Update from Haiti:
Hello All,
We arrived safely in Haiti and on time! Upon landing our plane we had two blow outs that created a little excitment and a wonderful aroma of burned rubber, but the plane came safely to a stop!
Upon exiting the airport, there were hundreds of Haitians waiting outside w/ just the hopes of carrying a bag or providing you with a ride. When most Haitians live on just a dollar a day, even a small hope of getting to earn a dollar is worth great effort. The ride from the airport to the compound where the missionaries live was eye opening. Remember the rubble in Nehemiah ... there were piles of broken walls, stones, gravel, garbage burning and smoking ... people everywhere. Sleeping on the street, bathing in a river, piled high on every vehicle.
Eye Opening.
Today we went to church. Sunday School started at 6:30 AM!!!! Worship began at 7:30 AM. The service was incredible. Oh, by the way, that was the late service. The early worship service begins at 4:30 AM. There are several who gather at 3:30 AM to pray before the worship begins. In the 7:30 service 1000 people crowed into a building that is not much larger than our worship center. They had two choirs, a children's scripture recitation (in which they showed up the adults w/ the scripture they had learned), a flannel graph presentation, the Lord's Supper, several seasons of prayer (on your knees); a 40 minute sermon, a 30 minute altar call, announcements ... and lots and lots of singing ... and a special time when they taught the congregation a new song. We arrived at 7:30. We were dismissed at 11:15 am. As we pulled off from the church, it was very noticeable that the only 3 vehicles in the parking lot had plenty of room to park. These people walk to church. In their Sunday bes t. When we were on our knees, I couldn't help but notice the terribly worn Sunday shoes ... on those ladies who were now kneeling in their dresses.
Tomorrow we go "up the mountain" which is where the poorest live. We will be distributing the first of the gift bags to children. Additionally we will be distributing rice to the elderly and the hungry.
Thank you for your prayers,
Kevin
Alison
Kevin
David
Willis
John
Troy