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0500 John started waking everyone up, walking through the hotel walkway calling our names. I think he may have woke a few other hotel guests too.
0545 Team left for the airport with Yveto driving. He was a much better driver, even though we did hit a pull cart with our mirror. Apparently there was no choice, it was either hit the cart or slow down and the drivers in Haiti never slow down . . . Ever.
0630 We arrived at the airport, and said our goodbyes to Yveto and Ronnie. They have both been such a tremendous blessing. We will miss them.
0830 Team prayed over Brian Bandel as he prepared to board his plane for safe passage home.
The rest of us got comfortable at the PAP airport as we waited additional hours because our plane was delayed. Around 1500, we boarded our 1045 flight and sat on the tarmac for another 45-60 minutes waiting for fuel. Now, we knew it was going to be close to make our connecting flight to LAX. The pilot made good time in the air and landed with over a hour and a half to make our flight, but another plane was still at our arrival gate and so we waited for another 45 minutes sitting on the tarmac. As always, there were several "divine appointments" and connections made during our travel and delays.
Due to the delays, we didn’t make our connecting flight (except for Jon who didn’t have to wait for baggage prior to customs). Thankfully, AA booked us all on a later flight. We finally departed Miami at about 2245. I would like to say that even through a very long travel day, (approximately 24 hours by the time most would make it home) there was never a moment of frustration or complaint by any team member. This is really quite a committed, faithful group of men and women.
At 0130 we landed at LAX to be greeted Jane White and Tom Kositchek (Kathy’s husband). We hugged and prayed as we said goodbye to each other after an amazing trip to Haiti.
One note; Jared’s bag didn’t make it to LAX with us, but will be arriving at his house today. Keep in prayer.
To All The Prayer Teams,
We would like to let you know that we experienced your prayerful support and felt the peace and comfort of God the entire trip. We would like to thank our faithful prayer partners and to let them know that this trip would not have been a success without your prayerful support over us. While individual efforts may seem slight, the power of a team of faithful prayer warriors coming together was felt by the team. We had the protection of God and an amazing amount of people will be joining us in heaven because of your prayers. The faithful prayer of a righteous man effects much. You were the senders, we were the goers, and God gave the increase.
0700 Morning devotion led by Brian Bandel. He shared Mark 10:17-25 The Parable of the Rich Young Man, who was a good man and followed all of the commandments, but couldn’t give away his money and follow Jesus. The other parable Brian spoke from was Mark 4:3-8, the Parable of the Sower. When the seed is sown, some lands on the path, others the rocks and some fell among the thorns and the last hits fertile soil and produces a crop of thirty, sixty or even a hundred times
0810 Leland, Ryan, and Brian Brown left for Sunday Church service at Light Ministries. A guest group from Puerto Rico did a stage dance and share program and the service was led by their team’s pastor, who shared about faith and trust.
0820 John, Kathy, Lori, Bob, Jared, Danny, and Brain Bandel left for the crusade site. John shared how to live as a Christian to the new converts from the crusade. About seventy plus attended the service this morning, which was held under the shade of a couple of big trees. This was a very sweet service.
1100 back at the hotel to unwind, pack and regroup.
1213 John declared a “miracle.” He had attended church, preached the good news, packed and was in the pool by exactly 1213.
1515 Leland's favorite Haitian dish was prepared and delivered to our hotel by a local pastors wife. The dish is called Macaron Au Gratin and is a similar to mac and cheese, but much more expensive, elaborate and delicious and filling. We all had lunch sitting by the pool. We were joined by Yveto, Pastor Alrich (spelling?) and his wife. Jon K. returned from Lighthouse orphanage, after visiting with them for a few days. He said that this was a blessed time that the Lord provided to him for devotion and reflection. Jon and his wife, Michelle, have a real heart for the orphans of Haiti.
1645 We left for the last night of the crusade. It felt like the hottest night and once again God held back the rain. Crusade started at 1720 and John started to share his message about 1950. One of the highlights of the evening was an ascent up into the lighthouse that was on the site of the crusade. We counted 125 steps from ground level up and estimate it to be about 10 stories, we were told that we were probably the first Americans to go up in the lighthouse. While up there Jon K. took some fantastic photos of the crusade below and some group photos of us up there. Hopefully, we will be able to post some of those. We realize we aren’t trained at estimating crowds, but our nearest guess for tonight was about 17,000-20,000. Every night there have been more than the night before. About 250 people came up for the alter call. The crusade ended about 2215 and as it was ending the FFC Team was brought up to the stage and thanked for their participation in the event. They handed us a Haitian Flag and an American Flag. There was lots of singing and dancing. When we headed to the truck after the service to take us back to the hotel we noticed it was full of people, we were able to squeeze in for the ride back to the hotel. There was about 50 – 60 people in the back of the truck. The praise and worship in the back of the truck was loud and joyous.
The hardest goodbye of the night was for Kathy to say goodbye to Jhennie (pronounded Janie). Jhennie is a 16-year old who lives near the Crusade site in a tent village. Her parents are both dead, and she lives with her Aunt. She has a very sweet spirit and has a true relationship with our Lord and Savior. She was at the crusade every night with her bible and note pad. Somehow in the crowds, she managed to find Kathy at the end of each night for an embrace. God formed a quick and special bond between these two, and all of us were blessed to watch it. Jhennie said that when Kathy hugged her, she felt loved the way her Mother used to love her. Please keep Jhennie in your prayers. We pray that God will keep her under the shadow of his wings, and that He will make a way in the wilderness for her.
2250 Back at the hotel and debriefed.
Prayer Needs
- Safe travel back home for team without any missed flights.
- Prayer for the continuation of Gods’ work that was started in this country and that the team will continue to grow in God’s word and power.
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