Day 13 in Haiti

Since the kids are starting to get home sick for life in Canada we have calculated the days we have been here and the days we have left.  We are now on day 13 with 16 days to go. We missed a day in there somewhere, we must have been having too much fun!!! 

Somedays we all wonder why we are here, but we know God has guided us to be here and we are listening and obeying.  As we decided before we came, we will take it one day at a time.

Today was Church.  As I mentioned last time, church starts at 8:00 am with worship and prayer.  We are starting to live on Haiti time and made to service at 8:30.  We ended up sitting in the back of the church where many of the children sit.  Anica was the spectacle and all the little girls wanted to sit beside her and touch her.  Anica didn't like this too much.  Noah was trying to watch the service but the kids kept staring at him.  We are trying to explain the the kids that our white skin is very uncommon and they likely haven't seen any white children.  A whole new experience for all of us. 

At the service Pastor Marc talked to the congregation and asked the husbands to stand up.  When they did he asked them where their wives were?  Each man pointed of in different directions.  In Haiti, the men don't sit with their families, simply an old habit that has never changed.  Pastor Marc encouraged them to go and sit with the families.   Many had a good laugh when they saw how far away some of the husbands and wives were.

Halfway through the service it was decided that all the children would go the the school to have Sunday school.   Nicole and the kids went to participate, they sang and worshipped, then tried to teach the Lord's Prayer in French.  Amongst the loud singing and the large number of children it proved difficult.  It was a success and they are looking forward to doing this each Sunday.    This I think will be a good idea, as 3 plus hours sitting on a hard wood bench is difficult enough for adults let alone children. 

After lunch was relaxing time.  I read for a while, Nicole took a nap and the kids watched Mary Poppins.  Later in the afternoon we played a couple of games and just spent some quiet time together.  We enjoyed this very much.  In Haiti quiet time doesn't happend very often.

Tomorrow after lunch all of us from the compound are going to the beach, then out for supper at a restaurant by the beach.  It is run by a French couple and is apparently pretty good.  We are looking forward to it.

One thing I haven't mentioned that is pretty cool is when shut the light off at bed time.  With no outside lights shining I get to watch the fire flies dance across the ceiling then fly into the ceiling fan and zing to the wall.  It is quite the show to end each night.  I have no idea what the bugs look like as I cannot see them when the light is on, they must be tiny. 

Thanks again for your prayers and your emails and comments. 

P.S.  If any of you would like to text us we have a skype account under nicole.nowochin  We have our skype account open most evenings and would be happy to chat.  Go to http://www.skype.com/ and set up an account then search for nicole.nowochin to add to contacts.