Coming Home

It's Monday evening . . . We are officially back in the USA. Thank you to everyone for your interest in, and your prayers for, our journey. It has been an amazing time with our good friends Actionnel, Amilor, and all the wonderful people at OFCB. We had a good relaxing night (except for an intense game of spoons) at the Walls guest house in Port Au Prince . . . a good breakfast this morning (see picture) . . . and a long day of travel.

We are already have some new ideas and are excited about the next trip out. If you have been keeping up with the BLOG, then you may want to consider joining us next time Actionnel sends his love. Thank you to everyone at FBC-H and all of the other individuals and churches who have been, and continue to be, praying for Haiti.

God Bless You!

Sunday Morning

Here we are on Sunday morning in Bayonnais. Worship has just ended. Mark brought a word of greeting, scripture, and testimony. He even gave some of his message in Creole. G-o-o-o-d J-o-b, Mark! Actionnel then spoke powerfully about slavery and our freedom with in God through Christ. Slavery is very much a significant part of the history of the Haitian people. Actionnel referenced an article that appeared not too long ago that mentioned how easy it is today to purchase Haitian children as slaves. He commented on the spiritual slavery that is still alive in us today, and also how some, even in Bayonnais, enslave others - ex. when relatives die (which happens a lot), the families that take in their children will sometimes treat them much more poorly than their own - like slaves. Reminding us of our freedom in Christ, the service closed with the celebration of the Lord's Supper.

We are getting ready to eat - and then off on our long journey back to Port au Prince. We will spend the night in the city before flying out tomorrow morning.

Thank you for your prayers.

Saturday Morning

Today is Saturday and we spent the morning traveling to Gonaives, the closest city to Bayonnais and where Actionnel's home is. This is also the area of Haiti that was hit the hardest by the Hurricanes Hanna and Ike in September of this year. Even though it has been close the three months since those storms. the devastation is still tremendous. Several homes were completely destroyed and many people in this area now reside in tents provided by international relief agencies. Several areas are still flooded. The streets are very difficult to travel on, which, in the city is complicated further by the wheel barrels full of mud that the residents are moving out of their homes and onto the side of the road.
Because of the storms Gonaives has a new lake - Lake Hanna/Ike. You can seen the lake in the pictures - when we drove though this area last year, there were homes and farm land in this very spot.

As devastating as this has been, Actionnel said that the lakes have been providing fish for the residents of Gonaives - a blessing in disguise - a very thick, ugly disguise, but a blessing, none the less.

The Haiti Cup

This afternoon we were back working on the second floor of the school building - mainly helping the Haitian crew haul rocks and water to make concrete. It is amazing watch this crew work so tirelessly in the heat. Afterwards we took a much needed break - no showers, yet - we have not had any water in the guest house today.

So Mark, Scott, and Dave started the Haitian Cup Soccer tournament. We brought soccer balls with us. Passed some out yesterday, but they all disappeared. So, this time the plan was to play with them, so the ball would last longer.

The other Ron and I watched - Ron, because he is wise - me, I had a freak Coke bottle accident earlier in the day which prevented my participation (a long story).

However, this may be a record for the longest time a soccer ball has survived in Bayonnais - close to an hour and still going strong - not sure if I can say the same for Mark, Scott, and Dave.

FYI - If you are ever playing soccer in Bayonnais, nothing is out of bounds - wherever the ball goes it's still in play.

We brought some of our World Hunger T-shirts, Strikers Soccer shirts, other misc shirts, sunglasses, and some usb drives along with the soccer balls.

Kids are loving the shirts - the sunglasses are a big hit with the older youth and the teachers (great for keeping the dust out of your eyes on these "roads") - and Amilor will be giving the USB drives out as needed.

Friday Morning

Well It's Friday Morning in Haiti. We spent the morning taking a walk through the community. We visited the Medical Ministry Site - still waiting for the plans to be finished by "Engineers Without Borders" so we know how much money will be needed.
Stopped by an old abandoned church where some teenagers were having an informal choir practice, which was quite beautiful sounding.
We visited Actionnel's Mom where we were "treated" to some "fresh" fish. We tried to follow Actionnel's lead and down the whole thing (head, tail, eyeballs, and bones) all in one bite, but just couldn't quite make it happen. ( I confess - I shared the head of mine with the cat.)
We were stopped by a man in the village who wanted his picture made - and then asked when he could receive a copy. We are working on that - not much of a postal service here.
Now we are back at the school preparing for lunch. The elementary school has just let out and the high school should be arriving within the hour.
Thanks for checking in.

Thursday in Haiti

Today we had the opportunity to work with some of the local men who are building the second floor of the school. Good - hard work. It was a pleasure working side by side. We also spent some time in the the community, walk up to "Joseph's Grainery" which is a great gift to this community. Thank you to everyone who has given money to build and fill the grainery.

Those of you from FBC-H will be pleased to know how well your gifts have been put to great use. Today we watched over 1600 hundreds students enjoy the rice and beans you provided. It is hard to watch without being a little overwhelmed at how God can use us in such a powerful way from so far away. Good Job.

Actionnel says "Hello."

We will keep updating throughout the days here. I am going try uploading some pix next hopefully it will work without bogging the lab down.

Thanks for praying.

We Have Arrived in Bayonnais

It has been long but good day. We left our homes before 4:00 AM today and are finally settling in at OFCB around 8:30 PM. Everyone is well and safe - though we cannot say the same for our luggage. Still waiting for 4 bags to arrive tomorrow. The bags have made it to Port Au Prince - Actionnel has arranged for someone to deliver them sometime tomorrow.

As usual, we are being taken care of very well - fed well - and are already being showered with questions from students - most often asked question: "What is Your Name?"

We will let you know more later. Keep us in your prayers.

The team - David Carr, Scott Howerton, Ron Morris, Ron Price, and Mark Wunder