Haiti hits home

Today we headed out Haiti. Our team arrived at the Tampa airport at 5:30am and began our seemingly easy journey to Haiti. Our first leg of the flight went off without a hitch, we landed in Miami and boarded our next plane to port a prince. All seemed well until the pilot comes on over the speaker and announces that there is a mechanical error with the pressurizer for the plane. We waited for almost an hour before the pilot tells us to deboard the plane the problem can not be fixed. After another 20 min or so wew are herded onto another plane where we have to wait some more for all our luggage and food to be placed on the new plane. With all that said and done we finally took off for our destination. When we arrived and walked through customs we were bombarded by the local Haitians begging us to let them help us. After much psisting that we do not need any help and finally meeting our driver we make it to our tap tap and again we are faced with the cultural asking of money for their services we did not ask for to begin with. Our group did frat getting through their first experience in Haiti. Driving through the town was a huge shock to a majority of our group. Many have never seen such poverty and it hit them pretty hard. New life orphanage is a paradise in the midst of disaster zone. It's bright colors, sounds of child laughter and beautiful landscape make it a perfect escape from the outside world. In here we feel safe. The children are loved and cared for and many volunteers from all over come to offer their services to help better this piece of heaven.  After settling in a bit the dinner bell rings and we gather in the dining room to eat our meal. Tonight's course was Alfredo with some kind of meat, salad, bread, and sweet cinnamon cake. It was delicious and a real treat. When we finished we took a tour of the compound and saw where the children sleep and play. We saw their garden, fish farm, bunnies and livestock. Afterwards we met as a group and debriefed a little before heading into praise and worship and movie time with the kids. The little ones would come and snuggle on your lap and play with my hair and squirm around. They are such a joy! Today was a real treat and a glimpse into what God has in store for us the rest of the week. He is already preparing us for His will.