End of the Daniel Fast

Every January we do the Daniel fast. I think we started this about 10 year ago. Sometimes we fast for 21 days and sometimes for 45 or more. We do a modified fast (mostly no caffeine, meat, sugar, cheese/butter/dairy, oils/fats). The intent is for us to develop a closer relationship with the Lord and let go of distractions and unnecessary pleasures in life. Of course, this is easier said then done when we are all dreaming about sugar, but each and every year the Lord opens our eyes in new ways during the fast. One year it was revealed to me that I needed to give up caffeine entirely. It was obvious that I had an addiction because at each Daniel fast I would have an incredible headache the first week. So, one year I simply did not go back to caffeine and was completely off of caffeine for 2 or 3 years. I have since gone back to caffeine in small amounts, but I don't need caffeine and in fact would prefer decaf over regular coffee.

This year, the Daniel fast takes a whole new meaning since we now live in Haiti. Some things are easier to give up like cheese or dairy products because they aren't really readily available in Haiti anyway. Other things are more challenging like sugar and oil/fats because it seems like they put sugar and oil in just about every dish and it tastes really good, so we've developed a taste for oil in things. Some of our main staples are flour, sugar, and lard to make bread, pancakes, biscuits, etc.

This year we've focused our fast on prayer. We've become more deliberate in prayer before action. It seems too often when we come to what appears to be a dead end, we are then left with the thought, "Well, all we can do now is pray" instead of really dedicating time to pray without ceasing before we even come to the end of our rope.

The fast is coming to an end this week and Joseph (our oldest son) arrives on Monday. Everyone is excited for the coming week (both to see Joseph and to eat cookies). Apparently an amazing family we know is sending chocolate bars in for the kids. Thank you Cook family! I probably shouldn't have mentioned it to the kids because they've been talking about it for 3 weeks now.

We also have another medical team arriving on Tuesday. We appreciate all those that are praying for us back in Oregon, the USA and around the world for that matter. We miss New Song (our home church) and we miss all our friends, but we are so thankful that the Lord has brought us here to Haiti to serve.