Monday, July 30
Port au Prince, Haiti
7:30 a.m.
I peer through smudged glasses at my laptop screen and reach back to rub my aching neck. Even at this early hour the Lasko fan at my feet is already blowing warm, humid air my way. Although I have a long list of work to do to settle back in our Haiti home, first things first; our out of date blog desperately needs some updating!
(two weeks ago)
Monday, July 16,
Chilliwack, BC
3:45 a.m.
“Mom, Mom.” Jayden is awake and standing beside the bed. A cool breeze blows through the screened windows and I can vaguely detect a fresh farm smell. Turning over I check the time; 3:45 a.m.. The alarm was set for 4:00 a.m. but a little extra time to get ready never hurt so I carefully ease out of bed. No need to wake up Jason yet and Justin, in the pack and play beside our bed, might as well sleep a little longer too. Reaching for Jayden’s hand in the dark I get him comfortable on the couch and then head to the bathroom.
At 4:30 a.m. all our bags are loaded in a pickup truck and I give the house a final sweep. Pausing at the doorway I silently bid goodbye to the little home that God had provided for us these past two months. No time for nostalgia now, I slip in the back seat beside Justin’s car seat. Reaching over I squeeze Jayden’s hand. Normally very talkative at any time of day or night he says nothing now. “I love you Jayden.” I whisper in the darkness. “I love you Mom.” He whispers back.
At the airport we say our final goodbye’s to Jason’s Dad and then we’re on our own. Check in and security checks go smoothly and before we know it we’re up in the air. Leaning past Jayden I catch my final glimpses of Canada before we’re swallowed up by the clouds. Goodbye Canada.
9:30 p.m. Ft. Lauderdale
Our airplane touches down smoothly and taxis to the tarmac. Not even five minutes later the sky above explodes with an onslaught of wind and rain. We make it inside the airport okay, but our baggage doesn’t. Two hours later we’re still waiting for the storm to pass so our suitcases can be unloaded. I find a spot on the floor against a wall where I do my best to keep Jayden and Justin entertained.
When the flashing light goes on saying our baggage is on its way the crowd of stragglers still waiting lets out a cheer.
When Jason collects our suitcases he only finds 3 of the 6. When he asks at baggage claim they tell him the other 3 are still in Chicago where we boarded our connecting flight. They won’t arrive for several more hours so we take what we have and catch the airport shuttle to our hotel.
In the hotel the two boys quickly fall into an exhausted slumber.
Jason and I spend the next few hours unpacking and trying to dry out our drenched suitcases with a blow dryer. Too exhausted to be upset, both of us just laugh and get to work. Having spent almost all our time together these past five months we’ve become a great team.
“I love you Jay!” I whisper so as not to wake the sleeping boys. He smiles. “I love you too.”
July 24, Ft. Lauderdale
I stare down at Jayden fast asleep on the dirty airport sidewalk. Using a backpack as a pillow he really has this homeless thing down pat.
After a beautiful, albeit short time of rest and relaxation, it’s time to hit the road running again. The next few days are sole devoted to planning, organizing, purchasing and packaging everything we need for our second term in Haiti.
July 28, Port au Prince
3:45 p.m.
I peer past the Haitian man sitting beside me to catch my first glimpses of Haiti from above. There it is. Transfixed I watch the landscape beneath me. Unable to describe the mix of emotions I feel inside, I just sit and stare.
5:45 p.m.
“Do you remember where we turn?” I look at Jayden and he peers importantly out of the window. “This way.” He points left and I nod; he still remembers. 20 seconds later we’re at our gate. Anoud rolls it open with a big grin. “N’ap tan ou!” (We were waiting for you!) He exclaims joyfully. Denise runs down the steps to hug me and then leans down to check out our latest addition. “Bonju Justin!” She reaches for his hand. He watches her with his big blue eyes before flashing her a toothless grin.
Inside I walk through the familiar hallways and rooms. Everything is just as neat and clean as we left it. Plopping down on our own bed I lean back for a moment and close my eyes. It’s sure good to be home.
Hours later after unpacking only the bare necessities, making a quick grocery run, and getting the kids settled I stare out the window at the setting sun.
Unable to form the words my heart fills with praise to God for his care and protection over us these last seven months. All glory and honour belong to Him.