Needless to say, this blog is long overdue! It is harder than we imagined to keep up with it while back in the fast pace of life in the U.S. We are not used to having so many places to go, people to see, and details to attend to. We have been asking the question, is it possible to live a simple life here?
Yes, but sacrifices are required in order for that to happen. Some of those sacrifices are doable, and probably even a good idea...less commitments, less t.v. watching, taking Sunday as a day of rest, etc. But some are trickier. Relationships require a great deal of time and energy, and if we aren't willing to be busy for people and become selfish with our time in hopes of achieving a simple life, that can't be what God has intended for us. In Haiti we were able to do both it seemed. We had more time, because we didn't have 9-5 jobs, and our finances were taken care of. Less was culturally expected of us too. Back here we are faced with expectations for what kind of house we will live in, jobs we will have, how often we see people, what ministries we are involved in. It's all a little confusing, but we are trying to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and what he requires of us.
As Chris mentioned in the last blog, we aren't able to successfully define how we've changed in Haiti or put into good words all the things we learned! It is difficult to even talk about sometimes. The place and people that became very dear to us is suddenly very far away and we are back in a different life. Our exposure to poverty hasn't led us to sell all of our possessions or make drastic changes, although we do have a different perspective which we pray will be honoring to God as we embark out on our own! We don't feel that we have many answers or profound things to share other than that God is so faithful. His faithfulness to us is beyond words. He has brought this trip to completion and that alone is amazing! He answered many prayers, big and small. We are confident that God is alive, he is big, and he is with us.We need prayer for Chris as he starts medical school in August. Praise God-he got a great scholarship that will pay all his tuition and fees in return for 4 years of service in an underserved area in Indiana after residency. He is so thankful because he feels like now he won't have to rush out after med school and rake in as much money as possible to pay off loans. One thing our time in Haiti confirmed is his desire to be a family doctor and have a practice that is different. Not sure exactly what that will look like, but how cool that God has already set his course in that direction. We also need prayer as I am looking for a job and trying to be wise in the process. Please pray that we can find a good church family and get to know our neighbors when we move as well.
Thank you for reading. And for being patient with us. We aren't the perfect short term missionaries, obviously! But God is bigger than our shortcomings, thankfully!
The last two pictures are from our house in Terre Haute. As Anna predicted, the house and even the bathroom seem spacious to us! And the porch reminded us of Cory and Kris's house on La Gonave. They say it gets really hot in there in the summer. We'll see how that compares to 'hot' in Haiti!