Trip to Gonaives

We left for the airport on Tuesday night so we didn't have to wake up so early for our flight the next morning. Enjoyed a relaxing night in KC and went to bed early. Got up at 3 a.m. on Wednesday morning and headed to the airport. Tom and Bob dropped us off with all the luggage and medical supplies. After Ginger and Rebekah checked their one personal bag and one medical crate, the lady told me that we would not be able to ship the crates because of a an embargo on them which started June 6. We were just a few days late. After she told us we had no other option besides purchasing bags and re-bagging the items, we bought 9 duffel bags from American Airlines and viciously repacked the supplies. Walked right onto our flight and headed off.

We first went to Dallas/Fort Worth and then onto Miami. Met Joe Green in Miami and from there caught our flight to Port-Au-Prince. The view from the airplane as we were about to land was crazy. Seeing all those "shacks" dotting the mountainside got me thinking that we didn't know what we were in for. Walked off the plane and walked across the tarmac into the small airport and waited in a long line to get through customs. Made it through customs and entered another large room with the luggage carousels. The room was packed and loud. Amazingly, a Haitian that worked at the airport came up to Tom with a piece of paper that had "Tom Hobbs, Joe Green, and Bob Bacon" written on it, we assumed he was our man. Salonique had hired him before hand to assist us through the airport.

Got all of our bags and then had to take them through customs. The people wanted to charge tax on the sunglasses however since they were donated we didn't have an invoice. Salonique also told the man that was with us to do the best he could as we went through so we didn't lose anything or get charged. God blessed us greatly. Went outside the airport and Haitians lined the streets to watch the "blahs" (white) coming out of the airport. Many people asked for money or if they could help with bags for money.

Finally saw the face we had been waiting for. Salonique was waiting for us with the bus and driver. From there we went through the crowded streets and made our way to Walls International Guest House, a safe haven for missionaries. It was guarded by two men with shotguns and a large wall surrounding the complex. We had spaghetti and relaxed for the rest of the evening. Also found out that we forgot Bobs bag at the airport. Bad news.

Woke up this morning around five and ate breakfast. Loaded up on the bus and headed to the airport where Salonique worked his magic and got Bobs bag back. Then the real journey began. We started our way through the winding roads of Port-Au-Prince. Words cannot describe the things we saw. It was mind boggling. Pictures are the closest thing to understand what we experienced but still don't show enough.

Made it to Gonaives this afternoon. Had lunch and then a tour of the campus and church. Returned and organized some stuff and sleeping arrangements. Michael played some soccer and got SCHOOLED by the locals who were barefooted. Haitian kids love following the white people and getting pictures taken and video of themselves. And also like watching themselves on the camera.

Came back and hung out on the room for awhile as Salonique talked about the city and other information. Then had dinner and went back up on the room where a nice breeze was to be found and plenty of mosquito's. Laid on the roof and gazed up at the stars and talked with Bob and Michael for awhile.

Have our mosquito nets prepped and ready for tonight's rest. Tomorrow we will be setting up the clinic and begin seeing people. I will be posting videos and pictures when we get the time.
Continue to keep us in your prayers as we start the eye care.

If only Americans understood. If only they could see past the bubble we live in and experience this. What blessed people we are. What a rich nation we live in. What a self-centered nation. If only Americans knew.