“When an old person dies, a library burns down.” ~ a Haitian proverb

I learned today that Wallace Turnbull passed away this week. It made me exhale with both sadness and relief. I mean, what a life he and his wife (who passed a few years earlier) lived!

My husband I agree that it’s been simply an honor to have met them.

We stayed at their house for a couple nights back in the day when it was just the two of us. They were the sweetest hosts.

You know those people who you could listen to all day and all night? Yeah, that was them.

They were so cute with each other and had so much wisdom to share about their mission field and experience in Haiti.

Did you know it was their efforts that enabled 50% (most likely even more now!) of Haitian people to read?

When we pulled up in their carport Madam Wallace was picking flowers from her flower bed to put on our nightstand. For me, she had specified.

We came ladened with a bag of coffee from Haiti that she seemed over the moon about. I could tell she knows how to savor special things.

During our stay they took us on a personalized tour of Liberty University. That was where they were living at the time. They took us by the building named after one of their sons.

Chris and I still talk about our visit with them from time to time. Nothing but sweet memories.

I consider Madam Turnbull one of my heroes.

They have sure left a legacy—not only for us—but for the whole country of Haiti.