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!
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.
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