After a month in Indiana at OMS headquarters participating in cross-training, Bud and I spent a long weekend with my parents and sister in Florida before returning to Haiti last Tuesday, February 7. It was hard to say good-bye to my family, but as soon as we got on the plane and in the air, it felt like we were headed home and we were both ready to get back to the ministry God has called us to and...to a little sunshine (couldn't believe it rained in Florida!)
Cross-training wasn't exactly what we expected, but we did glean some good information and we made some life-long friendships with a diverse group of missionaries who are preparing to enter full-time ministry as well. We were also thrilled to spend the month with a couple from our home church - Mel and Diane Hurley, who are preparing to spend one year serving in Spain. We also had the chance to spend some time with Carl and Heidi Walton - our good friends and CTing mentors. We are blessed to call them friends. (If you know Carl, you can ask him who won at Wii bowling...)
Since arriving in Haiti we've been playing catch up. It's exciting to see how God is growing and equipping the Haiti field. New missionaries have arrived - Rick and Carol Folkeringa (Rick will do maintenance and Carol will serve as field treasurer). Brett and Angie Bundy - along with their four children - have returned and Brett has resumed his role as Field Director. Angie is the principal at Cowman International School. Bud and Jane Dennington are back (Bud does vehicle and generator maintenance and repair while Jane coordinates teams, teaches English, manages the Holiday House, and continues to work with Starfish Kids) - these couples join those who were here when we left a month ago - Kate, Erica and Matt & Stacey Ayars.
Friday we enjoyed our first Haitian wedding as Wadner Thermidor (translator and Starfish employee) married Brooke Morrison - an American doctor he met here while she was on a team from Grace Church in Pennsylvania. The wedding was lovely and I was honored to be able to do Brooke's hair and make-up for the wedding!
If all that isn't enough --- we had two teams here when we arrived and two guests in our house who we enjoyed getting to know if only briefly...along with the auditors who arrived on Friday and will be here all week.
Of course, we were thrilled to greet our Haitian friends as well...Gregory, Patrick, Julian, Jonas, Elcie...and the list goes on and on.
Thank you and bless you for your faithful support and prayers for us. We are blessed beyond measure!
Love and prayers,
Bud & Cindy
