Another of "those" months

It seems our life is never "dull".   Although I would not consider this last month fun...it certainly has not been dull.

After my last post, I was getting near to catching up on things...well it never happened.  We were home a week and a half and I was hit with the Chikungunya virus.  At some point I will write that whole experience up so others will know exactly what people went through.  At this point, just let me say that you would not believe what it is like.  After about 4 days, I thought I was feeling better.  I had gotten a rash on my leg (as part of this virus).  It was between the ankle and the knee.  It was swollen and an ugly rash.  It started to clear up and like a switch was turned on, my foot swelled up and turned beet red.  On a pain scale of 1 to 10.... 10 being the worst, the virus had my body at about a 12 or 12.5.  Once the virus started receding the pain was all concentrated on the foot.  I couldn't walk.  Our friend Belle, who is a nurse, came often to check on me.  (Keep her in prayer, she went through a lot with me, believe me.)  She had been checking with Dr. Mono each time I talked to her, or when she would stop in.  Finally after a week, Dr. Mono came with her.  He said what I had was cellulites.  With my allergy to so many meds, he put me on one antibiotic.  Finally on Monday, the decision was made for me to fly stateside for treatment, since I was not responding to what I was taking. 

On Thursday, Don and I flew out.  We landed in Fort Pierce and headed to the emergency room.  Actually to the trauma center here.  Great hospital and staff.  After lots of tests and lots of probing they said, yup, that's what I had.  They added another antibiotic to what I was taking.  This is the third day and I am finally starting to respond to the meds.  Still not walking, using a wheel chair.  Not sure at this point how long we will be here.  Can't really leave until it's well on the way to being healed.  We have had to stay at a hotel, since the wheel chair wouldn't make it into the house we had hoped to stay at for a few days.  At this point, I'm tired, worn out and so ready for this to be over.  Three weeks of laying in bed is about all I can take.  Doc said two to six weeks to be totally over it all, but I should be on the way to "normal" (whatever that is) soon.

So, we are asking for prayers.  I know many, many are already praying, but please keep them coming.  And pray for Don.  He's not the best "house mother" and he said he will NEVER work in a hospital.  I think these three weeks have really worn on him, too. 

We know God is in charge and we know He can heal.  So we are depending on Him to step in and keep things on the way to healing.  We have not lost hope in Him, nor have we stopped believing He is in charge of all things.  So, I'll simply rest in Him and let Him guide and direct what happens. 

So, until I can get to the point of writing more and sharing more of what this virus is and has done, I'll close and give glory to the Lord for keeping us this far.  He knows where we are at and what we are going through.  So, I'll praise Him and rejoice in the fact He has me in the palm of His hand.

Back in Haiti

I'm thankful to be on here again.  This system is really driving us to distraction.  At times we go days without connection, then it's fine for a day or two.  But we have to believe God knows all of this and will help us struggle through.  I have had to remind myself that when we came to Haiti, almost 31 years ago, that we had only letter mail for communication.  No internet, no phones to speak of and not even Ham radio at that point.  For a phone line we had to travel 12 miles, get in line (for maybe up to 6 hours) then pray we could connect...but that was very iffy... and IF connected to an operator, then we had to pray we didn't get cut off, which was a real possibility.  So, waiting a day or so to get on internet isn't all that bad, since we can reach so many.  I don't pray for patience, I pray for endurance.  

We arrived here last Thursday, a week and one day ago.  We were still settling in on Friday when we got a phone call.  The gal and her daughter who clean the dorm called.  Juliette (the mama) said, "You said if you were here  you may be able to help with Maz's (daughter) flowers for her wedding."  I had totally forgotten that, but said yes.  Then asked when it would be.  "Tomorrow!"  Well, that threw me for a loop.  But I could praise the Lord for Carolyn (a good friend from West Palm Beach).  She had been here while we were gone for a wedding and did all the flowers for that wedding.  She had left them here.  I asked Maz what color she wanted.  She said whatever you have is fine.  That at least made me happy.  So, decorations were right there for me.  But I had to work on flowers for bride, groom, maren, paren (God parents), mothers and pastors and whoever else I could get done.  I did most of them with what was here and felt fine.  Decorating the church on Saturday was another trial... no one there had the key.  Had to call all over and find someone to let us in.  An hour and a half later we were able to get in.  One gal there wasn't happy with anything.  She was no relative and just a distant friend.  So we ignored her.  We went home to change and Savanah went down for a nap.  Don went to the wedding, I didn't.  Savanah slept through the time for the wedding, so her and I stayed home.  Don took photos, and they didn't turn out good at all.  Something wrong with the camera.  But we were glad that situation was over. 

Then Sunday I had to lead English church.  I had no idea who our speaker was, but simply planned it as if we didn't have one.  July and August are very slow months for our church.  We ended up with about 20 Haitian fellows, Don, Savanah, me and our other committee member (and piano player), Enoch.  We have a hard time getting the Haitians to respond to the praise and prayer time.  I shared all our blessings with them and asked if anyone else had any praises to share with us.  At first nothing....then one man stood and praised God for being with him in a tough situation.  From then on, maybe 7 or 8 stood up and shared.  That was such a blessing for us.  Then Enoch gave the message.  What a powerful man he is.  God used him to touch all those there, including us.  We had a fantastic service praising God.  What a great start to our return to Haiti, seeing God working and using people. 

When we first arrived in Haiti, we were amazed at the progress at the airport.  It's still a ways from being done, but it is really moving along at a fast pace.  The director took Don and I through the whole building and explained so much.  We really were amazed.  And on October 5th, American Airlines will be flying in with their first flight.  It is already booked solid.  So, we really are moving into the 21st century.  

Oh, wanted to share one more picture with you all.  (I keep forgetting all the blessings we have had...and I'll probably end up sharing more later when I go through the photos we took.)  This photo is another 4 generation one for our family.  On our travel back to Florida to fly back, we were able to spend one night with our son, Tim.  His daughter was there with her twins, so we took the opportunity to get that four generation photo.  These two little ones are doing great after a hard start.  Aren't babies fun?  Yes, we did the twin thing, too, and it's a bit tough at times, but worth it.

And then, of course, Savanah.... She has grown so much in the 3 months we were gone.  But always ready for a photo.

Well, I'd best get back to work and start catching up on things.  Three months of mail and other work to do and get caught up on.  I hope to be back on here soon with some more photos and news of how things are progressing here.  

Remember to keep praising God for what He does in your life.  Both the big and the small.  He does a whole lot more than any of us realize in our lives.  Keep Jesus at the front and center of all you do.  Blessings to all!!!