The following is an email from Cheryl.

We have arrived safe and sound, the flights were uneventful, we left and arrived pretty much on time. Arriving in Port-A-Prince after two years was a little overwhelming!! Since we left by way the of the Domencian Republic, we had not seen the devastation, the tent cities and the changes to the city.

We made it through customs very easily. I think he was an angel, he mentioned Pastor Pierre's name to several in our group, he helped us get the bags together and got us through customs without one bag being opened, he started walking out to the vehicles with us, but when Pastor Evans came to help our angel was no where to be found.. We met up with Pastor Pierre and Pastor Evans, loaded up the luggage and off we went to LaCroix.

Sometimes we felt like we were in a NASCAR race, but the road to La Croix is so improved. Supper was waiting for us and it was great!! But we were all ready to hit the beds!!

Sunday was such a blessing, the church services were great, the worship time was so moving, it did not matter that we could not understand a word of it, as Elora put it, "Thats what I think heaven will be like, everybody worshipping God, in their own way!!" We took Comununion together which was very meaningful. Jeff was one of three Pastor's to preach during the service... J.D. was asked to speak at the Children's Service... Everyone did something different in the afternoon, some hiked up the big hill across the road from the Mission, some rested, some visited and got to know each other a little better, still others visited the village close by, but Jeff was invited to attend a town meeting and give a five minute devotion. He got to hear the concerns and needs of the 200 hundred people that were invited, there again even though he may not have understood much, he saw how people opened up about their concerns. People's major concerns included: electricity, irrigation, speed bumps on Route 1 (children have been hit by passing vehicles), and a greater voice in government.

The following is an email from Cheryl:

"We have had a great day in Haiti!! The medical teams from GNG saw around 40 patients, sick children, ulcers, UTI's, unconfirmed pregnancies, cholera, typhoid, and malaria. Alison treated 14 children in the dental clinic, severeal will need to be seen by the denist. She did a great job under difficult situations, she did not have an interpreter, the patients were waiting at the door when we walked in, she hopes to have more time to get organized tomorrow.

Jeff taught the 12th graders during the morning, they have to know some philosphy for 13th grade to graduate from High School. The building/maintance team put up braces between the trusses and cutting lumber, and the craft team got their supplies ready to work with the children tomorrow. Mark & Jessie want to go out in one of the fields to pick up trash, but that will have to wait. It is starting to get dark and supper is almost ready, so we will report more tomorrow."

The following is an email from our team:

The following was received from our team:

"The Medical Team saw a total of 24 patients today.  The numbers tend to fluctuate somewhat.  We're guessing that it may have something to do with when the nearby towns hold their markets.  TB, HIV, pneumonia, and malaria were some of the issues they faced today. 

The Dental Team put in another long day treating a total of 26 patients.  Today they worked with Dr. Miguel and they were very impressed with him.  Tomorrow Alison and Cheryl may work with Dr. Miguel at his clinic in Gonaives (10 miles north of La Croix).  Elora Fleming achieved celebrity status with the children she was training in proper tooth brushing techniques.  Without elaborating further, let us simply report that a song has been written celebrating her exploits with the children.  Make sure to ask  Elora to explain when she gets home.  If she feigns ignorance, other team members appear willing to break the rule that "What happens in Haiti, stays in Haiti." 

Pat and the Arts and Crafts team had contact with over 200 kids today.  Interestingly, when the team proposed a special art project, the majority of the people who volunteered to participate were older high school aged boys.    Pat reports that the young men took the project very serioulsy and applied themselves to the work.  We hope to see the finished product before we leave on Saturday. 

The construction team finished the ceiling in one room and began work on the ceiling in another.  They will go to Paul tomorrow along with the Medical team.  The dental team hopes to go to Paul on Friday.  Travel to Paul is weather dependant - Pastor Pierre is reluctant to go to Paul if there is any possibility of rain.

The paint arrived, so when school let out the paint team went to work.  They completed two coats in two classrooms in the new building.  A third coat will probably be necessary as the paint does not seem to cover the cement well.  All of the floors, walls and ceilings  in the new classroom building are solid cement.  We hope to paint 6 classrooms. 

Jeff taught again today.  Teaching Policial Philosophy to Haitian students can be a lesson in abject realism.  None of the students expressed an interest in entering politics.  When asked why, one of the students responded, "In politics it is too easy to get killed."  That's the unforunate truth in Haiti.  One scolar has written that, "Haiti's history has been written in blood."  These students understand this."