Enjoying God's Presence - Everywhere Day 5

Hello friends and loved ones,

It's Sunday night about 7pm in Haiti. This has been a great day.

Most of us managed to sleep in a little this morning - until about 6:30am. After the usual showers, breakfast and final special grooming we were off to church. Church was supposed to begin at 9am but it did not get under way until 9:35am because the folk are in no hurry to come - and in no hurry to leave.

Cecile (the children's house mother) lead the service and did a fine job. She called upon a number of people to help in the worship - both Haitian and the team. The "blanc" the "whites" sang Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus. I was pleased to have the opportunity to bring the message at this morning's service. Pastor Luckner translated for me and it was a humbling experience.

After lunch we went on a tour of the Valley. It was a great trip. The Valley is the lushest part of Haiti.We saw Haiti at its best. Out in the country we saw people living as they have for decades. They bathe in the river, do their laundry there and wash their animals and their trucks in it as well. The roads that we travelled took us through the middle of the rice field belt. The rice and produce from the Artibonite Valley feed the most of Haiti.

Our first stop of the day was the irrigation dam. This controls the water flow into the Valley. That is the water that comes down from the mountains. It's a beautiful green when it starts down through the Valleey but by the time it reaches the sea it has been polluted terribly. It is sad to see people drinking this water.

We moved on to Ti Riviere where were heading up to the Haitian fort. We stopped at a house built by King Christopher in the 1700s. This house has 365 doors - one for each day of the year. Unfortunately the government has let it run down.

Here is a picture of the Valley from the fort.

For many the trip on the back of the truck was a new experience that they will never forget. Nine people crowded (and hung on for dear life) as Dickie drove over extremely rough and dusty roads. We had many many Haitians laughing and yelling at us. It was very funny for them to see 14 people - all but one white- riding in the style that they believed only Haitians used as their mode of transportation. We have to agree - we did look ridiculous - but we had a great time.

Dickie has been our "Mr.Fix-It" down here. He goes from job to job, working on Dickie's To Do List that Karen had written up long before he arrived. He's crossed most of her list off. He is wonderful with the children and is loved by them.

We hear that there was supposed to be a quite a storm in Yarmouth area today. We trust that you were abe to cope with it and had a great day praising God and worshipping for His greatness. We love you and think of you all continually. May God bless you

Pastor Dennis