A Chapter Turns

This is one of the hardest things we have had to write during our time in Haiti. 


After three awesome challenging years, God is leading us back to Canada full time this summer. After a lot of thought and prayer, we feel that there is a reason that God has given Laurens a three year leave of absence from the OPP and we feel that it is time for him to return. We also feel that our older children need to come back to receive further high school education in Canada. In addition, one of Mission of Hope's core values is indigenous leadership. We have worked hard over the last 3 years setting up programs, teaching, training and equipping our Haitian counterparts. We feel that we have accomplished many of these goals and are happy to say that many things are running well indigenously. If this is the case, no matter how difficult it is, then it is time for us to pull back and let them fly on their own. 


We have changed so much these past few years as have our kids. We have grown in the Lord and have come through many trials. We have grown closer as a family and now depend more fully on God. We have made amazing cross cultural friends and we have learned a new language. We have shown others Christ and others have taught us what He is all about. We have seen destruction and we have seen hope. We have lived with those that are so poor materially but who are so rich spiritually. These past 3 years in Haiti we will never forget. They will forever be a part of us and we of them. We have made friends for life. We love Haiti and Mission of Hope and all that it stands for. We will continue to be a part of Mission of Hope and help anyway we can to the advancement of the programs for the Haitian people from Canada. 


Over the past fews years we have been a part of the clinic growing from newly open, to services such as outpatient, lab, pharmacy, dental, ER room, ambulance services, surgery, patient ward, prosthetic lab, mobile medical clinics, a medical supply program and community health programs. We have seen our student body double in size, our orphanage grow, our church explode and our facilities improve. We have been part of well drilling, windmill projects, water systems, facility projects and too many construction projects to mention. We have seen homes and lives rebuilt, miracle healings, death and hope restored. We have trained, lead, facilitated, built relationships and empowered people. We have been blessed beyond measure through all that God called us to do in the little country of Haiti. 

I have to admit, a big part of me is scared. Scared that we are moving back into a world that is so very different. One that we can put on a good front with, but one we no longer feel comfortable in. A world of intense materialism and one where people try to "keep it all together" as if our challenges should be faced all alone. One with large expectations and big questions such as "what are you going to do for work?", "where are you going to live?" (because "obviously the little townhouse you bought is way too small for you") A world where no one can be expected to "get it" and life bolls you over. A world that does not have God at the forefront and one where it is not politically correct to mention Him. A world that has SNOW in APRIL (come on people!!) and I have to check the weather before getting dressed. Ok I just started to cry. 


My heart yearns already for the kind words of the hospital cleaning lady or the hugs of my patients. It yearns to hang out with one of my unlikely 50 year old friends to whom I teach English. To laugh when it comes out as "Goot job" or "plese, come sit down" and is followed by him trying one on his own to get someone to stand, "plese, come sit up?" My heart aches to lose experiences like having a flat tire and sitting down amongst mango trees making new friends while it gets fixed by every local man who all think they know everything about tires. Sorrow surfaces to know that I will miss the wash lady's 3 year old daughter every day singing "wouj wouj, lat tomat" which should be "wouj wouj, pat tomat" (red red, tomato paste). I already miss the smell of the dirt, my pants sticking to my skin and worshiping in Creole. I already miss driving like a maniac (not by choice) in Port-Au-Prince, narrowly missing other cars and them me, dodging potholes, broken down cars, school children, motorbikes..... and it being normal (we have already started our driving offence fund for Canada). I shake my head when I realize that casual conversations people have with us about which family member of theirs died in the quake, in a motor vehicle accident, from cholera, a "criz ke" heart attack or voodoo curse, will not be normal conversations anymore. I yearn to continue to save the souls of those dying in the ER as they turn their eyes to Jesus before passing.



My heart breaks when people tell us with tears streaming down their face, "this is NOT good (that you are leaving)" "this does not sit well with me" or "you are not like the others, you are supposed to stay forever", "you are like family, you can not go" or still, "I have no reason to be here if I lose you, my friend". It cracks when I think about not hearing the children from the orphanage playing outside my house all day, not seeing the babies grow and not being able to get quick hug or a sassy smile. I tell you it is tough.


However, despite all of these emotions, God has clearly spoken in our souls that He has always has a plan for us. For now, that plan moves forward in Canada. God's plan for our life is not one that ends with one season and begins with the next, it is a continuum of His call for obedience to His perfect will. God has not changed His plans for our lives, He is moving us continually forward to His ultimate goal. Our calling is to follow Him wherever He may lead and we must be faithful to that calling. We know that he will walk with us always.


Haiti will forever be part of us and "si Bondye vle" (If God wants) we will be back. It is part of us, part of our kids and part of our souls.