Haiti Day 1 – We made it!

It has been quite a journey getting here this year and I am referring more to the last month when it came into question if we would go at all, not because of delayed flights or anything like that. In the end, we brought 8 people not 18. But as God would have it, 6 of those original 18 decided to divide and conquer rebuilding Puerto Rico so hopefully you are seeing posts on this blog from them as well. I love arriving at the airport in Haiti, knowing the bongo band will be making beautiful music for all who come, never have we moved through immigration so quickly, it’s been years since customs ushered us through with smiles and a few random bag checks but no fees assessed for anything. Granted, brought very little compared to what we normally haul in here in the way of gifts and donations but either way, no muss no fuss. We went outside to our hired van and Bob was able to drive the truck to the airport for our bags (good thing, I don’t know where they were going to fit in that van) and we moved seamlessly through the city to Pastor Voltaire’s house but we all recognized this was a new route. We avoided the main intersection of the bus depot, etc. on mainstreet and took a “scenic route” but there was nothing going on in terms of protests and blockades or anything.  Dinner was wonderful with bbq chicken legs, the best scalloped potatoes ev-uh and avocado to die for. Dessert was sour fruit smoothies. Super yum. It all just feels very normal really. It was a long night and day getting here so most of us were in bed by 8pm or soon after. There is a generator but the cost of gas means it’s impractical and rude even to run it much IF you can get it. The word is the people filling barrels and selling on the corner are watering it down. But Pastor Voltaire insisted it was OK to turn on the a/c in the rooms for a few hours but it went off at 9pm and we relied on fans for sleeping and all us girls slept good.

We awoke to the smell of a breakfast of scrambled eggs, toast and bananas. It was fabulous. I found myself missing Debora’s “where’s the hot sauce” and a little sad because the group is small so they don’t need the Bunn coffee maker. It’s just these little things that make it different so far – and the fact that we had to come back to the house today no later than 2pm because protests are planned, tires are being piled up somewhere to burn according to Wesley, the lead construction guy.

Today Lynn and Janet went to Siloe School and had team meetings and trainings with the clean water team. The rest of us worked in the garden at Bethany weeding, planting some trees and bushes and such but mostly Val and I played with the kids. Because we are blanc (they politely informed us) and have blond silky hair that they love to run their hands through and brush and braid and put flowers in my hair. It was an hour-long fabulous head massage for Madame Lynne.

I’m just so amazed at how God works everything out. He doesn’t just work it all out, he works it out for His good because we love Him. I’m happy that we came and didn’t cancel entirely (saying that on day 2 with no issues so far.) Your prayers for us and the Puerto Rico team are the most important thing you can. We feel it and thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Lynne Punnett

First Baptist Ypsilanti