Reflecting on 2011

I (Cheryl) was recently in Haiti. It was my first time back after moving to Canada full time. It was fantastic and surreal at the same time. I missed my family a lot while there as it did not seem the same without them however the reception you get with Haitian friends and co-workers is like none other. I completed the next section of Mission of Hope's community health program and everything went as planned. Now those of you that know Haiti well, that in itself is a huge thing! As planned?!?!?! It was such a fruitful trip and things are progressing well. Praise God!

As we think back to 2011, it has been another year of tears and joy. A year of tough decisions and a year of scary steps. A year of loss and a year of successes. A year of endings and a year of beginnings, a year of sorrow and a year of happiness. A year of yearning and a year of questions. A year of following where the Lord is leading us.....

Things we will miss about 2011.
Waking up to sunshine and warm temps every single day. Period.
Seeing smiling brown faces everywhere we go
Hearing the laughter of orphanage kids playing nearby
Speaking a different language every day
Teaching and training
Adventure and drama
Challenges that continually push you to your limits
The beach
Jolibris
Our tropical gardens
Bare feet
Sandals
Lizards
Driving like a maniac

Things we will not miss about 2011
Packing and Unpacking
Incurring debt
Kidnapping and murder of friends
Leaving Haiti
Acclimatizing to the cold
Rats, tarantulas, mice, scorpions
bad plumbing
cold water
power issues

Of the above, two major events stand out to us for 2011. First making the tough decision to move back to Canada full time and second the murder of our gardener and friend Jolibris. Jolibris was the sweetest old man you could ever imagine. He loved the Lord with all his heart and soul. He came to work each and every day with a smile on his face and love in his heart. He watched out for our kids and our dog if he escaped. He kept our gardens watered and cared for. He was father to our Pastor and friend to all. He was kidnapped and murdered this fall. Senseless. We will miss him greatly. May he rest with the Lord in all His splendor. We love you Jolibris.

Although we remember 2011, it is with joy and anticipation that we look forward to 2012. We savour the road that God leads us on and look forward to what adventures He will put in front of us.

We wish you and your families a blessed 2012. May you follow the path set out for you with all of your heart and all of your soul for it is the Lord our God that we work for.