What a week it has been so far. Today (Wednesday) despite it being a student holiday, we made our way to two different schools. Our first stop was the Mission Possible school at Dupin, but not before quite a trip up the mountain. Our translator, Evans, was insistent the girls ride in the cab of the truck - and boy am I thankful he did! Bumpy, pots holes, washed out sections of road, mud, crater sized holes, horses, donkeys, and goats, were just some of the obstacles we encountered- it was a ride to be remembered. Upon arriving at the school, the guys said that it felt like they had just finished a good arm work out at the gym.
The school at Dupin is rather small, and the students moved through the picture line quickly and efficiently. One of the groundsmen at the school was an incredible help keeping the students moving along through the line smoothly, and even getting them to smile for us occasionally. It took us about an hour and a half and we were packing ourselves back into the truck Haitian-style, and heading back down the mountain to our next school.
Next up was Degeance. This is another mountain school, with incredible views all around. We hiked a short distance up a fairly steep hill, that took us through a banana and plantain grove. The only buildings at this school are made of palm fronds. Mission Possible is currently in the middle of building a new school for the students at Degeance a little down the mountain from their current location.
Picture taking, again went very quickly. We wrapped everything up and started our trek back to our truck. On the way down we were joined by some of the students from Degeance and we stopped and looked at the new property. There is a block and cement wall all around the property and the start of one of the buildings. While visiting the new property, Devon interviewed the pastor/administrator for Degeance. He talked about what the new property will mean for the community. Devon was also able to get some ariel footage.
During this time - it was HOT, really HOT, the hottest it has been this week, and VERY still. There was no breeze at all to offer a respite. We were out in full sun, and those of us, not a part of the interviewing were getting a little anxious to get things wrapped up. Those students that started down the mountain with us, were still hanging around. We decided to play our version of Pin the Tail on the Donkey, but it was more like Get the Hat on Aaron's Head. We convinced the kiddos to join in and giggles ensued. The novelty began to wear off, and so we found an old plastic bottle, added a few rocks and ended our afternoon on the mountain playing Kick the Bottle.
We made it back to the mission center around 2:30 and most of us took a little snooze and then jumped right back in to indexing pictures from today. Dinner was veggie rice and chicken in spicy sauce, and avocados ... because avocados are life, at least in Haiti.
The rest of the evening has been walking on the beach, picture taking and looking for shells, cards, making kettle-corn (third night in a row), and ice cold coke from the fridge.
So after four days, what am I thinking? Well, this place is lovely. Beautiful views, amazing food, extraordinary people ... people that love the Lord and who are interested in seeing the next generation grow into Godly men and women. God is here, and he is working in the hearts of the people of Haiti.
