The Adenture Begins

Greetings from Haiti!  "It's been a long day but a fun day," says Richard Finger.  We arrived safely in Haiti and experienced no logistical nightmares.  The closest thing to a snag was Sott Putnam, who met us in Miami from North Carolina, arrived just as we were boarding the flight to Haiti.  Our team was greeted by familiar faces - Lucien, Populaire, and Cherie.  The rest of the group includes our fearless leader, Greer Putnam, as well as, Jim Lofgren, Paul and Tim Swicord, Pastor Jack and Sarah Meehan, Saron Yohannes, Sarah Finger, Chris and Diane Brody, and Ken Lorang.

Upon arriving at Hope House, the team was introduced to Rob and Trish Low, who have been the directors since March 2015, and their young pup, Toro.  We accomplished several activities including unpacking the suitcases, organizing and storing the items we brought, making 125 peanut butter sandwiches for VBS (Vacation Bible School) tomorrow, followed by 250 goody bags for the children who will attend VBS over the next two days.  Our new experience this year, for which the sandwiches and goody bags will be used, will be leading VBS for two local communities in the Gantheir region of Haiti.  This is near the school and health center but the children attending VBS are ones who do not attend school.  The plan includes a Bible study on David and Goliath, and also on the Resurrection, then breaking out into sessions to include arts and crafts, and sports ministries.  The team is excited about being able to reach out and touch other communities in Haiti.  More to come on this experience tomorrow.

We would be remiss without sending out special thanks to Nilah Putnam for serving as driver for many of us at 4:00 this morning and putting together the hymnals used for our devotionals.  And to Jan Swicord for preparing our nightly devotional script.  Clearly Paul and Jan were overachievers for aligning our devotions with Joining Jesus on His Mission by Greg Finke.  Sarah Meehan shared her first impressions of seeing a nation that experiences this kind of poverty, especially since it's her first time out of the country.  Tim has already explained to Rob, the director, who is really in charge.