I'll smile at any storm...

Day four five since arrival…

Today was our last day at Caradeux. It was a wonderfully calm day! We did Yoga, coloring, played with Oreos (minute-to-win-it style), and sang some songs in English and Creole. Then we did group games and played with the children. We went back up to the church for our closing prayers, and sing songs. We had three Haitian children stand up and say thanks to us specifically for all the things that we did for them today. It was sad to think that this is our very last day for VBS!

We had a song to sing today about Christ being in the boat so we can smile at the storm. We taught it to the Haitians and our translators did an amazing job to help the Haitians sing it in Creole! They even had some people on keyboard, bongos and guitar. They added Hallelujias and added such a wonderful tune to the song that only the Haitians are able to do. It was a wonderful time hearing God's grace enter the songs that we have to share.

I don't ever think I will look at a storm the same way again! With Jesus on my side, I can do anything!

We even had Jona, maybe 8 or 9 years old and tell us thank you for everything we brought with us and taught them in PERFECT English! Learning different languages is very important to the Haitians. They see it as an amazing opportunity to expand themselves and move forward in society.

We left Caradeux and jammed into the bus with 8 Haitians to go to Wahoo Bay Beach Resort! The ride was definitely an adventure! We got out of Port-au-Prince and into the country! I think the air quality was at least a bit better, though the livestock was just as plentiful as it is in the city with goats, cows and chickens! We made it to the beach and the resort was very nice! We made our way out to the water and the colors and amazing view of the mountains and the clouds. I have SO MANY photos, but I am posting from another computer since my battery is dead, so at the airport, or once I get home, I hope to upload TONS of photos and videos! PROMISE!

The beach was definitely some relax time with the team that was definitely needed. We had a lot of time this week that was hectic - and when you are with people for so long, it is only a matter of time before someone just needs some space or removal from those stressful situations. I got some sun... Unfortunately, My sun-lotion was only applied to certain areas of my body so it appears that I am zebra-like (not that there is anything wrong with zebras). We had a blast teaching Jo and Hudson how to swim in the ocean!

On the way back from the beach we stopped to get some mangoes, bananas, and Leo even bought us sugar cane and taught us how to eat it!! To eat sugar cane, you need to bite into it with your molars, then chew the stalk so the sugary fluid comes out, then spit out what you have left in your mouth (kind of feels like a wood chip at the end). We had Hatians on the bus on the way back, it was funny how fast they were able to eat the sugar cane versus the Americans.

We made it back from the beach and had dinner. We went through our team meeting.

Word of the Day: Possibilities

Scripture of the Day: For nothing is impossible with God [Luke 1:37]

Quote of the Day: You see things and say, "Why" But I dream things that never were and say, "Why not?"

Today I realized, that Haiti has so many different possibilities for it's future. They have rebuilt, and from what Alli and Stefanie say, there are far fewer tent cities, which is a step in the right direction. I see God working in the schools and hope that he puts faith and courage in the hearts of the girls in Haiti. They are oppressed in many ways and their advance would help the entire country.

Tomorrow we are going to church first thing in the morning, then to market for shopping. After that we are going to Leo's house to meet his family and eat pizza, then we will go to Delmas 89 again for a concert! Then, packing bags, and leaving for home on Monday! This trip has flown by. Will post more soon.

I love you - from Haiti

 - Jen