Haiti Trip 2009

We are back - showered & adjusting to air conditioning! We had a great trip. . . I've written lots on http://artsfororphan.blogspot.com/ about the significance of our trip. Here I'll just share personal photos & funny stories. Check out the other site for more details.

Highlights of the trip:

1. 2 hour delay on our trip to Port Au Prince - we were boarded & ready to leave, but another passenger thought he'd try to take raw meat & ice in carry on suitcase - it leaked blood all over another passenger - HAZ-MAT had to come on & clean it all up before we could take off. YUCK!

2. Arriving at Isabelle's House of Hope the 1st night was one of those moments we will never forget. (Read more at Arts For Orphans blog)

3. Watching Isabelle play & laugh with the Haitian children, though they couldn't verbally communicate.
4. Flying on a 20 seater plane to Les Cayes, Haiti - & arriving their without my luggage! (let's just say, when it's 99degrees & you have no clothes - for myself or Isabelle - to put on the next day - you begin to feel pretty nasty) 5. After learning my luggage was still in Port au Prince, we joined up with our group who'd gone ahead of us to find out that the place we were staying had no power or running water. You guessed it, no clean clothes, no showers, no toilets, & no A/C. Needless to say it was a bit overwhelming for me at first - but the Lord quickly reminded me "it's just like camping, sort of!"

6. Showering in the dark with cups of water. Bathrooms & bags, that's all I'll say - a code of silence was issued!

7. Tarantulas & various other large spiders.

8. Children almost attacking us just to touch Isabelle - they were so intrigued by her.

9. Watching Isabelle - she was in her element. There was on surprise for her on this trip. She expected to see her home & know that more homes are needed. In her words "more kids need a place to live". Isabelle saw this sign in Chapel - she recognized that it said Jer 29:11 at the end. It says "God has your future planned." She told me that she knows God has something for each of the kids here. Her faith & expectancy is very challenging to us!

10. Laughing, crying & quickly becoming friends with 17 relative strangers.

11. Getting to know Rustin better . . . he travelled with us videoing & interviewing Isabelle about her experience. You're awesome Rustin! Thanks for all you do!!!

12. Meeting Micherline . . . she is 12 & we really connected. She made me a necklace & then the next day brought me a handwritten note, thanking me for loving her & praying for her. It was so sweet.

13. Beautiful sights of a tropical island . . . Isabelle watched this butterfly for 2 days. It stayed close by our housing area at Mission of Hope.

14. Sisters, Mandy & Joy, who made this trip extra special for Isabelle as they loved on & cared for her deeply! Thanks, you two! We love you!

15. Watching Isabelle work diligently on a poem she wanted to write about her trip to Haiti! It was too cute!16. Watching Isabelle sleep peacefully & with all the lights on as others were still getting ready for bed - many answered prayers for peaceful sleep were answered!

17. Getting to visit the clinic at Mission of Hope - how inspiring to see the care they have for each persons needs. This is the pharmacy . . . always great needs for Children's antibiotics.

18. The simplicity of love!