Departure Day: Friday, June 24th

A billboard of the Haitian President, a billboard that we see daily on our drive to the Valley of Hope Church

Friday, June 24th

Today started early as in 4:00 a.m. early. Our team was to meet at the Greensboro airport at 5 a.m. to check our luggage, pray before our departure, and go through security.  A wonderful TSA employee with American Airlines said that since I was going on a mission trip that it would only cost $30 to check my two bags rather than $60.  She was so kind to greet me as well at the gate with “God Bless You for your Mission.” 

We arrived in Miami without a hitch and then got on the plane to Port-A-Prince. It is interesting to be a minority on a plane as with my blonde hair and lighter features, I really stood out.  Landing in Port-A-Prince was an interesting landing experience because after the plane lands, the land does a U turn at the end of the runway as the runaway space is much more limited.

Immigration went smoothly and Pastor Maxeau was waiting for us after we left baggage.  This was a good thing because our Westover cell phone was not working.  The humidity of Haiti is very present near the airport.  With our bags packed, we started to make the long trip to our lodging. 

After watching the coverage of the Haiti earthquake in January 2010, I was not sure what to expect.  There were tent cities and there were many Haitians walking along the roadways-some paved, some gravel, many with potholes.  We were amazed at the women balancing baskets on their heads. One in particular had two live turkeys on her head.  For me, it was interesting to see people in 95+ degree heat sitting along the road selling purses, shoes and fruit.  Their small umbrellas or tarps covering them from the blistering heat. 

We stopped by an orphanage that we will work at on Thursday, June 30^th and met the 17 young girls who live there and a few other folks working there on a missions trip.   

Finally, we arrive at our lodging. A HaitianNational living in New York owns the property and only comes 2-3 times per year to visit.  We were amazed at the accommodations as we have space for all of us to have our own rooms and the Pastor had some Sprite/Coke products waiting on us.    But, I think that sticking to water will be very key here with the heat.

We unpacked supplies and practiced singing songs such as Jesus Loves Me in Creole.  And, let us not forget about our first Haitian meal of rice, chicken, and a macaroni lasagna dish…so much good food to help us with a restful night.

Well, no running water tonight to take a shower, but we have electricity for now as I  (team member Mandy) type up a review of our first day.  God protected us in our journey here and we are excited to start working with the kids of Valley of Hope Church tomorrow.