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.