Happy New Year 2015 !

Happy New Year to you all! We hope that you had a Merry Christmas and started well into the New Year.  Thank you for all the Christmas cards you took time to write and to send to us. We felt much loved, thought of and blessed!

Our Christmas was quiet. We went to a wedding of our colleague on the 24^th. We opened all the presents and cards on the 25^th. The 26^th and 27^th we needed to work; we had a meeting all the way up North. 

We picked up all the parcels you lovely people sent and we opened them on the 31^st. So Andy had Triple Chocolate Cookies one day before his birthday – which we both liked very much.  

When we were sitting on the balcony eating these cookies, I said to Andy: Look at the palm tree, this looks like a cross. I ran to get my camera and when I zoomed in, this is what I saw. I thought it was quite cool.

We stayed up watching a few fireworks going off over Port-au-Prince. The cats stayed closely by our side. Honestly we didn't let them go far, because we were a little concerned about them. Here is why: 

For celebration during the Christmas and New Year period Haitians love to eat cats. A few days after we came back from our journey to Tanzania, the male cat did not come back from his stroll out during the night. When he wasn't back at 8 am, I got worried and I knew that he was taken. (His mother went missing last year around the same time and made them to orphan kittens).  I hurried to tell the property caretaker that if he could help me find the cat. We hunted him, asking people: Have you seen the cat?

We went to bed the same day with a heavy heart, not knowing. At 2 am in the night, I woke up, walked into the living room, and there he was, well and happy to be back. One or even two nights he did not go out during the night, he preferred staying with us in safety. 

This is SWEETY - our female cat. 

Meet CUTIE - our cuddly male cat. 

As you are probably aware, we are coming home this year.  You all know that we always appreciate your prayers especially for our safety. Yesterday, Andy received an email about a CBF couple who are about to retire soon, being robbed during the night when they were sleeping. We have heard so many stories (from people here in Haiti), that when people are close to leave the mission field, that the local people see it as an opportunity to get possessions before their chance is gone.

Thank you for your faithfulness towards us and our calling. We would love to hear from you and how you’re Christmas and New Year has been that would be wonderful. May God bless you until we see each other – this year!