Haiti Mission Team Update - Feb 18

The team arrived safely in Haiti today and made it through customs with all bags intact and accounted for. They were met upon arrival by Dou Dou, a familiar face and trusted ESMI friend, who drove the bus to Cambry, a 6 hour trek made longer than usual by heavy traffic in Port au Prince and along the route to Cambry due to it being carnival season in Haiti. The Haitian version of “Mardi Gras” is even more wild and crazy that that in New Orleans, and the crowds and the atmosphere it engenders will require that some of the team’s days be shortened in order to be back in the compound before streets become impassable and unruly. Our hosts are familiar with this event and are confident they can ensure the teams usefulness AND their safety.

It is hotter there today than is usual for February  - 100 degrees when they stepped off the plane, but not the same high humidity as is common in the summer.  Unfortunately, not all of the sleeping rooms have air conditioning tonight at the compound, but there is hope that it can be repaired tomorrow.

The team is settled in for the night, looking forward to worship tomorrow morning at 7:00 and 10:00 in Cayes; in the evening they may go to Bon Berger if the Mardi Gras crowd situation allows. They will meet as a team again (as they do every night) to debrief, have a devotional, pray, and make a plan for the next day. These team meetings allow all to decompress and enjoy each other’s company after a long day, as well as refocus spiritually and deal with practical matters.

Please pray for their ability to work this week as Mardi Gras goes on; for the air conditioning to be repaired, and for all to acclimate to the weather, the food, the surroundings, and the rhythm of work for the week. Monday and Tuesday they are slated to be in a poor suburb of Cayes, called Savannes, as well as in Cambry. Medical teams will set up stations, and children’s ministry will use drama and other means to share the gospel with children as they wait to be seen by the medical folks.  It will seem chaotic. It will be hot. And it will be awesome to see how God uses them!

Speaking of the food…here’s a picture of tomorrow’s Sunday lunch all trussed up and ready for the cooking pot. You never know what the menu will be in Haiti!