Today lundi decembre 12 (Monday 12/12/2011),

This Blog will serve as my documentation and communication with the world regarding my journey to Haiti. (Bare with me this is my first time having a blog let alone making an entry.) Join me on this journey.

Here I go.... I arrived in Port au Prince, Haiti. I traveled to this country alone but planned to meet the founder of the Operation Love Ministries at the hotel. I flew in from Los Angeles, Ca on to Miami. Once I boarded the plane in Miami I was just fine until we landed in Port au Prince. Once, the plane landed the reality of me having to catch a cab on my own to the hotel really hit me. Until this time, I had not spoken to anyone. So, I said a prayer and unknowingly there was an angel sitting next to me. I did not share two words with this woman but when we landed I said " Do you know which Taxi to take - I had been warned about the dangers of taking taxi's here. Sometimes, people in cars pick you up kill you and rob you. I was not trying to be a statistic. Yet and still I was on a mission to get to my hotel safely. Needless, to say the woman Mrs. B quickly told me, "No." The seriousness in her face made it clear to me this was not an option. Mrs. B. told me she was from here and would never take a Taxi. Still nervous in my spirit I said a prayer and then it was gone. She flashed her AA airlines badge and told me she was an employee. She said she refused to let me do such a thing and instead her and her husband would take me to my hotel. I was a little hesitant at first but then I said to myself, " I better take a chance w/this woman as opposed to a strange man in a taxi." This precious woman walked with me and guided me teaching me along the way. When you are in a place this poor you will get bombarded even at the airport. Everyone wants to carry your bag for money. Mrs. B even got me a cart, helped me with my luggage and her husband came and picked us up.

Immediately, the devastation was obvious. There were builidngs that had completely fallen and was piles of cement. Once we left the airport, there were tents and shacks all over the streets. Children and people covered in filth and then several that were dressed nicely. Pretty crazy how you can see some dressed business casual when they were living in the shacks....Mrs. B took me deep into the inner city neighborhood to drop off a wedding dress. I am glad bc I was able to see how the inner city lived. I noticed that everyone was working by either setting up little vendor shops or carrying products on there heads. Blew my mind, when I saw a woman who was about 6 months pregnant carrying a huge basket of goods on her head. The people here are beautiful. Some people are not as friendly but the little french and creole that I know has gotten me by just fine. It's amazing how your survival tactics kick in when necessary...After the drop off, I made it to the hotel safely. Mrs. B and her husband would not accept any money from me. They even tipped the gentleman taking my bags. This amazing couple, offered me food along the way and even reassured me that God knew what he was doing and knew who to send to help me. I am so very humble and appreciative my words cannot express.

Sorry, I am long winded but to wrap it all up. I made it to the hotel safely. Sister Connie and a nice guy we met to took me to get food. Then we took a couple motorcycles to the Iron Market (flea market). On this ride we were able to really see how bad the city was and the people were suffering. I took really good footage but I will have to upload videos later. The final journey of the day was getting dinner. There were no lights on the streets aside of the vendors coooking food and cars driving. So, we walked about a half mile in the dark to eat at a clean restuarant. After we ate we returned to the hotel. Hours later, a shower and fed here I am.

Today was a lot to take in but such an eye opener. I learned a lot of lessons today. I have to share this one really quick. I purchased a raison roll from the hotel just in case I got hungry in the night. I picked it up and took a little bite. Only to look down at my plate to see rat droppings. I tried to relax then I saw a couple more underneath. After I had my moment of acclimating and trying not to freak out. I realized that " It was going to be Trail Mix from now on" unless the food came in plastic. hahahaha

I cross the border in a few more hours. So, let me get some sleep. I'm sleepy but really I am getting nervous because I am in this computer lab downstairs and its 4:30 and I think I keep hearing things. I will try to Blog again before we cross the border to Leogone. Blessings

Give thanks for all things! Bonne Nuit (good night)