Thoughts from Haiti

December 16, 2008

We arrived safely in Haiti yesterday after a very long and tiring trip. Thanks to Lois and Barry who got out of bed in the middle of the night to get us to the airport on time, even in the –30C temperatures. We spent a nice evening in Ft. Lauderdale with my godson, Manno, and his girlfriend before getting up super early again on Monday to catch the flight from Ft. Lauderdale to Port-au-Prince.

The flight was quick and uneventful, but of course when we arrived, there were people climbing over one another to try and get their bags out of overhead compartments. We finally found all of our bags and were waved right through customs without anyone checking anything at all. We didn’t see Mom and Luckner when we arrived, but they were there less than 5 minutes later so that was good. The truck I thought the mission had apparently died a while ago so it was an adventure loading 10 large suitcases and 2 carry-ons into the back of a tiny pick up. Once everything was covered with a tarp and the security guy jumped on the back, we all climbed inside. It wasn’t safe to have Mariah and Josiah ride in the back like they wanted because the pile of luggage was so high, so we were nice and cozy. The ride was a hot, bumpy, crowded adventure! After 4 hours on the road, we made it to Hands Across the Sea in Deschapelles to a warm welcome from the kids and staff.

This morning we had a chance to visit the school where the teachers are doing report cards, to see the new kitchen storage area that is almost complete (thank you to everyone who donated) and to witness the construction of the two new school classrooms. There are 2 dozen men digging down for the foundation but the work is slowed by the fact that the hole dug for the foundation keeps filling up with water and a pump is almost impossible to find around here. So they are working on what they can and Luckner ran off to see if he can find a pump this morning to get rid of the water.

Shortly, I’ll begin unpacking the suitcases and organizing the donated items so that we can have the gifts ready for the kids and some of the donated items for the kids when they come to do the Christmas concert on Dec 23rd. I’m sure the kids from the orphanage will be happy to see the new soccer balls as they are playing with a ball that’s pretty much destroyed. I’ll be sure to attach photos!

Liette