Haiti Day 9

Day 9
March 22, 2013

We were up early, but there were no complaints.  I thought it was bittersweet to leave.  I was actually surprised by how sad leaving made me.  We had all formed relationships with the locals.  Our guard, Lamar, was a sweet man.  He would try to teach us Creole and at the same time he was learning English.  He came to the dock in the dark to see us off.  Angie taught us how to say, "See you later" in Creole, so I surprised him with Creole he didn't teach us.  Na We Pe Ta

When we first arrived in Source a Phillipe, I was shocked to see the hand made wooden plank we had to use to get off the boat.  This morning when I saw the plank, I had this overwhelming need to conquer it.  I've had so many experiences this week.  I've seen God move and I've felt His peace covering me.  I've seen Him put people in the path of a little girl.  I've seen His love spoken without words.  My "ah-ha moment" was not just realizing I can do hard things, but deciding from now on, I WILL do hard things.  When God calls us to do something, it doesn't mean it will be easy or within our comfort zone.  However, He will give us the strength, wisdom and courage to handle it.  He doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

I charged up that plank and didn't take a hand until I was stepping on the boat.  The small victories.

The ride back to Petit Goave was slightly overcast, but we did eventually see the sun peek through the clouds.



Lunch is not served at the guest house in Petionville, but Bill was prepared.

Sarah sat with us for lunch and let us debrief.  She said they usually wait until the evening, but we were so excited to share. 

Members of the Rutgers football are at the guest house tonight.  They were doing construction.  The room Dee, Connie and I are staying in tonight has a balcony.  The team was sitting under the balcony for their debrief and then devotion time with their coach.  We couldn't help but overhear their experiences.  After they debriefed with staff from the guest house and were alone as a team, their coach went around to each team member and told how he had seen them grow or a special quality he had noticed in each of them during their time in Haiti.  I thought that was a wonderful way to encourage these young men.

There are some local men who sell things in the alley behind the guest house.  Sarah walked us out and they scrambled to unload their bags and set up shop.  Trevor was looking for a doll to take back to his granddaughter.  He does several mission trips and cruises a year and always brings her back a doll.  The men didn't have a doll.  A driver for the guest house took Trevor out to find one.  While they were gone, the men came into the compound and had found a doll.  We had no idea they were going to look for one.  Sarah told them they had to let her know when they were going to do something like that.  I felt really bad and considered buying it for Hannah, but it really isn't something she would want.

Tomorrow we are heading home.