5July12
Today I’m sitting at the Mangine’s house, my new home away from home.
I don’t live here, but this is my family.
Yesterday, I realized it when I was hanging out here, while Nick and Gwenn weren’t
around, and yet their kids came up to ask me questions, or for Nia to show off her wallet
she had just made.
I love being a part of this family.
But today is a hard day for me.
I am struggling, but I don’t know why.
I find myself restless, but lacking the energy to do something, and I realize a bit about
my recent days.
I haven’t been looking around at what God is doing, and where He is showing himself in
each day. I haven’t been reflecting on His glory, for that is where I find my strength.
It certainly isn’t a case of Him not showing up. It’s just one of me not stopping for
long enough to take notice, which seems odd when this week has been more of relaxation
and recovery than hard work. But, it makes sense when I completely surround myself with
people all day long.
Sometimes I need to retreat, to find time with Him who sent me, to restore my soul and
bask in his presence.
He has allowed great things to be happening here, and I am thankful to be a part of it.
I know that He has allowed me to be a part of the bible study with our men from church on
the beach, and that the cookout last night for the 4th of July was a great time of
fellowship and building of our community. I know that He is continuing to take care of
me, and is giving me peace as I look around and get overcome by the amount of work that
is yet to be done.
And now, I ask that you pray for me, as I am struggling to get the traction to keep
moving forward. The work orders pile up faster than I can keep up. I want to honor every
commitment I make for His glory, I don’t want to say “no” to someone in need, and I want
to do everything to the best of my ability, and yet, I get overwhelmed, knowing that
there is so much to do.
I am also still seeking out my “residence” here, as I have too many unsettled questions
about land and containers and all right now. I am looking at options to rent a house,
especially with some friends here in Jacmel, but still seeking God’s direction on it.
On the bright side, I have figured out some of my “furlough” information. I’ll be coming
home in early August, and I’ll be the “missionary of the month” at Emmanuel the weekend
of August 12th. Then I plan to share more in depth about Haiti at Crucified on August
15th, and at Emmanuel on August 20th.
Then, I’ll be heading to Uganda on August 22nd to visit with Jamie Soderlund, and
hopefully Chris Schanter and the Angels of East Africa work. I’m happy for that, but must
stay focused on what is going on right now.
Which means, I need to get my details worked out for shipping in solar panels (the
shipping stuff is a pain in the butt), line up some electricians to work with me next
week as I travel north again, and figure out a time to get out west to work in Les Cayes
again.
I’m getting tired of driving so much, but as long as there is a need, I need to keep
trying to keep up with it.
I have found my organizational skills lacking. I’m sure there are very few people
surprised by that, but it is something I am trying to work on.
It just means my calendar is filling up quickly.
