Good morning! The team didn't have great wifi availability last night, so they asked if I (Rene) would post this for them! So, this is an update from yesterday (Sunday)!
Greetings from Haiti! The photo team arrived in good time yesterday with no major hiccups. Flights were relatively smooth & the team members who came from five different locations are now getting to know one another and working as a unit.
We who have stayed at the Mission Center before have noticed a few landscape modifications compliments of Hurricane Matthew... the yard that had been dirt and rock covered is now covered in a deep layer of sand. The stone benches have their stubby legs exposed as the dirt around them was washed away. The pier we love so much has gotten much shorter as a large section was broken off or washed away. Since the island received a fierce washing, all the ground and foliage are much greener than usual. And since the rain washed all the trash into ditches and waterways, the city streets are actually much cleaner (at the expense of the water supply, unfortunately!). We do think that the cities, while still crowded and busy, have had far fewer people in them this weekend.
We attended St Marc church this morning- the first service after the hurricane. It was sorrowful to hear the weeping from those who experienced loss, but also uplifting to see the desperate faith & reliance on God from the people there. Tom, from our team, gave a testimony that was well received.
This afternoon we explored the newly designed shoreline of the Caribbean Ocean just outside the mission gate, finding beautiful shells and rocks, and lots of trash & broken glass. We also prepared for our first day of school photos tomorrow.
We will do our best to blog again soon. Please pray for us and our Haitian brothers and sisters as we set out to accomplish a lot this week.
Lots of love from Jeannie, Connie, Aaron, Tavia, Tom, Laurie, David, Silas, and Kimberlie
Please do not post to facebook for the safety of team members and staff.
