Luc and Anna Ray helping Manita, our housekeeper and best friend, shell the beans.

My sister Mia bravely arrived in Wozye on Saturday.  Luc and Anna Ray spent the days before her arrival counting minutes and hours until she arrived.  I counted along with them.  They were anxious to teach her some Creole, show her the ocean, the pigs and the chickens, and the tiny kitten at the house down the road.  Mostly they were anxious to see a face they know and love.

Having her here brought our reality- living on a busy road, no lights, no water, no car, no phone, no privacy- home in a hard way.  Corey and I stayed up late last night discussing how to make this time in Haiti work as I was ready to hop on the plane with Mia when she leaves.  Last night we had a game plan- get a car and move to Port Salut where there is the hope of electricity, phone contact, and a yard.  Corey was on a mission this morning when he left us at 7:00a.m. to discuss our plans with the mayor and our good friend Philippe.

As word of our possible departure to the nearby town spread, we started receiving gifts.  Pierre and Philippe sat us all on their front porch offering to buy us cokes, find a car, build a fence, fix the water all in the hope that we will stay.  Our neighbors brought us their two eggs as they had also heard we might leave and want us to be happy here, to stay here, to have hope here.

I was moved to tears partly because I thought we had it all figured out.  Mostly, though, because of the true generosity and welcome that we have received from those who have so little.  Even when we lose hope for Haiti, the people continue on hoping and praying that life will get easier and last longer for them and for their children.

As I sit here writing, a young man named Sonny is climbing the outside wall of our home with bucket after bucket of water- filling the cistern for running water- asking us to stay.

I'm not sure where we will end up or if I will fly out of here on the next available plane.  But, I do know that I am moved and that I am the witness to great grace and generosity in my life.