The Wonder of Bubbles

Micah and Bethany spent the day playing with their Haitian friends, Eduardo and Chardeline.  I found some bubbles that we had brought back with us from the States.  It was the first time their friends had ever played with bubbles.  It was fun to se the excitement and wonder that a little bottle of bubbles brings.  You know, bubbles are old hat for us.  We have seen them so many times that they do not make us smile or laugh or jump for joy anymore.  I wonder if that is how many of us have become with our Savior and with our salvation.  We have lost the joy and the wonder that first came with our sins being forgiven forever.  I need to pray as David did in Psalm 51, "Restore unto me the joy of my salvation."  With restored joy will come a restored fervor to serve the Lord more and to spread that joy to others.

Coconuts

Today I was thinking about all that I have learned about coconuts since I have been in Haiti.  I know it sounds weird, but when you are a missionary, you have to learn a lot of little things that you never thought about before.  For example, you have to warn your kids not to stand under a coconut tree.  A falling coconut could kill them.  Also, did you know that coconuts (with the outside still on) are the perfect chew toy for a dog?  The only problem is that thay make a big mess in your floor.  I'm glad I have concrete floors and not carpet.  I recently learned how to make fresh coconut milk.  I thought the milk was the juice inside of the coconut, but it is not.  Also, if you have never witnessed a Haitian climbing up a coconut tree to get fresh coconuts, it is pretty amazing.  Now, I bet you are wondering why I am rambling on about coconuts.  (No, it's not becuase today is the first day back to school after vacation - I could not even remember the "Vowel Song" today.)  The point is this:  When deciding to follow God's will, you never know what you are going to face or what you are going to learn.  God's will is exciting, about as exciting as a basket of coconuts!!! 

Christmas in Haiti

We had a wonderful Christmas in sunny Haiti.  Our family began celebrating Christmas Friday night by having a Finger Food dinner.  Everyone made their favorite finger food (since we miss out on all of the Christmas get togethers where everyone brings finger foods).  It was fun.  Bubba brought mixed nuts:)  We then decided to open all of the presents from other people.  The kids were thankful for all of the presents.  Saturday we had our traditional Christmas breakfast of waffles with strawberries and whipped cream (Thanks to MFI who brought them over for us!).  We opened all of our other presents.  Then we had Thanksgiving supper with a real turkey and all the trimmings.  As I was making all of the food I was reminded of one reason I love living in Haiti.  We are away from all of the hustle and bustle of the USA and we can really celebrate Christmas as a family.  We had time to decorate cookies and make presents for one another.  The kids were very sweet and thoughtful in their gifts for each other.
Also, I was reminded of how much of an impact family has on a person.  I made dressing for the first time using my grandmother's recipe.  I noticed that I had made my list of foods to make, just like she always did.  Of course, my dressing was not as good as hers, but it was good.  Also, we had egg custard, a tradition from my husband's family.  I am thankful fo rthe opportunity to raise a Christian family.
Sunday, we really celebrated the birth of our Savior with a combined service with both of our church plants.  The pastor said that all of our Haitian children were present.  It was such an encouragement to see some of the fruit of our labor here in Haiti.  The children sang a song which said that we could be happy on Christmas because it is a day of deliverance.  The last week of the year most Haitians are trying to finish out the engagements that they made with Satan for that year.  Truly, for those who have accepted Christ, Christmas is a reminder of the Savior who delivered them from sin.  I am thankful that every day we can receive deliverance if we only give the Lord complete control of our lives.  Well, I hope your Christmas was as good as mine was.  I am looking forward to an even better 2012.

Introduction

We are the Peart Family, missionaries in the northern mountains of Haiti near a city called St. Raphael.  The Peart Family consists of my husband, Harry, myself, Melissa, and our four children: Benjamin (12), Madelyn (11), Micah (7) and Bethany (5).  Our main ministries include church planting, Christian schools, and training national pastors.  I began this blog because I thought it would give some of you insight into what it is like to be a missionary in a third world country.  I would also like to use this as a tool to share ideas and encouragement.  The Lord has been so good to us, and sometimes if I do not put the words on paper, I often fall into the trap of forgetting His goodness and His blessings.  So with all that said, I hope this blog will be a blessing and an encouragement to all who read it.

Beginnings

This is the beginning.