Bonjou from Haiti!!
I got a chance to update!
Wahoo!!!
So let me try and fill you in on all the important stuff that’s happened over the last 2 weeks.
We got to Haiti safely,
the travel was kinda complicated…
but hey that’s Haiti!
We took 3 planes,
a bus,
a boat,
and 2 trucks to get to our first destination,
Boucan-la-Marre,
basically what we consider to be our home in Haiti!
We stayed in Boucan-la-Marre for a few days,
we did a Croc drop at the school for the preschool kids,
poor things were scared to death,
they had never seen white people,
much less nine of them who wanted to touch their feet and take off their shoes.
But mostly we just rested and prepared to go to our first village.
We had planned to go on Wednesday, May 23rd,
But Kevin got sick so we had to postpone our trip until the next day.
Silly Kevin,
he can’t eat American hotdogs but for some reason thought he could handle a Haitian hotdog,
he couldn’t.
So we left Thursday for Pointe Sable,
to get there we took,
2 trucks and a boat.
And when I say a boat, I mean pirate ship style,
but not as big.
We stayed in Pointe Sable for just over a week,
I think it ended up being about 10 days total.
Pointe Sable, was difficult.
When people talk about the “uttermost ends of the earth,”
they are talking about Pointe Sable,
I got a chance to update!
Wahoo!!!
So let me try and fill you in on all the important stuff that’s happened over the last 2 weeks.
We got to Haiti safely,
the travel was kinda complicated…
but hey that’s Haiti!
We took 3 planes,
a bus,
a boat,
and 2 trucks to get to our first destination,
Boucan-la-Marre,
basically what we consider to be our home in Haiti!
We stayed in Boucan-la-Marre for a few days,
we did a Croc drop at the school for the preschool kids,
poor things were scared to death,
they had never seen white people,
much less nine of them who wanted to touch their feet and take off their shoes.
But mostly we just rested and prepared to go to our first village.
We had planned to go on Wednesday, May 23rd,
But Kevin got sick so we had to postpone our trip until the next day.
Silly Kevin,
he can’t eat American hotdogs but for some reason thought he could handle a Haitian hotdog,
he couldn’t.
So we left Thursday for Pointe Sable,
to get there we took,
2 trucks and a boat.
And when I say a boat, I mean pirate ship style,
but not as big.
We stayed in Pointe Sable for just over a week,
I think it ended up being about 10 days total.
Pointe Sable, was difficult.
When people talk about the “uttermost ends of the earth,”
they are talking about Pointe Sable,
they just don't know it.
The total population can’t be more than a few hundred,
There is no electricity,
No running water,
No toilets,
No cars,
And no shade.
Pointe Sable was a challenge for all of us,
The work was HARD.
We were helping to build the church for the community,
and the way we contributed was by carrying,
either,
mini-boulders or buckets of sand up the mountain,
and dropping them in a pile.
Needless to say, we are all tan and ripped!
Though the work,
heat,
food,
and facilities were all very challenging,
Pointe Sable had its blessings too.
The love and care the people had for us was incredibly humbling.
They gave so much to us,
they woudn’t let us work for longer than an hour without taking a 20 minute break,
they cooked for us,
washed our clothes,
we lived in one lady’s backyard.
They truly loved and appreciated us.
They understood what it took for us to get there,
(they haven’t had missionaries, a.k.a. white people, there in over 15 years).
We enjoyed getting to spend time with them,
even if we didn’t speak the same language.
One of their favorite things to do with us was to braid our hair,
I had fat cornrows (cool),
I had skinny cornrows (could be cooler),
I had rasta braids (not so cool).
Something that kept us all sane in Pointe Sable was the beach,
they had some of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen,
just ignore the trash and all the naked kids.
Everyday after lunch we went to the beach,
we got to cool off and relax,
hang out with each other and the kids,
and catch all kinds of starfish...we probably have close to 70 total.
It was sad to leave, but we were excited to see what else the Lord had for us in Haiti.
Also, I was ready to not have sand in all my crevices.
We left on Friday and took the boat and 2 trucks to get back to Boucan-la-Marre.
This weekend has been one of much needed rest,
Our bodies were fully exhausted.
So we spent the last 2 days, reading and napping and talking.
It’s been wonderful!
It’s also incredibly refreshing to be in Boucan-la-Marre,
We have showers,
Toilets,
Shade,
A breeze,
DELICIOUS food,
Etc.
We pretty much feel like we’re in paradise here.
We start work today on the school in Boucan-la-Marre,
So far there’s been too many Americans and not enough work.
But that will just give us a chance to get creative!
Please continue to pray for our team,
your prayers have been felt and appreciated!
So far everyone is well,
we’ve had a few bouts of stomach sickness and general travelers “issues,”
but it’s been nothing a little Cipro won’t fix!
Everyone is getting along well and is enjoying our time here and with each other.
Our team has been very blessed!
I probably won’t be able to post again until I’m back in the States.
Here’s a quick rundown of what we’ve got left,
we’ll be in Boucan-la-Marre until the 16th, basically doing whatever they tell us to.
On the 16th we go to Port-au-Prince for debriefing and a bit of fun before we fly out on the 18th.
I promise I’m keeping notes so I’ll be able to fill you in on all the juicy details when I get home!
Thank you again for your love and support,
not just for me but for the whole team!
The total population can’t be more than a few hundred,
There is no electricity,
No running water,
No toilets,
No cars,
And no shade.
Pointe Sable was a challenge for all of us,
The work was HARD.
We were helping to build the church for the community,
and the way we contributed was by carrying,
either,
mini-boulders or buckets of sand up the mountain,
and dropping them in a pile.
Needless to say, we are all tan and ripped!
Though the work,
heat,
food,
and facilities were all very challenging,
Pointe Sable had its blessings too.
The love and care the people had for us was incredibly humbling.
They gave so much to us,
they woudn’t let us work for longer than an hour without taking a 20 minute break,
they cooked for us,
washed our clothes,
we lived in one lady’s backyard.
They truly loved and appreciated us.
They understood what it took for us to get there,
(they haven’t had missionaries, a.k.a. white people, there in over 15 years).
We enjoyed getting to spend time with them,
even if we didn’t speak the same language.
One of their favorite things to do with us was to braid our hair,
I had fat cornrows (cool),
I had skinny cornrows (could be cooler),
I had rasta braids (not so cool).
Something that kept us all sane in Pointe Sable was the beach,
they had some of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen,
just ignore the trash and all the naked kids.
Everyday after lunch we went to the beach,
we got to cool off and relax,
hang out with each other and the kids,
and catch all kinds of starfish...we probably have close to 70 total.
It was sad to leave, but we were excited to see what else the Lord had for us in Haiti.
Also, I was ready to not have sand in all my crevices.
We left on Friday and took the boat and 2 trucks to get back to Boucan-la-Marre.
This weekend has been one of much needed rest,
Our bodies were fully exhausted.
So we spent the last 2 days, reading and napping and talking.
It’s been wonderful!
It’s also incredibly refreshing to be in Boucan-la-Marre,
We have showers,
Toilets,
Shade,
A breeze,
DELICIOUS food,
Etc.
We pretty much feel like we’re in paradise here.
We start work today on the school in Boucan-la-Marre,
So far there’s been too many Americans and not enough work.
But that will just give us a chance to get creative!
Please continue to pray for our team,
your prayers have been felt and appreciated!
So far everyone is well,
we’ve had a few bouts of stomach sickness and general travelers “issues,”
but it’s been nothing a little Cipro won’t fix!
Everyone is getting along well and is enjoying our time here and with each other.
Our team has been very blessed!
I probably won’t be able to post again until I’m back in the States.
Here’s a quick rundown of what we’ve got left,
we’ll be in Boucan-la-Marre until the 16th, basically doing whatever they tell us to.
On the 16th we go to Port-au-Prince for debriefing and a bit of fun before we fly out on the 18th.
I promise I’m keeping notes so I’ll be able to fill you in on all the juicy details when I get home!
Thank you again for your love and support,
not just for me but for the whole team!
Ahh..so cool to get an update! Can't wait to hear more! Been thinking of you and praying! What an amazing opportunity!
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