It's a Hot Time in Haiti Tonight

Greetings from Port au Prince!  It's been quite a day and God continues to be faithful to us in this mission trip.  The red eye flight was uneventful but also pretty sleepless.  Our layover in Miami passed quickly and before we knew it, we were landing in Haiti. Praise God! The airport experience was about as crazy as we had been told, but we were never in danger and we were never afraid.

Unfortunately, one bag  of supplies didn't show up, but we're trusting that it will be here by the end of the week.  Shelley Clay and her driver, Emmanuel (God with us)  met us at the airport, and after he got her car started, they transported us through the streets of PAP, past the tent cities, and the devastation, on the rough and bumpy road and through the CRAZY traffic.   It took forever, but four of us got to visit with Shelley and the other four got to ride in the back of a tap-tap (open air taxi). Dawn was a lot unsettled by the luggage helpers asking/begging for tips, whether they had helped or not, in our giving mode of being here, it was so hard to say "no", but being warned beforehand that was what we needed to do.  Wendy's impression on that trip was "The people were so happy - waving and smiling at us." "The guys outside the airport who we were  warned about, actually protected me from getting hit by a pickup truck," said Arda. Carol commented that the tap-taps are CRAZY! Also LeAnne reminded us that WE PAY for rides like this at Disneyland.

 I was most touched by our welcome at the Apparent Project.  Several of the artisans came out to help us with our luggage and then Shelley and Corrigan gave us a short orientation and tour.  Corrigan spoke to us about how proud they are of us for making this trip, despite the all the set backs and challenges.  They have had two recent mission teams cancel which is very disappointing.  We felt needed and appreciated, affirming God's plan for our team to be here.  Mary expressed her amazement at the kindness of the Haitian people amidst the devastation and poverty.

-Joed

Kim here.  All I can really put here is that these women are in a word: amazing.  I could use words as brave, driven, focused, and joyful.  Summed up however, amazing does the trick.  Even as these ladies were wiping sweat off their foreheads, they each had a smile that penetrated the stifling heat.  I feel so honored and blessed to be a part of this team and to have the opportunity to see how they touch the women of the sewing classes.  I know without at doubt that this will be a life-changer. :) And so it begins...