Saturday, January 30, 2010

Reflection and Goodbye

Tuesday, January 12, 2010, 5:00 p.m.
34 seconds that changed so many lives. 34 seconds is all it took to change everything. Haiti has a hold on my heart. I’ve grown to learn the language, adapt to the culture and fall in love with her people. Pictures flash through my mind. Sabboule, Nicolas, Denise, Jocemine, Anoud, Dana, Pawel, America, Ari, the list goes on and on. My heart aches for them. When will I see them again? Changes, changes, changes. Feelings and emotions. I miss our simple life. What now Lord? I ponder. He gives me peace. He has the whole world in His hands. He has a plan. A perfect plan for everything. We need to trust Him moment by moment and day by day.

I close my eyes and reflect on the two and half weeks gone by. Time flies. Traveling to Ft. Pierce, our time there, and then on to Toronto. The love, care and generosity we received from everyone along our way. God is indeed good. After several days in Ontario back to our home town Chilliwack, British Columbia. Family, friends, the familiarity of our previous lives. Presentations, interviews, sharing our stories time and again. Keeping in touch with friends and coworkers in Haiti. A time to rest and recuperate.

Now today, it’s time to say goodbye. Jason is going back. Excitedly he packs his suitcases and carries the boxes of dried soup mix and apple chips donated and manufactured by the Gleaners, to the car. My heart is torn once again. I would so love to go back with him, to hug Denise and hold her children in my arms, to see Haiti for myself once again. To visit Dana and check on the feeding program children and the orphanage kids. To make sure the little boys outside our gate still have enough food for their families to eat. Jason reassures me that he will do it for me. He will hug the children and hand out the food. He will go to the orphanage and check on everyone there. He will reassure Anoud and Denise and send them my love. Hearing his reassurance I start to feel better.

Jayden needs me now. My 2 and a half year old little boy needs his Mommy more than ever now that his Daddy is gone. He needs someone to explain to him that freezing temperatures are not “too hot.” That boots should be worn in the rain. That these people he doesn’t recognize are in fact his aunties and uncles and cousins, that in Canada you wear socks, and that bananas just don’t taste the same. That carpets are nice and soft, unlike our tile floors, and that fire places are hot. That car seats should be used at all times, and that wiggling out of them is not acceptable. That the real word for “Mimi’s” is cats, and that here people say “thank you” instead of “Mesi”. My role as mom of a cross-cultural child is challenging but also so rewarding. How precious it is to see my little boy walking with his great grandmother in the rain, wearing his new giraffe boots.




What a joy to see him start recognizing his cousins and asking for them by name. To see his love for his grandparents and the love and joy they find in him. God has blessed us and continues to direct our lives moment by moment, day by day. Once again I close my eyes and thank Him. He gives me contentment and peace as I face the unknown future. He has the whole world in His hands.

10 comments:

  1. Awww very cute pictures :)

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  2. Hey Will, Really nice blog you wrote there. Those pictures are very cute also, did you take them? I'm very sure Jayden is happy being able to see Grandma and Grandpa and all his anties and uncles and cousins and what not else. Love you

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  3. Praying for your family, for strength during this time of separation.

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  4. awwwwwwwwwwww Oma Krul!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love the picture of Jayden, what a doll!

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  5. Touching post. We were at your presentation in Chilliwack and were so excited to see a large turnout. We hope your family was also blessed by the response.

    Stay in the Word. Cling to His promises. And write memories of His blessings down so you can look back and remember on those more difficult days.

    mommybarber.blogspot.com

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  6. Hi Will.... we are sooo looking forward to coming! The girls don't really know Jayden anymore than he knows them, so that's all good! Seeyou hopefully tomorrow! luv Ron, Anita and girls

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  7. Hello Jason, Wil and family -- God go with you as you separate from one another -- let us all meet at the throne of grace to pray for this family and ask God to pour out His wonderful blessings on Wil and Jayden at home and especially on Jason as he goes about doing God's work. Praying for his safety and that he will have a wonderful time with their beloved friends in Haiti. It was good to hear from you again. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!

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  8. Hi - if possible, will you be able to show us some pictures of Dana and the children, of Denise and Anoud with family and to let us know how they are faring? We have seen and heard about them, prayed for them and it would be nice, if possible, to know how they are getting along. Also how is MAF's work progressing? Is your house OK? Thank you for sharing! God bless!

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  9. Dear Will and Jayden,
    You will be in our prayers every day, as you face the loneliness of separation from Jason, and he'll be in our prayers as well... God's ways are higher than our ways, and our prayer is that you will always continue to "trust in the Lord". I saw Dana's photos on facebook, and I'm sure that you would just love to be there to help. It amazes me to see those smiling faces in the middle of the rubble. God be with you.

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  10. I am eagerly waiting for word from Anoud,Denise and family, and Dana and all our other friends as well. As soon as Jason sees them he will give me word. I've emailed him to take pictures of them so you can see what they look like.

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