I was tired and all, and we did have to get up WAY early to get there and wait 4 hours… but still????
We also had to weigh every. single. thing, each bag, backpack and yes even the people had to get on the big ole scale and write down their weight on the passenger manifest. That was not my kind of fun adventure.
The planes are flown by Mission Aviation Fellowship and I was blessed to find out about this ministry. The pilots are missionaries to missionaries. They raise their own support (funds) and move their families to another country so that they can fly around people like me in country (on top of all the pilot and mechanic hours they require). Michael our pilot was from East Tennessee (which made me feel better) and prayed before we set to take off (which calmed my nerves).
We had to take 2 flights. We were the second team to go.
I think Amanda and I were the most afraid. I was crying on the outside and screaming on the inside. Yes, I white knuckled my seat most of the way. I also prayed a lot.
Galleson, our translator was taking his first ever flight. He smiled like this the entire time. He also used his camera to film the entire 22 minute flight.
Sonja and Samantha were surprisingly calm.
I wanted so bad to just shut my eyes so bad and open them when I got there, but the view was too amazing. Both over the city of Port Au Prince and then when we got to the mountains. Haiti in creole means mountain over mountain. It was truly breathtaking. From the sky you could see mountains for miles and miles. You would also see little groups of huts and houses in random spots far, far away from any town. I really thought about the people in those huts and what life must be like. They have to live on what they have because getting help or even simple necessities were miles and miles away. It also made me understand what the Bible says about Jesus not coming back until all have had the opportunity to hear about him. I remember looking down and thinking, there is NO WAY anyone has gotten to them to tell them about who Jesus is. We have a big task at hand… we must continue to go.
Finally ahead, we see the burned off goat pasture (we were told that it was burned off just for our arrival, and the goats were moved too). The landing was better than any big airplane I had ever been on. We got off the plane grabbed our luggage, jumped on a truck, and headed to Haiti Home of Hope, our home for the rest of the week.
Our ride into the orphanage left me humbled and speechless.
The streets of Pignon.
It was wash day in the local river.
Not sure if this is a home or a business
This was the typical way they stored their foods to keep the animals and critters out of it. 
Our first task at hand was to get settled and unpacked.
This was the view from the outside of our dorm.
This was the inside where all the girls slept together. This was right as we arrived, before we all rigged up our mosquito nets. My home was the far- back, top- right, bunk.
This was the outhouse where only cold, cold, COLD showers existed(and where Fredia the tarantula lives).
We also unpacked and loaded up the clinic with all the formula we brought. This shelf was completely empty before we got there. They did not have one single can for Clinic Day. This is what all was supplied by our generous friends and family. It was also spread out in other places, but this was the one spot designated for it. It felt SO GOOD!
There was also another large task at hand that we were not aware of. Steve brought along his construction friend, Dave, and they had plans to put a roof on the concrete dining pavilion for the kids.
Since we did not have anything on the agenda for the rest of the day, the “Nashville Crew” went to work with the tools. We spent the next 24 hours working hard to get this roof up and ready to use. We stopped at dark and dinner on our first day and ran through lunch on the second. First, we went to work trying to level the ground for gravel until concrete could be poured. It was very hard work and we did not make progress very fast. 
It is amazing what you find when you start digging in Haitian dirt. Amanda worked on conquering her fear of spiders with this tarantula the team dug up.
Then we went to work hammering together the 10 trusses that were to hold up the roof. It was harder than it seemed. Every time I hit with the hammer, someone else hammering a spot down the board would shimmy it right back out.
Samantha and Sonja were our muscles doing a lot of pushing and holding the trusses in place.
Sam was so worried about our Construction Foreman, Dave, and his tightrope walking skills.
It really could be difficult holding the rafters in place for an extended time. We had to trade out turns when arms started to burn.
The girls were excited to carry the last of the trusses to put into place.
Our “Jack Bauer” hanging in the rafters.
All in a days work. I was so proud of this roof. I did not even know that we were going to be doing this and we were a part of it. I discovered a hidden talent about being able to toss up 4 nails at a time to Steve or Dave hanging in the rafters.
All our hard work and sweat was rewarded with our first ice cold drink.
What I learned in these 2 days: I thought I knew what kind of Mission Trip I was headed on. I learned that I was totally not in control. God knew where and on what tiny plane he was sending me. He also knew that I thought I would be loving on babies, and he allowed me to put a complete roof on a building that had not been able to be used up to this point. I think He might have been aligning my heart with my husbands who was going to be so proud that his wife went to Haiti and did a little construction work.
I also want to remember that there was a leak in the pump plumbing. I was assigned the task (with some friends) of digging out and finding the leak. I found 3 leaks and was able to show Dave where they needed repair. I might or might not have made a funny about being able to identify the location of the leak by just looking into the hole. I don’t think Steve or Dave knew what they were getting into with this group. I really enjoyed this day getting to know them and feeling a part of something lasting! Something that would be used for years to come, and something that would allow the kids to feel more like a family eating together rather than in their rooms.
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