Haiti PRAISES

We are having SO much FUN!  

Wednesday upon arriving in Haiti we were expecting problems. On Tuesday there was a strike and demonstrations in the streets of Cap Haitian over gas prices. No taptap's (truck-taxis that serve as the majority's transportation) were running and streets were filled with crowds burning tires, throwing bottles, and yelling. Cowman School (OMS' English speaking school) had a Haitian Snow Day due to the lack of transportation for many of their students. 

Thankfully, we arrived safely, the demonstrations were over and life was back to normal in Haiti. The airport is much different now, but we got our luggage - it all arrived! - and headed out the door into the sea of people asking if we needed a taxi. Holding tightly to our bags we politley said no and looked for someone we might recognize. (A much different experience now that we have done it a few times, we must not have looked like we knew what we were xoing because they weren't nearly as pushy as usual) A few seconds later our driver found us and we were off to the compound. 

After greeting the team staying in the Holiday House, we found Colleen at the office and she showed us to the Demerchant's home where we would be staying with Phil and Connie who are here to lead the adult retreat. 

We had a few minutes to rest after lunch and were off to the seminary for their weekly Bible Study and Prayer meeting. Nathan spent some time playing soccer with the older kids and I hung out with the little ones while the missionaries had a staff meeting. Then we joined up for some getting-to-know-you time and prayer.

Back at the compound we had dinner at the Holiday House with the Gross family and the 2 teams that are here doing radio evangelism and other work at the school. 

Thursday we were off to Cowman school to teach song to the teachers and students to give them more of a variety for their weekly chapel. (Apparently they only sing 1 song - I Like Bananas - that they sing every week at chapel.) We spent 20-45 minutes with each class and taught them 6 songs. They had a blast learning the songs and the motions - and we had a blast teaching them. The teachers were very excited about the song books and asked if we could send a CD down with all of the songs for them (maybe we can start working on that!). 

Thursday afternoon we spent sharing radio distribution and evangelism stories with Phil and Connie who haf just returned from their first  time out. 

Friday morning we were back at Cowman for their Chapel service. The kids went NUTS! It was awesome watching them sing and dance and praise the Lord with such joy and freedom! God had worked out every detail out as the songs we taught the kids the say before fit perfectly with Phil's message. The teachers were overjoyed watching the kids participate in praise and worship!

After chapel there was a young team from Erie, PA who came to do Valentine's crafts and games with the kids. Nathan and I helped and played and danced with the kids. They are all saying that this is the best day ever and we are getting all kids of love and hugs - and giving them too!

Tonight we hope to get in touch with Pastor Job and tomorrow we head for the Dominican!

We are enjoying getting to know Connie and Phil and spending some quality time with the missionaries and their kiddos.

We already have LOTS of pictures and videos to share when we get home! 

Love and miss you!

Hannah and Nathan