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October 1st - 15th were the dates of our October 2008 team trip to Haiti. We had team members from Maine, New Hampshire, Utah and California, many of whom had never met in person until making this trip. Another record was set when this team of 10 managed to "process" 686 children on this trip!
 For our 5 team members from Utah this was their first trip to Haiti, but for all of us it was our first time to travel into Haiti through the Dominican Republic! Instead of flying with Missionary Flights International as we usually do we decided to fly a commercial airline directly into Santiago in the D.R. and then travel by bus to the border.  (above) Our 5 "newbies"! (right) The team waiting for the hotel shuttle at the Santiago airport.  (left) The team boards the bus in Santiago. One of the advantages of flying commercially was that we were able to bring more baggage. This was an international flight so the airline allowed us to check through two 50-pound bags per person free of charge. We took advantage of this by packing suitcases full of beans, rice, oatmeal, noodles, etc. some of which had been given to us by area businesses.  We gave all this food to Pastor Noel's wife, Marie, for her to distribute to people in need. We were so thankful to be able to do this because the food situation in Haiti was still critical at that time. (right) Marie unpacking some of the food we were able to bring for people in need. As always, our primary project was to process the children in the Child Sponsorship Program. On previous trip photos pages, we've shown lots of photos of us actually doing the work with the children but on this page we thought it would be a good idea to show you some of what goes on BEFORE the work actually begins!  First of all, on those days when we're not working in Terrier Rouge, it means we first have to actually get to where we're working - which can also be a challenge sometimes! This road was almost completely blocked by a huge truck mired up to its axle in mud. Our wonderful chauffeur, Bolo, managed to make a way - even though we couldn't imagine how he'd get by! (Of course, he made us get out first - just in case!) Jamie setting up all the paperwork for the interview process.  Chairs must be found for the children to sit in while having their feet measured and their photos taken (and finding them can sometimes be a challenge!)  Measuring tapes must be unrolled and our BIG tape is taped to an available wall to use when measuring the children's height.  And, of course, we have to make ready the "tools of the trade" - our foot measuring stick and a bathroom scale! |
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