The Last Few Days

It seems that each trip south incorporates special "perks". I knew our check-in last Saturday at US Airways would be "different" because there were 6 of us checking 16 bags - many of them at or (slightly) over 50 pounds. Although some details of that exercise require follow up, all 16 got on the plane with us. An early arrival at Fort Lauderdale started me thinking that this trip was going to set new records for smoothness. However, the oversight of US Airways in not providing boarding passes for the American Airlines flight to Port-au-Prince and a security check line that extended through three waiting queues and continued outside the terminal building made me thankful that we had over two hours to make the connection. In the boarding lounge we were joined by the two other members of the team (and their four checked bags), and the eight of us were finally on board only 45 minutes behind schedule. For the next half hour we sat while the pilot waited for the report of aircraft weight, and the baggage handlers were "moving bags around" in the baggage compartment. Providentially, all 20 pieces of checked luggage were waiting for us in the Port-au-Prince baggage claim area when we finally exited immigration a mere hour and 30 minutes after touching down. A typical Haitian meal of rice and beans and a tasty meat sauce accompanied by fried plantians welcomed us to the guest house for the night.

Sunday we began the two hour ride up the coast of the northern arm of the country in a covered flat bed truck and an SUV. About midway in the trip we stopped at Source Matelas to join their worship service and greet the people. At the wharf we loaded our luggage along with a scale for the hospital and a refrigerator for the guest house onto the diesel powered refurbished lobster boat for the hour and a half, 12-mile ride across the Saint Marc channel to the town of Anse-a-Galets on the island of La Gonave. Lunch was waiting for us at the mission station guest house following which we visited with the missionaries stationed here and previewed the projects waiting for us.

It is no surprise that the project list is sufficient to keep many teams busy for many weeks. For today the main focus was seal coating the tin roof of the station manager's house and wire brush cleaning of several propane tanks in preparation for painting them. Finally after dinner there was time to relax and learn more about the ministries that are taking place in the town and on the island.

On the Island

We've arrived on the island of La Gonave. The trip so far has been mostly as expected although we do have a few anecdotes to tell. Both Saturday and today have been full, busy days. Yesterday I never took the computer out of the bag, and I've just connected to the Internet a few minutes ago. We sort of have a plan for tomorrow, and it's shaping up to be a busy week. Hopefully I'll write more tomorrow.

The Adventure Continues

It is once again time to pack our bags and head south. In about 9 hours six of us should be boarding a plane in Philadelphia bound for Port-au-Prince, Haiti, by way of Fort Lauderdale (where we'll be joined by two more). Our destination is the town of Anse-a-Galets on the island of La Gonave. The current plan is to spend most of our time at the Wesleyan Mission Station and Hospital; we expect our efforts to focus on the current, pressing needs for maintenance and improvement. As on prior trips, it is my intention to publish updates daily; achievement of this goal is dependent on both the availability of Internet access and an adequate level coherence and energy on the part of the author. Neither condition is guaranteed. Stay tuned.