Today was a fun day. I don't even know where to begin. NOTHING in Haiti is easy...work is complete, so we planned a trip to the beach today, but it's not like a vacation in Florida where you're condo is right next to the ocean and you can peer out from your balcony, or maybe even walk down within a few minutes of waking up. Often times we complain about road construction, but the roads here are just indescribable. There are just huge holes everywhere, truly you cant even imagine. What would've been a ten minute trip on a descent road in the US, made for an hour drive, maybe longer. Your body feels beaten from just riding in the truck. When we arrived at the ocean, the untouched (it seemed) ocean just amazed us. The beautiful Caribbean water was gorgeously painted with so many shades of blue, it was incredible. After driving through the rough streets of Jeremie and seeing all the poverty, looking out on the ocean made you feel you were in a completely different world, far seperated from the poverty that we had just witnessed. We went to a beach on the outskirts of Jeremie, there were a few Haitian children already on the secluded beach and it was a great relief that they spoke some English. When you meet someone down here that speaks English, it makes your day, because there are so few people that you can actually communicate with here without Joline or Steve's help with translating. Maybe thats our lesson here too, that maybe speaking with people isn't the only way to communicate with them, but our body language, and the help that we offer, hopefully they see God's love in our eyes and them just seeing God thru us. The water was extremely refreshing, actually being cool longer than a quick breeze was unbelievable. Swimming around was just a way to let loose for awhile, allowing us to forget about all the extreme poverty we had seen, even if just for that short hour at the beach. The men were like kids, swimming to the German sub in the water that was sunk and then on to the caves.... lol.... The whole week has just been a wonderful time of fellowship with the Haitians, our church members, Steve and Joline, and Dan, all brothers and sisters in Christ. We all share the same Jesus, we all love the same Lord, that is so evident in all that we did here. Were one in Christ. What has taken place here has made such a lasting impression on us. As far as Steve and Joline, their dedication to the Lord and the Haitian people is unheard of, the amount of sacrifice they've put in doing this, I really can't even begin to comprehend......they are wonderful people!!!! Dan also is a super mentor with all the missions that he has a hand in, again I am impressed and we cannot fathom his dedication to the Lord. He has dedicated his retirement to missions, participating in 5-10 mission trips a year. We feel blessed by his presence here too. We are so blessed and we are all thankful for having this opportunity to come to Haiti and share God's love.

What another beautiful day in Haiti, spreading the love of Jesus! The day started with a wonderful get together with all our team members for breakfast. We then went to the Moron church for services. Eddie was the guest speaker with Joline doing the interpretation. Even though we did not know the language, you could feel the spirit of God. These people are beautiful and loving, and you could sense they enjoyed us being amongst them. And as normal, Eddie delivered a wonderfully inspirational message. They allowed us to receive communion with them. Afterward, the minister's wife had a delicious Haitian meal prepared. We had fellowship with them as we ate. We went back and rested for a while at Steve and Joline's. Felix, the Pastor's son organized a concert at the Marfranc church which we attended during the afternoon. We had a great and moving experience. We could not understand the words but the spirituality from all the singers could be felt in our hearts. Some of the songs could be recognized by their tunes. After the concert we stopped by to see the Pastor.

As we headed home, walking through Marfranc, we experienced a small part of what life is about in Haiti. We talked and smiled to people on the way. Most people of Haiti are gracious. The children have the most beautiful faces and you can see hope in their eyes when they look at you. They are always excited to get their pictures taken and we love to accommodate them. They live with so little yet just holding their hands makes them so happy and cheerful. If there was a way we could take them home we would.

We got home and Steve and Eddie had started supper. After we ate the guys had their time at the dishes. They did a good job. Fellowship here is a most wonderful experience and we are learning how to get closer to God. He is an amazing God! We are so lucky to be his children. From all of us in Haiti to all of you, God bless you!

Hello from Haiti! This is Mikaela, the youngest member of the team here in Haiti now. Today was just an awesome day. We touched up the church. We have painted the church creme above the windows and painted it brown below the window sills. Good Granny! I have never seen so much creme and brown EVER!!!! After we finally ran out of brown paint (Steve and Dennis made a special trip to Jeremie to get more for tomorrow and pick up the last of our luggage), thank goodness, it was time to eat. Madam Wonal, the pastor's wife and the cooks fixed us this wonderful Haitian meal of fried goat, rice, bean sauce, fried plantains and breadfruit, papaya, and pineapple. I definitely recommend goat's meat to anyone who has never tried it. We will go back tomorrow and finish painting and cleaning up the church for service on Sunday.

A special time for me was during the break for lunch. Ronal, a haitian girl, taught me the native game of Ousel, which is the equivalent to American Jacks. The big difference is that they play with verterbrae from, I believe, goat and five of them were used. (Not the goat we ate I hope!!) It was neat to be able to play something that the kids my age play down here. At first she taught me the rules and showed me how to play it. Then, it was my turn to play. I got the hang of it, but my eye-hand coordination was a litle rusty! Hers was definitely better than mine. After we played a few rounds together, I had to go back to work. The touching part of this story was that after we finished, she held her hand out to give me the bones as a gift. I was surprised at first. I mean she offered me her "toy" and I just could not explain why she would do that. Why would this girl give me possibly one of the only toys she had to someone she barely knew? I started to cry. I accepted the gift, but still felt bad about taking it. So, Betty Snodgrass said she had WWJD bracelets in her pack. In return to thank her for giving me her toy, I gave her the bracelet. She looked up at me with huge eyes, and that's when I realized that she had never received something for giving something away. It was a touching moment for me as a teenager who thinks her cell phone is her life!!! Of course, now, I am playing with Ousel all the time!

Another great time was when we were finished we walked around Moron, because it was market day. Moron is much larger than Marfranc and the market is much busier. Again it was humbling to be the minority when you are used to being the majority. We got a good laugh when we saw a man with a hat that said "Crazy Eddie". If you know our pastor you know how appropriate that phrase fit. We felt like we were "Crazy Eddie's" band of morons in Moron! It would definitely be an eye-opening experience for those of you used to making your daily runs to Wal-mart or the supermarket.

After coming home and resting for a little bit, we headed back to the village of Marfranc where we visited the Asile de Marfranc (the old folks home). We passed out lotion, shampoo, and hats. Our new friend from North Carolina who came with us on this trip, Dan English, had the men laughing and applauding as he went around and individually fit the hats to the men. What a heart he has for God! After the old folks home, we stopped by and visited the orphan girl whom Steve and Joline have been helping to take care of. I brought a rattle and blanket. They allowed me to hold her. My heart sank because I wanted to be her mother and love her but I knew with the help from the people of New Life she has been given a chance for life. It was very special when we left to look down and see her in the large basin, filled with pillows and blankets (her playpen of sorts), holding and playing with the blanket I had brought to her. I pray God continues to bless Erland with people who love and care for her.

After being here twice, I continue to fall in love with the people of Haiti and pray that one day I can give them the hope that Jesus gives me! Continue to pray for our team and how we can impact the people of Haiti, especially in Marfranc and Moron.

We made it to Marfranc really smoothly.....The leaving early and spending the night at the Matthew house is a great idea.....The airport in Port was not as busy....and it was really great to check your luggage once and not touch it again until PAP.....All the bags made it but five, that's not bad out of 17 checked bags......Steve is going to try and get them tomorrow in Jeremie...By the way this is Thursday....one can lose track of time being in paradise........

Today we painted the inside of the church in Moron..we should finish it tomorrow...the team is doing great.....last night was like a comedy club in the men's bedroom...what a great time to bond with our fellow brothers and sisters during the day of course....God has a way of getting more of our attention while in Haiti...the distractions are much less....

And what a blessing it is to be Jesus to these warm and lovable people....

Paul said "Greet the brethren with a holy kiss." The Haitians take this literally.......It is great when the Body of Christ loves each other.....everywhere around the world.Many of us have wounds from the wild dog Bouki...sharp teeth.....and full of much energy and fun......what a pup!!!!!!

The river house is really, really wonderful.....What a tremendous place and Steve and Joline are fine people.......Write more later.....

One more item,

we have been going down and floating down the river...wow it is really refreshing....we do not go under......but we soak....really nice!

God Bless Ya!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Eddie