It's the final countdown....

Patty Hipsley says....

...my pizza lunch was great!!!! I loved the food in Haiti but there is nothing like pizza. Already missing my new Haitian friends and am hoping to return to this small nation. Just being back into the AC makes the heat in Haiti a distant memory. I want to go back and work with the dear people of first baptist of Cap Haitien.

Overall Haiti was for me was a very special experience along side my son Nathaniel. I am looking forward to the conversations we will have in the weeks to come based on our trip.

Be home soon Dale and Ella.

Sarah D. shares a few closing thoughts

Today we are heading home. I went to bed after our final worship time but I heard about some people who tried to stay up all night! (they didn't make it...)

I'm happy to be heading home but sad to leave all the children and new friends we made in Haiti. I really noticed that the Haitiens are "touchy, feely". Eventhough it is really hot the kids want to hug you, sit on your lap, climb on you or at least hold hands. The adults too kiss each others cheeks when they greet and hug. There are people everywhere so you have to get comfortable being close to other people.

I will always remember the kids and I wish they could all come home with me.

See you soon Mom and Dad! Love you and Brian and Chris too!

Sarah D.

The birthday boy says...

...yeah for sixteen!  

Another year, another missions trip, another birthday on the missions trip!

We had church in the morning and it wasn't your ordinary church.  THis being Haiti I didn't understand anything they were saying.  We had a big and fantastic lunch at Josephs house.  Chicken, fish, fries and lasagna.  Our host home made me a HUGE birthday cake.

We took time to relax and play cards.  In the evening we had to say good bye to Steve, John Baptiste and Paul.  They will be missed as they were apart of our 'family' this week.  A significant memory of haiti has been the difference that this city is.  There is so much that is different!  There is a lot of people, trash and many businesses that are just on the street.

Shout out to Mom, Jimmy, Eli, Jake.  See ya soon!

Michelle is in the house....

....I will miss being woken up by a rooster everymorning as I realize that today is our last full day in Haiti.  It seems like only a day ago that arrived.  Today we were again in church (First Baptist of Cap Haitien).  In the service the Andrews sisters did an amazing job sining "Follow Me".  Today is fathers day in Haiti and the service was about that.  When we returned home we had a huge lunch that was lasagna, fried fish halves, pork, rice and birthday cake for Mitch.

This trip has made me much more grateful for the things that I have at home.  Examples are traffic lights, air conditioning, a fat cat to hug (not a scrawny one to pet) and grapefruit.  I have been led by God to believe I can be more generous with my 'things'.  If I can put up with people pulling my hair and tugging on me then I can show much love to my brother and others.

Have a nice morning, evening and night to my family.  'wu ai ni mon'

Catherine the Great is in session...

....Today we went to visit the Citadelle. When we first started our tour at The King's Castle I learned about so many things in Haiti that I never knew about before. After our first tour it was off to the Citadelle. When we first arrived there we were bombarded with vendors selling bracelet's, necklaces, masks, paintings, and so much more. Whatever we did they were just trying to sell their things to us. When we were split up into groups for the pony ride up the huge mountain, it was so scary because two horse owners were fighting over me to ride their horse. The ride was so bumpy, and I am pretty sure that all of our legs are sore now. When we got the tour of the Citadelle it was so amazing, but when we got to the roof I was so scared that I was going to fall off. So I avoided the edge as much as possible. The worst thing about today was the horse ride down. It was so steep that I had to lean back that my back hurt. It was like all the men owning the horses were racing to get to the top and the bottom first. After our rough pony ride, we got back into the trucks, and then it was time to go to the market. When my group finally reached the main spot for selling it seemed like all I saw was black shoes everywhere in a pile. While we worked our way in there were scarfs hanging from the ceiling, and there was even a food section. It was so obvious that these people are desperate for money to feed their families, and we have the resources that they need. When we finally got home to Pastor Joseph's house we had a delicious meal (Thanks Eve Rose) and then it was all chill time. In my time I realised that VBS was officially over, and I really hope to see the kids at church tomorrow. I already miss them. The overall trip has been so life changing. I have been touched by God so many times, it almost seems impossible. It seems as though God solved all my fears that I thought I was going to have. I hope that this trip and experience will stay with me forever in life. I want to shout out to my mom. Mom! I miss you so much! So do Sarah and of course Dad. I can't wait to come home and see you again. Love you! I really want to thank all the Pastors at Kenwood for making this trip possible, especially Pastor Jeremy and all the parents for being willing to come with us! Thanks again!

Our on the scene reporter JoHannah tells us.....

....Today our team took a trip to the royal palace and the Citadelle. After our hour drive in the back of a truck bed, we were bombarded with venders, climbed numerous stairs, and faced my biggest fear..heights. Everyone got to take a horse ride to the top of the 3,000 foot mountain. While on the top of the fortress, I was forced to lay on my belly and extend my head over to look straight down. I even have a picture to prove it! This place is very fascinating because it is so old and all the original cannons and building structures remain. After the Citadelle, we experienced the crowded market that was shoulder toshoulder with hundreds of people the whole time.
   I am very happy how VBS went and had a wonderful time bonding with the kids. Yesterday, I was sad to leave the kids behind that I had become so close with in such a short time. I am hoping that I will see some of my favorites (kids that followed me around all week that always wanted to hold my hand or be held) at church tomorrow morning.
   I am looking forward to coming home and seeing the people I have missed so much even though I will miss Haiti as soon as we get home. And yes mom and grandma, I have been eating and wearing sunscreen. Hello to my whole family and all my friends especially Mom, Grandma and Grandpa, Olivia, and Gentry.  :)

Chelsea come lately

Today is our last day after five HOT, not to long, days of VBS.  I had just about the same 3-4 girls all over me the entire time.  My attempt at jumprope was less than stellar but I was entertaining for those girls.  My hair continues to be an attraction for the little kids.  Today I got quite the make over in the form of a giant ponytail on the SIDE of my head!  The craft was a photo of their group and they looked really hard to find themselves in the picture.  They were quite excited when they finally found their image.

I would say that when we first got here I was shocked.  Real life was so '3D' as opposed to watching it on a video.  The smells, sounds, sights, people looking at us finally made Haiti real to me.  The water continues to be a daily reminder.  To think of water as dangerous is so foreign to me.  Using bottled water for EVERYTHING makes me think about those in this country who don't have that opportunity.

Now that my experience is coming to end I feel that this time will help me be more generous.  Knowing that I am truly blessed will hopefully allow me to give more freely.  I also want to have better 'help-vision' to those around me and to look for the little things that will love people.  This excites me to put into practice daily these changes in my life.

Shout out to my friends (Claudia, Matthew, Kati), the Hothem House and Mr. Patch (still no love for Lucy)