But the honeymoon isn't over yet.
They've got a great love for each other, a great love for the Lord and a great love for the people of Haiti.
Each time they come, we keep busy with new adventures, deep conversations, work projects and ... haircuts! Patti always shares her styling talents with all the missionaries, filling most of her evening hours.
As far as new adventures go, we started out their week with a trip to Fort Picolet, a structure from the early 1800s along the coast just past Cap Haitien. It's a site I've been wanting to visit for a long time now. John Adams, our friend and co-worker, acted as guide and Samuel and Sarah were game to tag along.
Patti practiced her listening skills during a break at the base of a neglected and forgotten lighthouse.
On the inside of the lighthouse, a spiral staircase has rusted away, leaving the structure looking like some sort of alien spacecraft.
The day before Easter proved to be quite full as well. It began with a visit to Daniel's neighborhood.
Daniel is an old friend at this point ... and Bryan and Patti are the core sponsors of his weekend feeding ministry.
In the afternoon, Director Joseph brought the orphans of The Potter's House over to our place for a little impromptu Easter party that Caleb took the lead in organizing.
The kids really enjoyed making bracelets, playing soccer and searching for Easter eggs - a first for these guys and gals. I got a chance to share a few thoughts with the group about the empty tomb and how Jesus' resurrection opened the possibility of new life for all of us.
That evening, we joined the kids and adults of Daniel's church for a screening of the Jesus movie, dubbed in Creole. It drew quite a crowd - one that eventually spilled out of the building and onto the street outside.
My projector and computer were used to show the film on a hanging sheet ... once the generator got fixed.
Easter morning brought a beautiful English Bible Fellowship sunrise service and breakfast at Cowman School, followed by a few hours at the beach.
Holidays are always a good excuse for a new family photo:
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| Don't we look sharp with our fresh haircuts and dyes? |
It was good to get some relaxation on Easter because the next day we were back in classes and a visiting team started a project that put the Cowman office in turmoil for the week. But the results are going to be worth it. A team from the home church of our newest OMS missionaries, Rob and Lori McGhee, brought the funds and the manpower to clean out the offices and tile the floor and paint the walls.
I can't even begin to describe how much effort this whole project involved.
Melissa's office is going to look sharp once it's put back together.
The painting and the tiling got finished - putting everything back in place might take a few days this coming week. Here's Melissa Friday afternoon in the midst of the temporary office in the library. It was a crazy week, but she's still smiling.
On Friday morning, before a day of parent/teacher conferences, we said goodbye to Bryan and Patti, hopeful that the tradition will hold again next Easter. God bless you guys and your family and your ministry back home in Pennsylvania!
If you're among those who pray for us on a regular basis, I'd like to throw a few prayer requests your way:
1) Caleb and I are making plans to fly back to the States on April 19 for over a week to do some college visits. Please pray for safety and for productive visits.
2) Melissa and I are currently working on hammering out summer plans. Please pray that we would be open to God's leading in scheduling trips and speaking engagements.
3) We have just six weeks of school left - and much to be accomplished in that time. This week brings standardized testing for all students.
4) Please pray for wisdom and direction for the OMS Haiti Field as a whole lot of challenges are in the works.
