Written August 2, 2010
We left San Juan Saturday morning at 5:45 a.m. We got to the Haitian border around 7pm and we got to Port Au Prince around 9p.m. When we were driving to Port Au Prince, I saw the most beautiful landscapes alongside the bus. Haiti is a breathtaking country. Port Au Prince is a lively and busy city. It was surreal being in the country that my heart was breaking for, crying for, and praying for only a couple months ago while watching the earthquake relief coverage on my parents couch.
While our bus was driving down the road, a white bird (I want to say dove, but not sure) flew alongside our bus and then off into the mountains. To me it was a beautiful picture of God’s Spirit being here in Haiti…His love for this country of broken, yet beautiful people.
From Port Au Prince we took a two hour truck ride to our site in a town called Montrois (pronounced Mon We). It was nighttime, so we didn’t get to see much of the residual effects of the earthquake, but we passed several tent cities on the road. The wind was blowing in my face, and I had to hold on tight to the rail or for sure I would have blown right off that truck!
We pulled into the orphanage at 11:00p.m. and were greeted with a mini orientation of the culture of Canaan Orphanage, and a delicious cooked meal. We have to wear skirts here everyday (and I HATE skirts…also I only brought like two…), but I instantly fell in love with the kids here. They range from ages 3 months to 19..there are 60 of them here. I have yet to meet them all, but the ones I have met have already broken into my heart.
I was helping fold napkins with one of the girls here, and as I was folding, I told heard myself saying â€ŔI can see myself here again..â€� I wasn’t expecting that from Haiti.. was expecting it more from Southeast Asia..but then again God has done some REALLY unexpected things on the race so far.. and all of them have been so flippin AWESOME!
We start our serving tomorrow. Our schedule looks like this.. 7a.m.- breakfast, 8a.m.- bible study with the girls, 9 -12p.m- summer school, 1p.m- lunch, 2-4p.m tutoring/homework help..5:30 p.m.- dinner, 6-10 p.m free time with the kids (and that’s also the only time that electricity is on). It is extremely hot here, and we don’t have any fans. So it’s going to take a little while to get used to this intense heat…especially in the middle of the day…But I do feel a little spoiled this month too, since we have beds and showers here. I’m so thankful for those… And we’re bunking with the teenage girls, which makes me love them even more
I’m SOOOO excited to see the growth in these children academically, and spiritually. I’m also looking forward to every lesson that God is going to teach ME this month…
The kids here LOVE to sing, and dance… and there is a piano in the church here! I’m looking forward to playing on that!
I was hoping to upload some pics, but the internet here broke down, or something, the DAY we got here… so the internet is super sketchy.. I hope to post some up soon!
Agenda: Love,
Bethsaida
