Sunday, January 17, 2010

Healing

Jan 15, continued

Once we deplane and our suitcases have been offloaded, it’s time to head through Ft. Pierce’s US Customs and Border Patrol. Having many negative experiences with the US border crossings, I am in for a pleasant surprise. Since it is only our group going through and the MFI pilots explain our situation in advance, we are treated like fragile vases that might shatter at any moment. A few basic questions are asked and we are treated with love and compassion. Our suitcases go through the airport scanner, but they don’t even require us to go through any metal detectors and Jayden is allowed to stay sitting in his stroller. As we head through the glass sliding doors we are met by Rick and Teresa Dickson, our MAF Regional Director and his wife. They welcome us with open arms and give us cell phones to call our families back home. Since our family is in Canada and it’s a US Cell phone we figure out later how to make calls with it. A nice charter bus is waiting and once all the families are on board, we are given our choice of drinks and cheese burgers. What a treat! After a 45 minute drive we arrive at a place called “The Manor” a former old folks home where we will be housed for the weekend. Having our own room with a clean bed and a bathroom with a shower is a real blessing. The first thing I do once our suitcases are inside is take off my filthy clothes and step under the hot shower. Scrubbing the dirt from my face and from under my finger nails I begin to feel more human again. Jayden is next, but cries because showers scare him. After putting clean clothes on him he feels better too. That night after a supper of pizza we crawl exhausted under the covers. Before we fall asleep we pray for our friends in Haiti and thank God for His provision for us. How great is our God.

January 16

I wake up to Jayden’s coughing. He sounds worse and I help him sit up. My ears are still bothering me and Jason’s cough has grown worse as well. After breakfast Rick calls a Nurse practitioner who arrives soon after to check up on all three of us. We find out that Jason has some kind of infection in his lungs and Jayden and I have ear infections in both ears. All three of us have bad colds as well. She prescribes antibiotics and Rick and Jason head over to the pharmacy to get the prescriptions filled. At 10:00 I lay Jayden down and he finally falls into a restless sleep. An hour and a half later he wakes up crying and continues to cough. A Chinese lady in the community has volunteered to prepare a lunch for us and it’s wonderful, but Jayden hardly eats. I try to feed him bananas and cheerios but even that doesn’t interest him. I finally give up and just let him drink fruit juices and water. After lunch I lay him down again and he once more dozes off. It’s time for our debrief meeting now. Sitting in a circle on chairs in the kitchen and taking turns sharing what happened and what we felt is healing. Hearing everyone’s stories and the cycle of emotions they went through makes me feel more normal. I’m not the only one who felt the way I did, and talking and crying with one other is a balm to my soul. Not comfortable speaking in a larger group and not great at expressing my feeling with talk, I record everything in my mind and when I have a spare minute I continue to write. Writing is my outlet and it comes easy for me. The things I can’t say out loud flow out naturally as I write. It’s my way to categorize, organize and reflect on what’s happened. It’s my memory, so I can forget. Once the meeting is over, Jason spends time working with MAF Canada, MAF US and Rick Dickson to formulate a plan for his return. Jason is a doer, and not being in Haiti and helping the people there is difficult for him. Having a plan and setting it in motion is the balm for his soul and he starts feeling more and more like himself. Recognizing that he is weak and sick at the moment, MAF decides to give him a two week recovery period, which includes time to visit MAF Canada headquarters and see family and friends in Chilliwack. From there, if he is well, he will be sent back to Haiti, to relieve the other MAF Haiti pilots and start working a rotational schedule with them. Knowing that he will be able to go back soon, and that he will be able to check up on Anoud and Denise and our friends is a relief for me as well. Although my primary concern at the moment is Jayden, Haiti is in my heart, and giving up Jason so that he can help there is a sacrifice I’m willing to make.

19 comments:

  1. Hey Will... we just got back from church and wanted to check for any news from you guys. We are so thankful you're safe. Mom called last night to tell us where you were. We are gonna phone you this aft, and plan to meet you at the airport tomorrow I think... but we will phone you to check details OK? Tons of love, Ron, Anita, Gemma and Carlye

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hey will!I'll see if this works this time, last time I had problems posting. Letting you know that you are in our thoughts and prayers...Seth keeps reminding us not to forget you guys and the people in Haiti, the other night he had heard us talking about it and actually threw up later in bed b/c of nerves. I think we just have no idea what is going on over there! We send our love and hope to see you soon! Lots of love steph, Chad and boys!

    PS. thanks for being so faithful in updating!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Will! Glad to hear from you again. I can imagine your mixed feelings; being happy about leaving behind the horrible situation and seeing your families, and on the other hand it must be really hard to leave behind the people and country you love and not being able to help there. Wish you all the best dealing with everything and hope you will recover from the infections real soon! We are still hoping to meet you next summer. If we do, I am going to give you all the hugs I am saving for you now! I guess that is going to be a dozen every day. Love, Mary & Robert.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. We are continuing to pray for you, for healing physically as well as for your hearts. May Jesus hold you close and give you strength to release Jason to go back. We;ve not met, but I feel that I know you because of your transparent blog...thank you for being vulnerable to share. I'll continue to check back for updates in order to keep praying.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Dear Jason, Will and Jayden,
    So thankful you have arrived safely in Florida. You are in our thoughts and prayers. May you continue in all things knowing that God is your refuge and strength.
    Much love, Chris & Joyce, Naomi and Caleb.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hello, This is Eloisa from Pactec Senegal, I am happy that you got all safe, I would like to know if you had any information about Junior we used to work together on the LT translation project, I hope he and his family are ok
    Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  7. Tom and Meta MoerdykJanuary 18, 2010 at 5:26 AM

    Dear Jason and Wil,
    What a blessing to have the gift of writing like you do Wil. We've forwarded your story to many who had never heard of you, and they have been so blessed and encouraged to pray specifically for your needs. Jordan is too far from Grand Rapids to come tonite. But our thoughts and prayers will be with you. We pray that you will feel the fresh power today of the safety of His wings and the security of being in the 'hollow of His hands'. We well know the 'heart pull' towards the people God sent you to. After all these years, we still feel the pull to 'our' people. God knows when and how to unite with them again. We pray for healing and strength for the days ahead.
    And we'll keep looking for your faithful updates.
    Meta Moerdyk.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Welcome Home Krul Family

    We are on the MAF mailing list and were directed to their website and thus your blog. Thank you for sharing your heart. We have a friend who left for Haiti yesterday so the situation is very close to our hearts. We live in Vineland (right next door to Jordan)...where and what time will you there? Although with your health that may not happen...either way we are praying for you.
    Take care. Blessings

    Jay and Susan

    ReplyDelete
  9. So glad to hear you are safe in Florida. Our hearts break for you when we think of all you've been through and of all the friends you've had to leave behind. May God give healing and renewed strength in the days ahead. Hope to see you in Chilliwack soon. Love from Adam & Annie Slingerland

    ReplyDelete
  10. Leaving Haiti in times that the people there are going through a hell?

    What kind of message is this to the people in Haiti? Did Jesus leave when times got rough?

    Have a mercyfull time in good safe USA.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Dear Jay and Wil and little Jayden,
    I'm so sad to see the negative comments from "Peter", but know that there are hundreds of people praying for your recovery and strength as you battle your infections. We thank God that He saw fit to give you this time to gather fresh energy to go back to the people in Haiti as soon as it is His will for you to do so. We can let you use one of our laptops, if you havne't got one yet by the time you come to Chilliwack. We love you! Uncle Chris, Aunt Judy and the rest of us!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Unfortunately Peter has not read the article thoroughly or he has not understood what he has read. MAF relief remains in Haiti and is at the moment in full swing. MAF made the decision to relocate the staff with young children temporarily. When I read the article, I notice that Jason will be returning shortly!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Jason and Wil, you are doing God's work, we are praying for you. "Peter" should be ashamed of self - sorry there is not someway to report abuse.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Praying that you will be completely healed - and for Jason's safety when he goes back to Haiti - also for complete submission to His will - thankful that you can be with your parents.
    Love to you all and your dear friends in Haiti.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Dear Jason, Will, and Jayden,

    I've been watching your blog for a while, but just never commented.

    I hope all of ya'll are feeling better soon. I have been keeping ya'll in my prayers. God bless each of you!

    I love you!
    Love,
    Lizzy Schatte

    ReplyDelete
  16. How ironic that your title is 'Healing' and that someone like Peter should come along and, with just a few words, potentially undo any healing that may be happening. Please know that the majority of the Christian community is so appreciative of the sacrifice you guys live everyday by being in Haiti already prior to the earthquake! And we cannot imagine the anguish you have gone through by leaving your dear Haitian friends behind. You are loved and being prayed for every day. May God richly bless you during this time of true healing for your hearts and bodies. With love from the Weening family.

    ReplyDelete
  17. David and Rosalie GarwoodJanuary 18, 2010 at 9:44 PM

    I have been so touched and blessed by all that you have written. I know your emotions are raw right now. Please don't let negative, hurtful comments mess with your soul. It is God who has protected you and brought you back to Canada. He will continue to bless you and use you.

    Even though we don't know you, we have been praying for you and following your journey on this blog. Thanks so much for taking the time to keep us all informed of the journey you are on.

    I pray for continued healing for your family both physically and emotionally. I also pray for Peter who has been so unkind in his remarks. None of us can begin to even imagine what you have experienced.

    "He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection." Psalm 91:4

    ReplyDelete
  18. Dear Krul family,
    We have been following your blog since the earthquake and feel like we have been living vicariously through it all with your blog. How our thoughts and prayers continue to go with you and we pray that you may all feel better soon. May God continue to give you comfort and submission and trust during this difficult time. Thank you, thank you for your service to the so very needy people in Haiti. May God bless you.
    Henry and Teresa Kamp
    Grand Rapids, Michigan

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi! Met your parents at Missions Fest Vancouver recently. Glad to hear you are safe and sound. God bless you folks as you deal with all that has happened.
    Erica Feunekes

    ReplyDelete