This verse came to mind when I realized how fast the days are moving. It has been a bit over two weeks since I posted; even though a lot of things have happened, it seems like I was just here typing away. When I think about the measure of my days and realize that my mother died when she was about my age, I gain a fresh perspective to live each day as if it were my last. As well, living in Haiti and seeing how difficult daily life can be, I gain a new appreciation for the life that God has given to me.
I do want to thank everyone who offered up prayers for Rick and his parents while they were traveling. All travel during the last few weeks went smoothly and the situation with bandits in Ti Goav (Petite Goave is the official French name) has settled down with an increased presence of UN forces and some Haitian Special Forces.
I do want to tell everyone about how wonderful the mountain road up to Bonne Fin is right now. Many of you have traveled here before and remember the treacherous conditions of the mountain road between Cavillion and Bonne Fin. It is about 14 kilometers (8.5 miles) and took about 45 minutes to travel when we visited in September of last year. When we came in June, workers were just starting to bring in dirt, gravel, a road grader and a roller. The work started just outside Cavillion and continued up the road. We have enjoyed seeing the progress as the huge (like across most of the road) potholes are filled in, the rain ruts are filled in and the road is widened and smoothed. During the time that Rick was back in the states, the road crew was working just outside the gate to the hospital. Rich Pfister had the idea to serve the workers a meal in appreciation for the work they are doing on the road. The ladies put their heads together and had a meal for about 20 workers. Since I was not very settled in our home yet, I didn't help with making the food, but Selah and I did go and help with set-up and serving. Here are a couple of pictures:
The men seemed to appreciate the meal and there were many expressions of "Bondye Beni Ou" (God Bless You). The meal consisted of Fried Chicken Legs, Rice & Beans with Bean Sauce, Cole Slaw, Fried Plantains and a bottle of Soda. Yep - pretty typical for a meal in Haiti.
So, getting back to the condition of the road. Those of you who know and remember the old, very bumpy road would be shocked. It is still gravel and rocks, but it is much smoother and the huge potholes and ruts are gone. Now, it takes about 20 minutes to get down to Cavillion. The road has been a prayer request for many years and we continue to see God's hand working to improve conditions at Hopital Lumiere. Of course, without maintenance, the road will be back to it's old condition after a few rainy seasons, but we are extremely thankful for the current condition of the road.
Ministering Brother, Bob Beebe is here right now and in his sermon this evening, he quoted a verse from All the Way My Savior Leads that seems fitting to add to this post about the road as our winding path to Bonne Fin has been "cheered up". The second verse says:
All the way my Saviour leads me,
Cheers each winding path I tread;
Gives me grace for every trial,
Feeds me with the living bread;
Tho' my weary steps may falter,
And my soul a-thirst my be,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! a spring of joy I see.
I will post more about the past weeks tomorrow or Friday as this piece about the road turned out a bit longer than I had planned.
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