come to work alongside us, all who have gone out of their way to show us kindnesses of all sorts and all who have lifted us in prayer. 

May you be aware of God's goodness and grace each day of the new year!

DECEMBER ALWAYS FLIES

December has been a brilliantly fun and exhausting month, but before I tell you all the good, I have to gripe briefly ... about our internet. I feel bad for lumping all December into one (or maybe two or three) posts, but I can honestly say I would update this blog more often if our internet service would give even a smidgen of cooperation every once in a while. 

I spent a good chunk of the last two days - off and on (just like our connection) - trying to get the following pictures to upload to this page. By the time they are loaded, I am in such a bad mood that I don't dare start typing, even if I still have the desire to do so. 

It is a small and relatively insignificant cross to bear, but it frustrates me especially because we truly want to share with you all that is going on here from day to day and it does hinder us from bearing witness to God's goodness all around us here in Haiti. So ... GRRRRRRR. One of my ongoing prayers is for decent internet service.

I feel better now and I will get on with it...

We have to say a big THANK YOU to so many who sent or brought boxes and suitcases full of special holiday goodies for our family and - just as much fun - for us to share with others. For instance, we have had candy canes galore this December. And they are SO popular and so RARE here otherwise. We've had enough to share at school, with my adult English class, and with friends and still have some in reserve for Daniel's upcoming Christmas party (planned for TOMORROW, Dec 30). 

Thanks to boxes from Shiloh UM Church as far back as this summer, suitcases with the Grundy Center UM Church team, and boxes from dear friends and family (special shout out to the Kooikers and Grandma Trudy!), we've had gifts for Cowman staff members, treats for students, and goodies to pass along to fellow missionaries and friends. (And some things to put under the tree.)

Our kids have been especially grateful!

Speaking of kids, our December started with decorating the house for Christmas. 

It's always a reminder of how fast they are growing up and how precious our time together is.

Look at how much cuteness was packed into this photo from 2006:

Like at schools in the States, December can be a bit crazy at Cowman but the staff does a good job of keeping education at the center while also spreading Christmas cheer and making room for extras like practicing for the Christmas program.

Here's coach David getting into the spirit of the holiday.

And Melissa's third graders decorating cookies.

To add to the craziness, there's nothing like mid-year construction! Thanks to the generosity and hard work of parents and visiting teams and hours of effort by Brett Bundy and other missionaries and volunteers, the first half of the concrete roof for the dining area is now poured. 

There was a bit of sadness along the way, too. Melissa and her class had to say goodbye to Ms. Kacie, an excellent student teacher with skills and gifts far beyond her years. (We're hoping and praying the Lord might lead her back to us in the future!)

This year our Cowman staff gathered for our own Christmas party just down the road at the Villa Cana.

We had a great meal together and then a "white elephant" gift exchange - which got pretty rowdy at times. 

Gifts included mangoes...

Fashionable sunglasses ...

And coconuts.

I always try to make my last adult English class of December into a Christmas party. And for a proper Haitian party, you have to have CAKE. I brought the cake (and candy canes!) ...

But the students surprised ME with a full-on meal! Fried goat, pikliz, and plantains. So good! I have really enjoyed this group of students this year - so much personality.

One more Christmas party. Melissa has made it a tradition to host all the missionary ladies for a Christmas brunch on a Saturday morning in December. In past years, Sarah and Hannah have watched and helped and wished they could be participants, so this year Melissa included all the missionary girls as well. That meant figuring out a way to seat about 26 people in our living room.

Everyone brought food to share.

And it gave me the opportunity to snap some pictures of our girls dressed in their Christmas best.

In the midst of all the December merry-making, I had the opportunity to take my three Haitian sons out to lunch to celebrate Mikenn's birthday. Afterwards, we tracked down an honest to goodness ice cream parlor we had heard rumors of. Waffle cones and milk shakes and a dozen flavors to choose from!

And THEN we went shopping for a motorcycle! Thanks to the team from Grundy Center, the guys were able to afford a bike that the three of them could share. (I could write an entire post about what having this type of mobility means to them and how much it has already changed their lives. Johnny especially had been wanting a motorcycle since the night his mother almost died due to cholera - he and his brother had spent much precious time and energy carrying her down the mountainside on their backs in search of a clinic where she could be treated.)

This is life changing!

And, of course, as generous and kind as these guys are, they were more than willing to allow Caleb and Hannah and even Samuel a chance to drive the moto around the mission grounds a bit. Our kids were THRILLED.

Our school time ended for 2015 with the Cowman Christmas program. Our enrollment has gotten so big now that it makes it about impossible to find a good place to gather students AND parents for a program, so this year we tried something different. 

A Mr. Onesime and his family provided all the music for the evening ...

And our students performed at the beginning of the program (beautifully!) ...

But then left the Radio 4VEH auditorium, where the adults would continue to enjoy more music and holiday food, to walk to Cowman next door for crafts, games and a movie. (It was a bit of a madhouse!) The kids all had a great time and we even had a wonderful visiting team there to help with games and crafts, but by the end of the evening, we were all ready for Christmas BREAK to begin.

This year as a family we decided to forgo a lot of presents under the tree in order to take advantage of an opportunity to tag along with some friends to the Dominican Republic for a few days. I will see if I can get some pictures from those precious days to load because I am eager to share about that trip in another post!

Lord willing, I will also have some pics from Daniel's Christmas party to share by tomorrow evening. We hope you had a wonderful and meaningful Christmas and pray 2016 will be a fantastic year for you and yours!