Sakapfet!

Our day started at 3:45am in DC and has yet to end here in Haiti.  Before departing, many of us were unsure about what to expect, what we will experience, and how God will use us, but we went knowing that God had a plan.  The plane rides were standard, but upon arrival in Port-au-Prince, we were pleasantly greeted by a Western Union sponsored band.

 Thank God, security was quite organized, but we think that had to do with the fact that Michelle Obama had arrived a few minutes before us.  We got through immigration, got all of our bags (which was a HUGE miracle) and went through Customs with no problem.  Shane, our partner here in Haiti, said that things have never gone as smoothly as they did for us.

We proceeded to the cars and were eager and excited to begin our mission. But we were not prepared for what we saw -  the emotional impact of the combined poverty here in Haiti and the devastating destruction from the earthquake is indescribable.  Collapsed buildings, miles of tent cities, and chaos of a gas shortage was only just the beginning. But despite all this, the Haitians are some of the nicest and most welcoming people we have encountered.  They opened their homes, their lives, and their stories.  We met a young lady named Ruth, who works with Shane at Mercy League.  We asked her where she was during the earthquake.  She told us that she was actually on a rooftop, reflecting on what she hoped God would do in Haiti in 2010. She was singing her favorite song, "God of the City" when she felt trembles.  She quickly jumped down to the lower rooftop, and within seconds the higher rooftop completely collapsed.  She laid on the roof for the remainder of the 33 seconds until the earthquake stopped.  Her hope for Haiti today is different than what she was praying for January 12, but her prayer is still for God to be the God of this City.

We don't know what tomorrow will entail, but we know that wherever God will lead us, we will be ready. Keep praying for us, we really feel them!  

"Degaje"