A Thankful Thanksgiving

As Dutch Canadians we could have celebrated Thanksgiving on November 20 like they do in Holland, or on October 12 like they do in Canada, but instead we celebrated it with our American friends on November 27. Call us culturally confused I guess! 

Cultural confusion, or should I say diversity, makes me think of our breakfast foods. On the menu at our house you will find: Brinta, or chocolate sprinkles on bread (Dutch) eggs on toast, or cereal (North American) or spaghetti (Haitian). We also dabble in Indonesian dinners as the Dutch had some colonies there once upon time. But I digress. 

I guess the reason we chose to celebrate the American Thanksgiving holiday instead of the others is because all the other MAF staff is American and thats when Jason has a few days off. Also, Jayden attends an American school and that's the holiday they take as well. 

As we've done in previous years we took one of our MAF airplanes, and together with two other MAF families, escaped the crowded capital and enjoyed a few days in the Domincan Republic. We soaked in the fresh ocean breezes and ran along deserted sandy beaches. We swam, snorkelled and surfed.  We built sandcastles, rode scooters and read books. We jumped in the waves, watched sunsets and ate ice cream. It was wonderful! 

Justin loved it so much that ever since we got back he can't stop asking. Fly airplane? Go beach? Play ocean? 

I tried my best to document our trip while juggling a baby and toddler and bags! It was a little tricky but I did get some good pictures!

Getting a ride to the airport in the mini taxi bus from our faithful friend Dieujust.

The MAF caravan, prepped and waiting for us on the tarmac.

The boys climbing in.

Let's play pilots.

Port au Prince from above.

View from my window.

Bare mountain slopes.

Ever changing scenery.

Crossed the border.

Almost there.

The little boutique hotel we've come to love.

Wave jumping.

Justin surfing for the first time. I think he may be a bit of a thrill seeker!

A little ice cream break!

Alexander chilling in his carseat.

Pool time with Daddy!

Scooter date to a neighbouring beach!

Snorkelling fun!

Fun wheels!

And of course I spent some time every day taking photos of the changing sky as the sun set!

On the flight back I once again took some aerial photos.

Then we were back on the ground again.

One special trip memory happened one afternoon when the ocean was stormy and the waves were high.

Jayden tried to play in the waves, but they weren't very kid friendly.

After getting knocked over a few too many times he dejectedly made his way over to where I was sitting on the sand, enjoying the view. 

" This has got to be the worst beach ever!" He grumbled, his blue eyes glowering and his numerous freckles stark against his fair skin. 

"You know what?" I said. "Sometimes I feel that way too. Not about the beach today, but the times when the mosquitoes attack my ankles while I'm feeding your baby brother, or when it feels like I always smell sweaty no matter how often I wash, or when all three of you boys yell "Mom!" at the same time and I don't have enough hands to help you all at once, or when the cockroaches run over my pillow when I'm laying in bed at night. Then I feel like complaining too. But as soon as I get that feeling, I remember the Israelites as they journeyed from Egypt to the promised land. They complained too and God was not happy with their complaining one bit! The consequences of their complaining were quite serious too. Do you remember the quails and the serpents?" He nodded.

"What has helped me is to think about the things I'm thankful for instead. Paul says in one of his letters, In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.  

Why don't we play a game? I think of five things I'm thankful for and you think of five things you are thankful for." 

We took turns and my list included the sand between my toes, the ocean breeze and the brilliant colours in the sky. Jayden's list was different. It included his parents, grandparents, brothers and friends. The one thing on his list that really struck me though was when he said: "That Jesus died on the cross for my sins." 

"You know what Jayden?" I responded. "Because of that one thing we can always be thankful. Everything in life can be taken away from us. Our family, our friends, our toys. But that Jesus died for us; that can never be taken away! 

Do you remember when we talked about the child martyrs in the middle east and what our answer would be if someone pointed a gun or knife at our head and said "Say you don't believe in Jesus or I'll kill you?" He nodded. (His response after much thought was. "Just do it quickly.") Well even in that situation we can be thankful because Jesus died for us. 

The "worst beach ever" now forgotten he stared with bright eyes into the crashing surf. He had a lot to think about. 

A few days later as I was replaying our conversation in my mind the words of a well known hymn came to mind. 

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, 
When sorrows like sea billows roll. 
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say. 
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

For that we can be forever thankful.

Love One Another

** this is an excerpt of an article I wrote for our mission magazine ** 

In these last months God has been teaching me the importance of loving the people He places around us. It started one day as I watched my two young sons play together in harmony. It was an unusual event, as they always seemed to be quarreling and fighting about something! 

As I watched them I was reminded of the words in Psalm 133: 

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 

It is like the precious ointment upon the head, 

that ran down upon the beard, 

even Aaron's beard: 

that went down to the skirts of his garments; 

As the dew of Hermon, 

and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: 

for there the Lord commanded the blessing, 

even life for evermore. 

It was indeed good and pleasant to watch my two oldest sons, whom I loved very much, play so harmoniously together! 

Suddenly another thought stuck me. How much more does God enjoy watching His children get along? As I wondered about this, another verse came to mind. John 13:35 says By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. 

In Haiti there is no way to escape being noticed. With our white skin and blue eyes we are constantly being watched. Although this used to bother me, I suddenly saw it for the opportunity it really was. Could people see the love of Christ shining through me in the way I treated others? Or was love something I just liked to talk about and think about; a wonderful idea, but not something I put into practice all the time? 

1 John 3:18 says, My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 

So how should we act? Philippians 2:14-15 tells us. Do all things without murmurings and disputings. That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;  Matthew 5:14-16 says Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 

What if someone is challenging to live with or is unkind or selfish or simply rubs us the wrong way? Romans 12:18 says: If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. And Ephesians 4:32 reminds us: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. 

So Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 1 John 4:7

Come

As I lay in bed last night all these verses were pieced together in my heart. This morning they were still there, so in the greyness of early dawn I slipped out of my bed and wrote them down. 

Are you a child? Or do you feel burdened? Or do you thirst for righteousness? Do you have nothing to bring? Are your sins like scarlet? Or do you simply want to come? The Bible says you may. Jesus says 'Come'. This is the glorious gospel. The good news; Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. 

Matthew 11:28-29 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 

Isaiah 55:1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 

Revelations 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. 

Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 

John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

Six Years Ago

November 4, 1998 

I stare out the airplane window. It’s been over thirty hours since I last slept and I feel dazed. Thankfully, Jayden, my one-year-old son, who is curled up on my lap, is getting some sleep. Forcing myself to stay focused I keep my eyes pealed to the steadily changing terrain beneath us.

Any moment now I will catch my first glimpses of Haiti. There it is! Turquoise ocean laps against sandy beaches. Coming closer, the barrenness of the mountains strikes me. Circling over Port au Prince I catch glimpses of tin shacks, trash and bare earth.

  

Jayden wakes up just as we are about to land and we both feel the thud of the wheels as the aircraft makes contact with the runway.It takes a bit of time to gather our things, but with the help of a friendly stewardess we finally make our way to the front of the aircraft.

Since the international airport has no jet ways, a metal stairs is rolled to the entrance of the aircraft. As we exit, we are engulfed by a sticky wave of hot, humid air. Jayden begins to cry and I do my best to soothe him.

After waiting for 20 minutes on the hot tarmac, the stroller, which I had gate checked, finally appears and we are ready to head to the international terminal building. 

The MAF program manager, Mark Williams, becoming worried at our delay, meets us where we enter the building. Inside we walk past Haitian men playing Caribbean music, before passing through Customs and Immigration. 

At the baggage claim it becomes evident that two of our suitcases are missing. Thankfully, we eventually find them. Mark Williams then guides us through the crowd and we make our way outside to where Jason is anxiously waiting for us. (He had arrived in Port au Prince several days earlier since he travelled on a cargo plane with all our belongings.)  We were glad to be reunited once again!

The drive through the streets of Port-au-Prince to our home was sure an experience! The roads were full of people, animals, busses, parked cars, tap taps, and garbage.

The roads themselves, if you could call them that, had huge dips and holes and many of them more closely resembled dry river beds.  As we drove it seemed like we had many 'narrow misses' with other vehicles and pedestrians. 

Our first stop was the house MAF had found for us to live. We were surprised and excited to see that it was very nice! We met Anoud and Denise and their two boys who were living on the property.

(Denise told me later that when she met us for the first time she though Jayden was our younger brother and wondered where our parents where!) I guess we did look young and at age twenty two and twenty three we were young!

Looking back now, I can’t help but think about all the life lessons we’ve learned since then.  I’ve started writing them down and hope to share some of them on the blog in the future, God willing.

October Update

Since today is the last day of October I thought it was high time for another update.

First of all Jason's back is steadily improving. He is able to do all his regular duties except lift heavy things. He feels little to no pain, but does feel like his back is stiff and tired in the evenings. After dinner every night he rests his back by laying down. While he 'rests' he helps Jayden with his daily thirty minutes of homework and then teaches him guitar lessons. I love listening to them play as the rain patters on the tin roof.

Yup, rainy season is in full swing. That means, no more water shortages for us, less dust, and somewhat cleaner air. It also means tons of mosquitoes and a glue like mud called 'labou' that sticks to your shoes wherever you go.

Jason's been busy with flying, like usual, and I love to look at the pictures on his phone when he comes home from work. Here are some of his latest.

The kids are growing up fast! Jayden is enjoying school and learning a lot. At home he loves to use his imagination to play all kinds of games.

This morning he was counting down the days till Grandpa hopes to come in Christmas time. Apparently it's 56 more days!

Justin our two and a half year old has been testing the boundaries lately. This has been quite exhausting and frustrating for me. God has directed me to several scriptures about the importance of disciplining my child. Those included Proverbs 23:13-14 Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell. , Proverbs 13:24: He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes., and Proverbs 19:18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying. 

This has been really difficult for me, as although I was never against spanking, I always used it as a last resort. His whining, and refusal to obey has made spending every day with him a challenge however, so I've started to seriously implement these verses. It is amazing to see over the last few days how his attitude is changing. He is becoming much more respectful and very quick to obey.  God has also comforted me with the words of Hebrews 12:11: Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous; nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

Alexander is growing like a weed! Just 4 short weeks ago he looked like this:

This morning I took this picture of him:

Two days ago I fed him his first baby cereal. He loved it and my eyes began to tear. After two children who I had to battle with at every meal time from 6 months to 2 years of age it was a delight to watch my third son simply open his tiny little mouth and enjoy his food. 

Now that I've added cereal to his diet he is finally waking up less often at night. After feeding him between 3 to five times a night for the last 5 months it was wonderful to wake up refreshed instead of exhausted this morning with only one night time feeding!

Finally, Jason is just working on the finishing touches of our quarterly newsletter. It usually features a "Day in the Life of an MAF pilot" story. If you're interested in receiving it by email or snail mail let us know by emailing us at jwkrul@gmail.com.

Thanksgiving

I wanted to write about Canadian Thanksgiving and how it's been six years since I last saw fall. I wanted to look through my old pictures to find ones of colourful trees and foggy mornings. I thought about writing a list of things I was thankful for. 

God directed me differently.

Radiant

I never really liked my forehead. Not only was it big, it was shiny!

I remember as a kid my brothers and sisters would tease me about it sometimes. Teasing and joking was quite common in our household of ten kids! I also remember several years ago applying for a passport. In Canada, the passport offices are very picky about your picture and they refused to accept my shiny forehead photos! Finally after going back to the photographer a third time for retakes she dragged me to the makeup counter and proceeded to powder the shine right off of my face! 

Needless to say, I was intrigued when I read in Exodus 34:35 that …the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face shone:… Why did Moses have a shiny face? Digging deeper into the scripture I saw that it was because he spent time in the presence of God on Mount Sinai. 

Later on I read another verse in the Psalms about being shiny. Psalm 34:5 says: They looked to him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed… 

Then in Matthew 5:14-16 I read about shining as lights. It says: “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 

These verses made me stop and think. Maybe having a shiny forehead wasn’t so bad after all. In fact, I wanted to be a shiny person! A person that reflected my Father’s light as I spent time in His presence. 

 Jesus said in John 15:5: I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit:…. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,…Gal 5:22. 

There are a lot of sad things happening in the world so it’s important as believers that we shine. Are we ready to give an answer to every one that asks about the reason for the hope that is within us? 1 Peter 3:15 says: But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 

Are we radiating love, joy and peace regardless of our circumstances because we are abiding in Christ and are hope is in Him?