Isaiah and Vivian Turn Eight

Isaiah and Vivian dodge sparks shooting from their birthday cakes during their Sept. 20 party.

Isaiah clears a ball from near the goal

Isaiah and Vivian at the Michigan State University Botanical Gardens

 We will never forget our visit to the gynecologist in the spring of 2005, only a few weeks after accepting the call to serve with Christian Reformed World Missions in Haiti.   It was Sharon's first ultrasound.  Everything was going according to plan when the jolly and playful medical technician uttered those words which shall remain forever etched in our memory, "Oh, it looks like double-trouble!"  Thus began the adventure of starting life and a new ministry in a foreign country with a set of new-born twins.  We number our days in Haiti by the age of our twins, and they are turning eight on September 24.  We give thanks to God for their lives.  Vivian is enjoying school, has several good friends, and is joyfully  (most of the time) learning the violin.  The violin is the perfect companion for Vivian's petite hands and small frame.  Isaiah is also enjoying school with several of good friends and is playing soccer with zest.  He seems to take pleasure in every bruise and scrape obtained while playing goalie (apparently he almost always chosen as goalie because of his energy and reckless abandon).  On Friday, 20 September we had a party for Isaiah and Vivian with 15 children at our home.  It is a blessing to see our children grow up in Haiti as they get to have so many experiences and develop so many relationships that would have been impossible if they were raised in the USA!