Faith and Sweat

Some of you will rebuild the ancient ruins;
you will restore the foundations laid long ago;
you will be called the repairer of broken walls,
the restorer of streets where people live.
Isaiah 58:12

ARRIVAL DAY

We fly into Haiti to the makeshift airport.  I can already see the massive damage to this beautiful country and we haven't even gotten off the plane yet.  There is only 2 runways and there is really nothing left of the airport itself.  

We are met outside after going through customs and picking up our luggage by many Haitian men eager to take our bags.  Through the crowd we see a woman holding a Crossing sign and rush excitedly to her.  She is Jennifer, our guide and interpreter for the trip.  It's really uncomfortable so many people just grabbing at our bags, we understand they mean well, but Jennifer steps in and makes room for us to get to the bus.  

We are really hurried like cattle to our bus.  We meet Claudelle our driver for the week.  There are no rules to the road, no signs and only a couple of signals.  Because of his driving we nickname him, Ice Man.

I am taking in the damage but it's so much to comprehend my heart just aches for these people and we really haven't seen much. There is garbage and rubble every where.  It looks as though where they have rebuilt, they took a bulldozer and pushed the pile of rubble to the street and just left it there so they could build a new house or building.  

The roads are terrible.  There are potholes that we could have put our bus in with room to spare.  I don't see much grass anywhere.  It's like a concrete jungle.  When I look at the people on the streets shopping or working they are all dressed very well.  It seems they take a lot of pride in their appearance.  

We arrive at the hotel and I think it's an oasis.  There are beautiful trees and many bright colors.  I like it a lot but feel a little guilty staying there when our orphans are staying in tents.

We meet Seguinde who will also be an interpreter for us.  He is kind and willing to answer many questions from us.

We then meet Didie who is our contact from Hunger Relief International.  Some say that Usher looks like him.  He is very nice.  He maps out our week including what, when and where our dinners will be.  He asks what we would like for dinner our first evening chicken, pork, beef or goat.  It's chosen to be goat for everyone.

Didie took us on a tour through some parts of the city.  Our first stop is the Blessed Mother of Assumption church.  It was built in the 1860's and by looking at what's left, I am guessing it was gorgeous.  There is just a few walls left of the building and I am guessing it stood about 50 feet tall.  300 people didn't make it out of the building during the earthquake.

Next we head to the Palace.  It's completely useless.  The building is a big pile of rubble.  But the Guard still comes out every morning to raise the flag and every night to lower it.

Dinner.  Goat.  Suprisingly delicious.  I would definitely eat it again.  Everyone seems to like it.  The sun goes down about 6 down here so we use the nights to compare thoughts.  We are really looking forward to tomorrow and visiting the orphanage for the first time, especially the kids.

What amazed me was seeing the peoples faces.  Full of hope and life.