A chance encounter in Mississippi

On my 35th birthday we packed up Ruby Red for one last road trip before we fly out to Haiti.

We were heading for Atlanta to enjoy some R&R with our extended Glafcke clan. 

A few hours into the drive we pulled off the interstate in Woolmarket, Mississippi to change Daniel's diaper and make a pit stop for the big kids. While the girls were running off their wiggles, Matt noticed a car pull into the gas station. He saw something hanging from the car's rearview mirror and took a few steps closer. He turned back and said, I think that's the Haitian flag.

I encouraged Matt to go over and talk to the man pumping gas. He did and after a few minutes I walked over to join the conversation. 

They were a young couple, a man and woman both from Haiti. They are students at LSU in Baton Rouge and were on their way to the beach in Florida. 

Matt tried out a few of the Haitian Creole phrases he's learned and both of them grinned and applauded his accent. 

The woman urged us to eat lots of fish in Haiti, 

What kind of fish?, we asked.  

Any kind. Fish is fish, she said.  

Before we parted ways we gave them our card and phone number, hopeful we will stay in touch. Just as we were getting the kids loaded back into the car the man came jogging over to us. He asked if we could pray over them. 

Of course! That is literally what we do now! we said.

We huddled together in the parking lot. Laying hands on one another we prayed for safe travels and thanks to the Holy Spirit for bringing us together. 

Our time in Atlanta was filled with laughter and song and chicken!
Healing balm for our bodies and souls.

On our way back to Louisiana we stopped again in Mississippi, this time at the coast.
We spent the night at a Best Western and then ventured into the town the next morning.
It was overcast and drizzling.

The girls had some birthday money so we walked into a toy shop. They perused awhile and picked out a few items. I had left the money back at the hotel so we asked the shop owner to keep the items for us until we came back. She agreed, begrudgingly. 

When we returned with the money, the shop owner overheard us talking about a plane ride. As she was ringing up the items, she asked where we were headed. We shared that we'll be leaving for Haiti next weekend. 

What are y'all doing there -- something medical or teaching? she asked. 

We are going to share the love of Jesus, we said. 

And with that her whole demeanor changed.

She relaxed her shoulders and showered us with words of encouragement.
She gazed at each of our children and remarked that they are just the right ages.
Realizing she wouldn't be seeing us again before we left, she scooted out from behind the counter and swiftly handed us some extra sketch pads for the girls. 

Make sure you talk to Jesus a lot, she said.

We will be best friends with Jesus, for He is all that we can hang on to, Matt said.  

And just like that the sun started peeking out through the thick blanket of clouds.
We headed to the beach and soaked up the sea air.
Stomping down the boardwalk the girls sang out songs from The Greatest Showman.
Daniel was content playing in the sand.