Write the bad things done to you in sand, but write the good things that happen to you on a piece of marble. -Arabic Proverb
We had a yard sale this weekend. We started early, but not early enough, as people started pulling up to our driveway as we were still bringing out the items to sell. We had signs ready to put out on the main roads to direct them to our sale, but we didn't even need to put them up! There were several other sales in the neighborhood and people kept coming. Hosting a yard sale is such fun. It's an easy way to get rid of some things you never use, make a little bit of cash, and (best of all) meet some interesting people. Tyler cleared out a whole shelf of model cars in his closet for the sale. He pulled this little BMW matchbox car out of the box and gave it to me because it's my car! Okay, minus the color, the tires, and that it has two-doors. Whatever; it's my new toy.
First thing in the morning, three people were browsing when suddenly Jason approached one of the men and asked him in Creole if he was Haitian (Eskou se ayisyen?). The man looked amazed and said yes, then started to speak to him in Haitian Creole. Jason understood him and they stood there carrying on a conversation. The man's wife looked over and smiled. It was such an awesome moment to witness and I couldn't stop smiling. Jason explained in Creole that he learned the language through church, and the man gave him a big hug and called him his brother. Jason explained later that when we (Americans) try to speak using Haitian Creole, they are always so gracious for our efforts, and this man definitely was.
These few minutes were my favorite part of the day. It was just pure joy to see total strangers brought together by way of Jason knowing and speaking Creole and expressing to the man that he speaks it a little bit (tu piti) by the grace of God (a gras a dieu). It opened up this beautiful moment.
Later, Mom met people visiting from Vermont who were from the area of her hometown in New York. Then, there's a guy who has lived on Casey Key for more than 20 years, and had stories about how he liked to talk to the rich and famous who live out there and be a little mischievous. He mentioned the doctor who invented the stint and how he is a nice guy, and my mom then mentioned Steven King, one of Casey Key's famous residents, and the man said, "Oh, he's a treat, " with a heavy sarcastic tone.
Then there was the guy who rolled in on an Italian scooter, and immediately bought a short shelf, with 2 levels, and had strong views on religion and began a "debate" with Jason and me. He had trouble trusting that the Scriptures are true and accurate, and people he has met along his travels seem to give him the impression that Christians exclude people if they have different beliefs. Jason and I tried to focus on the point that Christ died for all, and it is up to each person to receive the gift that God offers. He seemed to follow the Hindu beliefs but seemed open for learning. After a while, he loaded the shelf onto his scooter, bungee-corded it, and drove off with ease.
First thing in the morning, three people were browsing when suddenly Jason approached one of the men and asked him in Creole if he was Haitian (Eskou se ayisyen?). The man looked amazed and said yes, then started to speak to him in Haitian Creole. Jason understood him and they stood there carrying on a conversation. The man's wife looked over and smiled. It was such an awesome moment to witness and I couldn't stop smiling. Jason explained in Creole that he learned the language through church, and the man gave him a big hug and called him his brother. Jason explained later that when we (Americans) try to speak using Haitian Creole, they are always so gracious for our efforts, and this man definitely was.
These few minutes were my favorite part of the day. It was just pure joy to see total strangers brought together by way of Jason knowing and speaking Creole and expressing to the man that he speaks it a little bit (tu piti) by the grace of God (a gras a dieu). It opened up this beautiful moment.
Later, Mom met people visiting from Vermont who were from the area of her hometown in New York. Then, there's a guy who has lived on Casey Key for more than 20 years, and had stories about how he liked to talk to the rich and famous who live out there and be a little mischievous. He mentioned the doctor who invented the stint and how he is a nice guy, and my mom then mentioned Steven King, one of Casey Key's famous residents, and the man said, "Oh, he's a treat, " with a heavy sarcastic tone.
Then there was the guy who rolled in on an Italian scooter, and immediately bought a short shelf, with 2 levels, and had strong views on religion and began a "debate" with Jason and me. He had trouble trusting that the Scriptures are true and accurate, and people he has met along his travels seem to give him the impression that Christians exclude people if they have different beliefs. Jason and I tried to focus on the point that Christ died for all, and it is up to each person to receive the gift that God offers. He seemed to follow the Hindu beliefs but seemed open for learning. After a while, he loaded the shelf onto his scooter, bungee-corded it, and drove off with ease.
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