Back in the Saddle

​After a great holiday season in the USA, I’m back in Haiti.
Re-entry is always exciting. From a distance, people tend to give rather glowing reports. “How are
things going regarding project X?” “Great. Going very well.” Then, I get back and see that things did go
well…in general…but details inevitably crop up about this or that. Conflicts. Neglect. Errors. Things that
are almost glaring. It’s one of the reasons I don’t think missions work very well for long periods of time
when the leader is far away more often than not. Without great secondary leaders, bad things will creep
in. Building those leaders takes time…and the work of the Holy Spirit.
I’m thankful for great young leaders who are making things happen here at ASAPH while I am in the
USA. They do an admirable job and are getting better rapidly. I was delighted to hear tales of maturity,
growth, and faithfulness while I was away. One young soccer player stood alone demanding his team
finish a match after a bad call by a referee. He stood alone on the field while every team-mate walked
away. He was an ASAPH Academy of Football member…the only one on the team. He took his lumps
with honor. We’re proud.
As I met with the ASAPH Brass Band members talking about the two months I missed with them, one
member noted that he is now five Minor Prophets away from reading the whole Bible! I was about his
age when I accomplished that for the first time. We’re proud of him, too.
For December exams, some students passed and some didn’t. Good news and bad. Some kids are taller
than when I left. Some are the same. Life goes on day by day.
I notice little things around the house after I’m back for a few days. My chair squeaks more. The
hammocks outside are both ripped now. Several solar lights are dead or in pieces. Many items are out of
place. I can’t find certain things without asking about them.
BUT, in general things are the same. For the two months I was at home, things functioned as much as
they ever have. I remember closing up the buildings years ago. Many people need to cooperate for
things to happen while I am away. Keys need to be handled with care. Reports need to be kept. I’m
happy for the way things ‘went down’ this time. It’s encouraging for the future. God is good.