From Percin to Jacmel

Thursday afternoon, Thony drove me and Rachael out to Petit Goave. Percin is a community in Petit Goave where most of the men are subsistence fishermen. From the Wesleyenne compound, you can look to the ocean and see a bunch of tiny fishing boats docked offshore. When you’ve found those boats, you’ve found Percin.

The view from the Wesleyenne compound. Find the fishing boats, find Percin

Rachael and Sarah lived in Percin in the summer of ’08 where they began building relationships with the members of the community. Part of Rachael’s mission while in Haiti is to continue the work that has been done in Percin and to continue the building of the relationship between her church and the community.  Rachael and I spent the day taking pictures of the sponsored children in Percin’s school. Some of the kids refused to smile while others were posing like models on the catwalk. Kids are so funny sometimes.

I ran into some old friends at the Wesleyenne compound and ended up going to dinner with them at a pizza and ice cream spot that had neither pizza nor ice cream. False advertisement? It happens a lot in Haiti. The food they had was delicious though. As soon as we were done with the chicken, they brought out the plantains. As soon as the plantains were finished and we thought the meal was over, they brought out the rice. As soon as the rice showed up, more friends did too. It was a good night.

Friday morning we headed to the church to meet up with the sponsored children and their families. The 3 of us pulled out our laptops and got to work. We interviewed each child and their parents (if they were present) and filled out the sponsorship update form with the answers they gave us. We covered everything from progress in school to health conditions, changes in the family and living situations to dreams and goals. Some children were going to school for the very first time, others were advancing to the next grade. Many talked about how they lost family members and their houses in the earthquake. A few talked about how they want to be preachers, teachers, and athletes when they grow up. In fact, one kid wanted to be all three. Aim high, little buddy, aim high! I wish I knew how to say that in Creole.

Some of the kids that live near Percin stopped by to hang out with us for the day

Friday night, we were back in Port-Au-Prince. Saturday, I spent the night with my good friend, Kellyanne. Dinner with her and her roommate, Jill, was delicious. Afterwards, some of the Quisqueya crew came over and we passed the time talking and enjoying each other’s company. Sunday we went to a house church located between Kellyanne’s house and my apartment. The message was from Andy Stanley, and it hit home. You know how sometimes you look at someone and know that what they’re saying is from God and it is being said specifically for you? It was one of those messages. So, so good.

This week we’re going out to Jacmel to meet with a pastor and a volunteer in the community to discuss what work I can do.  Jacmel is so close to my heart and having the opportunity to work there would be beyond great. I know that God had a community in mind when He sent me to Haiti and if Jacmel is that community, it would bring me back to the place where my work in Haiti began. God always finishes the work He starts in places and in people. I wouldn't be surprised if working in Jacmel was an extension of that character trait. We will see.

Praises: We’re no longer sick and we’ve gotten to work in the field just a tiny bit

Prayer Requests: A community to work with and housing or a host home in Jacmel