We have officially been back home longer than our time away in Haiti. It's been good to be home, strange to be home, definitely missing the places and people we spent life with in Haiti, and strange to think we even did what we did! Even now, I sometimes fuzz out of reality and just look around wondering where I am and what happened? It is interesting the effect a mission trip, though very short overall, can have on you. Maybe more strange is that so called reverse culture shock. You think you are good when you first get home, everything is familiar enough, but it creeps up on you rather unexpectedly. Then you think you have worked through it, and randomly there it is again. Sneaky. The past couple days, I've inadvertently driven "like a Haitian." That helps. Not sure how the motorists around me feel about it...
Four weeks ago, I started my new position as a fourth grade teacher at a nearby university model school. It's been great so far, and it is nice to be amongst an age group that can usually get my humor. My last position as a kindergarten teacher did not offer that so much. I teach in class Monday and Wednesday, then usually help with "home days" for our boys, as they go there now too. This curriculum and method of education is packed with lots of work! More work than the boys, or us, were previously use to as full time homeschoolers. But it is good and we already see the boys adapting and learning much just in a month. Veronica usually works the same days I am teaching so we have the same days off and can really do the family thing together. This is a big piece to the ums model- time with family. Even so, we are still just very busy. On most days, too busy. Truth be told, sometimes our trip this summer, and future possibilities, are not on our mind. The Lord has a way of not letting us forget though. Among many events since we returned, I had a birthday, and just a couple weeks ago this little guy turned seven! That is something. It also means our other son will soon be nine. Wow.
We were blessed to have a couple friends from Haiti come to central Texas for a week. They stayed with us a few nights, as well as a couple other friends from church. They got a good taste of Texas in food, culture, and landscape. For us, their time here was a terrific reminder of those future possibilities and permanent connections to Haiti. A reminder that the world is not so big anymore, and Haiti is not that far. Haiti is waiting.
The other big news, which I'm sure has spread just about everywhere by now, is we are expecting again! This one is another, and yes somewhat unexpected blessing from Haiti. Maybe even a stowaway you might say... We are thrilled though. We found out the last week we were in Haiti and had to keep quiet all this time, except for a few choice people who needed to know. Baby will be here around March 27 give or take. How will they change our future possibilities? Maybe they are a part of the plan in an unseen way and things are just as they should be. I tend to think so.
So as for the future possibilities, let's say there is a chance to be a part of an orphanage Christmas party in Port au Prince this December. There is a chance of continued short term work next summer similar to this summer's work. And there's a chance of a twenty-one month timeline to get to Haiti in a fulltime capacity. These are things we have been thinking about. These are the possibilities that seem right and have a peace about them. We will see what happens and what the Lord has in store for us! Thank you for your continued prayer as we seek Him out and what He is invited us too!
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| Yep. |
Four weeks ago, I started my new position as a fourth grade teacher at a nearby university model school. It's been great so far, and it is nice to be amongst an age group that can usually get my humor. My last position as a kindergarten teacher did not offer that so much. I teach in class Monday and Wednesday, then usually help with "home days" for our boys, as they go there now too. This curriculum and method of education is packed with lots of work! More work than the boys, or us, were previously use to as full time homeschoolers. But it is good and we already see the boys adapting and learning much just in a month. Veronica usually works the same days I am teaching so we have the same days off and can really do the family thing together. This is a big piece to the ums model- time with family. Even so, we are still just very busy. On most days, too busy. Truth be told, sometimes our trip this summer, and future possibilities, are not on our mind. The Lord has a way of not letting us forget though. Among many events since we returned, I had a birthday, and just a couple weeks ago this little guy turned seven! That is something. It also means our other son will soon be nine. Wow.
7th 'Lego' Birthday.
We were blessed to have a couple friends from Haiti come to central Texas for a week. They stayed with us a few nights, as well as a couple other friends from church. They got a good taste of Texas in food, culture, and landscape. For us, their time here was a terrific reminder of those future possibilities and permanent connections to Haiti. A reminder that the world is not so big anymore, and Haiti is not that far. Haiti is waiting.
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| Stevens and Erisias leading an evening of worship at our church. Awesome. |
The other big news, which I'm sure has spread just about everywhere by now, is we are expecting again! This one is another, and yes somewhat unexpected blessing from Haiti. Maybe even a stowaway you might say... We are thrilled though. We found out the last week we were in Haiti and had to keep quiet all this time, except for a few choice people who needed to know. Baby will be here around March 27 give or take. How will they change our future possibilities? Maybe they are a part of the plan in an unseen way and things are just as they should be. I tend to think so.
The newest Hughes!
So as for the future possibilities, let's say there is a chance to be a part of an orphanage Christmas party in Port au Prince this December. There is a chance of continued short term work next summer similar to this summer's work. And there's a chance of a twenty-one month timeline to get to Haiti in a fulltime capacity. These are things we have been thinking about. These are the possibilities that seem right and have a peace about them. We will see what happens and what the Lord has in store for us! Thank you for your continued prayer as we seek Him out and what He is invited us too!
Blessings,
Joshua
4 comments:
I hear ya about the ums being a lot of work! Sounds like yours is just as ambitious as mine. Last year, the first 2 months were extremely tough as I learned the new curriculum and found our best workflow. But eventually we settled in and it became bearable. Hang in there! I wish you were teaching Charlie 4th grade! The Thiers love the Hughes!
I hear ya about the ums being a lot of work! Sounds like yours is just as ambitious as mine. Last year, the first 2 months were extremely tough as I learned the new curriculum and found our best workflow. But eventually we settled in and it became bearable. Hang in there! I wish you were teaching Charlie 4th grade! The Thiers love the Hughes!
Wonderful updates, Josh. We are SO excited for you! Both Haiti and the new, expected baby are blessings and we rejoice in His goodness with you. We'll be praying for this first trimester, Veronica, and hope to meet Baby Hughes one day!
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