Giving Thanks

Thanks be to God for Giving His Son


       Thank you LORD, we finally made it to Haiti! We Landed in Port Au Prince and it was very warm and humid. Instantly we were surrounded by Haitian culture as we heard a Haitian band playing at the bottom of the escalator. It was very welcoming to be ushered in with music, and the musicians seemed really happy. We made our way to the airport transit that drove us to customs check-in. After a surprisingly easy stamp-and-go, we were met by a Haitian named "Mr. Big", who took us to one of the missionaries from the orphanage, his name was Lucas. He was a very fun and humorous individual and he made the ride exciting as we went on our way to Child Hope.

"ITS A MAD HOUSE, A MAD HOUSE!"

            Driving in America, we have lights and stop signs, and people only honk their horn because they're indignant at other drivers. Not here. Driving in Haiti, you just go for it and honk your horn so other drivers know your rushing through the intersection or road way. Not to mention the roads are full of large pot holes and crevasses that shake your car back and forth the whole ride. Needless to say, it was very exciting! Lucas was very well acquainted with the feel of traffic. The most interesting part was the people and the way of life. Apart from the town looking like a Pakistani war zone out of Call of Duty, it was very interesting to see all the details of life and characteristics of culture and living conditions. If a picture speaks a thousand words, this would fall under the speechless category. The earthquake clearly took its toll on the country.

CHILD HOPE HEADQUARTERS

              Arriving at child hope we came to a closed gate with tall stone walls surrounding the border of the house.  Answering the sound of Lucas' car horn was a guard at the gate holding a shot-gun. Ari was there to greet us as we came into what seemed like home. Ari's brothers and sisters we're all playing and friends from the neighborhood were there as well, having water fights in the kitchen made it feel just like home in Eagle Rock. Jacqueline and I were so tired, so Ari insisted we take a rest, so we did and we were out for a good two hours. Thank you LORD for rest!

THANKSGIVING IN HAITI!?

       When we awoke it was time to go to a Thanksgiving get-together at the Manassero's pastor's house. This time we drove in a bus size truck with a hay-ride style seating and metal cage surrounding the back cab where we sat. It seated about 12 comfortably and was kind of like a bird cage on wheels, it was pretty cool. We arrived at a very nice house for the area and gathered together. It was so amazing to see how God took care of his people amongst a poverty stricken place. It was amazing and the food was delicious. Giving thanks to God with other brothers and sisters in the mission field was truly a blessing, and so much fun. When we came back we had a time of worship, giving thanks to God through the fruit of our lips. What a time of worship! It was so sweet and so rich in His Spirit. This has been such an amazing first day in Haiti and we give thanks to God for blessing us with this mission. Thank you LORD!

-Jake