Sunday ("Dimanch" en Kreole) in Haiti

This morning we were all up between 6:00 and 6:30am which is somewhat surprising after the lack of sleep the previous 36 hours.  We had lots of time to prepare for church.  Before church I got to meet more of Jana's friends down here.  I met Geraldo, who has been phoning Jana twice a week since she was here in March.  I have been dubbed his "Daddy" just as Jana is his "Mama."  It was also a pleasure to meet Macile whose education we have helped fund along with contributions from Cheri, Sharon and Steve.  He's a very joyful boy!

The service was mostly in french; although a couple of choruses were sung partly in English.  Apart from the setting many things were the same as back home.  There was a great worship band, kids who fidgit and poke each other, the deacon with the permanent smile, the regulars who have their places and the newcomers who sit at the back.  The sound-man had one volume setting: loud.  Pastor Guy spoke about supernatural strategies, but I only caught bits and pieces with my limited french.

After a lunch of sandwiches, fresh white pineapple and fresh mango, we worked around the camp sorting bedding for distribution.  Yvette is a great organiser!!!  Many people who come down here leave behind their sheets and sometimes assorted clothing.  It adds-up and it's time to consolidate, organise and give it all away.

We also spent some time planning our week, which will include visits to the tent-city, two or three orphanages, building chicken coops at the church at Les Cayes (for two nights).  There is so much to do that our days will be very full.

As I looked out the open windows and doorways of the church, I was marvelling at the abundance of self-sufficiency that the church was developing; between the fruit trees, chickens, tilapia, vegitables.  I compared it to the promise gardens planted in tent-city by Jana's group when they came here in March.  The promise gardens have not been tended like they should.  Although there are some root vegitables growing, the beds need weeding, they need some water, and I don't think they'll know when they're ripe to pick.

It's like the abundant life that God has granted us.  When we respect our creator and learn to use the talents he has given us, then we can become beautiful.  They have a saying at the church; they're working towards a beautiful Haiti.  I really respect the work of the pastors, the short-term missionaries and the long-term people.  Aaron who has been here for nearly three months almost choked-up when I asked him about whether he'd miss Haiti when he returns to Hawaii in a few weeks.  He very much looks forward to coming back.  John, along with his wife Debbie who is away right now, is the resident missionary and he walks around with a gigantic smile on his face because he loves what he's doing here.

When we return to the tent city, we'll be sure to encourage them in tending their gardens.  Jana and Yvette are planning a life-skills seminar promoting healthy eating habits.  There's nothing similar to the Canada Food Guide down here, so nutritional education is almost nil.

There may be a couple of days this week where we won't be able to write, but rest assured we're in good hands!