Its day 8 of our Haiti Mission Trip, and we are on our journey home.  We arrived in Haiti on a Thursday, and are heading back to Port-au-Prince on a Thursday; one full week in country.  
We are tired, its been a quiet ride so far.  The week here was full of hard work; we are exhausted physically, emotionally spiritually.  After a week like this, any other group might be testy and crabby – but by the grace of God we all still seem to like one another.  Hallelujah!  
We returned to the Consolation Center this morning for a quick goodbye with the girls before we left.  As usual, this was one of the hardest moments of the trip.  The girls sang for us, then rushed out to give us hugs and say “orevwa.”  There were tears, of course, and not just with the ladies – these girls get into your heart and have a way of stealing it away.
Next we bid farewell to Les and Catherine, our gracious hosts at the Beachhouse and mission partners with Laborers with Christ.  They have worked us hard.  Zachary, their son, is a task master – and you better remember to use the square when welding for him, or he’ll let you have it.  All in all we made 6 bunk beds, cut out metal for six more, and cut out the material for 10 new desks for the school house – not a bad three days of work. We also repaired a plow, and Matt plowed 5 fileds, and ran over his backpack – includeing his iPhone.  Not to worry, all the phone is fine, and the backpack will wash.  There was a lot of painting, singing, coloring – we kept busy and worked the days away.
Now its time to go home.  I think we’re all missing some of the comforts of home – hot showeers, air conditioning – personally i cant wait for some ice cream.  And while we are eager to go home, ther is a part of us that will stay in Haiti.  Our hearts and Spirits have connected to with these beautiful people; we’ve seen a need and God has granted us with the means to meet that need – what a honor and privieldge to be used by God in such a way to bless His children.
Today our devotion is on Gentleness.  Gentleness is not weakness; it does not mean being a pushover, easily manipulated.  No, gentleness comes from a deep well of quiet strength.  When you are secure in your identity in Christ, when you know that your salvation, your hope, our future, is in his hands, that His stength which has overcome the world is the same strength that moves in you today – you have the strenth to be gentle with those around you. Someone who is gentle does not have to rush to defend himself, can bear with the wrongs of others, is humble, unassuming.  Gentleness is a firm yet forgiveing hand – firm and unwavering, strong and mighty to save, but tender and kind – bringin blessing and relief in its touch.  Gentleness is like carrying a baby in your arms.  Your arms are secure, safe, and tender and caring. 
Exercising gentleness with others is evidence that God’s Holy Spirit is working in you.  This trip to Haiti has called for great gentleness, a firm belief in God and His love for us in Jesus Christ, and a tender love and mercy for those in need. My hope, my prayer, is that we as a team, as the Church, can show this gentleness (quiet strength and tender mercy) as we continue to grow in God’s Spirit.
SDG

Sorry, not a lot of pictures tonight, WIFI issues at the Hotel. 1st world problems in a 3rd world country.