Sunday

Yesterday was our first full day in Haiti and it was rather eventful! A lot of the people you see on Sunday morning in Haiti are all dressed up and walking to church with their Bibles in hand. Even the children wear suits and dresses, some girls in high heels. That was pretty powerful to see.

We went to church at the Eglise Methodiste d'Haiti. It took us at least 45 minutes to get there driving whether it was on purpose or because we got lost I'm not sure. The church was beautiful and the songs and worship were all in creole of course. At one point in the service an announcement was made for all first time visitors to stand. We stood and the church members pinned a ribbon to our shirt to welcome us! We also got to participate in an offertory where the men took their gifts to a woman standing at the front and the women of the congregation took their gifts to a man at the front of the church, then it was a competition to see who had the most! It was a blessing to take part in the communion that was being offered. This week was the revival service of the church which was an extra special time to be visiting!

After church we went to lunch at the Villa and enjoyed a buffet with many Haitian foods: including lobster! The carrots there were absolutely delicious! Then we drove downtown and saw the earthquake damaged Palace.

We walked down the street to visit the national museum and learned the history of the island. And then we drove to the National Cathedral and walked through its earthquake damage. There was a group of people there asking for help, for money, and one lady asked Pastor Nichalus if he knew anyone that would take her kids and give them a better life than she can.

Pastor Nichalus was our interpretor for the day and a wonderful blessing in our lives. He always stayed with us to make sure we were in a group and spoke creole when english wasn't enough. Robinson, the ICC Coordinator, was also with us most of the day, translating and teaching us about the culture. Nichalus knows people everywhere we go (and is a pastor of a chruch of 10,000 people). Robinson told us about how Haitians are strong and they don't dwell on a sad part of their lives because there will always be something to be sad about. "You've got to be happy!" He said.

After going through the cathedral we went back to the guest house and relaxed for the rest of the night. Dinner was chicken legs, Pikliz (which is what I learned was the proper term for the cole slaw, but spicier than our kind - the OJ from breakfast was actually passion fruit juice), and we had rice and beans. We went up to the roof patio for our devtion done by Jennifer, and enjoyed views of the mountains.

It was a busy Sunday but we all grew a lot not only as people but as christians, and that was only day one.

-Christina