here we are

we are finally in haiti. LAX was, as expected, insane but we arrived well ahead of time to get everything through even in the insaneness. we thought we would have to pay for our bags, but apparently on int'l flights you don't have to. after a flight to texas, a plane change there and then a flight to ft. lauderdale. we deplaned and found the airport empty and ourselves with 6 bags and 12 hours to kill. Alicia used her powers of persuasion to get Pizza Hut to deliver to the airport, we discovered her Bible was left on the plane to Texas (please pray for that as it is sentimental to her) and we slept on some funky looking carpet that was not very comfortable.

We got to Port-Au-Prince on time and were eager to get out the door. Unfortunately, half our bags - including the bag with two flat panel monitors - are delayed a day. I am not asking for prayer on that one unless you feel so inclined. We can live without them and I have travel insurance so it is really not a big concern. Pray that the bags are going to come because there are shoes and items that would probably be of more use to the kids here...

Anyways we had a great first day even though we can barely think straight. Everybody from the US is here now, about ten of us total. Some of us went to watch the kids perform a Christmas show which included songs about Christmas trees, which I have yet to see here (although i did see a tree made out of pinecones), Santa Claus and other seemingly American traditions. It seems our ways have seeped over here somehow... but it's still exciting to see a different culture and all the different things they do compared to us. I believe I heard "Here comes Santa Claus" today sung in haitian creole.

I am updating pics at http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucastheexperience