Bondye ki gen bon kè (God is good)

Since I never got around to mentioning yesterdays events, I will try to cram the last two days together in this post as best as I can, though it would be impossible to talk about everything that has and is happening.

Yesterday morning we all woke up at 5:30Am to head down to the school that we have been working on. Because the sun rises much earlier here then in Michigan, it didn't seem very early at all! Anyways, I began by cutting re-bar for the windows, which are crosshatched instead of having brittle glass windows. After that I had the pleasure to talk to a very educated Haitian man by the name of Emery. He could speak 4 languages fairly fluently, which obviously includes English. He definitely impressed me with his knowledge of America, and American politics. He asked me questions such as what my thoughts were on President Obama, the War in Iraq, and why I agreed or disagreed with things happening in the government. We also spoke of racism, american rap music, soccer (or football), and the earthquake. He told me that he doesn't like to talk about the earthquake because it is something he will never forget, since he lost many friends. But he told me that he was in a school hallway when it struck, and that he was lucky that his parents survived.

After our long day of work we came back to relax. I spent some time and went out on the streets nearby where I am staying. I was able to take lots of pictures!

Today I woke at the same time, so we could go back and work another day at the school. I cut some more re-bar, and helped arc-weld the windows together. Also, a truckload of bricks arrived today to continue constructing the walls. I hauled them from the truck to where they were being stacked until I could no longer even grip the bricks. The heat today didn't seem as bad as yesterday (which was over 100)because there was a little breeze today.

It was also very strange, today while we were working, the city seemed overall quiet... But Suddenly, literally the entire town around us began to ROAR as people ran out from their tents. And I am certainly not embellishing when I say people were dancing down the roads. People cheered and yelled from everywhere around us. It sounded like a whooping cheer of a mighty army! I have never ever, ever, ever heard anything like it... Come to find out that it was because Argentina lost a game vs Germany in the world cup.. There is a great rivalry in Haiti. About 70 percent of the people here are MAJOR Brazil fans, while 30 percent are Argentina fans..

After we quit work around Noon today we came back here, and then headed out for a little sightseeing trip around Port Au Prince. I took almost 150 pictures.. So here are just a few of them...


This was the Presidential palace here in Port Au Prince



This was the biggest, and most beautiful cathedral in the city. It fell, but the cross still stands..



They were selling clothes, which they stacked in piles on the sidewalk.



This picture just doesn't do justice to how terrible the slums are here. The streets are lined with trash and feces. The people have constructed whole cities out of tin sheets and sticks and tarp.




One of the thousands of buildings in Haiti that still remain in rubble..




We drove to the top of the mountain overlooking Port Au Prince.. Amazing view! In the top left corner you can see the Caribbean sea.




Here is most of the team, minus Larry, with a few female soldiers from Nepal.. All standing in front of the amazing view of the city.

"Welcome to Haiti"...

These aren't exactly the words that greeted me as I landed in Port Au Prince today around 3:00 PM..

But lets rewind a bit.

I woke up this morning around 3:30 AM back in Michigan to my alarm which I almost slept through after only 2 hours of sleep. I wasn't as tired as you would expect, probably because of my growing excitement for the day ahead of me. Me and my older brother then left for Detroit metro airport to catch my flight at 7. Then I was off to Miami, where I waited out my 2 and a half hour layover.

After getting some cat naps in, and some chit chat with the other passengers we finally began to land in the Port Au Prince airport. As we got closer to the ground the rusty roofs on the crude cement building became clearer.

It was strange. My heart began to sink even before the plane touched the ground. The communities looked so impoverished from above that even down town Flint might look attractive.

We finally landed and left the plane. Seeing as this was my first experience out of the US, I had no idea where to go. So I followed everyone else down a flight of stairs, onto a bus, into a large warehouse looking building where my passport was checked and I picked up my bags.

As soon as I stepped past the desk and out the back of the airport I saw a Haitian man with one arm, holding a paper with my name on it. So i followed him past a TON of Haitians. I already felt like I was sticking out like a sore thumb due to my light skin tone. But beyond that, it was sad seeing so many people just standing around, (some with visible scars, and missing limbs) with no place to go.

My Haitian guide then led me to Larry Judy, whom I will be sharing a house, and spending the month with. We both got into his vehicle, and I watched as he navigated through mass chaos. People ran every direction, and there seems to be no rules on the road aside from stopping at red light. He promised to show me how to drive his stick shift later so I can go through town on my own. :O

Port Au Prince almost seems surreal to drive through. It seems like a city that you might only see in the movies. People clutter almost every foot of the streets and traffic is a resounding noise of car horns.

We then made it here to the house that we are both staying, which has been a missionary house for many years apparently. Then Larry took me to meet many people, both Haitian, and other missionaries, of whom I could only remember a few names.

There is a group of missionaries from New York, that arrived here on Monday. Me and Larry will be working with them tomorrow, and most likely until they leave. The plan is to wake up at 5:30 AM tomorrow, so we can go and continue the construction of a nearby school.

After many interesting, and humorous conversations with them, we came home for dinner which was actually normal food! Then, once he had answered all my questions, we went out for a walk through the surrounding area. Port Au Prince is not a quiet city! There are makeshift sales booths on both sides of the roads where Haitians sell everything from DVDs to shoes, to fresh mangos, to fried chicken. Did I mention the streets are crowded?

There are also many buildings through town which still remain in rubble. But the Haitians are learning to live around the messy streets and tent villages that they have created.

The atmosphere is odd. Overall the city seems jolly, and in high spirits, despite their rough living conditions.

On another note.. This trip is so different from any other trip I have been on. Because Larry has given me the freedom to do whatever I wish and go where ever I wish. So it is cool to just feel free to let the Spirit literally be able to guide my steps..

Please pray for me!:

-That my effort wont be waisted.
-That many peoples lives will be effected in a positive way because I came.
-That I would stay focused, and in tune with my sweet Lord.
-That I would work hard no matter how hot it gets or how tired I get.
-That I will keep a good attitude through the rest of the month... Cause no doubt things will get rough.

Anyways, it's getting late and the morning will come fast. For you A.D.D. readers, I will try to keep my posts shorter, and I will also try to post some pictures, so I don't have to describe so much!

Finally, last but not least I would like to thank EVERY ONE of you guys that supported me financially or emotionally to make this trip possible! I love you guys!

I will be praying for you all!

Peace, Love, and a Goodnight sleep!