Update

Thank you so much for your prayers. My dad was able to get up to Minnesota by early afternoon yesterday to see his dad, which everyone was really grateful for. My mom and Krista were going to drive up yesterday and hoped to get there by nighttime. We're so glad they were able to get home and see my Grandpa, who is still hanging on, and be with the family. We wanted to jump on the plane with them! It's definitely tough being away when things are going on in our families that we want to be there for. But it's definitely cool to experience the closeness we can have with God when things are hard. His comfort is unlike anything else. These are a few more pictures from their visit. My dad is standing with his translator, Misye Osias, who gave the sermon in Creole on Sunday as my dad preached in English. It was really neat seeing my dad preach in our church and have it translated so everyone could understand. We have a video clip of it, but it's too big too upload so we will have to show you when we are home! The street picture shows a view of Cap Haitian from the roof of a house of a friend on the rainy day my parents arrived. It was a sea of people and umbrellas. Below is a picture Chris tried to sneakily take during church! And the last picture below is Chris helping Anna with the pinata she made for her friends for Christmas! Thanks again for praying and reading. Have a great week.

Visitors! and a prayer request.

My mom and dad arrived on Tuesday and have officially spent a Christmas in Haiti. It has been wonderful having them here. They have certainly had an interesting introduction to Haiti, however. On Tuesday after getting to the airport in Cap Haitian we were immediately met with one of the most persistent groups of kids I've seen here. They were relentless in asking us for money, for food, for anything. It was rainy and very muddy as we drove through the city, and as we've mentioned before the sites, sounds, and smells of Cap are overwhelming. My parents had so much to take in, and we were reminded of what it was like when we first arrived. While it was fun to show them places that are now familiar to us, it was like having our eyes opened again to the poverty and struggle that they were seeing for the first time. When we stopped at a store to pick something up, we encountered another man who was very persistent in asking for money. He even put his body under the car as we were attempting to back out. He laid on the hood, and yelled while Haitians along the sides of the road just laughed...we waited a couple minutes and he finally stopped .The ride home was something my parents have said they won't forget, and we won't either! It is hard to believe they are really in Haiti. When we got back to the compound around 5, we realized the three big bags of rice for the hospital and a stove top were missing out the back of the truck. They must have been swiped while we were sitting in traffic in Cap. We were so thankful that none of the luggage or anything else was taken, though this did give us all a sinking feeling.

Needless to say, the intro was hard, but real. So many questions and feelings come up when you are placed in the middle of a completely different culture. We have been here for four months and have learned so much, even gotten used to the experience in many ways, but having visitors has brought up a lot of good discussion and challenged us as well as them.
We have had a great week so far. Wednesday it was rainy again, but we went to the bakery so Dad could meet his translator for Sunday (one of our students, and the owner of the bakery). We then walked to the market and showed them around our "grocery store." We decided to walk back to Fauche which was so good...they got to see the road and the people as we went along. My mom quickly learned that many Haitian will be stone-faced as you walk past, until you offer a simple, "Bonjou!" and then they usually crack a big smile and greet you! It was fun showing them around. We had lunch with Pastor Emmanuel, his wife, daughter, and their grandson. It was a really nice time and we were happy to introduce them and spend more time with them. We have also gotten to spend time with the Thedes, enjoying Christmas and fellowship. And we have also gotten to introduce them to some of the kids we know well, and visited their house yesterday to deliver some cookies.
While the trip has been a blessing, it's been difficult because about one day into the trip we learned that my Grandpa has taken a turn for the worse. He is battling cancer, as many of you know, and is not expected to live much longer. We knew that he was not doing well at the time my parents left, but the nurses and family members assured them that they should still take the trip to Haiti and that Grandpa was stable enough for them to feel fine doing that. Since being here, we have been talking with them and keeping up to date as things have been changing. We have been praying that my parents will make it back and travel to Minnesota and be able to see him again. We just learned that they will be able to leave tomorrow, instead of Tuesday, and get to Minnesota by Monday night. This is another example of God opening a door--it is hard to get in and out of here and he has made a way for them. (though we are sad!) Please pray that they are able to see him, for their traveling, and for my grandpa and grandma as they are going through this. It is hard being so far away, and weird not being able to get home. We're all being reminded how we aren't the ones in control, it's really God. Please pray for my grandparents and Mom and Dad, and Dad's brothers and sisters-in-law, Jim and Lianna, Bill and Cathy who are there now taking care of them. For peace and comfort..and strength for the days ahead. Thank you.

Yay for Christmas and Family

It is only four days till Christmas! When we look out our window we don't exactly see snow, but it has cooled off some. Two days this week we had mornings that were right around 63 degrees! The rest were well into the 70's, but those two days were really nice. They warranted long pants and a light sweatshirt with ourcups of coffee in the morning. The morning and nights seem the most festive because it is cooler and our Christmas lights show up better. It is good to have to remember what Christmas is really about without all the snow, decorations, and cold. I have never sung Christmas carols while Hibiscus (like the one in the picture) are thriving right outside of my house. But we have truly enjoyed our time here this Dec. and Christmas season.

We are fortunate enough to have Jon and Beth (Kath's parents) come visit tomorrow for a week. It will be very exciting to see familiar faces and hang
out with them. We both wish that our whole families could come, but I guess that is true for any married couple that has to alternate family holidays! It is rough having two amazing families and having to share ourselves! I think that the Sloan's and Moody's should just form a union and have a big celebration together to make it easier on us :) It is a good problem to have. We have been given the amazing gift of loving families and friends. We can't tell you how much we appreciate all the emails and comments that you have sent telling us that you are reading our blog and keeping us

in your prayers. That is a true blessing to us, especially during this time of year. (Left: Picture of our Living Room with some awesome paper snowflakes and Christmas Lights)
The last week Kathleen and I have been struggling with sickness. It is really funny that we didn' t have one stomach problem before we visited Port-au-Prince in October. After that point we have had some sort of stomach ache ("vant femal" in Kreyol) or something every few days between the two of us. I guess God just knew that we couldn't handle being sick and adjusting, but now that we are adjusted we are ready to get sick. I am sure it has nothing to do with the fact that I buy food

made by street vendors or buy strange spicy pickled beans, carrots, and these little orange and green hot peppers that make my tongue burn and my eyes water! But I just love the Haitian food! I keep eating it whether I get a little ill or not... it is so good! haha I don't know why it is so good, but I just enjoy the experience. Kath and I are both feeling good right now and we hope that it will continue that way.

(Left: These two kids came by yesterday to show us their coloring pictures. I think they asked us whose was better since they are brothers. "Tampico" is a ketchup...not sure why they drew and colored it?!?!)

We have been hanging out with the Thede kids a bit lately. I am helping Eli build some Christmas presents for everyone using paper and Elmer's glue. It is a great time. It is always fun to build stuff and hang out with him. Kath has had a number of "Girls Only Tea Parties" with Anna. I was allowed to intrude once to provide entertainment, but I have declined further invitations. In most ways it is life as normal here. The Haitians don't really get into "Noel" as it is called here as much as in the states. So we are trying to carry the Christmas Spirit on for everyone. Well I have babbled on long enough. We will be thinking of you all over the next few days. We have been given an amazing gift from you to be on this adventure and all for the purpose of a greater gift... Christ coming to earth as a little baby because he loves you and me more than we can ever imagine.
(Pic is the busy market that we go to every couple of Wednesday to pick up our Cornflakes and fresh veggies)


Have a Merry Christmas!!

Oranges Galore

Last week we had the opportunity to travel with Cory and four Haitian men to visit a bamboo farm a few hours away. This place was amazing! They not only had thick forests of bamboo which was neat to see, they had an orange juice factory! We got to witness the making of the juice and sample it...it is delicious! We have never seen so many oranges. The factory was unlike anything we've seen in Haiti so far. There was stainless steel everywhere and it looked brand new. I did feel for the workers who were sloshing through the juice on the floor in flip flops, but I'm sure they're used to it.
It's cool to see other parts of the country. This is a luxury for usthat many Haitians we live around do not have. On the way home, we stopped to eat on the side of the road, and had the usual rice with bean sauce. While we were eating in the car, we noticed this little girl standing nearby, shyly looking at us. I noticed the orange tint to her hair which shows she may be malnourished, and it felt so odd to be eating in front of her. I wanted to drive to a deserted part of the road and hide as we ate. Part of the difficulty is, she was one of many many kids walking or playing on the side of the road. What should we do? I think we've all had an experience like that where you see a need you can't meet, but at the same time, we could have given her our food. So many things run through our heads...guilt, compassion, helplessness, conviction...and we pray that God will show us how to respond and how to love even when we can't or don't physically give anything.

Life is a bit different without our English classes these last few weeks. We will start up again in January, but for now we are enjoying some free afternoons. Chris has been working more outside with Cory and talking with the group of boys who come by at least once every day. I am amazed at his patience with them and all the time he gives them. They can be a tiring bunch! In Creole class this week, we each had to write a letter to someone from home in Creole, talking about our experience here. Although this wasn't super hard, we still struggle to understand and hear when people are talking, especially at their normal pace! But we are still trucking away. It seems like we will have a good grasp on it, right before we are ready to leave. But as Anna likes to remind us, at least we will be able to talk in front of people without them knowing what we are saying! :) Have a good week, thanks for your prayer!

Christmas Time in the Tropics!

As you can see we put up our first Christmas tree, complete with 6 ornaments! We have done our best to decorate our house and get into the Christmas spirit...despite 90 degree days and no bright lights decorating our neighbors' houses! Chris and I took our second walk to the market today, which is in Port Margot, a couple miles down the road. This picture gives you a good idea of what the roads look like here. Notice the lush vegetation and palm trees hanging over the road, isn't it pretty? The roads are rocky, but walking isn't bad. It is fun because we often see our students along the way or meet someone walking the same way who will talk with us as we go. Today we walked with Matthew, a man about 30, who walked all the way with us, and was willing to talk Creole with us. Below is a picture of what we bought last time we ventured to the market. The large green things are breadfruit (kinda like potato), avacado, plantain, tiny potatoes, black beans, and Chris's new machete, that he is very excited about. Most Haitian gardeners carry around a machete so once Chris gets some dirt on his he will fit right in!
We and the Thede's were blessed to be invited over for lunch at Pastor Emmanuel's house last week. His family lives about a 20 second walk from us, and we have gotten to know him through our English class. It was such a neat experience. They had prepared a ton of food (which is typical when dining as guests in a Haitian home) and Pastor Emmanuel had actually written out a speech for us in English that he shared, thanking all of us for being here and encouraging us. It was such a unique thing...he has really shown us care and been a true encouragement to us. During lunch, the subject of coffee came up, and Chris and I's love for coffee was found out! We talked about the difference between coffee in the US (coffee shops with lots of choices and sweet coffee) and here...where the coffee is very strong and often drunk luke warm! Well, we have never tried Haitian coffee, and a few days later, Pastor Emmanuel's son Onyx delivered a pot of it to our house! Chris really liked it...but I could only drink a sip and then I was through. When you pour it out, it looks like motor oil it is so dark!
Thanks for praying for the clinic. We just said goodbye to Dr. Barbara, a family practice doc from Cap Haitian, who has experience in pediatrics, who was here for about a week. She came to stand in for the team from the US that was supposed to come. The number of people at the clinic is more than usual, which is good! Not overflowing with patients but still more than usual. Please continue to pray for the December deal, and for the doctors and patients. We are hopeful that God is at work more than we can see.

The Last Week of Class

Well this has been a full week in regards to our English class.
This week was our last week of classes. Kathleen and I made a test for each of our classes and we gave them out on Tuesday night. We were pleasantly surprised with the results! Many of our students did very well. The test took just about an hour for each class. Then we printed their certificates and handed them out on Wednesday and Thursday to the second and first class respectively. Many students from our first class will be continuing with us in January as we begin a new set of classes. They will be moved up to the second class if they received an 85% or better on their test. Right now we have 17 signed up! This is very exciting for Kathleen and I as we have come to really enjoy many of our students and have gotten to know them.
(Right: My friend Deroly. We became friends when I taught him how to use his keyboard - I just read the English directions and made him repeat the steps until he understood. Now he calls us on the phone to just say hi.)

These are the pictures of our two classes. The one above is our second class (we really enjoy this class) who speak English pretty well but they have a hard time listening. Below is our first class who now speak enough English to talk to you for a few minutes, but they are far from fluent.

This is Kathleen with her girlfriends from the first class and Dupin Willy (the guy) who jumped in.

So we have finished our classes for December and our looking forward to starting again in January. We will have a first level class of all new people, a second level class with a few newbies and those that are moving on from the first class, and an English club with those that are now done with the second class. In our club, we will be reading articles and working on listening and speaking correctly. It should be really fun to lead.
Thanks for thinking about us and praying for us as we taught these classes. It was a learning experience to say the least but we enjoyed it! Have a great weekend.

Thanksgiving + Clinic

Here are a few pictures from our Thanksgiving. We had such a good time getting ready for our dinner with the Thede's and eating together.




































Eli, Anna, and Chris preparing food!
and The Thede's, our family in Haiti!

On Saturday we traveled about an hour away to join with other missionaries in the area for another Thanksgiving meal. It was held at this radio station building, which is also where an English church meets. It was interesting to meet missionaries and hear what they are up to in Haiti. Anna, Eli, Chris and I sat in the back of the truck on the way there and had quite a ride over the bumps and around the speeding buses! It was fun.

I am a little late on writing this on the blog but we have some prayer requests we would like you to join us in. The clinic here has been going through some very difficult circumstances lately. A doctor who recently had to be let go has decided to set up a clinic right across the street from the Wesleyan clinic, in spite of the fact that a city only a few miles down the road, with about 40,000 people has no doctors. He has even gone so far as to encourage people walking to clinic to come to his, instead of coming here. As you can imagine, this is discouraging. In the month of December, the clinic that Dr. Kris works in is having a special deal for patients to come see a doctor for less money. We are praying, not that we would be able to outdo the other clinic or take patients back from them, but that this will encourage people to come onto the compound and as a result be exposed to the good news of Christ! Will you please join in praying with us? A team from the US was supposed to be here this week, but we found out just 2 days ago they are not coming. This is also discouraging as they were advertised for (A pediatrician from the States would likely draw people) and now they are not coming. Please pray for Kris as she is going to be given most of those peds patients in the coming days as a result. A few other prayer requests are:

-Pastor Rigo, the hospital administrator, is stressed about this situation. He is also a pastor to a church over an hour and a half from here, and has numerous responsibilities. He is also losing sleep as he stays up some nights with his sister who is sick. Pray for strength and endurance for him. Pray that he will have wisdom, and just for his physical and spiritual health.

-The staff at the clinic, to have good relationships among themselves, and to keep their focus on serving. Also for their encouragement and opportunities to steer patients toward God.

-Patients- That many would come during December, and that they would be led to a relationship with God. And that they would find relief from sickness in this place that has less resources.

-The clinic across the street. For the doctor and for a nurse who is possibly working at both clinics, but not admitting it. That somehow this situation would be redeemed. Pray that this doctor and nurse would come to know God.

-For the moringa trees that Kris hands out to the patients...pray that they would grow and provide nourishment for families. Praise the Lord for Anna and Eli who willingly fill hundreds of cups with dirt and moringa seeds to be handed out.

Thank you so much. Please consider praying each day for the clinic this month. We would love to hear about it if you will do this. Drop us an email or leave a comment. One way we can encourage Pastor Rigo, Kris, and others involved is to let them know how many people are praying for them and carrying the burden with them. (For more info...you can check the Thede's blog at www.portmargot.blogspot.com) Hope you are listening to Christmas music today!!