2:30?!?!

So the roosters are on a work schedule as this morning (Monday) they started at 2:30.

It is now 3:00 and someone has music playing loud enough that you can hear it in our "penthouse". Loud music is not uncommon here.

Yesterday was amazing. We had church - for three hours. Even though we had not a clue what was being said most of the time - you could feel and see God. Sara was touched to the point she cried, Chris was quietly overcome, and Daniel said to me, "well this is going to make our church boring". They are not afraid to sing - they are not afraid to pray and their worship you could tell was sincere.

After church we played with the kids. Having them try on our sunglasses, letting some of them laugh at us be cause it was obvious they could understand us but wouldn't tell us how to understand them (this was a game to one little boy), they loved our hair - especially Daniel's, they took pictures and just smiled from ear to ear.
You would think that we touched their lives, but I am certain it was the other way around.

The afternoon led to a meeting with the head pastor. Chris said he felt like he was in the presence of royalty and was excited by that.

After that, Sara and Kristen (a girl from the other team), when to the market. While they were there the rest of us went with our ( two!) interpreters to do a prayer walk. We met a woman who wanted us to pray for her country, another one who was depressed by life, a man who was in the streets during the earthquake but felt that God left him here for some reason. I was so impressed with the ease at which the boys prayed.

While we were out we handed out whistles, balls and stuffed animals. The smiles on the kids faces were priceless.
There were many girls wearing shirts (without underwear or shorts) and even two small boys completely naked.

We were never turned away when asking if we could pray and we were welcomed into homes - which are one room buildings (most about the size of the women's bathroom near the parlor... Maybe...) And most housed on average six people. So when we say we are living in the penthouse, we truly are.

We lost electricity last night. But we all were on the roof looking at the stars and clouds - finding pictures and just talking.

So the remainder of our time? We have been asked to run and lead VBS for about 150-200 children. We have also been asked to start with the making of a much needed medical center, which will be in an old room at the church. We will clean it and paint it and the mission team coming next week will help continue the process. The church is in need of seating so we may build that as well.
We hope to do another prayer walk, but this time maybe in one of the many tent cities.

Please continue to post comments. I read them all to the teens and they love hearing from you. If you are having trouble doing that - you may need to setup a (free) google/gmail account to sign in with. Or if you prefer you can text me - but they do like knowing what they write is being read.
They are truly enjoying themselves and feel welcomed.

So from Haiti I say, "Bonswana" (or hello/good day).

-Marilee