Day of Arrival....

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Haiti--Day of Arrival

Flights were great although RDU is much harder to fly out of than Greensboro. They are very strict on the weight of the bags which is something we didn't experience in November. The airport was chaos which was expected. There have been quite a bit of improvement since being here in November and also alot of change. The police are doing alot of checkpoints and trying to keep their people from being exploited.

We were told on arrival that there is going to be an announcement on wednesday regarding the Haitian election. Unfortunately they are expecting more rioting and the anger is directed toward Americans as they believe we are influecing their election. So...we will be watching carefully to see what transpires.

We spent the afternoon going through medicines and packing them for the clinic. We will be doing more tomorrow. Me and another girl will be spending the morning sorting through clothes to get ready to take them to the orphanage.

How appropriate...

I'm studying for my Sunday School lesson for tomorrow, Sunday, January 23, 2011 which is one week before I leave for Haiti. The first scripture is:

"Listen, my dear brothers: Didn't God choose the poor in this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that He has promised to those who love Him? Yet you dishonored that poor man...If you really carry out the royal law prescribed in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well...What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith, but does not have works? Can his faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food, and oneo f you says to them, "Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well," but you don't give them what the body needs, what good is it?"---James 2:5-6, 8, 14-16

Countdown is on....

I didn't realize it had been so long since I posted!! Wow...so much has happened. With the help of some great friends, I was able to plan a spaghetti dinner fundraiser on December 1st. I raised $791.50 that night with more coming in later. I also sold ornaments for $6/piece and several hundred dollars doing that. I have received checks in the mail from people I didn't expect them from and several unexpected things have happened. Obviously it is meant for me to go!

My trip is January 30-February 5th. I can't believe how quickly it is approaching. Back in December it couldn't get here fast enough. Now, I'm ready for it to slow down. I am super excited about returning but also have to wonder if it will be my last time I visit Port-au-Prince and Titayen Haiti. That...makes me sad. I've had alot of donated clothes that I'll be bringing to give away and the rest of the team is bringing medicines and clothes. I am flying out of Raleigh this time since I'm the only one from the Greensboro area. I didn't want to do the flights alone and have those long layovers by myself!

The challenges are still being thrown out me which hasn't been easy. It's amazing how the devil works when you are trying to do good. It is so sad that he is able to use people who you trust and are friends with to discourage you. It is so important for us to be aware of how we affect other people. I know this has made me very aware of things that I may say or do that may discourage someone.

I'm slowly learning to quit focusing on the bad and look forward to the good. I know people are praying for me and the Haitian people. The phone calls, emails, and questions about it reassure me of that.

So....I can't wait to land in PAP and see all my Haitian friends but most of all, see His work being done in Haiti!