Waterproof Bible

Summer Vacation?

These two simple words put together bring smiles to most of us. I especially enjoy the summer, despite the heat and humidity of the south, many good things come in the summer.

One thing I can never resist - peaches! These have to be my favorite food, completely blissful!

Speaking of things I can't resist - my baby in a onesie! Summer time means putting away all those clothes that cover him up and out come the onesies, what could be better? Seeing those little legs with their baby fat...

(Please disregard the fact that he is standing on the potty, must have been something interesting to see out the window.)

But if we are to treat summer fairly, we must talk about the vacation part. First of all, who came up with the idea of a vacation? In some ways it is a misleading words. Pictures of luxury, relaxing, and loafing come to my mind. However, now that I am a mommy, the word vacation actually brings on some agonizing visualizations.

I like the idea of a vacation just as much as the next person. Especially if I could do this:

Make myself a little sleeping area and close my eyes to the cares of the moment.

But that kind of vacation does not work around here, at least for now. So for the sake of this little conversation, I'm going to change the word to "relocation." Because isn't that really what we are doing?

All the effort to pack up, load up, clean up, wash up, think up everything you might possibly need for the "relocation" can be daunting. And then what do you do at the end of the time? Do it all again. After a few of these said "relocations" I've come to terms with the reality of the current station of my life.

Vacations have gone out the window and summer is here, but must we relocation?

(Post by Anna – dreamer of vacations)

 

 

Haiti - Day 5 - Sightseeing

Bobby came home late Friday night, much to the excitement of us all. We were on pins and needles all afternoon as his flight from Haiti was delayed which could have made him barely able to make his flight in Miami to come home, or not to come home. He made it to Miami with only enough time to run to his next gate, only for that flight to be delayed!

But once we knew he was on his way, we took off to the airport and gave him a big welcome of, "Hip, hip, hurray!"

I think from the kids it came out sounding more like, "Hip, ray, yay!?"

Bobby jumped in the car with excitement and relief to be home. And, of course, many more stories to tell us.

His last day in Haiti included some sightseeing. He went with some of the staff from the Bible Society to tour around Port-au-Prince.

Below is a picture of the Presidential Palace. Still showing all the damage from the earthquake.

Directly across the street is a "tent city" that took over a city park after the earthquake.

Next Bobby saw the former Bible Society's office building, or at least where it stood. The building collapsed and now a street vender takes residence in its place. Thankfully the Society had moved to another building well before the earthquake hit.

Back at the Bible Society, the staff treated Bobby to his final meal in Haiti - Domino's Pizza!

This trip will be forever in Bobby's heart and mind - the people, the culture, the food, the faith, the environment - all came together for an exciting time.

Thank you all for your prayers, the body of Christ is truly amazing. Let us keep praying for the body in Haiti, may they press on like Paul, who said,

"I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14)

 

Hait - Day 4 - Port-au-Prince

For the last day of distribution, Bobby traveled with several staff from the Haitian Bible Society to a slum area of Port-au-Prince. This area was hit very hard by the earthquake and still trying to rebuild. They met at a church, which also serves as a school. Many people came to gather under tarps in a classroom that will slowly be repaired.

Below is a picture of the pastor as he shared with the people. Bobby also spoke through a translator.

After the distribution, Bobby joined the staff at the Bible Society for their weekly worship and devotional time. The sang together and read scripture. The song they sang Bobby had heard them sing several times, even in French the words came through clearly in his head:

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

What a powerful song for these believers to sing, even in the midst of much hardship, they sing of God's unending faithfulness!

To finish the day, Bobby joined several staff members for lunch at a nice Haitian restaurant. They enjoyed various fruit juices, shrimp creole, potatoes, rice, and beans. Bobby said he was so stuffed the rest of the day, he just ordered a papaya juice for dinner. But even that was made authentic: milk, ice and papaya slices blended together in a blender to create a nice, frothy drink.

Bobby returns tonight after a day of sightseeing and enjoying his last visit with the staff.

Thank you all for your prayers, continue to pray for the Haitians, as they journey through this life in God's faithfulness.