News from Haiti

We arrived here in Pignon, Haiti, Friday afternoon after our long trek across the United States from Fresno to Los Angeles to Miami to Port Au Prince and then out to the rural mountain area. We were delayed in Port Au Prince for several hours as we waited for one stray bag at the airport. We were scheduled for an 11:30 a.m. flight to Pignon but we didn’t actually fly until 1:30 p.m. We waited for those several hours in the small airport in Port Au Prince. This was a kind of holding pattern for us as we were introduced to the sticky heat, some time connecting with Haitians in the airport and preparing emotionally and spiritually for the days ahead.

We were greeted here at the house by the wonderful staff of Christian Friendship Ministries. I was overjoyed to see so many friends and especially the little children waiting to see us in the yard. The women already had a scrumptious Haitian meal set on the table for us. We ate, we rested and we began unpacking our 14 bags – mostly of supplies.

Saturday morning we jumped right in to a time of ministry and sharing with the people. We planned a day of activities for the kids here in Pignon. Ericlee called it a “Field Day” of sorts. More than 100 kids were out on the field by 9 a.m. ready for our games and prizes. We taught them Steal the Bacon, Limbo, Duck Duck Goose and even did some track & field events, including the relay races (passing batons), hurdles and the 50-yard dash. The sun beat down on our backs but we were very blessed by the bright faces of the children – so many of them with natural athletic ability.

Forest, Stacie and Clint already fit right in with the culture. Forest is already planning his next trip to Haiti and Stacie is bonding with all the little babies and children in the front yard. Meilani has made herself right at home and already has a sweet missionary's heart. She loves passing out gift to the kids and playing with her new friends. She's even tried out some Haitian words.