Bishop Elaine's message from Mellier

Bishop Elaine called in to report that the team made it in good shape to Mellier.  Much of the way their road took them along the shore of Port-au-Prince Bay (Baie de Port-au-Prince).  They spent their last hour of daylight setting up cots and nets in temporary classrooms that have walls open to the breezes.  Dinner is cooking le cuisine thanks to four women led by Deena, while the team plans children's activities for tomorrow.  

The choir master at Duplan EMH, Emile Desamouris, is also a composer.  Several of his pieces, written in traditional Haitian style, have been performed in the U.S. 

Those in worship with Bishop Elaine this morning shared fellowship and a rich buffet with the congregation that included fresh local vegetables, braised pork, chicken, red beans and rice and sweet potato pudding for dessert, and they dedicated the reception hall.

At the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, Frederick Douglass declared, "Until Haiti struck for freedom, the conscience of the Christian worl slept profoundly over slavery."

Gras Adieu,
Bishop Elaine

Day One and Two

Just yesterday we arrived in Haiti.  The whole team converged in Miami on Friday evening for instructions, worship and getting to know one another. We are sixteen strong… lay people and clergy from across the Mountain Sky Area, with one Bishop!  VERY early Saturday morning we flew out of Miami on two flights for Port-au-Prince (PAP).  We were met at the airport by a lively reggae band.  We scrambled for luggage and then loaded into a “paddy wagon” for a trip through the heart of town to the guesthouse of the Eglise Methodiste Haiti (EMH). 

After settling in, we toured the compound with its classrooms and church.  Several classes were in session and we were able to speak with teachers and students. 

The compound is pretty much intact compared to other structures.  At one time this was the Swiss Consulate.  It was later owned by UMCOR, and then it was given to the EMH to own and operate.  Over twelve hundred students of all ages come to this well-respected school. 

UMCOR representatives Tom Vencuss and Sarah Sandsted, John Alcorn and Jim Gully provided us with orientation for the mission projects where we will be working this coming week.

Today, Sunday the 23^rd, church day!  We worshiped with Haitian congregations in two different places: Bishop Elaine preached at Duplan EMH with Gesner Paul, President of EMH and Su DeBree at College Bird EMH with Reverend Marcos, Circuit DS. Bishop Elaine gave a wonderful sermon that really connected with the Haitian congregation, showing authentic humility and understanding of the plight of the people.  Su connected especially through music with the help of the team and congregation singing “Blessed Be the Name” in English, Inupiaq Eskimo and French.  People of all ages, including many children and young families filled both sanctuaries. Phenomenal choirs were accompanied by drum, guitars, violin, keyboard…We’ll be posting videos and pictures. 

Some of us visited the site where the presidential palace was and is to be.  The entire dome was collapsed and the building severely damaged in the earthquake.  Across the street and scattered throughout the city stand tents where countless people still live. The Interior Department Building next to the palace was also ruined.  The huge cathedral of Haiti stands in ruins, and tents huddle against the walls.  Much commerce and daily life takes place in tiny stalls that line the streets.  Ongoing cleanup and new construction is going on everywhere.

This afternoon it’s quiet here at the guesthouse as half the team left for Mellier two hours drive southwest of PAP, where they will be working to help rebuild a school. Those of us in PAP will also be doing construction work the next three days. 

Keep the prayers coming, we’re sending them your way, too, along with thanks and greetings from the people of Haiti.