The view of the Smoky Mountains was spectacular. Looking down on the mountains Redjina said "it looks like Haiti". In response to her comment my mind began to race. I had never thought about what the girls might think Tennessee would look like. The first thing you see flying into Haiti or into east Tennessee is a vast array of mountains. For years the Smoky Mountains have called me. I have hiked many trails. It is an escape to peace and tranquility. Out the window I could see Mt. LeConte which I have hiked to 12 times over the years. I have always been drawn to LeConte because it is extremely difficult to hike to but at its height the views are spectacular. My thoughts quickly moved to the mountains of Haiti. The Chaine de la Selle is the highest mountain range in Haiti and therein lays the girls' orphanage and the villages in which I have served many times. Images of the most demanding and beautiful village hike flashed through my mind. I saw glimpses of many moments, views, and faces along each of the hikes I have made to Tiapo. The mountains of east Tennessee and the mountains of Haiti are always a place I feel further in tune with God.
As I took one last glimpse of the mountains out the window my mind drifted back to the girls. We circled right over downtown Knoxville, the University of Tennessee campus, Neyland Stadium, and the river. We pointed out several landmarks to the girls that I know meant nothing to them.
As the plane lined up for final approach into the Knoxville airport my thoughts fixated on my other two children. In my mind I could picture Ashley and Matthew anxiously waiting in the airport lobby to see their sisters.
Ashley and Matthew were both so excited about this trip, this day, that their sisters were finally coming home. Like their mother and I, they too must have had times of doubt as to whether or not this moment would ever really happen. And now, after 27 months the moment they had dreamed of was finally coming true.
I really don't remember the plane touching down or taxing into the gate. Everything had become a blur from my mind racing with thoughts between Haiti and home, and the four children. I'm sure the girls' emotions were much different than mine. On the short walk to the exit into the lobby they must have been taking in a new environment, strange faces, and feeling uncertainty. All I could think about was seeing all four of my children together in the same place, the right place. Then just like that, we turned the corner, walked through the automatic rotating glass doors and...
From the airport we headed home. We were all very excited for the girls to see their new home and their bedrooms. On the ride home they interacted and laughed with Ashley and Matthew. I have no idea what the girls were thinking or expected. They were very interested in looking out the windows. They did so with expressionless faces.
Arriving home...
Jesula's room...
Redjina's room...
And just like that they were home!
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