Our team at the Miami Airport during our layover
Travel went quite smoothly. We had about 30 minutes of shuffling donations between checked bags and carry-ons to get all of them within the 50 pound limit (it must have been low tide or something, because their scales were running higher than ours).
During the first flight, our pilot competently climbed over several 'small' thunderstorms over the Gulf of Mexico off the West Florida coast - I believe these were among the remnants of Hurricane Isaac. We were humbled to receive generous donations from passengers on board the flight.
During a Climb over a Thunderstorm over the Gulf
The flight from Miami to Port-au-Prince was completely full. Most of our carry-ons had to be surprise checked as we boarded. The guitar I brought had been previously checked because there were already 5 guitars ahead of mine. Having these items be checked was a bit more uncomfortable than one might assume based on the baggage return logistics at American Airports. Arrival at the Port-au-Prince airport was a real eye-opener for me. There are only four gates at one small terminal. Upon arrival, you board a shuttle bus and are taken to a pole building and wait in a long line to get through customs. In the same large space behind customs, all of the bags are piled onto a single carousel and some even heaped out onto the floor. As people go through customs, they are free to grab bags and leave the airport. Any fancy bags, and guitars in particular are therefore hot items. It is an incredible frenzy to behold, and it took almost 45 minutes for us to locate all of our bags after getting off the shuttle - but we found all of them successfully.
People there speak a fast mix of French, English, and Creole. I have been studying Creole during the past few months; a clerk came by immediately after I cleared customs and I was blessed with the ability to describe the guitar to him in Creole and he ran into the frenzy and brought it to me. I pray that our whole team would be blessed with the ability to really connect with the people of Cite Soleil tomorrow, through all forms of communication the Lord sees fit, so that the residents can truly feel the love of Christ as we serve them. Thank you for your continued prayers!
We are so glad to hear that everyone arrived safely! Please know that we will be praying for you, as well as the people of Haiti, daily. We pray for your continued safety in all of your travels and for the safe delivery of all of the much needed supplies that have traveled so very far.
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-The Richter Family
Ken speaks Creole. That's just awesome!
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