One of the great things about being 'on my own' here is that I am amazingly flexible.  While I was home this winter a got involved in a translating project with Christian Aid Ministries.  I've worked with them before.  Great people doing wonderful things all over the planet, but here in Haiti as well. 

I agreed to translate three weeks worth of lessons for a Bible Leader seminar.  Each day has three lessons.  That's a lot of lessons.  I put aside each Monday and Friday for translation...taking no students...or very few.  I figured I could translate three lessons (or one day) each day of translating.  My actual pace has been more like one and a half lessons per work day.  SO, I'm behind. 

With my flexibility, I simply stopped my music and English activities for a week (that also had a holiday in it).  I found extra time to rest from my itchy illness (see other blog) and catch up on translating.  This week I'm back to a full schedule of students. 

It's great to be flexible.  I'm thankful for being able to make wise adjustments 'on the fly'.  There is an awesome sense of responsibility that comes with that, of course.  Pray for me to remain faithful  

I've heard Haitians talk about how illness moves around in there bodies.  "IT" is up here, and than "IT" is down there.  Well, last week I wore a new pair of underwear...from the US, but still taped together.  As the day progressed, I thought something had bitten me right where the underwear meets the top of my leg.  That night, I noticed a welt the length of a cigarette at the same place.  Then I noticed red blotches on my belly, arms, and legs.  Then it spun out of control.  On Friday the welts were all over my 'back side'.  And my arms.  Itching would be extreme at one place, and then move to another.  At one point, both feet were swelling up and itched like CRAAAAAAZY.  My hands were swollen and itchy at another point.  What scared me the most was after a brief nap brought on by alcohol swabbing and some lotion, I woke up to itchy, swollen, red lips.  That's when I sought medical attention...which I never got.  The good folks at Water For Life provided a way for me to get to a hospital, but on a Saturday evening the only way you can really get to see a doctor is if you're bleeding badly.  I was not.  In fact the air-conditioned ride to the hospital had actually reduced the welts and swelling.  I looked fine.  Back home after the unsuccessful trip to see a doctor, I felt a pain in my upper back.  "IT" was moving all over the place!  I prayed and slept that Saturday evening.  By Sunday morning all was well...as has been ever since. 

After a day of good health and no itching, I wrote a song...

HE PUT THE WATER IN THE COCONUT
HE PUT THE MANGO UP IN THE TREE
HE WRAPPED THE SWEET BANANA IN ITS SKIN
OH!  THE THINGS HE DOES FOR ME!