Yesterday was our day off. So much for sleeping in. I woke up earlier than I would have if it was a ministry day….but I had a lot of God time! So amazing. Every song I listened to was about how awesome God is and the beauty of His creation…thank you Lord! It was perfect, as the sun was beating down on my face and I was spending time in God’s word. I needed it more than I realized!
That was just the morning…before brunch. Brunch being Pasta. It was heavy and definitely something I wasn’t expecting to eat at 10am, but it was food that filled my belly! We had amazing time just talking about who God is and what he has done in just a few short days here in Haiti. Not only from our team, but another team working with YWAM this month. It has been a blessing to be able to get to know the four of them – Eddie, Chad, Tasha and Hanna…and baby Isa!
We met at the cafe at 12:30 not sure what to except. We just knew we wanted to experience Haitian culture. There we stood, waiting for the tap-tap to come by so that we can go to the market. I almost didn’t go, but am so glad I did. It was chaos, loud, and smelly. You literally had to push your way through the crowd of people to get anywhere! Haitians were putting things in front of your face trying to get you to buy it. There were live chickens everywhere. Men will walk through the mob of people pushing wheelbarrows, whistling at you to get out of the way…and they will run into you if you don’t move!
All we wanted to get were skirts. We rummaged through piles of “used” clothing on the streets of the Jacmel market…on the busiest market day of the week – Saturday! Haitians got upset with us Americans as we bartered with them for lower prices…but thinking we are “rich” Americans, they didn’t like it very much. Our translator was with us, thankfully, and was able to help us out a great deal! We laughed a lot and found many “stylish” garments…after all, we are missionaries, right!?
After our market experience, we went to a sketchy internet cafe to try and post blogs and send a few e-mails, but it was extremely slow and not much got accomplished. The internet at the cyber cafe just up the street (owed and run by YWAM) has been down since we got here, but are blessed and extremely thankful that it is back up and working!
This morning some of us went to a Haitian church and were surprised when American missionaries were there giving the message. We didn’t understand the songs or anything leading up to the message, but at least was able to take something away from the service. It was well over 2 hours long, which really is short for a lot of Haitian churches, yet to most of us Americans, it seems like a lengthy service. The worship was powerful. I enjoyed another Haitian cultural experience and am filled with joy!
This week, we will be running VBS! We will have around 75 young kids between the ages of 5 and 11 at the YWAM base as we run games, share bible stories, sing songs and whatever else we can come up with to fill an afternoon! I am excited about this ministry. It will be another long and busy week, but full of God in so many ways!
Please continue to pray for health, as many of us are trying to adjust to new water, climate, food and anything else that factors into sickness! One week of ministry done! VBS started today…pictures coming soon, as our internet just got up and running today and is slow! Thanks for your patience and love! Miss you all!
