Haiti Mission Trip UpdateHaiti Mission Trip UpdateFrom: Wall's International Guest House
> Sent: Sunday, October 13, 2002 8:39:02 AM
> To: Missions Mailbox; uncangel188@aol.com; z74al@triad.rr.com
> Subject: From Youth Team in Haiti
Greetings from the youth in Haiti!
We're having a great time and everyone loves it here!
Friday, as you could have guessed, was pretty long - everyone slept on the way
to Raleigh. But...the confusion began! Some of our check-in luggage was searched,
but the flight went well for everyone. We got right on the plane to Port-au-Prince
from Miami (in a little bit of a hurry) and arrived right on schedule. We met
up with Wes just as planned and after a little chaos, we were put on the truck
and shipped to Walls Guest House. The Guest House is really nice and comfortable.
After getting settled, we traveled to "The Promised Land" to see some
of Michael's boys and Roger. It's so pretty out there! . We got lost and stuck
in a huge pile of mud but it didn't stop us! Michael is such a nice man and
we can tell that he's really good at his work. He looks tired though and still
needs all the help he can get...he still has a long journey ahead of him. We
returned to the Guest House for dinner and then we were out on the run again.
We then went to Eben Ezer Church for a night service full of loud singing and
music! They sang some of the same worship songs that we sing so we sang along!
We also did a skit and several testimonies for them.
Saturday, the Haitian youth group met us at the Guest House and we piled on
two buses to go to Wahoo Beach. The Americans and Haitians were mixed together
so it was definitely a fun and interesting experience. However, about an hour
away from the beach, one of the buses overheated. The other bus went on and
the rest waited for our back-up ride to arrive. Half of us went on a tap-tap
and the others rode on the pick-up truck when it came. The tap-tap was definitely
an experience. We sang songs and drank water that was sold from the streets
in little plastic bags. The beach was absolutely beautiful! The water was clear
blue and the mountains were right in the background. Nate went snorkeling and
found all sorts of sea animals right beside the shore...starfish, pufferfish,
jellyfish! After a little swimming and some shopping, we had lunch and talked
with the other group. Afterward, some went to the pool and others back to the
beach! It was so fun to talk with Haitians that were our age and see what their
lifestyles were like. Many of them were learning English in school so communication
wasn't as weird as we had expected. After dinner at Walls, we went to St. Joseph's
House for Boys to see their dancing show. They were so cute and energetic!!!
It was a ton of fun for everyone. After they did their routines, they pulled
all of us to the front to dance and sing with them. It was tiring, but a blast!!
They were all so talented.
Now, we are getting ready to go to AFCA for Sunday morning church service. Right
after that, we will be heading up to the Baptist Mission for an afternoon of
shopping!!! (Can you tell that girls are writing this?!) But don't worry Mrs.
Elkins, we'll make sure that Brendan completes his shopping list! When we come
back from the mountains, we will head back to AFCA to fix a dinner for the students
there and the Haitian Street Kids. There, we will fellowship with them and just
have some fun!
Everyone is amazed of how beautiful everything is - the mountains surrounding
the city are gorgeous!
A note from a few of the youth...
Heather's having the time of her life and says that she loves all of you!
Bryn says that all of your money and support were definitely worth it!
Everyone else sends their love and thanks you all so much for your time, efforts,
and support to allow us to have such a wonderful experience.
This week has definitely been a wonderful, but eye-opening experience for everyone.
We haven't heard any complaints or troubles and everyone is really having the
time of their lives! And the trip's not over yet!! We're looking forward to
the rest of the trip and taking lots of pictures to share with you! Well, off
to AFCA!
With love,
Emily and Sara and all the youth