Five Years

I sat behind my computer for 15 minutes trying to put my thoughts and feelings into words  as we remember the horrific earthquake that shook Port au Prince 5 years ago today.  

I really am at a loss for words. The only thing that kept coming to mind were the words of Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. 

Below is a replica of a blog I posted one year after the quake:

HE IS COMING AGAIN

There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. Luke 21:11

In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:16-17

And call upon me in the day of trouble, I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. Psalm 50:15

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.1 Corinthians 13:12

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. Matthew 24:35

and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Matthew 28:20
He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Revelations 22:20

Grandpa and Grandma's Visit

By Jayden Krul

Grandpa and Grandma arrived on December 26. We were all very happy to see them! After giving us hugs they couldn't help but notice how much we'd grown since last summer! 

Especially baby Alexander.

He of course loved all the attention and smiled real big.

Our friends Nicholas, Sabboule and Jocemine were also excited to see Grandpa and Grandma. They knew Grandpa and Grandma always bought treats and toys for them too and they loved practicing their English with them.

At our house they soon got to work cleaning, fixing and sewing. 

All the things on Mommy's 'Honey-Do-List' were soon completed; the drinking water spout was once again reattached, the grout between the kitchen counter tiles was scraped and bleached, Alexander got curtains in his bedroom and the gaping hole a rat chewed in our leather chair was finally mended!  

Grandpa and Grandma were always interested in seeing new and different parts of Haiti so one afternoon, after the work was done, we decided to check out a little place that we heard had a nice view of the city.

The view there was really great!

We stayed there as the sun set coloured the sky,

and the city lights came on.. 

The following day, Grandpa and Grandma visited Canaan with Pastor Dieucon who works for MAF.

Canaan is a very dry, poor area on the outskirts of Port au Prince where many refugees relocated after the January 2010 earthquake. 

There they met a young lady and her two children who lived in a little tarp shack. 

Pastor Dieucon had selected her to be a recipient of a wooden home that a group from our home town in Canada has raised money for. She told Grandpa and Grandma that she has been praying for a better place for her two children to live and she was so grateful that God had provided for her. 

This is an example of what her home will look like in a few weeks, God willing.

Grandpa and Grandma also had an opportunity to bless the community there with bags of food.

When Dad had a few days off around New Years, we took the plane to the south western tip of Haiti. 

I love flying and looking down at Haiti from above.

There we explored the surrounding areas and visited several different missions and missionaries.

One place I particularly enjoyed was a small island off the south coast of Haiti. We had never been there before and could only get to it by boat.

On the island we hiked the trails as there were no roads. Locals said they estimated the population on the island to be around 20,000 people.

The main industry on the island appeared to be fishing.

It was a very picturesque, laid-back kind of place.

On one of our hikes we even discovered a 'Reformed Church'; imagine that!

It was fun to run through the fields,

play in the sand,

and swim in the ocean;

but the best part was being able to do it with Grandpa and Grandma!

The Best Present: His Presence

On Saturday, December 27, I had the privilege of celebrating my 29^thbirthday. (The day before, Esther and Garold had left and Jason's parents had arrived.) 

The day started early; we were up before 6:00 a.m. as Jason had planned a full schedule. After a quick breakfast of cereal and toast we were out the door and on our way to the airport.

Once there, Jason readied one of the MAF airplanes and shortly thereafter we were air bound to our first stop, Mole St. Nicholas, a village on the northwest tip of Haiti.

Once there we parked the plane and spent a few hours exploring the area and visiting North West Haiti Missions.

North West Haiti Missions had a school, church and orphanage. They also ministered to mothers in the community who “rented” out their young daughters for prostitution. As a mother myself it was hard to wrap my mind around how someone could do that to their own child. As my heart became angry, God gently reminded me that it wasn't for me to judge and everyone needs compassion, love that’s never failing, mercy, forgiveness and the kindness of our Saviour.

Our next stop was Anse Rouge.

There we spent some time with our friends at Lemuel Ministries. They treated us to a traditional Haitian lunch of rice and beans, plantains and goat stew.

Then they surprised me with birthday cake which made me feel very special! Thanks guys!

After lunch we toured the mission and saw the different projects in the works.



It was exciting to know that in a few short weeks visiting teams from our hometown would be helping work on the school, etc.

On our walk the boys accidentally stepped in this glue like mud. It was so sticky their crocks completely dissapeared and it took some time to locate them!

Then some of the local ladies got together and my mother in law explained the hygiene kits for girls and women that she had participated in making and brought with her. The women were very impressed with the reusable pads, washcloths, and bags.

Their excited faces made me think of the Paul words in Acts 20:35 “I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

As the sun began to sink lower in the sky we waved goodbye to our friends, buckled the kids into the plane and headed back to the capital. 

The sunset was once again beautiful that evening.

That night as we had dinner, the little restaurant we were eating at played multiple versions of ‘Happy Birthday’!

A little later, as we walked back to the vehicle to head home, we heard loud music and party noises streaming from a neighbouring home. Hearing the sounds made me think of the craving the human heart has for joy.

As humans, we long for joy but often look for it in all the wrong places. Listening to the party sounds made me feel sad for those who only ever experience the joy the world has to offer. It's like only drinking artificial Kool Aid when you’ve never tasted the rich flavour of pure fruit juice! And of course that comparison is weak! 

The joy the world has to offer is fleeting, fake, temporary and leaves you feeling empty inside.

Real, rich, flavourful, wholesome, eternal joy can only ever be found in the presence of God. Psalm 16:11b tells us “In thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”  And it’s true; it really is! 

The best present is His presence. 

How can you experience His presence? James 4:8 says Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.