Day 7 | Quinn

Today was both joyful and very depressing. I don’t even feel like I’ve been here for more than a day. The thought of leaving tomorrow is terrible. I’m going to miss this country so much, as well as the people I have met. On a joyful note, today I got to meet Ritchelle, my child I sponsored. It was an incredible experience. We gave her a little gift bag, and she was just overjoyed. I will never forget the look on her face when we put her little plastic necklace on her neck. When she and her family received the food box that we gave, they all just seemed overwhelmed with excitement. I am feeling very blessed right now, and I will never forget this experience. I am definitely coming back next summer, hopefully for longer than a week if possible. I thank God for this experience. It has truly been life changing. I have this feeling of such sorrow inside of me as I write this. The last thing I want to do right now Is leave, but all good things must come to an end. We leave the compound at 7 in the morning, then we fly out at noon. If all goes well, we will be back in Gassaway around 10 AM on Friday. Please pray for our travels, and pray for the team that is coming now. Love you Dad and Nick. I can’t wait to see you guys.

Day 6 | Quinn

Today was very eye-opening. We took a trip to the market in the back of a dump truck over gravel roads. The market was crazy. It was crowded and spoiled, hot food was sitting everywhere on the ground. There were baby goats bound by all four hooves lying on the ground crying. The guys in my group found it very funny, but I found it quite sad. The people have such a different idea of what is appropriate and what is not. For example, I backed into a woman today trying to get out of the path and she shoved me forward and said something in Creole. There was also a weird man following us in a trench coat talking in Creole to himself. Despite the weirdness though, I realized today how easy it is in America to get a job, and make a decent living. In Haiti, you have to walk around 5 miles every morning just to make around 5 U.S. dollars each day. But this is what they have to do to survive. I have realized this week that there are so many things I take for granted. I have begun to appreciate things much much more now. Miss you Dad and Nick. Love you guys.

Day 5 | Quinn

Today was great as were all the rest. This morning’s bible study was fantastic. We were singing and dancing to a song while Lane was playing the guitar, and a Haitian man got up and started running around and dancing. We all laughed and sang louder. It turned out that it was his 78th birthday today. I’m happy to say I got to celebrate it with him. We got even more accomplished with the boat, with only minor injuries. A board fell on Tyler’s head that I just happened to be standing beside….and may have bumped accidentally. Sorry again Tyler. This evening, some missionaries staying here shared their sponsor a child program with us. I chose a little three year-old girl who lives very close to where we are staying. Trey, the missionary, said that we might be able to meet the children we are sponsoring on Wednesday. I am feeling so blessed right now. Bill also told us that we will probably be coming back to Haiti next year. I am already excited and I haven’t even left yet. I love it here so much. Love and miss you Dad and Nick.

Day 4 | Quinn

Today was great. We had a nice break from work, and got to attend Sunday morning service. Although I only understood a few words, I really enjoyed seeing how a Haitian church differs from a church that I would attend at home. After service we ate brunch, and then got ready for the hike. The hike was very interesting to say the least. Let’s just say I almost passed out like 10 times. Downhill was straight down, then at the end of the trail that led to the river bed, we had to propel down a cliff with the help of our guide, Johnny. Johnny saved my life numerous times today, and for that I am very grateful. The waterfalls were amazing, and the water felt great. The hike up was difficult for me. We got separated from our guide, Johnny, and asked this native man for directions. He led us up roads and through the city and then asked us if we wanted to come to his house. That freaked us out a little, so we waited for Tyler to catch up with us. Finally, with the help of Tyler and the native, we found our way back to camp. I guarantee we will all be very, very sore tomorrow, but it was definitely worth the struggle to be able to experience what we experienced today. Love you Dad and Nick.

Day 3 | Quinn

Today was just as productive as the first. Our playground (AKA: The Ark) is finally starting to take shape. I went to the top of the structure to screw the decking board, and my mother almost had a heart attack. It was humorous to watch, but I kind of feel bad for scaring her. The weather was great until around 3 o’clock, then it rained, then it stopped, then it rained, then it stopped, then it rained. So we decided at around 5 o’clock that we would start packing up our equipment for the day. This evening we had “Freedom” soup, a soup created by the Haitians. When they gained their independence on January 1st, 1804, they made a soup out of everything they weren’t allowed to eat when they were not a free country. Our cook Mary Lou, a native of Haiti, did a wonderful job preparing it. I absolutely love it here. I love the people, I love the culture, and I love the land. This experience is definitely life changing and I will never forget it. I am so privileged to be here, and I thank God for allowing me to come. Love and miss you Dad and Nick.

Day 2 | Quinn

Today was amazing. We started the day with a church service with the native pastor and about 15 people that belonged to his congregation. Because of the language barrier, we kept the service short and sweet. The Haitian pastor taught us “If You’re Happy and You Know It” in French Creole. We really accomplished a lot, and the weather was pretty mild until it stormed at around 4:30. The base structure of the Ark (playground) is built and cemented into the ground. We weeded gardens, sorted wood, chopped down bushes, and spray- painted barrels for use around the compound. The people are all very nice, and will speak to you with what little English they might know. I love Haiti, and everything about it. Although I miss my family at home very much, I wish I could stay for much longer than only 1 week. Miss you Dad and Nick. Love you guys

Day 1 | Quinn Stalnaker

Today was the first day we stepped foot in Haiti. We flew into Port-au-Prince through the missionary airline, MFI. The flight itself was very smooth other than the slight turbulence we experienced as we came closer to landing. And, we only had one person throw up! The drive to the compound was interesting to say the least. There is no right or left side of the road. If you are driving and you think you can fit between any two cars on the road, you fly through the crowds of people on the roads, and through the other cars. The mountainside is beautiful. There are fields on the mountain that are literally at 90 degree angles. It is amazing to me how these people have managed to use every bit of land in different ways. It was fairly cool today. It stormed shortly after we got here and really cooled everything down. The people are very friendly, and our cook, Mary Lou, is a sweetheart. She is also a very, very good cook. Tonight, we ate a bunch of lasagna, homemade bread, and salad. We also played some hardcore games of Ninja. I love Haiti. It is amazing. Love you Dad and Nick. Miss you guys!