Friday the 10th was an interesting day for the majority of the January 2012 Rt. 1 Squad. Teams started arriving the day before in preparation to head to Haiti. I wish I could say that night I had plenty of rest for the 3:45 ready time, but I actually was up the whole night. Someone needed my bed much more than me that night, or in that case, you snooze you lose. I lost!
That morning as racers arose from their slumbers, we began cleaning our beautiful two story house to head of to Haiti. It seemed like an eternity, but eventually our vans arrived along with our contact Miguel. We loaded our bags into the back of his truck to full capacity, and did the same with our packs. Not long after, we piled in for the ride to the bus station for I think three hours where we waited more, and loaded for our next destination, HAITI!!
Upon arrival, I didn't know what to expect. We really kind of showed up in the middle of nowhere, then drove more to where our bus dropped us off at the station in Port A Prince? I totally just butchered that up i'm sure. So then as you guessed, there was more waiting. Not much long after arriving, a white bus and truck showed up. We again loaded all of our packs into a truck similar as Miguels, and the rest of our packs were loaded into the back of the overly stuffed bus. It was so packed that some of us actually had to stand up the whole estimated 3 hour ride. Piece of cake until one of our tires went FLAT. Like really?? Not good to happen after the dark has settled in.
We pulled over on the busy side of the road right in front of a few Haitians who in short wouldn't allow our bus driver to change the tire in peace, so we had to move down the road to a much more desirable location, a gas station. But at that point I felt so angry. I had in my head that this was going to be a terrible month, and that Haiti was full of terrible people who were only out for themselves and that it was just a dark place full of principalities and evil. Sure enough at that moment it was. We really thought something was going to happen when trying to change the tire. One man was reluctant that he was going to change the tire and kept pulling at the tool to change the tire. But, God is good and He sends the Holy Spirit to guide us in times like that.
So we're at the gas station and I get out to kind of check on the situation since i'm on the stairs to begin with and there isn't room to do anything on the bus because of the crowdedness. Not soon after, I was greeted by cell phone cellers. Three to be exact, and they were all cousins. In our best English, we tried to communicate and understand each other. I soon found out that one was a Christian, and that he was doing his best to earn money and go to school. His name was John.
In short, I allowed satan to take what seemed like a terrible moment and turn it into something it wasn't. God showed me real soon that also Haiti was full of hope, and that what we're doing here isn't in vain. He reminded me of my purpose and restored me with joy that was unexplainable. Now here, I understand that there is a great need for Christ, and for our help. In the next couple of weeks, I'll try to show you what that looks like because we are on limited internet time here, once a week. Hopefully I can post pictures if the internet will be fast enough the next time it's available.
Once again, thank you for your prayers and support, and please continue to pray for me ALL the time. I'm in deep need of God's strength, and all of the fruits of the spirit at time if that helps narrow down what I need prayer for. Love you and talk to you soon, Andrew
