Sunday, July 22, 2012

Bonswa!


Have you ever laughed to yourself at the crazy family running through the airport trying to get to their departure gate in time… well I have and I have many times thought to myself “I am glad that’s not me” but this time it was.. well to be honest I wasn’t exactly running I was calmly walking as fast as I could while pushing Cohen's stroller as Eric was running with Conrad. Yes he was embarrassing me… but running in public like that at 6 am is just not my thing. But with much delays and scares of being told there was no more flights out until the following Monday (after our original flight from Cleveland was canceled) we were very thankful to have landed in Haiti Tuesday July 17th on time with ALL of our bags (Thank YOU JESUS) and we got out of the airport in a timely manner.  Praise God… plus a pleasant surprise along the way…. 1st  class to Haiti from Miami?!  We'll take it!  I thought to myself the men sitting next to Eric and I probably didn't appreciate our children acting like children. J Though there is no smooth sailing when you each have an infant on your lap but at least we had some extra leg room.

We were so anxious once we got there to go see the girls.  The older girls were excited to see us but we know it will take time for that trust and relationship to completely happen.  The little ones were a little bit terrified but I can't blame them, Cohen and Conrad would act the same way toward a stranger until he was more comfortable.  They see so many people come to their home for a couple days here and there and then leave so in time they will be more open and loving with us.  They sure are the most adorable children and they are so well taken care of and loved by Jared and Jalayne, the other workers and their heavenly Father. Having a crazy little son really helps bridge the gap in situations like this. Within the first couple minutes of seeing them at their home Cohen was chasing the chickens and some of the girls were chasing Cohen. J  Anyone who is fearful for my children living in Haiti do not be J Cohen is the happiest little thing running around here. The second he woke up from his nap he said “mom outside” and over to visit the girls we went. Conrad is just doing his usual thing eating and sleeping. The girls have enjoyed pushing him around in his stroller these first couple days. 

Before we know it these two will be chasing each other all around.

Cohen enjoying his first meal with the girls. Below his first fried plantain.
He hasn't turned any food down yet. :) 




What a blessing it is to have Jared and Jalayne already settled and living in Haiti they had a place for us to stay and they even had clean sheets, and some food in our fridge for us. We feel so blessed and almost guilty knowing things were much different down here for them when they first moved.  We are feeling very much at peace with our first couple days here.  Knowing it will not always be easy and the time will come to see Jared and Jalayne go and we may have a hard time at first adjusting to life in Haiti. But with all things HE is the ROCK that never moves, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever more. So in knowing and believing that we know that our time here filled with ups and downs hard times and great times is going to be a wonderful time for us and we are so excited to experience more of Gods love in Haiti, through developing relationships with each of the girls and the woman and men who work at the orphanage. I am putting all my expectations, fears, and doubts aside and I am putting all my hope, faith and trust in the Lord Jesus.

Cohen and Miles... poor Miles is learning very fast how ornery his cousin is.

Thank You for your prayers, and support financially and physically that have allowed us to be here, we were so ready to just get here! Saying goodbyes at home and leaving friends and family was not easy or fun but being in the place where God has asked you to be is filled with much Joy and Peace!

Please continue to be with us in prayer during our time in Haiti.

Blessings from Haiti
With Love
-Eric, Bri, Cohen, and Conrad

Things you can be praying for right now:  Saying goodbyes again this week to my dad (Briana) and Eric's parents, language learning, C & C adjusting to the heat and bugs J, the girls as they open their hearts to us, J & J as they share their lives in Haiti with us and adjusting to having us around watching and learning from them.

18 comments:

  1. Yay love seeing the pictures and reading that you guys are settling in well! Cohen looks especially cute in Haiti :) Love you guys and praying for you!

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  2. So excited to hear from you all and see your faces:) We miss you guys a ton already- but we couldnt be more excited for you all! Love & Miss you, Praying always- Ross & Brit

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    1. Thanks Brit it has been exciting around here especially with the little ones :) love you guys! We miss you too!

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  3. I'm glad to hear that you all got there ok. Cohen looks so adorable, it really does seem like he is having fun so far. I wish you much luck in the rough part of building the truth and relationships with the girls. You should know it shouldn't take long, you all are so open and loving they will love you in no time! Miss you all!

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    1. Thanks so much and I am thankful I got to see you before we left! We will miss seeing you and your beautiful children :)

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  4. Great first update guys! We are praying for you and can't wait to see how the Lord will use you. We know all of the feelings you are describing here, and through all the difficult times, knowing you are in the center of the Lord's will sustains through everything!

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    1. Thanks and we appreciate the prayers so much! Hope things are going good for you!

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  5. So glad to see you made it ok. Love to see all the pictures. Cohen does look like he is having so much fun! He will definitely love all those little girls down there. Praying for all of you for what you will do in Haiti. Love you guys, Mark&LauraO

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  6. O so glad everything is working out! We miss you guys everyday. Praying for you everyday. Give those boys a hug and kiss for me! Love you guys.
    Jacque and micah

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  7. Love the pictures :) miss you guys tons. Feels like its been way longer than a week! So great to hear a good update. Blessings!

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    1. Thanks! We miss you too. I know the time here is going to fly by.

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  8. Great Blog .... We are pleased to share this faith journey with y'all. I will be back in SRQ late Saturday afternoon. Look forward to chatting sometime Sunday when it suits ya.
    Blessings, Merv for CFM

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  9. Shane and Maya YoderJuly 28, 2012 at 7:45 AM

    Awesome...thanks for sharing :)!! We love following your family's adventures! Blessing and favor in everything you do!! - Shane and Maya Yoder

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  10. The Lord has so much in store for your family in Haiti! Praying for the details and for big things yet to come. Wow. Can't wait to read more :) Tiffany Ankrom

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  11. Love the updates,pic's,the sincerity, and the continued gratefulness for the opportunity to serve. The Board is grateful for your vocal perspective of service as an opportunity vs sacrifice or obligation! We hope this takes root in many hearts.

    Blessings, CFM-Merv

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