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    Our Visit to Haiti....

    Pre-travel Plans

    Our travels to Haiti began with me receiving my shots that were recommended by the Center for Disease Control in
    Atlanta.  I received a shot for Typhoid, Malaria, and two prescriptions: 1 for travel sickness and something else.
    On Monday, April 5, 2010 we wired $9900 to Haiti that we would distribute to those in need. In addition I remove $5,000.00
    that each of us traveled with just to have access to cash in the event of another disaster that could possibly shut down the
    financial systems and we would be left without funds. Therefore, I carried $2000.00 and Pastor and Sis. Valdemar were
    given $1500.00 each to carry plus our personal funds.

    Day Number 1 – Tuesday April 13, 2010 - From Departure from Residence to Arrival at Pastor Franco Valdemar’s
    brother’s house.

    I departed Zion at 4:00 am to arrive at Pastor Franco’s house at scheduled time of 5:00 am to maximize our luggage
    (meaning all luggage would weight 50 lbs). After we adjusted for my luggage we ended with 9 - 50 lbs bags. In addition to
    our clothing we took laptop computers (which he had purchased for his ministry in Haiti), medical supplies, as well as many
    other personal health items.

    When our transportation to airport arrived I had no idea I was in for the surprise of my life and that was how we were going
    to pack 9 bags (50 lbs) plus four bodies (driver plus 3) into a small SUV. But by God’s miraculous grace we did it and
    headed to O’Hare after praying for traveling grace for Pastor Valdemar and wife Carole and me and asking God to bless
    our efforts to relieve some of the pain from the misery and suffering of the earthquake that happened on January 12,
    2010.

    We arrived at airport (American Airlines) not knowing if we would allowed to check-on that many bags and had the driver
    to stand by just in case we were denied that many. But again, God open the window of opportunity by giving us a general
    check-in agent and all bags were checked and bound for Haiti.

    Our departure time was at 11:00 am on an American 767 aircraft, with a change of flights in Miami (via Customs) for Haiti.
    We departed Miami at 3:30 pm and arrived in Haiti at 5:35 pm.

    From my initial arrival from what I saw from the aircraft I knew the next seven days for me would be life changing. I was in
    for the cultural shock of a life time. When we deplaned and went into the airport there were no intercom announcements
    and I knew then this was going to be different. We made it to customs by having personal escorts who gave us diplomatic
    treatment and escort that took us past the crowd of people.

    Once we cleared customs and headed for the outside what I saw was a crowd of people screaming and hollering and
    pushing and shoveling. Of course not knowing what to do I clanged to Pastor and Mrs. Valdemar since they had traveled
    there many times and knew what to do. I saw people hanging on to trucks. I saw kids begging for money. I saw women
    standing around. I saw total kayos. Not having a way yet due to the tardiness of our pickup the Lord sent a blessing by
    allowing Pastor Franco to spot a government official who he knew and she with her SUV packed 9 bags (50 lbs) plus four
    bodies (driver plus 3) plus the merchandise she was carrying herself into a small SUV.
    Once we were packed we headed off to our destination. The ride there seemed to be so long. As we rode the ride was so
    rough for I discovered that this was the beginning of the norm as we would move around Haiti. As we were traveling I could
    not believe what I was seeing (to be described later in this narrative).  

    Day Number 2 – Wednesday April 14, 2010 - Pastor Franco Valdemar’s brother’s house.
    When we arrived it was dark the night before, therefore I was unable to see the surrounding of the community as we
    traveled to the residence from the airport.

    Now that it’s daylight I can see the poverty from the roof top of the houses next door. As we make plans to get the
    scheduled rental car to prepare for the travels south we rested and discussed our plans and itinerary for the week.

    Pastor’s brother, Pastor Pere Valdemar agreed to take us to the airport to pick up rental. As we traveled to the airport I
    saw the most heartbreaking thing I have ever seen in my life and that was the filth of the country environment. There was
    garbage and garbage. Meaning there is no concern for a clean environment.

    When we arrived at the Airport to Dollar Rental Car, we discovered that just because we did not pick up the car the day
    before as scheduled we were told that the car had been rented to someone else. After going around and around with the
    rental agent we were told to check back at 2:00 to see if a car had been return that we could rent.

    We decided to go for lunch and take a breather. Pastor Pere Valdemar took us to the _______ Restaurant which had a
    very nice menu and gave me my first meal in Haiti.

    After we discover that we could not get a vehicle, Pastor made a call to Pastor Marc and he agreed to drive and pick us up
    and take us back to our mission area which was 80 miles south of Port au prince.

    We went and fed approximately 600 individuals which lived in one of the tent camps. Funds were sent in advance to
    purchase and cook the food which is given once per week. When we arrived at the site the ministry team had everything
    prepared and meals were served. As I assisted in the feeding it was then that I cried as the people were reaching for the
    food. My heart could not help but see Jesus as he fed the multitude of 5000 men not including the women and children
    which could have exceeded 20,000. It was when our food ran out that my heart was saddened because there was nothing
    else.

    As we rode back to the house for tonight’s rest I saw more of the camps with the tents where thousands of people sleep
    having nowhere else to go. No running water, no modern bathroom facilities, no stores just surviving on a little of nothing.

    Day Number 3 – Thursday April 15, 2010 – From Pastor Franco Valdemar’s brother’s house to south of Port au Prince.

    The day started with us having breakfast. Afterwards we were taken to the bank to withdraw funds that would be used to
    distribute in addition to what we had on our person.

    After we return from the bank, we went and made ready for our trip to the south. All bags were packed and we anticipated
    the arrival of Pastor Marc who came to receive us.

    At approximately 3:00 pm Pastor Marc arrived and we loaded the SUV with all the supplies that we brought with us to help
    those truly in need. We had many over the counter health aids, and medication. All together we carried nine bags and
    eight people in the small SUV. What a ride…

    After we dropped off one passenger who was along to direct Pastor Marc to our dwelling we were down to seven
    individuals and we later dropped off a young lady near our final destination at the hotel.

    As we traveled, I saw so many houses that collapsed under the earthquake. So many tents where people are living and
    need help. So many old women determine to make it and selling whatever they have to earn a living.

    Again, it was night when we arrived and the hotel was dark running from off a generator as so many building do. It was
    very, very modest. It had no hot water. A very naked room with only two beds, a small dresser and that’s it. One bath towel
    on each bed with no face towel for bathing. The shower did not even have a shower head only the stem. The room was
    very warm being closed with mosquitoes hovering around you.

    As we rested for the night, we were given food earlier and Sis. Valdemar made us food to eat. Afterwards I went to bed
    without a shower because I just didn’t fill right getting in a strange shower and a cold one at that.

    Day Number 4 – Friday April 16, 2010 – Mission field in South
    When got up early in the morning and went for breakfast.  The hotel had no restaurant so they prepared juice and
    crackers and of course coffee for those who wanted coffee.

    We clad our t-shirts and went on the mission field. Here I saw so many of my people who live in rural or the remote region
    of Haiti and its abject poverty. We went to the old Salvation Army building to see where young children were in school.

    We saw the welcome sign for the Mission team (Pastor Valdemar, and Wife Carole, Pastor Ixmer and me). We toured the
    facility and saw so much poverty. After we spent a few hours we headed back to the room to make ready for the revival.
    Although it rained, still we had a good crowd to attend and I was bless with an opportunity to preach in Haiti for the first
    time. By God’s grace I preached in English and Pastor Valdemar translated it into French.

    Day Number 4 – Saturday mission field in South

    We got an early start. We were back at the Salvation Army Facility where we met 408 young people. The Conference
    started at 9:00 am and lasted until 2:00 pm. We heard wonderful testimonies from the youth as to how the earthquake
    affected their lives.

    Pastor Valdemar and I along with wife Carole spoke to the youth. After singing and praying and hearing the Word of God
    we observed as the entire congregation of youth were served red beans and rice with a soft drink and not one of them
    complained about the meal. So grateful were they as they gave thanks and ate God’s blessing.
    We headed back to the hotel to rest and returned back at that evening to worship service.

    Day Number 5 – Sunday mission field in Port-au-prince

    This was the final day before we head back to Port-au-prince. We awaken early and packed and dressed for church. I was
    scheduled to deliver the morning sermon. Church was really spiritual as it reminded me of my old church home back in
    Gordy, Georgia.

    After worship was over we left for Port-au-prince and arrived around 4:00 pm after having a flat tire in route. When we
    arrived at the worship center to see over 200 youth praising God was just great. In spite of their hardship they still find joy
    in the Lord.

    We rest for the remainder of the day and got to bed early. On Monday we would end as we started and that was to feed
    those in need.

    Day Number 6 - Monday mission field in Port-au-prince

    We went to the camp to feed between 700-1000 people with funds that were brought by me to give to the people in need.

    After the feeding we came back we to buy souvenirs for the family as we could find.

    Day Number 7 - Tuesday mission field America – Home Sweet Home

    Departed 11:55 am for Miami.
Haiti Report to the Community
Enjoy our photos and read about our adventure in the article below.