Celebrating Nine Years and Saying “See You Soon”.

There's a  song that says "every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end. "

Ecclesiastes 3 tells us "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens..." 

However you put it, unless you're reading a good book or watching a movie, "endings" are quite often hard. Especially when it means saying goodbye to beloved friends. 

For almost nine years Gary and Marilyn McLaughlin have faithfully served with RMI on the field in Haiti;  Marilyn as the Hope for Kidz Coordinator and Gary as a team leader, project coordinator, and general Mr. fix-it.  When they retired from their stateside positions, instead of sitting around relaxing they came to Haiti to serve:  Marilyn always passionate in her work with the kids, and Gary always leading, always working, always serving.  But as with all good things, their time in Haiti is coming to an end.  May 9 (in just 6 days!) Gary and Marilyn will leave the field to return to their home and family and friends in Packwood, Washington.  They leave quite a legacy. They will be greatly missed.

Tuesday, we celebrated them and all they have accomplished in their time We had a great Haitian meal of chicken, rice and beans, beet salad, fried plantains, pizza and pineapple cake!  The Haitian staff put together a great program for them which even included jokes and riddles, and a few folks got up and shared memories and thanks and then the staff presented the McLaughlin's with a gift and a plaque of appreciation.  We missionary folk also shared; Rob a devotion and a reflection, Becky, Tessa and Braden did an awesome job singing “The Lord is my Shepherd” in both English and Creole and I shared some words (and cried a little).  The word bittersweet was used multiple times during the afternoon.  We are excited for Gary and Marilyn as they embark on this new chapter in their lives but as they leave, so leaves a part of our family.

So for now, we won't say goodbye. Rather, we'll say see you later and pray that God will cross our paths again, whether in the US or in Haiti.

Gary and Marilyn, we love you. Thank you. We'll see you soon, si dye vle (if God wills).

(Above and Below: Enjoying the Haitian Feast!)

Below Left: Becky and the kids singing “The Lord is my Shepherd”  Below Right:  Benson presenting the plaque to Gary and Marilyn

(Below: Praying over them as we send them off into the next chapter of their lives")