Sleeping … Kind Of

Everyone was pretty exhausted at the end of the day yesterday, but that doesn't necessarily mean that we all slept well. It was very hot, and one of the rooms was particularly mosquito-infested. There were a lot of tired faces at breakfast this morning!

At least we didn't wake each other up with our tossing and turning in the night. As someone put it, "I was so into my own misery that I didn't notice."

Morning Worship

We had a light breakfast and left for church at 7:15. The church is across and up into the hills of Port-au-Prince from the guest house, so we had a bit of a drive. Up and down hills, through the middle of town, braving the insane traffic, where people pass on either side, honk constantly and drive as fast as possible any time they can.

We walked into the church as the congregation was singing a Saint John's favorite, “Everlasting God.” So we felt particularly welcome! The band was great, and a lot like the Hearts Afire Team. A song leader, a few singers, a keyboard, guitar, drums and saxophone.

The pastor preached on Psalm 68. When the psalmist speaks of the enemies of God, who is he talking about? Those who oppose us? Maybe, sometimes, our own sinful selves? Thankfully, the Holy Spirit is ever with us baptized believers, and guides us in God's paths.

The lyrics of the songs—particularly "Do You Hear the Mountains Tremble", about justice and freedom in Christ—take on special meaning in Haiti.

Around the City

After church we headed up to the top of the Haiti mountains to get a beautiful overlook of the city of Port-au-Prince. Though we were swarmed by vendors selling crafts and paintings, we still had a great view of the city.

Another exciting drive down back down the mountain and through downtown brought us to the presidential palace. If you have seen photos of the destruction from the 2010 earthquake, you have probably seen the palace, which is still unusable and crumbling.

We then drove through the shantytowns near the shore, where we saw people struggling very hard to get by. This is such a poor country, and these slums existed even before the earthquake. The people are so desperate, living one day at a time, locked into circumstances with no real opportunity to get out of their situations.

Lunch and a Hot Afternoon

Had lunch over at John and Beth's—the promised “chicken parts.” Delicious meal, and then we had free time for the rest of the afternoon. Which most of us spent trying to find shady spots.

More Worship

Just finished a great time of worshiping outside the guest house with the Heartline Team. It's so much fun singing with the people who are here, and John delivered a touching message: we're always safe when we're following God's call for us.

Tomorrow, to work!

“Hesed” is a Hebrew word that means “kindness”, “mercy”, “loyalty”, “loving-kindness” or “steadfastness.” It’s the way God intends us to live together—a “love your neighbor as yourself”, active, selfless, sacrificial, caring-for-one-another brand of living contradictory to our fallen natures. The “Heseders” are continually looking to work together to share some small measure of God’s extraordinary love. Won’t you join us?