Haiti — The Streets of Miami

Well, we're dancing in the streets of Miami tonight. Well, not exactly dancing. More like standing. Well, not exactly standing. More like loitering. Outside of a Cuban restaurant. At 9pm. LJ and Mike McMaster are over in the corner smoking their pipes. Seems to be a peaceful hobby they share. Meanwhile, Kent, Sheldon, Kenin and I are chatting about this that and the other, all while waiting for the Embassy Suites shuttle to arrive. We've done a fair amount of waiting today. Waited at DFW for the plane to leave. Waited by the curb at MIami International for the hotel shuttle to arrive. We have more waiting in store for tomorrow. Tis a good discipline.

Today we've had a great time as a team. Missing Ruth Scott, who is already in Haiti, it's just us six guys. And everyone's personality has come out in the first day of travel. It's gonna be a great trip. For example, tonight at the dinner table (see photo) we got into an hour long discussion about all things Haiti. Well, I say "we" but it was more "we" by association. Ever-inquisitive Kent Baxter peppered LJ Scott with question after question and LJ, never without an opinion, answered back. Sheldon pitched in, as did I, and we had a great time. It was wonderful. Kent has never been to Haiti and his curiosity was infectious. He wanted to know all about this place we're visiting starting tomorrow and why it was so poor. LJ has spent years living in Haiti and was a great resource. Sure, you can read about Haiti in a missions manual or see a neat photo slideshow but unless you've been there... it's just not the same. Tomorrow Kent, Kenin Lynes and Mike McMaster will learn what Haiti is really like. I haven't been in 16 years but I've never forgotten. You can't forget a place like Haiti. So beautiful and yet so poor. A place where the gospel is taking root and yet a place with such hostility to the truth of Jesus Christ. The church at Chambellan is such a huge blessing to the kingdom of heaven. And our involvement these past 21 years has blessed Crossroads significantly.

So here's our itinerary for the next few days. Tomorrow morning at 9-something we fly out of Miami to Port-au-Prince. Six men and six hundred pounds of luggage. Yep. That's my best guestimate. We have 11 bags of mission-related supplies and even more personal items. Tomorrow we'll also fly from Port to Les Cayes on the southern coast. Tortug Airlines. Dodging mountains since 1953. Ok, I made that last part up. But our ride over the Haitian countryside is none other than a 1988 Chechloslovakian prop plane. Not sure yet if we'll have to share seats with livestock. Just kidding. I'm sure we'll face this low-flying adventure with grace and love. And faith. Blind faith. Cause I may not be looking. Yeah.

We stay at Cayes Friday night and drive over the mountains to Chambellan Saturday. The plan (ever subject to change) is to spend three days with our sister church visiting, sharing our testimonies, and encouraging them. We'll also be part of a roof building mission to replace the roof on their sanctuary, damaged by a tropical storm or hurricane last summer. CBC has already sent down money to buy supplies and RMI, the organization responsible for our sister church partnership, is overseeing the project. We'll drive back to Cayes on Wednesday, visit our missionaries in Cayes on Thursday, and take three flights home on Friday.

As I've said before, communication will be hit-and-miss with more misses than hits. I'll post when I can. Remember to pray for our team and for our brothers and sisters in Chambellan.

in Christ,

— John