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)

The swami is in (Bryce)

Today was our last day at VBS.  For me it was pretty sad.  At the games station we did soccer and jump rope which was chaos.  I again was the arms of comfort for a crying child.  It was hard to say goodbye.  I will miss the adorable kids.  They are very innocent and open towards us.

When we first got here the initial ride to Pastor Josephs house was powerful.  It was my first time out of the country and what an atmosphere and experience to have as your first.  It was obvious on our first Sunday here that we were the only white people in the entire church.  Having to participate (somewhat) in a service that is in a totally different language was memorable and pretty cool.

From this experience I believe that my view of life in America will be different.  I am already aware that we are blessed with many things that we take for granted (running water, drinking water from the tap, trash pick up, etc) that here in Haiti are luxuries and many don't have them.

Shout out to Alicia and my family!

He IS Mighty to Save, with a Caribean beat!

Last night's youth worship service was a lot of fun. The Cap-Haitien kids sang for us and we sang for them. We sang "Mighty to Save" accapella a few times to teach them the song. Lay Pastor Smith had typed the words into their computer and projected them on the wall. Pretty soon the band was playing along with us! The beat was a little bit different but we loved it! It was, as Chelsea shared later, a great moment of fellowship.

Today, the next to last day of VBS went really well. The older girls greet our girls with kisses on the cheeks. The young children run to their favorite new friend. The children love to sing and we were singing "He's Got the Whole World" at the craft station too.

We have made some good friends in the translators who have been helping us.

I could share more but it is time for our nightly debrief meeting. This is a great time of worship and sharing for our team. More later!

John R wants to tell you....

....hello.  I went to to the english school today run by one of the deacons from the church.  His name is Smith and me and some of my team were english guinea pigs.  We sat with the class and had them ask us questions about ourselves, like the first day of school getting to know each other.  They then had to go up in front of the entire class and tell them, in english, what I had just told them.  It was very eye opening because these kids want to learn english because when they spoke english they said they feel amazing.

At the VBS the kids are so nice and cute.  More and more kids come each day.  When we arrive at the school I feel wanted and welcomed because all the kids greet us with running behind the truck and yelling our names.  For me doing games I found out that sidewalk chalk was a huge hit.  No matter the age everyone got into drawing on the ground.

There are alot of motorcyles here!  As a new driver I'm noticing that traffic has no rules.  They go wherever they want, whenever they want.  There are a lot of colors!  On the taxi's, tap taps (ask me later what these are), shops, banners and buildings.  I was surprised by this.  The amount of people that have small 'businesses' selling things on the side of the road was eye-opening and surprising.

I want to say bonjour to everyone!

Hailey wants to tell you...

... Today we went to the VBS and were greeted by a million cheering kids. Throughout the whole day, whenever I saw someone from our team, they were crowded with little kids all around them. Each person having a clump of kids touching them and playing with their hair and speaking french to all of us. Of course, the hot morning turned hotter during VBS and the Haitians would point at our sweat like it was a weird thing to be sweating at this temperature.
Language barriers were a little bit easier today because I learned how to say "I don't speak French" in French. And learned a bit of Creol as well. A few of the teenagers got more comfortable with us and started mixing with us more just like the kids did at first. A few teengers taught me a song and a dance. When we were getting ready to leave, several kids started to climb up the truck and hang off the sides saying goodbye to us for ten minutes.
The food is good but different. The people are very kind and helpful here. They are lively and very affectionate. It stormed last night and tonight with thunder, rain, and lightning but the electricity has been reletively stable. We are safe and happy but starting to miss home a bit. But so far, Haiti has treated us well with a few sunburns and ant bites.
Bye! We love you! Keep us in your prayers!!

Madde, maddie what say you?

"WE HAD PANCAKES FOR BREAKFAST".  They were huge and so good!

The kids today were cute.  It was very HOT but the standing made it better than just sitting around.  The Creol was hard to understand but we communicated best with motions.  My station at VBS was music and we taught creation and used the song "He's got the whole world in His hands" substituting some Creol words in the song.  Some of the kids were pulling on me more than others.  There was lots of hair touching and grabbing.  They loved the bubbles we brought but we ran out of those really quick.  I learned that I'm not really good at jump rope anymore when I was pushed into a game mid-way.   It seems that many people (kids and older) are very interested in my hands.  Not sure what to do with that.


The smells of Haiti are hard to describe.  It follows us everywhere.  Even after a shower there is a distinct odor.  The sitting on top of a truck when driving always makes me think that I'm going to fall out.  The roads are bumpy and there are no rules except survive.  There is a distinct connection with people through the church, seems that many people know each other.  THere is a sense that they are all in love with God and continuing to grow.

Shout out to Dad & Grandma.  Mr. Patch I miss us (Lucy I don't care about you and you are annoying)

John Ungruhe says...

...we started our travels today in the back of a Tap Tap.  We went to the school to start VBS and thought we would be early but as it happened most of the kids were already there.  We dove right in with our song "Jesus loves me" in Creol, split up the children (all 150) into four groups.  We have four stations: crafts, songs, games and my station, drama.  Our theme today was creation so in the drama we covered God creating man and the story of Adam and Eve.  The sillier we got the more the children seemed to enjoy it.  We rotated through the stations in a total time for VBS of two hours.  We had a lot of free time after our program and much laughter was had at our expense.  I played a switch game and raced a kid which almost killed me.  There was a lot of touching by the children and every time I sat down there was a little girl or boy on my lap.

The people are very joyful.  There is a clear sense that they enjoy each other and are very appreciative that we are here.  It is very warm!  Some might say HOT!  The basics of electricity, water whenever you need it, rules of the road and the constant motion during driving all around reminds me that we are no longer in Ohio.

Want to say to hi to Janice, Olivia and everyone else at home.

Now Posting....Nathaniel Hipsey.

Nathaniel says...

We woke up today to DC Talk.  We went to church at First Baptist of Cap Haitien.  There were a lot of people in the choir of women.  There was a little girl who sat in front of our group that ended up in the lap of Sarah Dobbs by the end of the service.  It was highly confusing to listen to a service in a language that I didn't understand.  Pastor Joseph did alot of talking in Creol and we just had to sit there trying to understand. 

I have been seeing alot of 'bank's as we have travelled through the city.  I found out that these are places to buy lottery tickets and not what we would have as a bank.  This was a surprise to me and something that I continue to notice. I have played basketball and soccer outside of our home. It has been amazing that many of them know American players like LeBron, Jordan, Jozy Altidore (thanks Greta!).

Today was a great day.  Shout out to all Fathers on this Dad Day!  Hey Dad (Dale!).

Nathaniel.

Live from Haiti it's Sarah Andrews.....

Sarah says...
Our day in Haiti started early with the sounds of chickens and dogs.  Not everyone got up at the same time.  I got up to start my devotions while all the others were still sleeping.  Jeremy woke us up with the sweet melodies of worship that flowed through my ears like angels from heaven.  Breakfast consisted of cornflakes and lots of sugar.
As we were driving to the beach for our outing what really suprised me was the peoples expressions.  Some seemed happy and others were nuetral.  The rural areas we travelled through were interesting to see as they were miles away from civilization up in the mountains.
Lunch consisted of baked whole fish, rice & beans with plantains.  My fish surpised me with a full set of teeth!  I am not a seafood fan therefore it was a challenge for me (and many others).  Editor's note:  I am so proud of our group all of which tried the meal while making it clear that it was very very far from thier dietary comfort zone.
Overall I feel that Haiti is a nation full of people trying to stay positive and in control of life.  Thank you for your prayers and support to our team!

Sarah Andrews.

Here, ok and lovin it

T-minus we are away

Gas used to get to Lexington: $25.47
Coffee on concourse: $7
Walking around airport in bright green shirts: priceless.

We are excited to be on our way!!

T-minus One week

Posting on the web was never so easy.  Sitting here with the Kenwood Web-Mavin Michelle L. setting up our blog!  This time next week we will be on a plane bound for Ft. Lauderdale then Haiti. 

Check back here daily starting Sunday June 19 for daily thoughts, experiences and musings from your Haiti team.

- Jeremy