Today was our last full day in Haiti and I am sure all of us are having mixed feelings.
Difficult to leave the beautiful faces and smiles of the children we have encountered and the unending needs of the people, but also missing our own families.
We went up to Grace Village for Sunday Church Service (9:30-11). Prior to the service, we were able to sing Happy Birthday to Ben Ammerman, Pastor Rob's son, who will be 11 tomorrow. He was happy to receive Gummy Bears. We also gave his sister, Morgan, some chocolate cake mix (our shopping group could not find brownie mix), she was smiling widely in anticipation of chocolate.
The service was conducted in both Creole and some English and was very joyful, passionate, uplifting, and spirit-filled. Sermon on Prayer.
Service was conducted in the feeding center, kids broke out prior to the sermon, for their own service on the veranda of the girls dorm.
Quite hot today and we all were a bit wiped out after the service, and especially after saying goodbye to those we met at Grace Village. Some of us will return, but most may not...only God will be able to guide us on the path each of us plans to take in responding to this incredible and unforgettable week.
We then went on a tour through Port-Au-Prince. Noted less traffic today, but still lots of street vendors. Went by the Palace which is in the process of being torn down, the front columns were still standing however.
Stopped at a vendors stand near the palace to look at merchandise. I walked away a short distance to look at a public area. A Haitian man who spoke very good English talked to me about his feeling that the current President is making positive small changes, but needs the people to work with him for a common good, not individualistic needs. He did wear a cross, and told me he left his home today to find food for his family. I did tell the man I would pray for him and family for God's provision.
We then traveled up into the hills and stopped at a couple of other vending sights where team members made purchases.
We reached a spot at a fairly high elevation where we went out onto a veranda which overlooked the entire city of Port-Au-Prince. Gorgeous view! As we traveled up to this site, the stores and homes became nicer, and there were many very large homes. This is where the wealthy live.
The heat also left us and the surroundings were greener and cooler.
As we returned to the heat and dust of the city, it actually felt more familiar to me than had the nicer area, and I had a certain feeling of connectedness here, even though there was less physical comfort.
As the week and trip is concluding, I do have a feeling of peace and tranquility. There are so many needs here, but the people are beautiful and resilient. I see so many of them relying on God to provide for them and do see His presence here. Only through God can this place be changed. I think of how our own country has so many resources physically, but is losing itself spiritually in abandoning God as its foundation. I see hope that the opposite may be occurring in Haiti.
I pray for both our countries, as we are all God's children who are commanded to help each other in our temporal life and bring each other to eternal life in Christ.
I have been blessed to be able to participate in this trip.
In Christ,
Tom King
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