A day full of Haiti!

Hey Everyone, it's Becky....

After dinner last night we took a night drive up the mountain per say, and spent some time a nice restaurant that over looked the city. wine for some, beer for others, some fried plantains, and even mozzarella sticks were all on the menu. The view was quite beautiful...and we never would have known that we were in Haiti if it wasn't for the ginormous flying grass hopper, baby rat, or spider or 2 in the restroom, one would have never guessed we were in Haiti. Once again we rode in the back of the truck, through the streets of Haiti. Thanks to our driver Tony for always keeping us safe!

One of the things about this trip that has been really neat, has been the chance to see several areas of the city. On my last trip here, with my sisters last fall, we went from the house to the camp where we were working, and then back again each day. After a leisure breakfast and morning, we drove around some of the areas of Port-au-Prince that were deeply affected by the earthquake and remain in shamples. As I looked at what once must have been a beautiful cathedral, i didn't really know what to think. It still sits amoung piles of rubble. For those that once worshipped there, i hope that they have found another place to worship. A bit down the road was the Presidents palace, very much destroyed...and has yet to be rebuilt. Amongst all of this were tents, lots of people, and things.

On our afternoon agenda, was a trip to the beach. I have been informed that yes, there are beaches here! Just a bit after our discussions about how smooth our week has been, and how things have worked out perfectly, the truck broke down! A little overheated....we did a little bit of pushing, thanks Kerri for trimming the foliage that we used as road flares. Last night we learned that if you come across foliage in the road it is a reminder that there is something ahead. After a few more stops, we were eventually rescued by two men from a wonderful organziation called HIM (Heaven in Me). I am certain that God was watching over us today as we were apparently in a rougher part of town. These gracias men..followed us home, till the truck broke down again, then towed the truck to one of their bases to be fixed, and returned us safely to our house:)

Tomorrow we leave Haiti, and with it brings mixed emotions. I am not ready to leave. It truely has been amazing week, and what I will take home with me, will live in my heart always. It's not until you have been here, that you start to fall in love with this place. The people are beautiful, some of the kindest I have met. Global DIRT has given us the opportunity to do some amazing things this week, and because of that I am forever grateful. Thanks for everything you have done, you truely are amazing people. Most imporantly, thanks to all of you back home for your love, support, and prayers this week...without you we would not have been able to do any of it. Please continue to pray for Haiti, for all the people; the Haitians themselves, and the many people that have made this their home to provide love and support to the people that are in most need. Prayers and support is what they need the most right now. See you soon in MN, Becky:)

Kerry logging on...
Sight seeing was interesting. At times I felt more like a voyer. Our truck ordeal was very much like a wounded warrior slinking home. Everyone kept their cool and we worked as a great team. Tony was awesome! I am also sad to leave tomorrow. Sometimes I feel really great about the work we have done here, but other times I feel like we just put a bandaid on an enormous wound. On the bright side, I am going to get some big hugs from my little ladies very soon.

I cannot believe how quickly this week as gone. I'm am saddened by the fact that we all are packing to go home tomorrow. (Well, really, right now we are sitting having a beer, but earlier we were all packing). This week has given us the opportunity to really grab on to the essence of what Global Dirt and the We Advance clinic is doing in Haiti. We have met some amazing people and have been able to experience some pretty incredible things. The soul of Haiti along with the people who live here are like no other. I am truly going to miss everything about it. Thank you Haiti and I hope to be back soon!! Judy

I don't have too much new to report on, everyone pretty much covered it. The fabulous cook, Carlene, made us an AMAZING going away meal. We are stuffed to the gills, enjoying some Haitian beer or pineapple smoothies and reflecting on a wonderful week. So many mixed emotions now. Happiness at what we were able to accomplish, overwhelmed at what needs to happen here, disappointed we weren't able to accomplish more, excitement over what we can do NEXT time. I am amazed at all that I learned in such a short period of time. For anyone hoping to arrange a mission trip to Haiti, we can provide some amazing contact information. Global DIRT has been a Godsend. And we didn't originally apply to come with them. We have had a perfect week. We are all tired, sunburned, covered in mosquito bites, but excited and really really happy. Heidi