The days are long

It was my great joy to speak at Eglise Evangélique de la Grâce de Caradeux last night on the topic of creating an environment that encourages cognitive development in children.

One of the things I shared with those gathered was that in parenting, “The days are long, but the years are short.”

I feel this truth greatly as I look at Handy and Davensky who are suddenly more like men than boys.

You are more than able

Steeve and the boys went out for lunch together after church today and sent me photos and a video. My eyes are a bit teary as I continue to look at these photos of some of the people who mean so much to me, and my mind is playing the lyrics of two songs we sang at The Bridge today.

When did I start to forget
All of the great things You did?
When did I throw away faith for the impossible?
How did I start to believe
You weren't sufficient for me?
Why do I talk myself out of seeing miracles?

You are more than able
You are more than able
You are more than able,
(We've seen it) You are more than able
Who am I to deny what the Lord can do?
It's easy for You

You turn mourning to dancing
You give beauty for ashes
You turn shame into glory
You're the only one who can

You turn graves into gardens
You turn bones into armies
You turn seas into highways
You're the only one who can

The road ahead is filled with so much uncertainty, but each time a moment like this transpires, my faith is renewed and it’s easy to believe that the Lord Who has carried us all since that first meeting in 2013 will continue to provide all that is needed in the days ahead.

The joy of knowing Handy for 10 years

On July 17, 2013, I met Handy for the first time. It’s hard to believe 10 years have passed.

Though our meeting was brief, and I never thought I would see him again, God knew. And He made a way.

Since that day, we have seen miracles with our own eyes as our Father has done exceedingly abundantly above all that we could have ever imagined (Ephesians 3:20).

As I looked back at old photos this morning, particularly photos of the first 5 years, I thought of how progress often happens in imperceivable increments, but continuous investment in lives can yield a bounty of blessings when given the opportunity to grow.

I was reminded today of a quote I read years ago.

“He who called you to where you are declares that you needn’t repent of being in one place at one time. You needn’t repent of doing only a long, small work in an extraordinary but unknown place. Standing long in one place allows the roots to deepen. The shade grows and a life gives. It is Jesus of Nazareth who walks with you.”
Zack Eswine

I have felt these words deeply through the years, but never more than I feel them right now.

As we look toward the future we believe the promise of Isaiah 64:4, waiting with hopeful expectation:

"Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him."

Yes, these are difficult days for Haiti, but we have Hope because we have seen the faithfulness of God in our past, and we believe He will be faithful in our future.

Glwa pou Bondye.

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

This morning - July 17, 2023. We could never have imagined a moment like this when we met in 2013.

You’re gonna miss this

Six years have passed, yet I remember this morning so clearly. I remember thinking, "They won't be this little again. Hold on to the memory." I'm so glad I took photos and made videos because, no, Handy and Davensky aren't so little any more.

Trace Adkins sings,

"You're gonna miss this, you're gonna want this back

You're gonna wish these days, hadn't gone by so fast

These are some good times, so take a good look around

You may not know it now, but you're gonna miss this."

And oh, how I do! So much has changed in Haiti since 2017. We didn't know on that bright summer morning all that we had - and all that we would eventually lose.

Ayiti Cheri.