It’s been almost 6 months since we arrived in Cazale with a ridiculous number of suitcases in hand.  Oh, the things we have seen, felt, experienced and learned.  In just a few days we will be going home.

But we’ll be back. 

We’re just going to take a little time to celebrate Christmas at home, hang out with our families, get some rest, and eat lots of steak.  And take hot showers.  And not sweat or need bug spray.  And drive on pavement.  And drink chocolate milk…..lots of chocolate milk.

Here’s just a tiny bit of what we’ve experienced in the past 6 months:

Things we have seen –

Children healing, children dying, horrific injuries and illnesses, miraculous recoveries.

Really gross medical stuff.  Really amazing medical stuff.  And more really gross medical stuff.

Six people riding on a moto, fearless rats, kids floating down the river using banana tree leaves as rafts, and goats…..so many goats.

Brianna

Things we have felt –

Hot.  We have felt hot.  A lot.  Sweaty, sticky, heat rash-itchy hot.

Contentment.  Like we’ve never known or dreamed of.

Joy.  Anger.  Apprehension.  Relief. 

Exhaustion.  Relaxation.  The good kind of tired. 

Appreciation.  Thankfulness.  Humility.  Guilt. 

The Spirit of God ever-present around us.  The evil of Satan fighting against us. 

Lesley

Things we have experienced –

Triaging a massive taptap accident.

Burying cholera victims.

Hurricanes.

Moving mountains – literally – with heavy equipment.

Childbirth at the Clinic.

Cooling off in the river on scorching hot afternoons.

Checking on sick kids in the middle of the night to make sure they were still alive.

Allison

Things we have learned –

How to become a part of the Cazale community.  We are not just living here, but are developing relationships that are meaningful. 

How to take a bath with a half-gallon of water.

How to make our own coffee…beginning with a coffee berry and ending with a delicious dark roast.

How to live in a guesthouse bedroom for 3 1/2 months.  Then, how to function independently in our own home. 

How Haitians are resilient and survive, making the most of what they have available.  Making enough out of nearly nothing.

The value of anti-diarrhea medicine.

The sovereignty of our Lord.  He is here.  He IS HERE!  And He is in control. 

Brennon (hulling freshly picked coffee beans)

These past months have been the hardest and most fulfilling of our lives.  We have been blessed beyond measure, experiencing day after day of really living.  Slowly and willingly dying to self, discovering that the best living really is found in serving Him.  

We are so thankful for everyone here at RHFH.  They have loved us and helped us in so many ways.  It is an honor to be here, to serve alongside some of the most compassionate, incredible people we have ever known…..serving a community that we deeply love…..in the name of our Savior. 

In just a few days we’ll be headed to our ol’ Kentucky home.  (Our mommas are both very happy about that!)  But we know that our work here isn’t finished. 

So in our best Arnold Schwarzenegger voice, “We’ll be baaaack!”