Back in Haiti

We have spent just over 24 hours in Haiti now, so I thought I better get on the ball and post some pics.   A lot can happen in a few short days.

This is Dats at school this past Monday with the food and formula and other supplies his classmates donated for the orphanage.  We had to take two extra suitcases with us to accommodate it all.  AND the students donated money to help pay the extra costs of added luggage!

The two of us at the Indianapolis Airport Tuesday evening.

Our ride to Miami.

 

Wednesday morning our flight to Haiti was delayed by two hours, giving us enough time to go for a swim at the hotel.  Dats' swim trunks were packed away, so I told him to swim in his pajamas.  Turns out that outdoor swimming pools in Mid-February are COLD even in the Sunshine State.

The approach over Haiti.  Wish I could have captured the look of sheer excitement in Caleb's eyes as we landed...

Most of the missionaries were in a prayer meeting when we actually arrived at the mission, so Dats took some time to play with some puppies who were getting a good, thorough loving from Lily and Sofie.

By the way, we were shocked by the fact that the ride from the airport to the mission took less than twenty minutes!  The roads have all been paved recently because Cap Haitien was hosting the national Carnival (Mardi Gras) celebration this year.  Nobody is too hopeful that the improvements are permanent - new pot holes are already developing!

Wednesday night we got to Skype with some very enthusiastic kids from Grundy Center, Iowa UM Church.  They asked a variety of great questions:
"How cold is it there?"
"How hot is it there?"
"What's it like to ride in a tap-tap?" (2 times)
And my favorite:  "How big are the curtains there?"

This morning Dats prepared himself to go to Cowman School.  In order to blend in as best he could, he wore a school uniform.  Until one of the Bundy girls told him that in honor of Valentines Day, all the students would be wearing red or pink or purple.  So Dats went back inside and put on his new red soccer shirt.

Which worked out well since then at recess time Dats was prepared to impress the locals with his soccer prowess.

After school, we stopped by the radio station to see Storly.  The stations is at the heart of why the mission exists - to broadcast the love of Christ across Haiti.

Unfortunately, after dinner and an unsuccessful tarantula hunt and a much needed shower, Dats' day ended like this:

But we're thinking it might have just been a reaction to the anti-malaria pill I gave him.  He maybe should have taken the medicine with dinner instead of a few hours later.  My bad!

P.S.  I am pleased to report that after careful observation, it is our conclusion that the curtains in Haiti are normal sized.  Pass the word to the kids in Grundy Center!