05 Feb Final Haiti Praise Report

Here is Joan Sider’s final report on behalf of the 11 Canadians who went on a work trip to Haiti. The group returned on Tuesday. Follow the link.

It has been an interesting couple of days.

Leaving around 10 a.m. for the airport Tuesday morning, we expected to havea usual kind of flight home kind of day–get to the airport, wait in the lounge for our flight, get on board, get to Miami, make our connecting flight and be home by 11:14 p.m. that same day.

It didn’t happen quite that way.

The day began with the making of the last quilt. It was done before breakfast. Audrey sure had a very worthwhile ministry. Interestingly, the house boy at Pastor Oliam Richard’s who quilted right along with the cooks, won the quilt. He was thrilled! For breakfast that last morning, we had stew, and the usual bread–with tangerines, bananas, and mango. That was such a treat.

We knew we were getting an early start for the airport for our 1:20 p.m. flight, but it is always much better to be safe than sorry. We had no problems getting our luggage through in Port au Prince–or getting into the lounge. We were figuring that everything was as scheduled.

However, we met a gentleman who had been to the airline desk in the lounge and heard that our flight was to be delayed until 2:16 p.m. That made us wonder if we would still be able to make our connecting flight–we knew we had 4.5 hours in Miami–but wanted to check. It seemed that we would have no problem. However, 2:16 p.m. came and went and we were still in the lounge. There were no announcements of any kind, but there were about 7 power outages which made an already hot room despite some air conditioning, hotter.

We expected to leave at 5:20 p.m. next We were given lunch vouchers. We went half at a time to the only two available places.

Getting food was interesting. Our choices were quite limited. The strange thing was that one would be told they were out of something, but 10 minutes later, that food was available again. The vendors seemed to be unsure how to add up our purchases. Of course we each tried to spend as close to the $10 allotted because there was no change to be given back.

I can’t really explain the manner we were served. There was no order at all. Some people were getting irate, which didn’t help at all. I’m proud to say that we all acted calmly, patiently, and remained friendly.

Well, still in the lounge, a later scheduled flight than ours went out before we who were scheduled earlier did. This didn’t make too much sense–but half the people in the lounge left, so at least it became a little more comfortable.

Obviously, we wouldn’t be making any connecting flight. The gal that was caring for us got us boarding passes for the 10:10 a.m. flight from Miami this morning. She assured us that we would be given overnight accommodation in Miami at American Airlines’ expense. Having had a similar delay back on our first Haiti Team trip, I was a little dubious. She assured me we would be cared for and we weren’t to worry. She was sorry for this inconvenience.

Well, after 8 hours we boarded a plane. I believe we left a little after 7:00 p.m. in the dark, something that doesn’t generally occur. We found out that the plane scheduled to come into Port au Prince from Miami, couldn’t due to a fueling problem. After having these passengers disembark in Miami three different times, thinking it was fixed each time, it was discovered that another plane would need to come to Miami for them. So, the plane we ended up being on, was that especially called for plane.

We arrived in Miami around 9:30 p.m. We headed for the baggage carousel only to be told that there would be a delay in getting our luggage. They couldn’t open the luggage compartment. We couldn’t believe it! Finally, our luggage came through.

We left that area, went through customs, and were met on the other side by an AA agent with our hotel and food vouchers. A shuttle bus took us to the Wyndham’s Hotel–and after settling in to some great rooms, went for supper. Eating after 11:00 p.m. isn’t such a good idea.

This morning, we put two of our vouchers together to make $15 each and enjoyed a wonderful smorgasbord breakfast. The Shuttle took us back to the airport, we boarded a little late, but made it back to Toronto right on time–1:25 p.m. It was so good to be home.

Again, I can’t say thanks enough for your faithful prayer support and interest in our team ministries.

For your information and another reason to give thanks to God, I’d like to share some of the projects to which we gave financial assistance. There was money given from our churches and then money from the ministry portion of the $2500 we each raised.

Here is the list:

• Pastor’s Richard’s monthly support for January or February (not sure which).
• Rice (many will benefit from this).
• Feeding program (Pastor Wilbur’s program is now serving 500 children).
• Chairs (for one of the churches–I have to find out which church).
• Architect’s plans (given on condition that living quarters would also be
• built on this property).
• Generator for Pastor Richard’s home.
• 3 generators–for Camp Mary, Pierre Charles’ church in Cayes, Pastor
• Supreme’s church in City Soleil.
• 2 wheerchairs–donation to Hope Mission for these.
• Bus repairs.
• Stethoscope.
• Delmas church project.

Well folks, that about does it! We came home tired but satisfied and happy. We know God used us to bless our many friends there and we certainly received a blessing from each of them. We know God was with us.

God bless each of you for partnering with us.
Joan Sider,
Team Leader