Bonswa (Good Afternoon in Creole)!

We are in Jacmel for our third visit!  The drive from Port au Prince was lengthy, due to several accidents on the road, one of which involved a dump truck on its side, and an oxen cart with only half of the 4 animals alive.  Certainly something different than the usual route we travel each day!  This journey has been absolutely amazing in that we have met up with so many of the people we befriended on our last visits.  After arriving on Saturday we took a long walk to the building site we were at the first year.  We ran into Douge, a young man we met that first year, immediately.  From there word has spread that we are back, and we continue to receive visits from the various children we know, and are deleted to see how they have grown! Many of them seem to be in better schools and have some command of the English language, which was not the case before.

We ran a session of VBS yesterday, and expected around 50 kids. 108 showed up.  Despite significant communication problems we managed to communicate 'in song'.  We would first sing the song in English, and the kids would then sing the song in Creole.  Pastor Marky's wife Sydney, translated the story of Jesus walking on the water, and then we played several games, some of which got a little unruly and loud, all of which you will see in pictures.

Our Pastor did the preaching at yesterday's church service, and Pastor Marky translated. It was really something, the both of them working in tandem to deliver each phrase in rhythm. We were, as always, captivated by the music, singing, and especially the faces of the children. They also seem fascinated by our presence among them.

We visited two beginning churches today, to take pictures, talk with the Pastors, and get notes for someone to write a story of the church and the hurdles it faces.  We believe the role of messenger is one that we have been sent here to play.

• In a short while we will visit with the ladies of the church.....

Stay tuned!