HAPPY 40th BIRTHDAY TO KRIS!!!!!!

Today is day 3 of the amazing mission trip in Haiti. Today Zach, Jay, David and a worker from here went to Cap Haitien to buy brake pads for the trucks. The trip was iuteresting/weird in some way. When we went to the city the people had some kind of joy and im guessing that was God's doing but for what little they have it's amazing to see that joy here. You see these mud huts and all these brick foundations and very bad conditions, even a very dirty river that people were swimming in there. It was interesting to see that what they had in the city. They had cell phones, tv's, and radios. For what little they have, they have some of the same stuff we do. The traffic was also very interesting, because it's a small road with cars and motorcyles going both ways and bikes and running people and huge mac trucks. You would see these nice looking, brand new vehicles every once and awhile and the United Nations trucks, and even a tour bus! The traffic would probably be worse then New York City or Los Angeles. It is horrific. Our driver makes all Americans with manual transmission vehicles look bad! He shows up every American driver, cause it takes some serious skill just to drive in this country. During our ride to the city, he bought us mangos and Tampico (a juice), which were very good. The little kids are interesting to see when they see white people. The joy comes over their face because, if im correct, they think Americans are sort of the heroes here in this country. So I thought it was interesting and whenever they looked at the truck and they saw white people, they would just stop and stare which I didn't mind, but I thought it was just interesting. Once we got back it was so cool to see all the kids in the baby house when you walked in, they would just surround you and "compete" just to get held by us. It makes you feel wanted! The kids are very loving and they love attention and they are half the reason we are here is to help out with them. The nannies also enjoy us here and their praise and worship time is amazing to hear and see. They make the kids happy and are very filled with the Lord. Also before praise and worship, way before, we helped scrub out the baby house which took a lot of work but the communication between us was funny and even one of the guys pulled a little prank and shut off the water and jumped out and scared me when I went to turn it on. They find joy in little things which make it even more fun to be here. The love and joy here makes it very fun and worth our time!

-Zach

--Hello to the Hillers, I'm having a blast here.. from Dana :)
--Hi to all my family and friends at home!! I am having a blast and don't want to leave, even though I do miss you! ~Love, Jessica


On the girls side of the day...Our highlight was the walk with the older kids. We walked to the next village with children piled in wagons and on our hips! Noah and Elijah were a "hit" by the Haitian children! They followed us and kept touching the boys' hair. As we were walking, the cows were on their way back to their homes with the owners following. A few of us girls were a little nervous when they would walk by, because they were on a leash...but the leash was on the ground. Christina was pulling a wagon when a calf came from behind and bumped her in the rear! It was a bit of a shock to her, but we were thankful it was just the calf that ran into her!! Towards the end of our warm walk, it started to sprinkle and eventually rained pretty hard (which felt good!) The kids were hungry and ready to eat when we got back!!
It was a fun day and there are more to come!

-Jessica

P.S. Kris turned 40 today!! We had a spaghetti supper and cake to follow made by Jamie Groen and Carla ( a long term volunteer!)

...No Rats! (Well, Christina saw one...but did not say anything at the time! Thank goodness!)  Except, the boys pulled a prank and screamed RAT and Sue jumped and screamed pretty loudly!