We are ONE body ...

Before any of our Christmas celebrations began, we celebrated the 18th birthday of Kristian Snow, Terry's second son. Lindsay, Shakinah and I were recruited to help plan an afternoon-long scavenger hunt for him and we ended the evening with a delicious steak and potato dinner. Terry had a lot of fun cooking up the steaks for us - I think it brought his Texas upbringing a bit closer to home for him =) And we didn't mind the change in dinner menu one bit either!


The theme for the evening centered around bunnies. NOT because Kristian thinks their cute or cuddly, but because his gift in working with computers and video all started with a series of three "Bunny" videos that he created when he was 15, using a web cam. It took him months to create them, but they are definitely quite the work of art! I'm excited to see where God takes Kristian in the coming years ... He has already been getting involved in the local TV station (we know the director and one of our staff members works there) and he has a lot of great ideas of how he can use this media to help educate the Haitian people and to spread the truth of the Gospel.



And this work of art is the birthday cake that his Aunt Shelly made for him. All centered around things that make him who he is today. I LOVED the popcorn bowl ... it is pure icing and cake! She is another very gifted member of the Snow family (Terry's only sister). I know these pictures don't look like your typical "Life in Haiti" slide show, but I included them for two reasons. One - it is so common to hear stories about missionaries feeling isolated when they are on the field, and I am just so thankful to God for the way he has knit this base together and how we interact, playing and working together like on big family. I love being a part of the lives of each missionary child on this base too ... I remember sensing that this was part of my calling, back in March, when God made it clear to me that he was bringing me back here for a season of my life. And as much as I enjoy relating to and mentoring these children, they have just as much to share with me.

Just this past Friday, after feeling a bit under the weather (and a bit desperate for some fresh air, after sitting in a dark and stuffy computer lab for too long after school!), I was walking home to my apartment, thinking that what I needed was a good nap before dinner. But in my heart, I knew that I was just in need of some encouragement. After a long week in the classroom, my heart was feeling heavy for some of the situations my students live in, day in and day out. And to be quite honest, I feel a such a loss to know how to really reach them ... And when I am tired, I always start missing people at home much more acutely (especially Stu).

But as I made my way across the base, I spotted little six-year-old Levi, strutting around in his batman outfit. He came running up to me, said hello, and we struck up a short conversation about his day at school, etc. etc. Then he asked me where Miss Lindsay was. I knew she was busy, (and that he was looking for someone to hang out with) so I invited him to come with me to the apartment for a little bit. I had my computer on, with a picture of me and Stu (from the night of our engagement) on the desktop. He took an interest in it and so I proceeded to show him all the pictures I took during my short two weeks at home.

It was so much fun to share some of these memories with him, and he was an amazingly attentive audience! You have to meet Levi to know what a bundle of uncontained energy he is ... He has to concentrate VERY hard to make himself walk anywhere. If he is just doing his thing, he RUNS. Everywhere. And he jumps and leaps and carries around large walking sticks. Just because that is who he is =) And he has an amazingly sensitive spirit and knowledge of God for his six years. Sometimes he blows me away with his insights...

One time, when he was walking with this family, and far out ahead of them, with his walking stick to keep him company, he was lost in thought. His dad, Rodney, tried to get his attention (unsuccessfully, the first few times), only to hear Levi respond with this comment, "You know, Dad, no matter how fast you run, you just can't get ahead of God. He always there first!"

Well, on this particular Friday, it wasn't a theological insight that touched me. It was just Levi's gentlemanly heart and behavior. After sitting through all of my pictures and stories, he wiggled a bit in his chair, turned towards me and said, very politely, "Miss Laura, I'm VERY glad that you got engaged." With a huge smile on his face, he jumped up and ran out the door, black cape flying behind him.

I told him after that night how much he had encouraged me and that he had been an answer to prayer. He just tilted his head and smiled, from ear to ear, with a look that said, "Really!? I didn't know that a kid could be an answer to prayer for an ADULT..." But that is exactly what he was. I see God using every person on this base, children and adults alike, to be there when we most need it. It is such a good reminder to me that we are all part of ONE body, and that we can not walk out this journey effectively without each other.



Some more of my family here on the base, enjoying Kristian's birthday cake. (Me, Haref - a girl from Mexico who was here for 3 weeks over Christmas, Patrick, Alaindo, and Shakinah)


The beautiful Christmas tree that Carline decorated for us. This was taken during our "White Elephant" gift exchange for the staff Christmas party. Another fun evening of celebrating with our YWAM family ...