Haitian Trip

Day 7

This is a travel day. Everyone is relaxed and preparing for the return trip home. I will miss Ben.

The ladies opted to ride in the back of the truck with Jonas while James and I rode in the air conditioned cab with Jean and Ben. I was reluctant to do this but I didn't want to appear (reveal?) chauvinistic so I relented from opposing this decision. At any rate I was grateful for this gesture as balancing one's self during the bumpy ride in the back was somewhat arduous.

Jr and Jel met us at the airport. This could not have been a simple task for them and we all appreciated their effort to see us off. Hugs were exchanged and we entered the airport building. . That's when it struck me. The Haiti I was leaving was not the same Haiti I encountered when I first arrived. But then I recalled Pastor Ted's words to me as I was preparing to leave the US, "You won't come back the same". He was right, Haiti hadn't changed, I had.

Haitian Trip

Day 6 (Jan 12 - quake anniversary)

I've gotten used to shaving without a mirror. I think perhaps I'm doing a better job than with a mirror since I can't remember where I've shaved so I end up shaving over the same areas multiple times. I'm careful not to cut myself, I don't want to give those possible water germs more of an opportunity to get into my system.

We attended the earthquake commemoration prayer/praise event in Port-au-Prince right next to the crumbling palace. There were several speakers, some Americans but mostly Haitians. A young Haitian boy sang "Emanuel" and brought great glory to God through his amazing vocal ability, very mature and sophisticated vocals for someone of his age. Hands were raised and waving praises to God by the end of the song. I later learned that he was discovered on a Haitian star search event.

Drove out to the 'A New Haiti' property for the tree planting ceremony. We walked up a slight incline to near the top of the property line, away from the ocean, to plant the first tree. When we reached our destination I turned to look back in the direction we had just walked from and encountered the most breathtaking view of the ocean below. You can't see this from the property near the roadside. We planted (actually the Haitians did all the planting - members of Jehovah Nissi were there and participated in the planting as well as a couple of Paula's Haitian friends) several trees. Brook read the passage from Ezekiel for the first and second tree planting. Scores of photos and videos were taken by all. I felt honored to be part of this experience. Moplesur (spelling?) asked me to pray for him as he has just started a small church where he is the pastor.

On the drive home we encountered what appeared to be some kind of riot. It turned out to be a celebration marking the moment when the earthquake finally stopped.

Jel (another one of Paula's friends) admitted that he had difficulty sleeping on the eve of the anniversary because of nightmares about the quake. Some Haitian people didn't sleep at all the entire night.

Haitian Trip

Day 5

Free time all morning then drove to the mountains.

Visited a small village where Jean's sister Yvrose once taught children. We saw the school house where she taught. We also walked to the "lake" and joined some children for photos.

Then we drove to Bill's beautiful two-level home where he intends to house visitors wishing to help in Haiti. Bill came to Haiti to help with the earthquake and I don't think he has returned to the US since.

We then visited Yvrose's home where she and her husband house and care for about 15 orphan children. This is where I met Vince, the little child I held for some time.

We took an olive branch from a tree on Yvrose's property to be used for the tree-planting ceremony tomorrow. I think the tree we will plant tomorrow also came from here.

We stopped to eat supper at a restaurant before returning to Ben's house. The price was reasonable as it came to about seven dollars US. The food was good but not as good as the food cooked at Ben's house.

Haitian Trip

Day 4

Once again I awoke to the sound of crowing roosters heralding in a new Haitian sunrise. The sun rises and sets very quickly in Haiti. This morning there's a girl singing a song nearby. Sounds like she's singing "Hallelujah".

My morning showers have consisted of a small plastic bowl dipped into a five gallon pail of water then strategically poured over my body. Already I've gotten pretty good at taking my shower with less than half a pail.

The accommodations have been luxurious as compared to the norm. We have individual beds with mattresses and pillows to sleep on at night. And we have electricity. No running water though.

The meals have been feasts of meats, rice, fruits and vegetables. I can't help but to feel a bit self conscious about eating so well while others have barely have enough to survive. Obesity is not a problem in Haiti.

The drive from Port-au-Prince last night was dark, as other nights. There's no electricity in most of the dwellings. Only candles and makeshift lanterns. I saw one clever lantern made from the hollow of a car engine piston!

More later.

We visited a childrens orphanage and Brooke gave the 13 water filters the team had to the orphanage. There are 13 children at this orphanage. Hmmm...

Visited City Solei - Jonas school. Children of all ages attend this small "lean-to" style structure of a school. The children were all well behaved during our impromptu visit. Several children held my hand as I passed by them.

We then met with the leaders of Jehovahs Nissi organization. We all introduced ourselves and then we listened as they shared their hearts with us regarding the vision of the joint venture of Jehovah Nissi and A New Haiti. We all prayed together and I felt this was a very significant occasion. I think we all felt this way.

Haitian Trip

Day 3

Visited the purchased land. 100x280 meters. Across the road from the property is the ocean. The drive to the property was a stark contrast to what we saw yesterday. Beautiful mountains and the ocean! But we also saw more tent cities filled with people who relocated to the mountains from the city after the earthquake.

Then we drove to a small community of people living next to the sea. We were given a short boat ride in a boat that reminded me of something that might have resembled a boat that Jesus would have crossed the Sea of Galiley in. Though the shoreline was lined with refuse, the water further out was beautiful bluegreen and clear.

Then another incredible meal at Ben's house. Ben is a man with a true servant's heart. He always shows up with what we need even before we know we need it.

Later in the afternoon we returned to the Graham convention where we experienced the most beautiful Haitian praise to God. We also were able to worship with the Haitians in our native language as some of the musicians were Americans, one of which was Michael W Smith! It appeared that several new conversions occurred as a result of Mr. Graham's presentation of the gospel. We prayed for a child who's mother thought had an evil spirit. We prayed for her also. I trusted in a word that my daughter sent with me as I laid my hands on them. She said, "...everything you put your hand to will be a lasting work of Christ." Thank you Jesus.

Haitian Trip

Day 2

The ride to the Franklin Graham convention was shocking and heartbreaking - unbelievable - unimaginable - the depth of poverty and destitution.

It was difficult, no, impossible to know if many of the "businesses" and dwellings I saw were in the middle of a trash heap or if the trash was in the middle of the businesses and dwellings. I had to talk myself out of nausea for fear that I would have to ask to stop the vehicle so I could be sick.

Today is children's day at the convention - 20,000 estimated children present. Entrance into the stadium was miraculous as we received special passes to hang around or necks that enabled us to roam about freely and take photo's. Also we were given an entire dugout to sit in! Many of the children were smiling. They all appeared to be clean and well dressed. Incredible joy in the midst of unspeakable suffering.

And then I remembered that these same children, when this beautiful event is over, will disperse back into the filth and chaos I just rode through.

Heard pastor Jean's heart regarding his vision for Haiti. We were on the rooftop of the house where we are staying. Later that night we worshipped on the same rooftop under the stars shining over Haiti.

Haiti Trip

Day 1

Haitian guitar player that Jean introduced to me via the Internet (not actual person) was on same flight from Miami to Haiti. He sat next to Jean (probably over 200 people on the plane). I got his contact information as he said he will send CD of instrumental to me!

We got our bags and walked out to meet Ben, our host for our stay. Pastor Jean was very firm in fending off the men who were trying to earn a tip for helping with our luggage.

We we're mostly quiet during the ride to Ben's house. It was getting dark but we were able to get our first glimpse of Haiti, and my first look at what is considered to be a third world country.