For the first time since the earthquake (and the Marathon in Florida) Beth and I ran five miles together this morning. We both run as part of our day to day life and have for years. In 2009 we logged a ton of miles training for half and then full marathons. Missing two weeks of running is no huge sacrifice but today we both decided we needed to do something that heals and helps us. We need the serotonin and the physical boost. We need to create an illusion of normal.
It felt amazing to be doing something we did four or five times a week before the earthquake. The path we run looks very different now. Where there used to be buildings there are giant piles of cement spilling into the street. Where there used to be an open space to stretch and get away from the intensely populated area of Tabarre, there are now hundreds of people living in their cars, trucks, and along the side of the road. As we ran another missionary drove by and rolled his window down and said, "Doing something normal again, God Bless you!"
We cannot make this go away, we cannot wish Haiti back to her pre January 12 state. We cannot make any of this "normal". We can only keep running the race. By God's grace and provision we've been able to do that so far.
I received emails asking about following Troy on Twitter. Truthfully, we don't totally get the way Twitter works. Troy mocked it mercilessly for months before joining - which is just funny at this point. :) This is the link to his Twitter page. From here you'll have to figure out how to "follow" - the whole thing is a mystery to me. This is his flickr account for photos, he has been trying to get a few new ones uploaded every few days. This is the YouTube channel we post on - it has stuff going back to four years ago.
Another aftershock just a minute ago. I keep waiting for those to be finished for good. So does the rest of Port au Prince and surrounding areas.
with love from PAP,
tara
![Livesay [Haiti] Weblog](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WImkelA85fQ/T774B_tbjMI/AAAAAAAANjM/Zup5rYTxdWs/s810/blog%2Bheader%2BTRL2011-07-07_%2B%25281%2529.jpeg)
Better to love God and die unknown than to love the world and be a hero; better to be content with poverty than to die a slave to wealth; better to have taken some risks and lost than to have done nothing and succeeded at it. -erwin lutzer
16 comments:
Aftershocks are unfortunately normal (ha!) after a large earthquake. I got a chuckle out of the Twitter business, Troy mocking it and now it is being used for God's glory and to keep us informed on your battle at the frontlines. I'm so glad you ran today. Praying God's healing mercy around you all.
I'm not sure how I landed on your blog last week but so glad I did. It really helps to be connected to people who are actually there and telling the story. Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do. My heart is broken for the people of Haiti and the children completely rip my heart out of my chest.
This is the first time I am reading your blog. WOW. I have been blessed at your "inside" look into this devastation. My family and I are now praying for yours, that our Father God will surround you with his sweet Grace.
I will continue to follow you all!!
Blessings
Tara and Troy, again, I just want to thank you so much for updating as much as you are. I know it must be difficult to find time to write and such, but it is such a blessing for me (one who wishes to be there and helping) to be able to keep up with the wonderful things you are doing. I am praying for you all the time (I can't stop thinking about Haiti). My husband and I have come to love that country so much over the last year. He was able to help design a clinic in Terrier Rouge that is being used a lot right now. We would absolutely be honored to meet your family when we get there one day. :)
Love in Jesus,
Lindsay
Running is awesome.
I hope some day I can finally log some miles with you in Haiti.
Stay encouraged!
Tara - if it would be appropriate could you repost the Mountain Man Video from 2 -3 yrs ago sometime. I think it would be cool to be able to show us all rural, pre-earthquake Haiti. And I really like that video :) I've found myself thinking about it as I've been praying for you over the past couple weeks.
Bev V.
You are doing amazing work, God's work. Thank you! I feel helpless here in MN wanting to do more than just read what you are doing (and try to help fund it). Please let me know if there is anything I can do here to help you there.
One thing I hope I can do is help your readers "follow" you on your blogs. They can go to http://www.google.com/reader and create an account. Once created, they can add the blogs and RSS feeds that they want to follow by using the "add a subscription" button. So, this would bring all the blog/photo/twitter updates to one place to read when they are added (instead of bouncing around to a bunch of blogs and RSS feeds that may not be updated). Good Luck!
Re: Twitter - The easiest way to keep up is to just click on the lime-green box that says "my twitter page". It's under the box headed "Troy's Tweets" on the left side of the blog page. If you have a good text messaging allowance on your cell phone account, you can have the tweets sent to your cell phone - you will get each one right when Troy sends it that way. Find a teenager or twenty-something to set it up for you, or just go to twitter.com and follow instructions if you are a patient do-it-yourselfer. It's not really that hard. If you just want to check a few times a day, I think clicking the lime-green box is easiest.
For those wondering about how to follow Troy on Twitter, or just about Twitter in general, I'd recommend watching the video, "Twitter in Plain English."
Dear Troy and Tara-
I just want you to know how much I appreciate your blog. You have such a good way of writing, and your pictures show so much. Your love of God and your love of the Haitian people shine through every word and picture. It helps me to know how to pray for you too, and shows me each day that we have a God who cares, who's involved in our lives every day.
I continue to keep you and your family in my prayers.
We are having "Haiti Empathy Day" today. I'll be posting photo and blogging later today on my blog. My 9 year old Dd is going about her day with an eye patch and her arm taped to her body so she can't use it to mimic an amputation. She's quickly starting to see some of the challenges facing the people of Haiti in the days and years ahead. It's one way we are trying to make sure we do not forget the people of Haiti and the need to pray for you all.
God bless!
www.xanga.com/happymom4
Just so you know the twitter updates are GREAT! Bless you!
So glad you were able to get a run in with Beth today. Nothing will make Haiti "normal" again at this point, but you need to take care of yourself too, so I am glad you took time to do so. My little Haitian blessings are darling and we love having them here with us, they are our blessing in the tragedy.
Take care!
love me some running....thank you again for all your updates...it sheds light onto what is going on...your blog has allowed me to share this with our girls and plant the visiual seed of missional living inside them...thank you both so much...tara you have a gift with words...praying for you both and the work set before you all...
praying
Welcome to the NEW normal, I guess.
Still praying,
- Ed
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