home sweet home

For an update on our living situation, click the link below...




Currently we are living in Frere with a wonderful family from church. They have a separate apartment right next to their house, and they offered for us to stay here as long as we would like for a very fair and low monthly cost. It's tiny, tiny without feeling too cramped. Not only do we have our own bedroom/living space/bathroom, they also provide us with two meals a day, laundry once a week, and they have 24/7 electricity. It's a quiet area, and walking distance to a nice market, restaurant, and tap-tap loading area.

They have been so good to us, and we feel so taken care of by them. The couple is very cool and laid-back, but also very faithful and very giving to us. They speak a little bit of english, so while we still have challenges communicating, we can generally understand each other.They have two sons who are 8 and 4, and living with a family with young children helps us feel even more at home. They also have a rottweiler, which I think is a special kiss from God because He knows those are my favorite!

There is also an in-house maid who cooks, cleans, watches the kids while they're at work, etc. Many Haitian families employ women in their 20's to live and work in their home. They become a part of their family. The woman that works here is actually my age, and has worked with them for 3 years. Her relationship with the family and with the 4 year old reminds me of my special relationship with the Moons and my favorite 4 year old. So we have that special connection in common! However, she speaks close to zero english, and communicating can be frustrating for us. We can't wait to learn more Creole and be able to have a real conversation with her! But she is great to us, and loves answering our questions and helping us out in whatever way she can.

We plan to stay here at least through the month of July (jiye, in Creole, for those who are wondering how my Creole is doing...). Once August rolls around, not too long from now, we will reevaluate. Andrew is still looking for a job. So, depending on where he ends up, we may need to move to a different location. This has really been a perfect situation. The only thing that would make it better is if we had an extra bedroom to host our friends when they come and visit :)


Downstairs:

Upstairs:

the stairs, with our trashcan and dirty clothes hamper ;)

Porch Views:

the roof of our host family's house

We have looked at a couple other apartments, but so far everything seems too expensive, or just not as good as we have it here. God is taking care of us through this family. Though the language and culture barrier is still present, we already feel so connected to them and grateful to have them as the closest people to us.

I am confident that Andrew and I have truly faithful and righteous friends and family, and that God has been answering prayers that you have been praying (James 5:16). We are still adjusting, and each day still feels like a challenge, so it is by no means "perfect" or exactly how I pictured it. But day by day I am seeing how God is listening and caring for us.