Travel Plans

Some of you may have heard rumors that the Willis family will be traveling soon.  Many of you have not because the plans have not been in the making for very long.  When we first came to Haiti we thought a trip to the United States might happen in the late fall or early winter.  As we thought more about it, we talked about how difficult that might be with the travel involved as we will be seeing family in both Michigan and Minnesota.  We also thought about the added stress of more clothes and gear needed to be outside during those months.  Planning to be home a little earlier might be easier logistically, but would it be better for our  children emotionally.  We have only been gone six months.  Have they adjusted to this being "home" yet?  Will it be harder on them to come back?

As we began to talk with staff here at COTP, we discussed the fact that Seth and Melissa Johnson, the new house parents for the Joy House, would be arriving in late August.  We talked about how that would be a perfect transition for us and for them if they could "housesit" with our children and aunts while we were away and see what works well and what they would do differently in their home.  It seemed that God was leading us in an earlier trip.

Next came Dan's hernia.  He had been telling me for a while that he was in pain, but since we didn't know what to do about it, we just kept living life and hoping it would go away.  Finally we could ignore it no longer, so Dan went to see a Haitian doctor to verify that it was indeed a hernia.  We explored several options of having the surgery done in Haiti or in the Dominican Republic, and none of those options were working out.  The pain continued to get worse.  In God's good providence, He already had a plan for this and we contacted a surgeon in Michigan who is very kind and helpful, and he agreed to do the surgery.  It just so happens that he was able to get Dan's surgery scheduled a week before we were thinking about coming to the States.  Isn't God good?

As it stands now, Dan and the boys will be headed to Michigan on September 7th.  Jadyn, Zion Hope, and I will stay in Haiti and work with our Haitian kids until the following week so Dan can recoup a bit before we have to start counting this trip as vacation.

Although we would love to see so many people and tell everyone about how things are going here in Haiti, this trip will primarily be focused on Dan's surgery and recovery and spending much needed time with immediate family.  We will be traveling a lot just to see our siblings and parents, and more traveling seems quite daunting to us as this trip will serve as our one break this year.  We hope that is not hurtful to any of you, and that you can understand our need for quality time with our families.

We would love your prayers over the next two months.
For travel for both of us as neither of us is crazy about flying internationally with children on our own.
For Dan's surgery and recovery.
For sweet fellowship with family.....we miss them all deeply and are so excited for time with them.
For safe travels in the states.
For our Haitian children and the aunts as they function in a different way and for Seth and Melissa as they serve in our home.
For rest and readiness to return to the work that God has called us to in Haiti.

God has provided in so many ways already.  Details that were very daunting are starting to come together.  The surgeon, insurance that will cover at least part of the surgery, a vehicle to use, the buying of so many different combinations of tickets that my head was starting to spin with the different options.  He is so good to us and we are grateful.  Think of all the ways he is blessing you today and give Him thanks.  

Meet Ezekiel

We would love to introduce to you the newest member of the Grace House!  We began introducing Ezekiel to our home this week, and he will likely move in within the next few days.  He is a precious little boy and we hope you will join us in prayer for him.  Pray that God will show the forever family that He has chosen for Ezekiel that there is a little boy in Haiti waiting for them.  He will surely be a blessing to them when that time comes.  Here are a few photos, and I am sure there will be more to come.

Isn't his smile precious.  Doesn't it just make you want to come to Haiti to visit us and love on these precious children?  Think about it!

Cuteness

I was a little worried after my last post that some of you would think that we are unhappy in Haiti and that we are really struggling.  I do want to be honest about our struggles, but I also want you to understand that things are good.  How can we not smile when we have cuteness like this around us all day?  We smile and laugh often, we have great friends, and we take fun rides on 4 wheelers and motorcycles.  God teaches us more each day and He is so faithful.  Aren't these two precious???

Musings of a "missionary"

I have a hard time calling myself a missionary.  Many of us have read those missionary stories, right?  The ones that talk of all the heroic deeds missionaries do and how they led many people to Christ every week.  The ones that sound near perfect in many ways.  People who gave their whole lives to live in some jungle, and seemed happy about living in that jungle even when snakes slithered next to their beds.

I am here to tell you that I have a hard time calling myself a missionary because my life doesn't look like that.  Sometimes I really hate the bugs and the heat and the lack of privacy and the illness.  I miss family and friends and get really sad about things my family and I are missing out on with them.  i get stressed every day because I used to love cooking for my family and now it seems like such a chore because I am not used to the food and it is such a task to go to market.  I am pretty sure I struggle with sin more here in Haiti as a missionary than I did living in the States.  I get crabby, tired, anxious and selfish.  I feel frustrated with the needs that surround me when I don't know how to help.  I get sick of crying children.  I get annoyed when I can't communicate what I want to say either with words or in a culture that I don't understand.  I am hot a lot and sometimes I just want to stop sweating.  There are times when I just want everyone to get out of the house and let me be alone.

I want to be like Jesus to the people around me, to my husband, my partner in ministry.  To my children whom God gave me first, before moving to Haiti.  To the Haitian children in our care, the aunts that are here every day, the fellow staff here at COTP, our Haitian friends, people in our village and surrounding areas.  There are so many needs and it feels like I fail so often.

People write and say "I wish I could do what you are doing." Or, "God is using you in amazing ways."  Sometimes, "Those children are so blessed to have you!"  Yes, God can use us and I believe He is.  The children living with us are experiencing family and consistency and love.  We have made some great friendships and are looking forward to getting deeper with relationships and talking more and more about the gospel of Jesus Christ.  There is something great about having a peace that you are right where God wants you.  The life in Haiti is simpler in so many ways.  We get to learn a new language and culture first hand.  Our biological children are getting experiences that will impact them forever.

I just thought you should know how much we need your prayers.  It isn't always pretty here.  If there was a story about the Willis family, it wouldn't be flowery.  We do feel that God called us here, and He is ALWAYS faithful to complete the work He has started.  There are many things to love about Haiti and about the people here.  We know that God often uses the hard things in our life to mold and shape us and so being here isn't just about the Haitian people, but about us, too.  Will you pray for us?  We know so many of you do and we are so grateful. 

Zion Hope's special friend

I have talked a few times about Zion, Fritzlin, and Loudena and how much they play together.  They are learning and growing and interact much like any three 2 year olds would.  They play together, steal toys from one another, laugh together, cry together, and entertain us together. 
 I don't know if I have mentioned before how much Zion Hope LOVES Paco.  Paco is who she goes to first thing in the morning.  He is usually in his bouncy seat and she plops down beside him and gets right in his face.  "Paco, Paco, Paco!"  She kisses on him and squeezes a little too tight, and throughout the day she can be found doing this periodically.  She has also been known to sneak into his room when he is supposed to be going to sleep to talk to him and pat his back.  She loves him.  It is so sweet to see how our life here impacts even our two year old.  Don't get me wrong, sometimes we see how she struggles because of having to share us, but then we catch the glimpses of pure joy on her face as she talks to him and sings to him.  Paco will not crawl or walk or feed himself while in our care.  Someday he will have surgery and we don't know all of the implications of that, but we do know that he will have a special friend watching out for him even when he can't do things for himself.
We rarely let Zion hold Paco because she wants to do it all by herself and I am not comfortable with that yet.  Yesterday she was spending some time with him and he was really loving it, so I let her hold him for a bit.  They both enjoyed it!  Hope you like the few shots I was able to get while keeping one arm available to rescue him if she got carried away with her snuggles!   They were taken with my ipod, so aren't the best quality, but I think you can still appreciate the love!

Children of the Promise has given permission for the posting of the photos on this site.  Photos taken of children in the care of Children of the Promise are not to be posted publicly without explicit permission given by Children of the Promise.

Happy Birthday, Jacob!

 
Happy Birthday, Jacob!  This is our first picture of just us and the children.  I know they aren't smiling....but they really do seem to like it here!  They were all just waking up from their naps when we started the birthday party.  Everyone enjoyed the cake and I am sure Jacob was thrilled with the toy parrot Isaiah is sharing with him for his birthday!  Fritzlin and Loudena decided Jacob was leaving too many crumbs on his tray so they helped him eat the rest.  We encourage helping any way we can around here!!  The bottom picture is of Fritzlin in a Twins bib.  I am sure it will make him a Twins fan when he grows up!

 

A Day in Pictures

 Last Sunday Jadyn and Malachi and I decided to go for a bike ride.  I thought it would be fun to take a few pictures to show people what we see as we ride.  I didn't take as many as I thought I would as there were many people on the road and I try to be respectful and not take pictures of them.  I also didn't want to keep stopping because we were enjoying the ride!  After we returned, I thought I could just share photos of the rest of the day.  Hope you enjoy!

 Jade and Malachi riding ahead.  Malachi always chooses the puddles!

 He lost his flip flop in this one....you can see it floating if you look closely. 

 We see many animals along the way.  This sight is fairly typical.

 I had never seen these sheep before, but we went a bit farther than we normally go.  They looked like they were pretty miserable....even though their fleece was far from full.  If you can't sleep, try counting mangy sheep.

 Fritzlin likes to make us laugh.  We use these puddle boots ALL the time right now.  Thanks, Grandma!

 Paco is always ready with a smile when someone stops to talk to him.

 Loudena and Zion Hope, buddies until one of them steals the other ones baby!

 Jacob and Fritzlin, ready for Family Worship.

 Jadyn is deeply loved!

 We end the night with our friend, Toto, helping us put up our mosquito nets. 

Everyone loves Toto!

Children of the Promise has given permission for the posting of photos on this site.  Photos taken of children in the care of Children of the Promise are not to be posted publicly without explicit permission given by Children of the Promise.