Second update!

We received this email late Wednesday night.  The first part of the email is from Libbie, one of the adult sponsors on the trip.  Following her message is a brief paragraph from each of the students.  I'm including all the student messages as well as the sponsors (Rob, Libbie, Bethany and Emmanuel) along with Kat's as they all have different perspectives that I think you'll enjoy.

Also, I am not editing any grammar or spelling. Enjoy!

Dear Families,

Sorry you didn't hear from us yesterday but when you read the email, you will see how looooong the day was plus the fact that we had no internet when we arrived due to a heavy rainstorm.

Yesterday morning Heather read us part of her devotion that said, "Let me help you through the day. ...You will get through this day one way or the other. ....There will difficulties along the way, but you can face them confidently in My strength....Thank me for each problem you encounter and watch to see how I transform trials into blessings." The Lord KNEW we needed this reminder, as our day proved to be hard, long and tough. BUT...there were small blessings and smiles and laughs along the way.

Our usual 2 hr. trip to Dessalines took almost 8 hr. due to a huge traffic jam in a certain small town. We sat for 2 hr. waiting to see if the traffic would go, but it didn't and we finally took another, much longer route to Dessalines. We did arrive safely and we were quite tired.

Along the way though, we met a Haitian family who allowed us to sit with them while we waited - the team's first encounter with Haitian kids. There were many hugs and kisses when we left. Also, along the way, we passed the lady we had met in the Miami airport who had asked us to pray for her Nicaraguan friend who was being delayed in immigration. Guess who was sitting in the front seat of the car? Yep...the Nicaraguan man! We had a flat tire along the way too -such fun! And of course the girls immediately found children to play with! A rainstorm hit, yet it had stopped raining during the "flat tire" incident. Bathroom stops were interesting...yep, Bethany and I found a large tree....no one else would attempt to do that! When we arrived in Dessalines, we were excited to have flowing water, nice cool showers, food and a good night's sleep - yep, we had electricity all night long!

OK, today we started painting and what joy we had! I'm going to let the kids tell you about their day today...they are having a wonderful time and doing an incredible job!

Kat - Let me just say that this has been the best experience I have ever had and I have found out there is a special needs orphanage, so I WILL be back! This morning before we left to paint the church we played with the kids around the compound and let me just say that I already have my babies picked out that I'm bringing home. At the church we painted half already and then I did arts and crafts and made a new friend with a six grade girl. I got to practice alot of Creole and some spanish too! When we left they gave many hugs and asked if we were coming back tomorrow. This week isn't even half way over and I already think I could live here and work at the special needs orphanage! Thinking of everyone and miss you!

Joel - Today was very fun, despite the extremely hot weather. We left Dessalines and went to a sort of church/school combination, kinda like RRCA. We painted two sides of the church a bright blue and then we played soccer and other games with the children. Overall, it was a great day, but I'm extremely tired.

J-Flan- I am very tired but it has been a fun day. I played soccor longer than anyone. I almost played the whole 2 hours we had with everyone, but I just got to a point wher I had had enough. The best part today was riding in the back of Dr. Dan's truck. Haiti has very very bumpy roads. Some people almost fell out a few times, there were seven of us in all in the back of the truck. It's been wonderful so far.

Heather - Hello Mom and Daddy. Let first say that this is the coolest thing I've ever experienced. Today we painted and played with kids. The language barrier makes things difficult but I'm learning more words and how to communicate better every minute. I love all the little children and I want to bring them all home. Everything is well. I love yall. I hope yall are having a WONDERFUL week!

Tiffany - Hi mom and dad who are about 1/5 of a mile from me ;) I am so blessed to be here again, its is an amazing experiance! Today we painted half of a church, and ran around with kids! Its funny because even though we didn't have a clue what the kids were saying we all had a great time! It just goes to show you that God is bigger then languages! I am super close to just taking a few kids in my suit case...maybe I can take 2? haha Love you all! I hope your having a great week!!  (Note from Dawn: Tiffany's parents are also in Haiti but working on a different project.)

Ben - Hi mom and dad. I'm fine. Dad would be jealous. Izuzu Amigos, GMC trackers, Nissan Partols. Also, there's fresh mangos, and other fresh fruit. It's been a pretty good trip so far, and my french is coming handy when I talk to the kids. I played soccer, and it was pretty fun. Tell Jon I said hi when he comes.

Clayton - Hey mom and dad. I'm having a blast! It's hard to descirbe how amazing this place is but I love it. We had goat today, which was interesting but I really enjoyed it. The landscape is so beautiful but the contrasting poverty all around just breaks your heart. Well, not your heart per se since yall aren't here but whatever. I love yall and tell everyone I said hey.

Sean - The last few days have been hard but good. I miss you guys. There are these realy cool trees out side called Flame Trees. They have bright red flowers all over there branches. The mangos are awesome. I have never had a 100% fresh mango before. The kids are sooo cute and FULL of joy. A few people got sick but they are good now. God has blessed me with good health. I can't wait to see you.

P.S. I am going see if I can get Tommy a Machetie.

Bethany: Bonswa! We are having a wonderful time and have such a great group! Today Libbie, Kat, Sean and I led a group of girls in a craft time which they highly enjoyed! Continue to pray that the Lord would allow us to share His love with everyone we come in contact with and that we would be able to communicate with ease. I love you parents! 

Emmanuel: Howdy everyone! This trip has been awesome! These students are such hard workers. Today we went and painted a church and everyone was amazed at how much we got done and how well it looked. Im so impressed with our team and how hard they worked! Please continue to keep us in your prayers! 

Libbie and Rob - We are truly loving watching these teenagers transform and fall in love with Haiti and the children right before our very eyes! It is so good to be back in Haiti where we have seen so many friends. The church/school we are working at is great and our team just fit right in. They work hard and played hard and are excited about a new day.

Keep praying for our safety and protection and good health. We love you all and are so grateful you allowed your kids to come experience Haiti and increase their servant hearts! Love to all our family!

Until another note comes...... blessings to you all, Libbie, Rob, Emmanuel, Bethany and the whole team.

The first news!

We have received an update from the team! It was sent last night but not received until this morning.  We are thankful to have heard from them.

Hey Ya'll,

Just want you to know we have arrived safely! All flights were smooth and on time. The team is doing well. We are staying at a beautiful mission house tonight and DeeDee (Dr. Snyder's wife) made us a delicious spaghetti dinner. Tomorrow we wake early for a morning walk, breakfast and head for Dessalines. That trip will take about 3 hours. 

This team of youth are amazing. They were very confident travelers and seem to get along so well. We've had fun playing cards in the airport, sharing food and snacks and enjoying "culture shock" together as we traveled through Port Au Prince this afternoon. 

Keep praying for them. They need good rest tonight (we all do) and pray for protection, safety and continued good health. 

All seems peaceful here in the country and we can't wait to see what opportunities we have to serve and share. One lady came up to us at the airport asking if we were a Christian group. I said "Yes, we are." She said, "Will your group please pray quickly for a friend of ours who has arrived here at the Miami airport from Nicaragua. He is supposed to go to Haiti with us, but they are holding him in immigration and delaying him. Our flight leaves in a few minutes. Will your group please pray?" We immediately got together as a team and prayed for this man. We don't know the outcome, but it showed our team that no matter where we are, we have opportunities to serve, share and pray for others.

Good night and more later....

With a happy heart to be here in Haiti!!!

Libbie, Rob, Emmanuel, Bethany and 8 wonderful Teens!

A dream come true... a mission to Haiti (Schedule)

For months and months, she dreamed of traveling to Haiti. Tonight, she's sleeping in Haiti!

Here is the team's schedule for the next eight days.

Monday, June 11: Travel day to Port-Au-Prince (via Austin to Dallas and Miami)

Tuesday, June 12:  Travel to Dessalines (3-4 hour drive), and set up at the compound

Wednesday, June 13:  Work, time with village kids, and hospital visits

Thursday, June 14:  Work, time with village kids, and hospital visits

Friday, June 15:  Work, time with village kids, and hospital visits

Saturday, June 16:  Visit/work at orphanage

Sunday, June 17:  Church, visit orphanage, other work as assigned

Monday, June 18:  Travel to Port-Au-Prince, free time

Tuesday, June 19:  Travel back to States

I'll update again when I've heard from them.

Please feel free to leave comments for Kat. (Click on the comment link below this post.)  She won't see them while she's gone, but I know she'd appreciate seeing your thoughts and prayers even once she's home.  And, we will include them in her Haiti scrapbook!

Touch down! (Or, Kat and the team are in Haiti!)

Settle down all you football fans... this has nothing to do with sports.

According to the airline, the team's plane has landed in Port-Au-Prince.  Hopefully, this landing was a little softer than the last one. Prayers appreciated for the team to arrive feeling well and that all the luggage made it.

I will update later tonight (if I hear anything) and I will post their schedule for the remainder of their trip.

Thank you for your prayers throughout today!

Second and final stop... Miami!

The team has arrived in Miami!  They had a little drama with a very hard landing that caused some ceiling tile to pop open, exposing some wiring, etc., in the ceiling. Everyone is fine and they are getting lunch before their next flight.

Next (and final!) flight to Port-Au-Prince, Haiti (American Flt. #803) is scheduled to depart at 2:50 pm Eastern time.

Want to follow along? Go HERE.

First stop... Dallas!

They've arrived in Dallas! Next flight to Miami (American Flt. #1976) is scheduled to depart at 8:55 am Central time.

Want to follow along? Go HERE.

Sending my baby to Haiti.

Several months ago, Kat sent out the following letter: 

Bonjou Fanmi ak Zanmi! (That’s “Hello Family and Friends!” in Creole!) 

I have some exciting news to share with you! I’m writing to let you know that I have received the honor of being selected to travel on a mission trip with seven members of my youth group. We will be traveling to the country of Haiti to work this June 11-19, 2012. We will arrive by plane in Port-Au-Prince and then take a very long bus ride to Dessalines. Once there, we will be assigned projects that include painting and repairs at a church in a small community outside Dessalines as well as volunteering at an orphanage and hospital. We will have the opportunity to play with the children and meet the people of the village. Most importantly, we will share the love of Jesus with them! 

I love volunteering my time and talents locally but I have always dreamed of traveling on a foreign mission trip. So this trip is very much a dream come true for me!...

Well, since that time the funds have been raised, a passable amount of Creole has been learned, the bags are packed and loaded, and she'll be on a 6 am flight tomorrow morning (Monday, 6/11) with the rest of the team.

Tomorrow, I'll post their schedule on the side bar of this blog.  Kat will be able to use her phone through mid-afternoon tomorrow until she boards her last flight from Miami to Port-Au-Prince.  I'll post Kat's texts for all to read if there's any real info in them.  (You know, other than "I just got a lemonade from the Wendy's in the food court!") 

Once they leave Miami, there will probably be 24 to 48 hours of "silence" until they are settled in at the mission compound outside of Dessalines.  If all goes as planned, we anticipate receiving a nightly email with a team update as well as a sentence or two from each of the youth.  However, power and technology can be spotty there so no news is considered good news.

Please pray for the team as they travel and minister.  Specifically, we would appreciate your prayers for safety, stamina, good health, and many opportunities to tell people about the love of Jesus.

Oh, and if you'd like to include prayers for the Mommy left here in the States... well, that would be okay, too!  I'm truly not worried. But I am a Mommy.