Mike and Bonnie Snider Arrive in Haiti
August 2, 2010
Day One for Mike and Bonnie Snider
It’s 8:21 p.m. and we are listening to the orphanage children sing before bedtime.
This was moving day for Mike and me, and day one of a mission trip for 19 people, formed from two groups. One, from Holiday Hill church in Jacksonville and the other, Wood Run church in Tallahassee. We are all working through the Jacksonville Baptist Association (JBA), who sponsor’s the orphanage, church and school approximately 30 miles north of Port Au Prince. Another team, not associated with the JBA, Through His Eyes (T.H.E.) Mission Haiti, headed by Shasta Mott is already here with 21 of her people till Thurdsay. Now we are three groups, but actually 40 individual mission trips, which makes for shared ideas and experiences.
Together the three teams hope to accomplish a few projects this week, including concrete wall construction surrounding the pre-K through 6th grade school across the street, finish tiling the floor in the downstairs portion of the orphanage, construct kit (pre-fab) homes for landowners who have no way of repairing their current homes destroyed in the earthquake or otherwise. These are transitional shelters, not meant to be long-standing homes (but so much better than a tent), and we will be working on this project in our community of Bercy and surrounding villages funded through Samaratain’s Purse. We will also do Vacation Bible School, process two new orphans, and are open for anything else the Lord has in store for us.
Earlier today we were thankful that all flights were on time, people and luggage arrived safely with no incidents. Austin, Nick and Wilfrid (from the orphanage) met us at the airport. “Big” (local man) and his team helped us load our 42 duffle bags into the old blue truck and van. I misplaced my trusty BA backpack, but rejoiced that my prayers were answered when I noticed it after all the bags were distributed tonight. Yeah!!!
After leaving the airport, we stopped by Queen’s grocery store for a few items and enjoyed the last air conditioning we would have for a while. The heat index was up to 115F and a cool rainwater shower never felt so good tonight!
After Queen’s we continued our journey toward the orphanage. Had to empty the people off the truck to change a tire, then continued on. The truck arrived home and emptied the duffle bags, while the van stopped at the Mission of Hope hospital to pick up a local girl, Ejina, seen at a medical clinic in Laboudry, who is actually an orphanage girl, Wanna’s sister. T.H.E. Mission (who conducted the clinic) took her to the hospital, with tremors in her legs, crippled by Typhoid. We had to pre-pay for her medical care and she was told by the doctors said she will not be able to walk again. We put her mother and wheelchair, as well as two of T.H.E. Mission group who stayed with her at the hospital, in an already crowded van and dropped them off at their village. Then arrived at the orphanage!
Shasta’s team made a large banner for the orphanage gate, welcoming Mike and I “home”! Had to hug the children before going upstairs to find our room fixed up nice and clean with more signs on the wall welcoming us from David, Donnie, and Darla Garrett! Thank you, everyone!!!
Oh, the city power just went off, but came back on within two minutes. Just a minor inconvenience…and the children kept singing.
A woman from Holiday Hill Baptist church wanted to contribute to the team even though she could not go on the trip. Her contribution is an awesome blessing!!! She purchased cooling headbands for the entire JBA group! Wow, what a blessing! They are called Mira Cool Cooling Headbands, by OccuNomix International. Soak in water for 10-20 minutes and the headband stays hydrated for several days.
Had some team members go to the local market and they picked up green peppers, tomatoes, mangoes, avocadoes, watermelon, and honeydew melon. Had a salad of tomatoes and green pepper with dinner tonight, along with some sliced mango and other food, which was all delicious! Linda, from the Holiday Hill team, has volunteered to cook this week as her mission.
Austin shared that he was able to recognize a severe athsma attack on Elis, a young woman staying at our orphanage, and got an inhaler from our medical supplies and administered it just in time to save her life. He was walking around the compound praying, when he noticed she was not well. When he came back downstairs she was lying down choking. We need to be so sensitive to God’s leading.
Pray for strength, wisdom, and guidance for tomorrow. We miss our family and friends already!!! Thank you Jon, Adam and Linh, and Becky for taking us to the airport and for Juana and Armando for braving the early morning send-off! Sing praise to the Lord for He is good. His love endures forever!!!
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