We Arrived!

Our adventure began around 6 o'clock this morning, as we got ready to depart from Columbus with the biggest issue trying to be awake so early in the morning! All was smoothing sailing to our first destination, Miami, Florida. But we knew what was waiting for us once we arrived- a 4 hour layover. To our surprise the 4 hour layover turned into a 5 hour layover thanks to a late plane and then lightning delay (remnants of Tropical Storm Emily). After finally boarding the plane we had to wait in line for take-off for what seemed like another hour!

Our flight proceeded afterall and we were on our last leg to Haiti! There were many other mission trips on board along with us, and we got to meet many of those people within our seats. The other groups colored with personalized T-shirts to broadcast their missions (unlike our group cough, cough Don!) But seeing all the groups made all of realize how many missionaries go to Haiti. Needless to say, our plane from Columbus to Miami was less than half the size of our plane from Miami to Haiti (something I would've never guessed at the begining of our trip).

After almost two hours in the air we finally approached a green island that rose into a mountain top. My personal first impression being that Haiti is extremely populated! We got out of the airplane and into the 98 degree heat and onto a bus that road past the earthquake damaged airport. Then we entered (an apparent post-earthquake addition) the concrete building that was the airport. After going through immigration, customs, and finding our luggage we were on our way into the mass of Haitians waiting outside.

Luckily when we got out the doors, an intimidating situation became a lot more stable after Don found a sign that read "International Child Care." (Thanks Don and ICC!) A few men then grabbed our bags and we headed down the sidewalk to the parking lot. On our walk we passed many locals waiting for a work opportunity, a fence separating us from the road - also with locals near it, and walked under "Bienvenue" signs.

At the end of the walk we were pleased to meet Jason (our chauffeur) and Fitz (our luggage chauffeur). What a blessing they were because I can honestly say that none of the Good Shepherd group would have been able to master Haitian roads!

We drove through downtown Port-Au-Prince passing tent housing where even tarps were torn with holes; Markets full of products on the street corner where the sidewalks were covered with people; Schools with Disney characters painted on the walls; and people carrying their belongings in baskets on their heads.  While driving through I couldn't help but worry that we were staying on a street such as these. Sure enough we turned the corner and came to a stop. The driver honked the horn and a young Haitian man opened the gate to our guest house, a few buildings behind a cement wall.

So tonight we all settled into our rooms (one room with five twin beds for the girls and the boys) and even approved of the bathrooms. We enjoyed our first Haitian meal of Spaghetti, salad, and the famous Haitian slaw that Don can't stop eating. We had a lovely devotion and enjoyed a visit in the "pavillion." And I am sitting here telling you about our day on a laptop with missing keys, so if I missed any e's that's why!

All in all, first day in Haiti=success.

Which means that tomorrow will be even more of a success!

Thanks for listening and checking in!
-Christina

You can check out Brian's blog which includes pictures and videos by clicking on this link:

http://b-south.com/index.php?option=com_easyblog&view=latest&Itemid=95