Arrived safely in Port Au Prince. 3 hour and 17 minutes!
The trip from the airport in Port Au Prince in Adly's brother's vehicle was amazing.
Due to the earthquake and revolution the city of Port Au Prince is teeming with people. I saw a familiar site from the Dominica Republic Trip some years ago: 15 people piled in the back of a Nissan Truck going somewhere. No car taxis here that I have seen. Their taxis are motorcycles.
There were times when the road up the mountains was nearly impassable. One time we had climb up the side of a shoulder to let a larger vehicle pass, right into the brush and all.
Once again I see children with nothing very very happy and content. Upon our arrival there were twenty or more boys in front of the home on a soccer field playing, laughing... no officials, no parents, no water bottles- it so reminded me of the America I grew up in. Children are free to walk and play together. It is so refreshing.
Saturday, Sepetember 6, 2014
The food we had last night was spectacular. Our cooks out did themselves.
I love the way things are here. Walking before dinner on a country road, all of a sudden we come upon a little grocery shop, run by a Mom and her daughters with fresh cooked meat and vegetables and canned items. It was a three sided hut which barely fit the three of them. They were smiling and happy.
Another thing has struck me here. Everywhere, morning and evening, there are women with 5 gallon buckets on their heads, carrying water. There is so much we take for granted in the United States. I needed this trip! I remember the last time out of the US. I came back thankful for the hot running water. I was giving thanks for the cold water to drink.
Four children just passed with water buckets on their heads, talking and enjoying life.
On the way back to the mountain home today we were on a detour as the main road was being repaired. A one lane dirt road with a large drop off on the one side. We had to pull up and over when an oncoming vehicle approached.
The LORD's Day Reflections September 7, 2014
I spoke this morning in the Evangelical Church of God.
Pastor Joes had the whole congregation pray for us. It blew me away. Even though there was no one behind me, several times I felt a hand on my shoulders. I turned around and there was no one there and nothing there.
After the service I took a picture of Pastor Joes and Nagette's family. They are beautiful. Then I handed out pens and pencil packages along with color pencils and crayons and a coloring book. The children opened the package and gave each of their brothers and sisters a pencil. There was an elder behind us and they gave one to him but he turned it down. I gave them each a piece of candy and they thanked me with "Merci, merci"
Adly was blown away as well. He said that he had grown up in Haiti and never had been in a service like this.
It is raining now
at 2:30pm. If it had done that this morning the church would not have been able to meet. They have no roof. It came down in the earthquake. Their location is absolutely gorgeous!
Monday , September 8, 2014 11:19am
We just ate an early lunch after a full morning at the school. I played guitar with a young man who was a wonderful keyboard player. His name was Lesady.
We played for the children's opening program. Then I was asked to pray the opening prayer for the school. Later I addresses the children and teachers.
The school is primitive but clean. The electricity is provided by a generator as is the house.
I was once again amazed at the behavior of the children. No one needed to be corrected, there was no chatter as things were being set up and the teachers sat together apart from the children. There was no need of maintaining order because they are all so well behaved.
On the way to the school I walked by a typical house out here, if you could call it that! It was more of a hut made out of concrete with a metal roof. There is no electricity and no indoor plumbing, not even running water. I want to go to visit these people who have access to wealth, the poorest of the poor as Mother Theresa used call them. I can learn from them if I open my heart.
Brother Andrew wrote that those in the United States need to go and visit their brother and sisters in third world countries so we could learn from them.
Tuesday, September 9, 2014 Haiti
As the LORD works through our lives we often wonder why certain things are happening, why He is bringing certain people to us, why things are going the way they are.
God's Hand can be traced backwards more easily than at times it can be seen ahead. As we walk wit the LORD we walk by faith not by sight. As we get older and look back we can see much more clearly.
I am in Haiti by these very things today. Good brought me and my family to Pine Acres Boulevard in Bay Shore in 1984. In 1992 Pastor L.E. Romaine told me Habakkuk 1.5 was for me. About ten years ago while on a walk down my street I admired a beautiful yard. The gentleman who owned it and I talked that evening. A few years later he came to the church I pastor. He is now on my board. Last month he said he was going to visit his brother in Haiti. I invited myself along and here we are!
It has been a glorious 4 days so far. This morning I carried a bag of markers and pens and pencils and crayons to the school his brother operates across the road. They will be distributed to the children. Ladies in my church gave them to me to give out here. It is fun being the LORD's Courier. It is a blessing doing His will.
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
I went to the Chariot's Pre School today. That is the name of Adly's brother's school. 25 kids in one room around one table sat as I took their picture. Some of their chins barely reached the table. No light in the room except that which the sun provides, no electric devices, not much of anything except teachers who care making the difference in the lives of these children, a difference that will last the rest of their lives because they can read and write.
Sebastian is 3 years old, one of the students, who also live in the home where I am staying. He is an orphan taken in by these dear folks. The lady of the house works for the Department of Education here in Haiti.
Children are required to attend school but that law is not really enforced. I encouraged a 10 year old boy to go to school tomorrow. I believe he will.
I'll leave this country in 36 hours but part of my heart will remain here. I was just told by the director of the school that he wants me to have my picture taken with the children tomorrow. I just might have it framed for my living room!
Thursday, September 11, 2014
While at the school in Haiti this morning I was suddenly surrounded by kids on recess. They looked at pictures of my family on my iPad. I taught them a few English words. A picture was taken which I will treasure but even a bigger picture is in my heart, one of kids giving me hugs, holding onto me and sharing love with the way they smiled.
I stayed until they were served lunch. It was a simple meal of rice and beans. The children in the various classrooms bowed their heads and prayed for the meal. I bowed my heart with them and thanked the LORD for them, the love they showed me, the precious kids they are.
Once again I am leaving Haiti a different person than I was when I came. I am more grateful. I care less about my accumulation of material possessions. I care more about people, less about myself and my own comforts. This is good.
When our plane leaves tomorrow part of me remains here, part of my heart. Adly's family are servants of God. I have been blessed to be with them!
