Florence

I have been unable to write until now due to the immense volume of initiatives underway this week. The principle project of the Florence delegation—Chris, Robert, Doug, Allan, Lisa and Gray—is the construction and implementation of twenty drip irrigation systems that will help local farmers increase their crop yields during the dry season. Additionally, the group has generously contributed to the continuing construction of the new school and they are actively overseeing the (hopeful) completion of the walls of the first floor of the building. During the mid-day sun, the group can be found inside assembling personal hygiene kits and assisting in the installation of the new computer lab. As if all of this weren’t taxing enough, five of the seven missionaries hiked for three hours to the Fort de Bayonnais on Saturday! The church service on Sunday was led by Pastor Chris and it was well received by the Americans and Haitians alike. I must say that I am impressed by how hardworking, jovial, and all-around enjoyable the company has been.

Last night was particularly exciting for me. Actionnel was worn out from translating church in the morning and then hosting a slew of community meetings so he asked me if I would drive his children home in the late afternoon. In addition to his wife, four children and various extended family members, I must have picked up half a dozen random passengers who jumped in the truck as it crossed their path including a baby that was passed through a window! The road out of Bayonnais has more craters than the surface of the moon and the one highway isn’t much better. I almost tipped the car on a few occasions and the only time I went over thirty miles an hour was when I accidentally flew (literally flew) over a speed bump. When the children finally stopped gritting their teeth and jumped out of the truck, I could tell that they were a little more excited than usual to be home.