Lame

1 motorcycle, 4 passengers (2 under the age of 7), 90 degrees, 11 km from home, 4 inch nail and 1 very flat tire (3 holes)! Definitely NOT feeling like Macgyver right now. Thanks to my Hatian friends, all is well though. That was a bit of a curve ball. Please don’t tell my mother : )

Time for some Cheez-Its! Yum, White Cheddar flavor.

Interesting fact: the “shop” rate for moto repairs was about $1.25 an hour today.

Ok, comfort from the Cheez-Its is setting in. Bye for now.

This is tougher than I imagined.

First of all, I would like to apologize for not updating the blog sooner. Many of you have invested in our family, church and this trip, and I promised you updates. Writing though is even more difficult for me here than at home. Typing a lengthy entry using the iPad adds an interesting element, though that is not the primary reason for my tardiness. The real reason my first post has been delayed is “living” in Haiti is tougher than I imagined. I use the term “living” loosely, because really I am just traveling here with my family. However, it’s the addition of the kids, and the absence or our Lifeline friends and leaders, that makes this trip so different. Our first few days have been challenging. Don’t misunderstand, there have been bright spots and moments of encouragement that get us focused. And I didn’t think this would be easy… In any event, I already have a deeper appreciation for real missionaries. Before we arrived, I thought we might be the missionary “type”. I’m not sure that we aren’t, but it is quickly becoming obvious that it isn’t a no brainer decision. If there are any missionaries in my audience, they are probably laughing out loud and thinking “duh”. I know, I know. I’m unbelievably naive.

So I’m blogging now. How come? Partly because Ruth made me and partly because I turned on Hillsong to get in the mood and feel spiritual and all. I wish Hillsong was a magic bullet, but it isn’t (another “duh”) and it isn’t really having the desired effect right now. So, I have “writer’s cramp” or “swimmer’s block” or something… Anyways (please don’t critique my grammar – you know who you are, I’m writing this way on purpose) here are a couple highlights from our trip thus far:

I own a motorcycle! We welcomed a 2010 Dayang DY125-2A into our family on Friday. Basically, it’s a cheap Honda knock off made in China. It’s a blast to drive but I’m only fairly certain it will run through August. Two requests. If you pray, pray for the Dayang. Second, I want to give it a name. Make some suggestions, really. By the way, it has already carried up to 3 of us at once. My goal is 5, if I get really good, like the Haitians.

The next highlight has got to be Edy. Edy is CCH’s agriculturist and an all around good guy. Almost immediately he earned my trust, and the kids took to him quickly. I am thankful that we met him. It’s to soon to mention coming home, but when we do, we will miss Edy. He is coming up to our floor Thursday night to play games. Can’t wait!

The last bright spot I’m going to write about now was my trip to CCH’s rehab clinic today. How cool! There were some prosthetists in town fitting amputees with prosthetic limbs. They talked me through much of the process, and even let me jump in and help a bit. A little boy named Alec caught my attention. He has cerebral palsy and leg braces. Both of his leg braces needed TLC. I was actually able to use my Leatherman and some miscellaneous parts to make field repairs. I will never get to do that in the States! He was happy, and so was I.

It’s getting late and I’m tired. Time for bed. Please keep in touch. Your notes and emails have been very uplifting. I will try to check back in soon. Maybe I can get Ruth and Kelli to make some contributions to the site also. They’ve got to be more interesting than me : )

Passé bon nwi.

Handel Jim, Friend of a Friend

Pushparaj Selvaraj is one of my dearest friends.  I had the opportunity to meet “Raj” about three (3) years ago when my company began outsourcing certain business functions to India.  Raj is from Chennai, a fairly populated city in the Southeastern part of the country.  We spent about three (3) weeks together in 2009 when I traveled to India on a training assignment.  Later, Raj spent roughly three (3) months in Utah learning from our office.

Though I’ve taught Raj and his colleagues much about mortgage loans and underwriting, I feel that I’ve benefited more from our relationship.  You see, the people of Chennai are a wonderful bunch, with many positive attributes.  From a business perspective, we appreciate their education, intelligence and hard work.  Personally though, what I appreciate most is their genuine kindness.  This type of kindness is almost completely absent from most of our places of work and, sadly, many of our churches and families.  When it comes to exhibiting kindness, Raj is no exception.  In fact, he is one of the kindest folks that I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.

It saddens me to report that Raj lost one of his close friends and co-workers yesterday to a tragic motorcycle accident.  His name is Handel Jim.  I don’t know Jim.  We hadn’t yet had the pleasure of working together, though he had just been assigned to our team.  However, a friend of Raj’s, had we been given the opportunity to meet, most certainly would have been a friend of mine.  Raj posted this on his Facebook Wall last night.

“One of the darkest days of life. Have lost a very good hearted immensely talented friend of myn by name Handel Jim. Still can’t believe he has passed away. How could I forget all the beautiful moments we spent together. You had always been an awesome guy. I will miss you so very badly buddy. With tears & unbearable pain in my heart, I pray for your soul to rest in peace:-(“

Pushparaj,  keep your head up and trust in God.  I am blessed by your friendship and truly saddened by your lost.  I am not great with words, but I want to share with you some lyrics from a song that we sang at church on Sunday.  It goes like this:

“There is a light

It burns brighter than the sun

He steals the night

And cast no shadow

There is hope

Should oceans rise and mountains fall

He never fails

So take heart

Let His love lead us through the night

Hold on to hope

And take courage again”