Sunday, August 19, 2007

Well, it’s my first Sunday and I was really looking forward to it. I got up to find that the bathroom they prepared for me had no water pressure and no hot water. The hot water was not really that big of a deal since it is so hot here anyway, however the water pressure was an issue. I asked Wesley about it and he immediately called to technician. Problem solved in less than 15 minutes. HOORAY. As soon as I sat down at the church service I had to 3 year olds on my lap. The service was really interesting. It kind of reminded me of a Catholic service because they would have a short devotional, songs, prayer, responsive reading, offering, song, meditation and communion, and then the sermon, finishing with an invitational. Since we are in Port-au-Paix the whole thing was in Creole, which did not really bother me except it was kind of a long time to have to kids squirming around on my lap. After the service Roland (my interpreter) and I walked to the Seven Eleven so that I could pick up a few supplies. When I got here I was told that I had to provide breakfast and dinner for myself. No big deal just had to go shopping. It was really a good time. I got to exchange some of my American money for Haitian because it is cheaper for me if I pay in Haitian money. The exchange rate is an incredible 7.1 Haitian to every 1 American. After lunch, I went outside to play with the children, but it started to hard core rain. Most of them began to go under cover, however being the big kid that I am, I took off my sandals, found a basketball and begin to play in the rain. This enticed several of the kids to join in on the fun. For about 45 minutes we played soccer in the pouring down rain. GOOD TIMES!! After that I kind of mingled around the campus, taking pictures and videos of the various groups. The kids REALLY like digital cameras. I then spent some time talking with Heather via email and she gave me my first official task. It’s funny the way God works things out. Heather asked me to manage the Orphanages web site for her and gave me a list of specific things that need to be on it. I am really excited about this because it gives me a window of communication with the Haitians that I am comfortable with. Electronics and technology are my neck of the woods. It also gives me the ability to spend some more time with some of the older kids that speak a little English. I was hoping for a way to bond with them. The little ones are easy to bond with, because I make a nice size jungle gym. ;) To finish the night out the older kids and I played with my camera and took some nice night time poses. They also spent some time telling me a few words in Creole, which regrettably I cannot remember but I am confident I will recognize them if I hear them again. My family and I had our devotion and the kids went to bed, which is where I am headed very shortly. Today was a very uplifting day. Thank the LORD for that. Peace.