The rest of the trip

Since our last post, we have had many amazing experiences and God has continued to be faithful. Our work at the Church finished on Friday, and it was a bittersweet goodbye. We were tired from all the hard work, but sad to leave those we had built relationships with over our time there. It is incredible to see the amazing transformation over just five days. Physically, the church began with no outer walls, and by the time we left, the walls were nearly complete. Relationally, there was also a great transformation in the amount of trust we had with the Haitian workers. The work was physically draining, mostly moving rocks, mixing cement, digging trenches and carrying buckets of cement for hours, but we kept good attitudes and spent a lot of time laughing. The heat and humidity were a challenge, but we just drank a lot of water and rested when we needed.

As a team, we worked together soooo well. It is amazing to see a group of very diverse people work together so well. Our days and evenings were full of laughter and singing and games.

On Friday afternoon, we got a great end of the week surprise. We got to go to the beach and spend some time swimming in the bautiful waters of the Carribean. On the way home, we visited the site of a church and ministry center that pastor Francklin is tring to build. We got to pray for the community and future of that site, that God would bring the funds needed to finish the work.

Saturday morning brought an end to our time together as a team. Logan D., Justina, Brit, Kyle, Megan and Lupe left for the Dominican Republic in the morning. The other 11 of us went on as tour of some of the hardest hit areas of Port au Prince and got to see the National Palace, which was very badly damaged. We got to do a bit of souvenier shopping, which was another surprise.

At 4pm saturday, Emily, Jessica S., Jessica V., Nolan, Julie and Andrea flew from Port au Prince to Miami, where I am writing this blog. We will sleep here tonight in the airport and then fly back to Sacramento tomorrow. The third group (Kristina, Ky, Logan H., Jared and Andrew) will stay at the guest house in Haiti tonight and then leave Sunday for the US. Both the DR and final Haiti team arrive back in Sacramento Monday morning.

We are so thankful for all theprayer and support over this week. We got to spend some time several nights in prayer and worship for Haiti, and we definitely felt some Spiritual oppression at times, so we needed your prayers!!!

We will probably post another blog tonight with funny stories from the trip, since we have another 10 hours or so before we fly again!!

Much Love,
Emily
for the team