In the Midst of Chaos

7/27/10

As I set foot in the Port Au Prince airport it felt like I was slapped in the face by all of my senses at once. There was so much to take in coming at me from all sides. We were so blessed to have a connection because the immigration line was so long it’s indescribable, over three times as long as the security line in Chicago. But when we walked off the bus that crammed us all over to the make-shift airport (the original building was destroyed by the earthquake), we were met with Miami, one of the Roos’s friends who works there. Tired from flying and taking in all the chaos, I walked in a daze as we bypassed the long line and were at the baggage claim in 15 minutes or so. But the baggage claim was when the fun began. All 26 of our bags made it safely (PTL) and were loaded onto 6 carts. Pushing these carts empty was a challenge, let alone the fact that the ground was so uneven the carts got stuck and all the bags would fall off. On top of that people swarmed to help, of course demanding tip. So while constantly saying “no mesi” and even physically slapping arms away, I struggled to follow our people to a rough looking truck and a small battered van. Our bags piled up so high on the truck that I was sure it would topple even with the four guys holding them in place by sitting on them of course. Then all the rest of us plus some (17 total) crammed into a roughly 9-passenger van. All of course in over 100 degree weather and holding all of our carry-on luggage in our laps or wherever we could stuff it. The 15 mile trek took us over 3 hours because of a lost driver and unexplainable traffic. The entire ride was filled with emotions I only wish I could express. I could see trash and poverty stricken tent cities; I could smell the rank garbage and sewer water running through the streets as well as endless pouring sweat; I could hear the voices of many children clinging to the side of our moving van saying “one dollar one dollar”; I could feel the bumps in the torn up roads left a wreck by the earthquake; I could taste the density of the air in the heat… I was very far from home. It was unbelievable the sights along the road, and yet it was not all tragic. Many of these people were finding a new home and living happily. A few times the sights and people drew a smile. Such as when two girls hauled a bucket of water between themselves laughing the whole way. And even in the crowded van and stopped traffic, I was able to pull out my guitar and lead the hot, tired, cramped team in praise to God, who had sent us and gotten us safely thus far. Was that amazing.. Eventually we made it safely to the house where we were staying. Relaxation at last! We said hello to the Roos family and separated our bags that we needed for the night from those going up the mountain, then set up our make-shift sleeping area and chilled for a bit. Dinner was served and we had another time of worship. I am endlessly amazed at how awesome God is even in crazy situations like today. He showed himself faithful to us, and we praised his name. There’s no better way to end the day!