Power

Each week we have been taking the older students on a field trip to explore more of their country.  Last week we went to a sugar cane museum.  The students walked around beautiful grounds and learned more about this part of Haiti's history.  As a French colony, Haiti was once a prosperous land of sugar cane plantations filled with slaves from Africa.  Later these slaves demonstrated great strength and led a revolt against the French. In 1804 Haiti declared independence.  Over time many other challenges have faced this land and its people. During this field trip we were able to see the wealth and beauty that had once blessed this place.  Below is a picture of some of the older students (Desline, Wilna, Octaline, Kervens, Emmanuella, and Woobens) sitting in a meeting room at the museum.  Behind them are colorful images of the heroes of Haiti's past who demonstrated great strength to earn Haiti's freedom.

This Friday we went on a very different field trip.  Most of the older students have not explored Port Au Prince as they are originally from Gonaives which is 90 miles away from the city (about a 4 hour drive).  We drove into the center of the city to see the Palace.  Although we have been surrounded by the devistation of the earthquake throughout our travels, seeing the building which had once been the center of Haiti's government in pieces was very shocking.  The students climbed out of the truck and just stood in silence looking through the gate at the strength of the earthquake.  Then they joined hands and prayed for strength from God for their country and their leaders.  A crowd of people roaming the streets joined hands with the students and prayed in Creole, which was very moving.

I am thankful to find peace in the knowledge that God has made a way to overcome the sorrow and destruction of this life.  His self-sacrificing love is the greatest kind of strength that we can find and it is in Him that we all, Americans and Haitians, can find hope for the future.