Monday, we began our day of travel at MSP at about 3:30 AM. It was our first time flying through Atlanta instead of Miami. For those wondering, Atlanta is about exactly half way between Minneapolis and Port Au Prince.
We were thankful for smooth travels, with only a slight delay at Atlanta due to the ice storm in Dallas. Other than that, we were thankful for smooth travels and good flights.
For me, it was a bit surreal landing in Haiti again. It seemed like a dream. I'd been anxiously awaiting this week since my return in October. For me, it felt like coming home. For others on their first trip, they all expressed they felt somewhat out of place and not knowing what to expect. I know that feeling too.
Our first morning, I set my alarm for the sunrise. I love to start off my morning on the balcony with the sunrise. There is NOTHING better than a Haitian sunrise overlooking the town. Hearing the town wake up and the Haitians begin their day. It's quite an amazing experience.
Each morning we start out with a delicious breakfast made by the Haitian kitchen staff and our team member Jeremy who loves to banter back and forth with the ladies. (Usually the whole house is awoken by him yelling PWOBLEM! PWOBLEM!) Breakfast consists of eggs, pancakes or french toast, lots of fresh fruit and fresh squeezed juice. We eat very well here!
Tuesday (our first full day here) we did water truck in Cite Soleil. We meet up with our water truck and make a few stops to deliver clean water. Cite Soleil is the slum of Port au Prince and is usually one of the most physically and emotionally exhausting days. You really experience the worst of the worst living conditions here. Children running around naked and chewing on plastic to trick their tummies into thinking they are full. Yet, these people are so joyful.
Each time we enter Cite Soleil to see the kids chasing the tap tap, all chanting "hey you!"... it absolutely brings tears to my eyes. These kids have no idea who we are, but they know we bring hands and arms to hold them and that we come to play with them. It's such a blessing to be able to show these kids love. It's truly hard to do this experience justice through words and even photos. I really wish everyone could experience it firsthand. It's like nothing else.
At our first water stop, we got to visit the site that Healing Haiti is building the new church and school. It's currently now marked off by a big metal fence which means: progress! I can't wait to see the day that there is a BUILDING there!
We made 3 stops to deliver water and then we went to Haitian Initiative in Cite Soleil. Haitian Initiative is an after-school soccer program that encourages the kids in Cite Soleil to get an education. In turn, if they go to school and get good grades, they can come play soccer and have a warm meal provided by Feed My Starving Children.
Haitian Initiative is one of my favorite places to visit. I love the energy that soccer brings to this country. We got to first see where they make the food to feed the kids and then we got to go out to the field and watch a practice. These kids are SO GOOD at soccer and they clearly love playing it.
Today, Wednesday, we started out our morning helping out and holding babies at Home for Sick and Dying Children. There were a couple other groups there helping out today which was new for me. Usually we are the only group there trying to hold all of the kids.
Over the past couple months, I have been learning some Creole. Today it was so fun for me to attempt to communicate with some of the parents and the kids there. Even though I know very little yet, it's amazing how far a few words will go and the connections that can be made. Today mine was over a little toy pig. Kochon = pig, and me making lots of snorting noises for smiles and laughs.
Later we made a stop at Apparent Project. This place seemed to have a very deep connection to our team, as some used this as a source to fundraise. It was fun for our team to put faces to names and to see where this jewelry was made.
Our final stop for the day was Gertrude's Orphanage. This is by far one of the most challenging places we visit where we are forced to lean into God's strength for each minute. It's an orphanage for mentally and physically disabled children, so for most people, it's not an easy place to experience.
Today's visit we got to see their new physical therapy room. This was so exciting to see the progress being made at this orphanage for these kids. They have equipment for specific kids and their specific needs to help with their condition.
On our way home today we got to experience true Port au Prince traffic! Minneapolis rush hour has nothing on Port au Prince rush hour.
That's all for today, but stay tuned for more adventures this week. We appreciate all of your prayers and support this week. We are all very expectant of what God is going to do in our lives and in the lives of the Haitians this week.
Tout glwa pou Bondye! (All glory to God!)
--Angie
