Christmas....

Christmas is fast approaching but there are little, if any, signs of it here!  There are no shopping malls with Christmas Sale signs, there are no decorations in the street, there are no TV advertisements enticing me to buy gifts... I actually prefer not being assaulted with all the marketing hype that precedes Christmas. Besides, Christmas is more than gift giving to me.  

I've been thinking about what to do and where to be for Christmas and New Years.  Most of my colleagues have made plans to return to the States, so I'm guessing it could be pretty lonely here. I've been invited to join them in various locations, which state do I pick? ;-)

Mum and Dad asked if I wanted to come home for Christmas... to their disappointment I declined.  Twenty two flying hours is enough to deter me! Sorry... I do love you guys.  Really, I do.  It's just that the holiday break is short, only 3 weeks long, unlike the Australian summer break of 6 weeks. Hence I'm planning to visit "home" at the end of the school year, June / July, when we get 8 weeks off.  But if anyone would like to visit me here in Haiti, it'd be the perfect time!  I'd have plenty of free accommodation available with most of my colleagues away. ;-)

I'm guessing the flying hours may deter you too?  Not to mention the cost to get here!

So far my Christmas plans are to stay outside of the busy bustling city of Port-au-prince, in a quieter town.  A colleague of mine has offered her beautiful apartment to stay in.  There is a girl's orphanage next door.  I'm looking forward to spending time with the 20 girls and getting to know them more... maybe we could sing along with my guitar, do some baking... 

There is also an American family, who oversee the orphanage, that I can spend Christmas day with.

Now what about New Years' Eve?  Jill my house mate has invited me to join her in Pennsylvania with her family.  I'm still considering whether I want to spend $500 on the flight for a little more than a week away?  It's one possibility...

I do think it'd be good to get away for a little bit; if I don't I know I will default back to "work"!  I find it hard to switch my mind off and relax if I haven't traveled away from where I spend my everyday life... "home".  There are some beautiful destinations in Haiti that I could travel to... but I wouldn't do that alone.

What does everyone else have planned for the holiday break?

You can't give out what you haven't taken in

 ...from this week's church bulletin back home... Barrabool Hills Baptist Church.  Thanks Spike for the reminder of the need to be disciplined; to be "filled" before being "emptied".

"Running is fun, but running is hard, for me anyway. For years, Ps Matt has been telling me about how great it is and how easy it is and how much he enjoys it. What he often fails to mention is that it took about 2 years of painful discipline, making the hard choice to get out and jog morning after morning, to get into a place where it really is pure joy to him. I tried to short cut the system by buying a fancy new pair of shoes... didn't work.

Worship as a lifestyle, much the same as prayer, is something that takes discipline to get into. Don't get me wrong, you were absolutely born to worship our great creator. You were also born to care for people, but you didn't come out of the womb cooking people dinner or intentionally spending time with friends who really needed you. It's something that takes time to learn and grow and get comfortable in. Worship at a basic level is desire; desiring luxury, desiring security, desiring a job or a house or a person. Worshipping God is about us choosing to place our heart's desires upon the God who made us, the God who saves us. This can be pretty contrary to our natural, self-centred desires. Worship takes a bit of effort, just like running. It's supposed to. If you commit yourself and your time to worshipping God regularly you will find it easier, just like running. Building up your desire for God is just like building up a muscle, the more you work it the stronger it gets and the easier and better it is to use.

I have at times been really into running and when I sacrifice time to do it regularly I find it not only easier and less uncomfortable, I find it really life giving too. Just like worship. The old maxim for exercise I was taught is “You only get out what you put in”. I think Ps Matt says it well about our life in Jesus, “You can't give out what you haven't taken in'. Spending quality time with God (worship) is where and how God can pour his eternal life into our hearts. Then we can pour it out into our family, friends, work-places etc. When people see the life and love of God in your life, lives get changed. We'll see His kingdom come."

 - written by Spike Avery

Maybe it's time to... laugh again!

This weekend I had a heavy heart, a sadness... I'm not exactly sure why?  It would be much more honorable to say that I was sad as a result of feeling compassion toward someone else.  I'd like to say that it was not a result of reflecting inwardly about myself, but that wouldn't be true.  Sorry to shock you all!  

As I brought this sadness to God I came across a book in our apartment titled, "Maybe it's time to laugh again" by Charles R. Swindoll.  I truly believe that God has placed this book in my hands.  I'm not sure where it came from and I only noticed it on the bookshelf today.  

Yesterday I went out to dinner with a group of girls and I was (secretly) envious at their ability to laugh and have a good time!  I've always been a serious kind of person, but I'm not usually one who wants to steal joy from others.  They say "misery loves company", which is exactly how I felt.  It can be annoying being around laughter when your heart feels heavy.

Anyway, back to the book.  It's based on the book of Philippians in the Bible.  This letter which Paul wrote is all about "joy".  The joy that Philippians describes goes beyond good feelings and comfortable settings.  It is not a joy based on circumstances and getting what we want.  Paul points to Christ as our source of joy.  I look forward to delving deep into Philippians to discover more of the joy that God has for me...

...in the meantime I'd appreciate your prayers!

Memories from Jacmel...

 Beautiful mountain views on the drive to Jacmel.

 Bassin Bleu... about half an hour away from Jacmel.

100 gourdes entrance fee for foreigners; free entry for locals!!

Kylie considers where the least moss is before she she takes her fourth leap...

... into the deep blue!

 A mosaic mural by the beachside.

 Did I mention my favorite colour is green?  

I loved the change in atmosphere from the dusty brown colours of Port-au-prince.

 Another mountain view.

Great view by the water but no sand to sunbathe here.

 I was saddened by the sight of this trash right by the beach.

Last but not least, the latrine we used for the weekend.

Twenty mosquitoes welcomed me each time I made a visit.

I was glad to return to the comforts of "home" in PAP but 

I have more than 350 reasons to remember Jacmel!

Some more proverbs....

Proverbs from the Bible....

He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.

Prov 13:3

There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

Prov 14:12

Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy.

Prov 14:10

When a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.

Prov 16:7

Even in laughter the heart may ache.

Prov 14:13

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

Prov 3:5

And this one came out of the mouth of one of my 3rd Graders... his alias shall be Insightful.

The heart is deceitful above all things... 

Jeremiah 17:9

Let me give you the background.  Forgive me if my thoughts are scattered.  

3rd Grade have been memorizing Galatians 6:7  "Do not be deceived, God cannot be mocked.  A man reaps what he sows." We discussed how our actions have consequences, either good or bad, depending on what we sow into our lives. We talked about the importance of our choices and decisions. We reflected on the choices the Israelites made and their repetitive cycle of sin. God continued to be gracious to the Israelites; no matter how many times they strayed from him, His heart was always for them to return to Him.  He provided numerous Judges to lead them.

After Samuel served as their judge the Israelites wanted a king; God gave the Israelites what they desired even though it was not what He wanted for them (scary thought!  God will give us what we desire even if it is not part of His perfect plan for us). Ultimately, God wanted to be the Israelites leader; to be their King.  

Some things never change; mankind still wants to be the leader of his own life.  It's no different in 3rd Grade where one of my students said "since some leaders cannot be trusted, we should be the leader of our lives; we should decide what's right or wrong for ourselves." Then Insightful said, "God is the only one who can perfectly lead us; the Bible says that even our own hearts can deceive us."

It caused me to reflect on the times where my heart has deceived me... and the importance of keeping close to God's Word.  His Word needs to be a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path. He alone can be trusted to guide me; not my heart.

To the mountains...

I love the lush green mountains.

Street vendors with their bright colored umbrellas.

 

And we finished with yummy desserts!  

I had the coconut ice cream inside the coconut shell... mmmm!

Other flavours were: grenadia, cacao (like chocolate) and mango.

Dedicated to Jane

Having people over is a good reason for me to cook!!  I love hosting people for lunch or dinner.  Cooking for more than one makes the effort and labour worthwhile. Since living in Haiti I haven't cooked all that much.  On Sunday I rediscovered my passion for cooking.  It's enjoyable and rewarding when one has the time.

The honorable guests who came for lunch. 

Thony hosted my first visit to Haiti in July 2010 and also hosted my stay in December.  He works for World Hope International and the girls in yellow, black and blue are volunteering with WHI for up to a year. Jill, my flatmate, also joined us and Thony's wife Sarah. 

It was a little crazy trying to get a meal ready after church but I did plan early and prepare half the meal the night before.  Here is the result!  A pumpkin, spinach and fetta quiche.  I cheated with the base; I lined the baking dish with French toast.  (Too easy!)

Wish you were here to enjoy it Jane!  Bon Apetit!