Hannah's Visit

When we hugged, then waved good-bye to the Spears at the Port au Prince air port after a great week's visit, we were so thankful that they left a bit of the family with us!  Sixteen-year-old Hannah was to hang out with us for the six weeks til we returned to the states in July.

Hannah has set a high bar for the subsequent ten grands!  She was the first and the one we all learned on - her parents, in how to parent - and the grandparents, in how to grandparent!  She has grown into a lovely young lady, gifted in music and friends, happy, a celebrator of life, growing in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man.  We were delighted and had anticipated her visit.

At the orphanage after some of the girls there braided Hannah's hair.

Except for the fact that she assumed the title of Boggle Queen with too little effort this summer, after straining for the goal for years, to no avail......

Anyway.

I asked Hannah why she wanted to spend a chunk of her summer vacation on a very poor island off the coast of the Haitian mainland.  She responded that when we began praying about and talking about spending this year on La Gonave, she had the thought that she should come for an extended stay, too.  Puzzled, she said that that thought had not originated from within her, so she had a couple of talks with God about it.  Realizing that this was His idea, not hers, she was committed to the plan.

Sticky notes with Haitian creole words labeling things around her house began to show up as school neared the year's end.  A opinion paper was written for school about the plan.  She began to pray about how the Lord might use her while she was on the compound.

We could have renamed her "Mary Poppins"!  Hannah soon was a favorite of the missionary children and determined to spend time with each of them, giving their moms and dads valuable TIME to accomplish tasks, etc., while knowing their children were in good hands and happy.

        

   


One of her favorite things was interacting with the children at Mme. Soliette's orphanage, showing them love and acceptance and her genuine interest.  Gifted on the violin, Hannah played several special numbers at missionary church services and had the unique opportunity to play at the funeral of one of the precious little girls from the orphanage.  Enjoying the teams that would come in, she readily was involved when she could be and was a natural hostess.  And, she was my faithful assistant in the June English classes.  I shall miss her when the fall term begins!

A good place for a phone call home

When I asked Hannah why she thought the Lord had had her come this summer, she said she still was working that out, not sure.  MamaG has an idea.  I think He was grabbing her willing heart, infusing it with things of Himself, giving her His love for His children and planting a seed for mission work that will always be part of her life.  What will that look like, how will it pan out?  I have no idea - but God does!

And, whether she is a pray-er, a give-er, or a go-er, I believe Hannah will be used of God.  Because she has a willing heart and that heart is                                                              
toward God.   

                                                  


Thanks, Han - it was a great visit!  We love you!