5ive

As we are starting our 5th year in Haiti, I have been thinking about the number 5.  It has always been one of my favorite numbers as my birthday and my son's birthday both fall on the 5th of October; plus we have 5 people in our family, the youngest one being 5 years old. School starts soon for the kids and they will be doing school work for 5 days of every week.  And, sadly, it has been about 5 months since my last post on this blog.  With all these 5s rolling around in my head, it seemed a fitting title for this post.  

Now that I have written 5 sentences to get this post started, I struggle with where to begin in recapping the past few months.  I think that most of the people that read our blog probably know about the loss of our colaborer, sister in Christ and dear friend, Janella Zimmerman.  I would say that the main reason I haven't written until now is because I just didn't have the words to express our shock and grief after tragically losing Janella in early May.  Initially, we all felt the pain of this loss quite deeply, yet God is a might comforter and I believe he has given us ways to cope and he continues to provide comfort to our hearts.   As we reflect on the day of the Zimmerman's accident and see how God worked to protect and provide for David, Orrin and Cassia, we cannot deny that He has a plan for this family.  We have a peace that Janella was needed in the Heavenly Kingdom and that God is holding her husband and children in His embrace.  

As I sought comfort in God's word in the days and weeks following the loss of Janella, I bookmarked several verses on my Bible App.  This passage was of special comfort to me.

For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall...  
...He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth; for the Lord hath spoken it.  And  it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him and he will save us; this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.                       Isaiah 25: 4, 8-9

Recent Memories

Our family has many memories with the Zimmerman family.  Of all the missionaries that we have served with at Hopital Lumiere up to this point, we served the longest total time with the Zimmermans.  We have many memories of being together along with our missionary family for potluck dinners, hosting teams, beach trips and retreat weekends. In recent months, we spent time with just their family a couple of times.  

Back in January, we visited a small island just off the shore near Saint Louis du Sud. There are ruins from an old fort to explore as well as two shipwrecked vessels that are perfect for snorkeling.  We had a fun and relaxing day with the Zimms.  

Krae & Orrin playing ball with some boys

Selah & Orrin checking out the fresh catch of the day

Krae pretending to lead the charge on an old cannon

Mara   Krae   Selah

Building Sand Castles

Drone view photos of the shipwrecks that we like to explore

Making Sausage

We were able to spend a few hours with David, Orrin and Cassia in early June when we traveled to the USA for our summer furlough.  It was good to be with them.  We are able to share in their grief and also share in the peace that David feels about the loss of his wife. The kids had fun playing together at a park. 

Highlights from the last few months

As it has been a while since my last post, here are a few fun pictures from the early part of last year.

In February, we were able to take our re-scheduled trip to Florida.  We had a great time and really enjoyed the special time as a family.  

The Goodfield Team brought a giant bubble maker.  Selah had fun playing in the bubbles.

Fun body boarding in the ocean

Selah pretending to "camp-out" on the drive-way.

After a hike down the river, Mara prepares to jump over the waterfall into a fun swimming hole.

Krae jumping down the waterfall.

In May, we visited Jocelyn at his home in Cayes.  He seems to be doing well and thriving with his new family.  It was a joy to see him doing so well.

This post recaps our family during the early months of this year.  I will follow-up with some more Haitian adventures as well as news about our summer furlough in a few days.