Our Last Full Day In Haiti

It was different than the others, because the team got to see more of Haiti than the long, dusty, bumpy road between the Guest House in Petionville and La Tremblay.  We had a "tour day".  Johnny was our driver, Karen and Joseph came along as translators.  First was a drive towards Carrefour, near the epicenter of the earthquake.  For the first time, this team saw the scores of collapsed buildings and seemingly endless piles of rubble.  The Haitian Market was (as always) quite impressive with the cacophony of noise, chaos of activity, and extraordinary crowd selling EVERYTHING amid piles of garbage and dirty water running in the streets.  We were more or less in a stunned silence as the true devastation of the earthquake became more apparent.

We passed by the collapsed Presidential Palace, ruined National Cathedral, and dozens of very crowded tent encampments.  A stop at the National Museum permitted a review of Haiti's history, from it's "discovery" by Christopher Columbus, almost perpetual violence of occupation by foreign nations, the horrendous "slave years", and political difficulties while under the control of some of history's most ruthless leaders.  A highlight was the actual anchor from the Santa Maria, one of Christopher Columbus' original three ships.  Some superb artwork was in the museum, and our tour guide was excellent. (Unfortunately, no pictures allowed inside.)
Then it was upwards and onwards (forever?) to the Baptist Mission way up in the mountains.  The cool, green, terraced slopes are quite a contrast from Port-au-Prince.  The food there was excellent, and more than one of us enjoyed the ice cream.
Our last stop before returning to the Guest House was an overlook, from high up on the mountain where the entire bay and city below could be seen.

I'll encourage my team-mates to write on this blog.  They have had some wonderful things to say about this mission experience, but I want you to hear it directly from them.  Tomorrow morning we depart here shortly after breakfast, about three hours before our flight to Miami.  I wonder if the culture shock will be as powerful as it was when I returned from Haiti last time (Nov 2010). 

This group of nine missionaries was clearly hand-picked by God.  Every person had exactly the right talents and experience to create a marvelous tapestry of personalities and service.  I think each one ministered to the others in special ways, at special times, and in perfect harmony.  Our group cohesion has been simply great, and we will value this Haiti Mission experience for the rest of our lives.  Please pray for safe travels for the team!
God is Good!!!