Sunday, April 19, 2009

Greetings from Port-au-Prince, Haiti. We are on day 2 of our trip down here staying at St. Joseph's Guest House, having arrived yesterday afternoon. We are looking forward to our first day at Grace Children's Hospital, getting there in time for devotions. After arriving yesterday we spent time getting acclimated to the Guest House which has both a lovely view and a wonderful breeze from the upstairs patio. We began our coming together by hearing the story of Gregory who is a "graduate" of Grace Children's Hospital and learning some important info for our stay here.

Today we attended the worship service at the Methodist Church in Du Plan and enjoyed the wonderful enthusiasm of the congregation. The pastor welcomed us by translating the sermon for us as he delivered it. Afterwards, we enjoyed fellowship with many from the congregation.

In the afternoon we visited the Haitian Metal Art market where we viewed (and purchased some) so many beautiful cut-out designs made from oil drums. During our own gathering after dinner, we were able to think about the many people we have seen since we have been here and how we have been touched by their own Grace and God-likeness. We feel so fortunate to have experienced just 48 hours of this country of contrasts.

Rev. Lynne Austin