Joy amidst sadness

Jay, always a little goofy.

This past week has been hard. Really hard. Aaron lost his grandfather this past week and flew up to Ohio to be with family for the funeral. And then, on the day he returned to Haiti, we received a phone call on our way back from the airport. It was one of those phone calls in which time stands still and nothing is ever the same from that point on. Our dear friend/neighbor/co-worker Jay Shultz was in a freak accident and was pinned by a back-hoe. We turned the truck around and met him and most of our NVM family at the hospital. Jay suffered 10 broken ribs, 2 pneumo-thorax, and two shattered vertebrae. After some anxious moments, we learned that fortunately the injuries he sustained were not life threatening. The following morning he was Medivac’d out to Miami, Florida and underwent surgery on his back. At this moment, doctors are unsure of his prognosis and he is still paralyzed from the waist down. We all hold tight to the belief that God is in control of Jay and has a plan. We pray for total and complete restoration of Jay’s health. And we all know that if anyone can come out on the other side of this mess, it is Jay! He is so strong physically, spiritually, and emotionally that many times over this past week it seems it is us who have drawn strength from him instead of the other way around. It has been a hard week for the Shultz family but they are walking through this time with such amazing spirit and faith. 

Aaron and Totes at the wedding

Isabel, Syd and Jeremiah

In the midst of this suffering, there was "light" today. One of our NVM family got married.  Lovenide, who works on the housecleaning staff, married Chenet today. It was a beautiful ceremony and she looked lovely. Weddings are such happy affairs. The love between two people publicly pronounced in front of family, friends, the church, and God is filled with hope. I can’t help but think of Christ and his Bride... us! In a place filled with so much suffering and despair, it was so refreshing to see such a display of hope. It was something we can all cling to. Sometimes people ask me what is the greatest need in Haiti to which I respond “Hope”. Sure the material needs are great but the need for hope is even greater. 

Entering the church

Down the isle

After the wedding, Pastor got word that the new couple had no plans for a honeymoon. They have no money. They were simply going to return to their mud hut and spend their wedding night in the room next to Lovenide’s parents and siblings. So Pastor got to work and before long all the teams and staff on campus had collected enough money to send them to a Port au Prince hotel for two nights with spending money for food. Neither of them had left Chambrun before and when Pastor dropped them off in the hotel room he had to show them how to turn on the water, work the locks on the doors, and how to use the air conditioner and the lights.  Pastor said that they were so excited to have a real honeymoon... and all thanks to Pastor and all the great teams currently on campus who made it happen!

The happy couple

With the ring bearer and flower girls

Flower girl

Flower girl

Ok, so I was obsessed with the beautiful flower girls!

Pastor and Dianne with the newlyweds

So, this week has been crazy. Two teams have left campus, one has remained, 3 more have come. We suffered through Jay’s accident and relished Lovenide’s wedding. The only thing you can expect in Haiti is the unexpected.