Settling in

Well, I was a little nervous about taking off in that MAF airplane and flying into a front that had been settled in over Port au Prince for days.  It had rained all night and the wind had picked up and the rain seemed to be quite happy to stay put.  And that plane was so wee and the load was so heavy!  ( 1,000 pounds of people and gear and fuel. )   But, as we were buckling up for the flight, MAF pilot David assured us with the confidence of a seasoned pilot that the trip across the channel would be fine!  And, he was right.  We made it with a turbulence that only caused my breath to catch a couple of times.  Thank you, Lord!

Soon the reunions began.  The driver of the truck that came to collect us and our gear and the MAF rep at the LAG airstrip, the gate keepers and workers at the mission station, the cooks and manager in the guest house, the missionaries new and remembered, and one of Marty’s former students who is now working for hospital maintenance – all greeting us with a “Madam Larry!” or “Mister Larry!” as they welcomed us with gusto!  And each Haitian, with a rush of creole that had my brain working overtime to understand and respond! 

We have settled into our new little Haiti abode – a comfortable and “spacious” new one-room apartment built to house the visiting profs who teach at the nursing school.   The diffuser is chugging away with citronella oil, having been charged with keeping the mosquitoes at bay.  The music from a neighboring event is blaring sufficiently to warrant ear plugs.  Dogs barking on cue when the music began. 

And we are expecting the morning wake-up call from the resident roosters.  :) 

Tonight, we will grit our teeth and step into the cold shower.  It will be a quick one!  Then, Lord willing, sleep. 

Ah, Haiti!

Tomorrow, the adventure continues.  (Pictures coming soon.)