Monday, July 19th. Day 3 - HAITI

Today our group of 15 split into 3 smaller groups. Some went on a long drive to try to retrieve a truckfull of building supplies that had been held up in customs for a long time.. some stayed at Carl and Mayas house to help them paint, and the rest of us went to a house built for one of the drivers for the missionaries, to paint. Joe, Tamara, Hannah, Brandon, Alicia, James and I all went, and aside from the heat had a great time! We then had to ride the "Tap-tap" back to the compound. The tap-tap is the local form of public transportation consisting of a small pick-up with a cover over the bed, benches, and as many people that are willing to squish in together. There were 19 in the one that we rode, but it was not uncommon to see people hanging off the sides and sitting on the roof. At one time we saw live goats hung by their legs off the side of one! After eating dinner, having devotional, chit-chatting and goofing around we went to bed . please click the following link for pics and video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWtA4nqFKp8

Sunday, July 18. day 2 - HAITI

After eating breakfast and getting dressed we all loaded into the truck for the drive up the coast to the church. Once leaving the city it was a beautiful drive with the ocean on one side and the mountains on the other. We attended a very special service in which a new pastor was being introduced into the church. A very good meal of hatian food was served after the service. we then went back to the compound, had a time of praise and devotion, dinner then bed.
Please click the following link for pics and video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiHkY85xuH8

Saturday, July 17th. Day 1- HAITI

James and I left the house at about 2am to meet Lindsay in goldsboro so we all could ride to the airport together. We flew out of Charlotte Douglas so it was about a four hour drive. We had one layover in Fort Lauderdale FL. then straight to Port Au Prince, Haiti. The airport in Haiti was a bit hectic. Everything was rushed, the baggage claim was interesting to say the least, with people pushing and shoving and men trying to grab your bags to carry them for you so they could get a dollar for that service. After customs and baggage claim we went outside where we were taken to the vehicle (a caged in cattle truck) that would take us to the compound where we would be staying. Stepping into that world I have to admit I was scared. There were people everywhere yelling and screaming, and shoving. The roads were terrible with no order to them and hornes all around you. We hadent gone far when two or three little boys grabbed onto the back of the truck and begged for dollars. It was very sobering and sad to see. We were taken to the compound where Carl and Maya were hosting us, got our beds ready, showered, ate dinner, talked and went to sleep. The compound was an Oasis in the dessert (so to say) it had running water, toilets, showers, beds, and a generator giving us power . Please click the following link for pics and short video clips
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLc1qPT63ro