You know it's May on La Gonave when.......

... beautiful plummeria trees are blooming outside our apartment;

... it's rainy season, greening up this parched land,  and the mosquitos are multiplying exponentially;

... the first thing you do when you exit the shower is to spray your squeaky clean body with                            mosquito repellant;

... you remember to squirt bleach in the dishwashing water;

... the butter from the freezer softens quickly at the table;

...  you are met with smiling faces and warm embraces;
          and sweet greetings in creole!

          or big hugs from the missionaries and catch-up questions and answers pouring forth from all;

... there is a rooster duet outside your bedroom window at 3:30 am;

... the use-by date on the cheese in the grocery is January .... 2002;

... we ride to the compound from the wharf in a truck with a second seat - 8 adults in the cab, and 2 riding in the back with 8 crates, 6 suitcases, 10 boxes of groceries, and 2 coolers!

... there are hundreds of yellow butterflies flitting everywhere, brightening the terrain;

... there are sparkling seas glimpsed outside our window (calm for our crossing, thank the Lord!);

... the electricity goes off at Missionary Midnight ...
       ...... and it is then you see one of God's amazing gifts to the fortunate observer -
                         the Caribbean night sky                                                                                                           
                                  - all lit up in its spectacular brilliant glory -
                                        sparkling diamonds on  lush navy blue velvet!

         
              ...  and  Psalm 8 comes to mind.

¹ 

Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!You have set your glory above the heavens.²   From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.³ 

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,what is man that you are mindful of him,  the son of man that you care for him?

⁵   You have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
    and crowned him with glory and honor.⁶   You made him ruler     over the works of your hands;    you put everything under his feet:⁷   all flocks and herds,    and the beasts of the field ,⁸ the birds of the air,    and the fish of the sea,
    all that swim the paths of the seas.⁹   Lord, our Lord,    how majestic is your name in all the earth!