Day 7 | Lane

My time in Haiti went by fast. I’m sad to leave Trey here, but he is growing up, and I need to trust that God will take care of him. I’m also sad that I won’t see the finished playground in person. I know the second group make the first group proud. Trey, Emily B. & I went bartering together. I’m not allowed to mention what Emily B. & I bought. I think she bought Cuban cigars. John wanted me to tell everyone that he bartered a guy down to $1.25 for a cow. The fruit here is something else! Our cook cut up breadfruit and fried it. Tasted just like fried potatoes, no joke. We had homemade ice cream & fresh mangos (oh my goodness!!!) Thanks again to everyone who supported us financially and prayerfully.

Day 6 | Lane

Had a good day. Russell & I spent the morning trying to uproot a tree stump. Roots here are unlike anything we have in WV. They grow in every direction. After the first group of 12 came back from the market/scenic tour, it was our turn. The market was just like it’s depicted on tv: cattle, goats & pigs being sold on the street. There were ladies selling produce from their garden. It was so packed. Not an inch of unused selling space. We didn’t film anything while there because we would have started a riot. Trey was the barterer of our group. He bought 15 habanero peppers for roughly 60 U.S. cents. 6 avacados for $2.40, and several other fruit items. A woman grabbed my butt, but didn’t call me Big Poppy like they did Mickey on the first group’s trip. At the roadside bakery, Trey was put to work handling bread dough. The bread was awesome! I’m also enjoying trying to have conversations with the Haitians. We’re sitting here listening to the Quinn & Gina blog show. They get the bulk of the blog replies (thanks to Ron) oh, and thanks Will for writing to Hannah. My side hurts! The experience here is beyond words. I’m most proud of my son!

Day 5 | Lane

The worship music this morning has to bet the highlight of my week so far. So I’m leading the music, and we’re singing “Every Move I Make” when this little old man cut loose in a dance. He was full of joy. It was his 78th birthday. It was all I could do to maintain composure. He probably couldn’t understand any of the words, and when we did our hand motions during the chorus, he did an interpretive dance. I think Eric captured it on film. Having a great time. Wish Sherri could be here. Oh, I have a new best friend, sorry Chad. Hand Sanitizer

Day 4 | Lane

I was one of the smart ones that didn’t go on the hike. I have a job to go back to next week, and didn’t want to come home wearing a cast. Church was great! Didn’t understand a thing, but I saw a lot of Haitians worshipping and singing. My son remembered Father’s Day and brought me a card. Best one ever!

Day 3 | Lane

We had another great day of working on the playground. The weather was great. Haiti is in their rain season, so, we get interrupted with a couple of showers, and then it’s back to work. Last night God blessed me by drowning out Mickey’s snoring with a rainstorm. Mickey’s loud, but not as loud as a tin roof. There was a lot of natives watching us work. We had kids around us all day, including a cute Haitian girl hitting on my son. (Trey witnessed a Haitian lady hitting on me yesterday). The Bible study I led this evening dealt with overcoming our fears to accomplish things for God. How many times have we let fear or doubt cripple us?

Day 2 | Lane

Survived our first work day. Let me say that I’m quite the post hole digger! King post hole digger, in fact, I can barely type this because my hands are twitching so bad. So glad to be able to dig more holes tomorrow. What would they do here without me. I haven’t killed John Forbush, yet. I did chase an old Haitian guy that was carrying lumber on his head around with a cordless drill. I didn’t have the drill on his next trip by, so I tickled him. I can’t speak the language, but laughter is universal.

Day 1 | Lane

I’m a newbie to mission trips. Boy this is definitely a good first mission trip. Everything I was afraid of, God took care of. I was worried that I was going to have my computer taken, and God took care of us! Nobody was searched going through customs. The mob we had to walk through to get to our Partridge Family bus was scary. I’m bigger than everybody I’ve seen, but was outnumbered. One man decided to rip my backpack from me. Cost me $1 to get it back. The ride through Port-au-Prince was the most humbling thing I have ever experienced. Words can’t do it justice. Looking forward to serving God this week. If you are reading this and contributed money for Trey & I to come here, THANK YOU!!!