Monday, August 24, 2009

Amazing how stupidity seems to follow people (ok, me) everywhere. As an update on summer activities, I did not get the part time job at the VA, which would have paid anpil cob! Instead, I eventually got a job as a cart pusher at a Wal Mart in Cahokia, IL, about 11 miles from my house. The job I actually enjoyed, it was about helping people, and when it was done, I could walk away and not even think about it. the people there were nice also. Well, I hurt my neck pushing carts one day and the pain was.....painful, very painful. I have some bulging disc's in my upper back and lower back from.....previous stupidity.... and the pushing of the carts caused it to flare up again. Spent about a week getting over it, decided that at 52 I just can't be that stupid anymore so I quit that job. Later I helped a friend in packing and shipping computers, monitors and peripherals to send to schools across the country, which is his job. Wayne was being nice and giving me some part time work (yes, that Wayne), but again, my stupidity trumped anyone elses good intentions. I was loading a monitor into a box.....a really big, heavy, old Dell monitor into a box flat on the ground....and my grip slipped. As I tried to shift to catch the weight....I injured my low back again. So that has been about a week now, and while better, I am still nowhere ready for my next really stupid adventure, it will take me some time to work up to that.

When I came home this summer I was determined to just listen to God, or at least try to, and not predetermine what path He may lead me. So I did not assume I would stay here, or return to Haiti, or anything. I was, and am trying to let God be God a little more (lot?) in my life, and the doors of America seem to have closed this summer to me. No VA job, no part time audiology gig to go with. And for whatever reason, it seems Gary and Caroline will still have me back in Haiti. So it appears I will be returning this fall again, though likely not in time for school, sometime in October. I have not arranged anything yet, I need to get audiology equipment to bring, etc. And, I go without the emotional component I had last year. What I mean is that I go without expectations that anything I could do will change things significantly. I still have a heart for the people of Haiti, but more so, it seems I have learned that I can only be effective in anything I do by following God. I fully expect that I will forget that more times than I remember, but at least it is a start.

Reading Carolines blog, the area in St. Marc is w/o regular power, as the generator in Gonaives is out. So it looks like generator only, limited internet and other electrical conveniences. Also, the other private Christian school in the town closed unexpectedly, so there will be way more students than we have room or books for, so it seems I may be moderately useful this year, if only to keep some type of order with the kids. I pray it works out, I know it will, and I again try to look at today, and let tomorrow take care of itself. Sounds like another, greater adventure is in store for me. I will miss my son's, family and friends. But I think it will be ok.

Bondye benis ou

Dan