We’re back, safe and sound at the orphanage at Port-au-Prince. We’ve travelled long and saw many things and experienced even more. We left Da Bois Rouge this afternoon at 2:20 pm and arrived here at 8:20pm. It’s been a long day. We left the mountains but we’re still talking about the trip we plan to make to the mountains next year. In our church in America we are comfortable with a hour worship service 
but people start to get antsy and the complaining starts when it goes much over that. Today we worshiped for 4 hours, from 8 am to noon and though that sounds outrageous I know with out a doubt not one of us would change that experience for 
anything. One team member commented they would talk the mountain every day to experience worship like that. We prayed, wept, sang, were anointed with oil, sang some more and experienced the Holiness of God. I will not speak of it again, however, because words will only cheapen and deaden what has been for us a “transfiguration” moment.
The day started at 5:30 am on Saturday rolling out of bed, breakfast sandwich and getting in a mini-van without a side door. As most things seem to happen here, we broke down into our trip when the engine overheated up the mountain at Calibri (Goat Mountain). We finally got water and arrived in a small village to meet some old friends and for Esther and Erin to hand out candy and balloon, then on to Lacahobas, the last town before we reached the base of the DBR mountain.
By the time we got to the bottom of the mountain it was already 1pm and every hot. We were introduced to "Je' geddion" (God gives) 
which is the donkey purchased by FUMC to support Pastor Drix in his ministry. We went slowly, drank, lots of water and were amazed at how well the Haitians managed this mountain regularly. There are tons of pictures of the team 
and the terrain which time and space don’t allow me to share at the present time.
When we arrived at the DRB Mission, Pastor Drix introduced us to his lovely wife, TaTu. We sat down to a meal of beans and rice which after the long journey was the best we ever tasted. WE visited with 
the people, Esther, Erin, Tony, Matt and Steve play some soccer the children there and the we took another side trip to see a water purification construction underway.
Sleeping arrangements 
were an adventure in themselves. We brought thermal blankets which most people used and although somewhat effective, they have the negative side effect of having everyone making crinkling noises all night at the slightest 
move. I think the Haitians think we’re insane and I suppose they’re right.
Tony made a dear friend Ramon, which is a story in itself and one best he tell you. Believe me it has twists and 
turns you won’t believe!
We arose at 6 am today and cleaned the floor of the church, which is where we slept on mats created from old banana trees. We got dressed in our Sunday go-to-church clothes
Pastor Drix and his wife TaTu
This scene always reminds of the first century missionary journey of Paul
Coming up to the DBR Mission Church
an old friend from last year
Esther, Erin, Tony and Matt kick the ball around at DBR
Time to say good-bye to DBR and take the long journey back to Port-au-Prince.
Saying good-bye to some good friends.
Fantastic Lunch! Thanks!
Handing out dress, candy and balloons. Children all dressing in their school uniforms after church.
Sleeping on the dirt floor at DBR
Tony & Ramon
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Steve, thank you so very much for the updates. We read each one with great anticipation. We continue to pray for team whenever we think of you. We cannot wait to hear more of your stories and of the relationships you have formed. God bless you all!
Thank you for your prayers and your support. couldn’t do it without you. Great to be back Home.
…God bless you all…I am so blessed and relieved to know that you are all down safely from your mountaintop experieinces…I have not yet read the description of your time at DBR, but I am sure that each and all of you were blessings to each and all of those whose lives you touched and to each and all of those who have seen Christ’s Light reflected in your eyes and your hearts and to each and all of those who heard the “words of your mouth and the meditations of your heart” during this morning’s church service.
Thanks for letting us know you are back…I look forward to reading all that you have shared…and you have no idea how glad I am to see that tennis shoes were the norm for the climb up the mountain.
…bet you missed the sound of the roosters last night, didn’t you? They are waiting to serenade you in “a language all their own” tonight. Don’t forget to look at those stars and be reminded that the “gratitude and awe” about which you spoke earlier in the week is shared by others tonight for God’s amazing work through each and all of you and for His keeping each and all of you in His protective, loving, and grace-filled hands.
It has been such a blessing to be able to be connected to the Haiti journey through this blog! Your heart and love for the people you have met shines through even in these short stories! Know that we love you and are praying for you daily!! <3
I know your heart is with us and you have been a blessing to all of us in way you cannot know. Thank you for your prayers and support. I think you saved us more than you could possibly know.
Your trip sounds amazing, I am sure that it was an experience that you will NEVER FORGET.
Glad to hear that you made it safely up the mountain and experienced the worship and culture of other Christ followers outside of our borders. Pastor Steve I listened to your message it was amazing to hear how passionate these people are about Christ. As I write this I am sure you are overwhelmed with everything you have experienced. You will be in my thoughts and prayers until you are safely back at FUMC, Looking forward to hearing more about your trip in detail when you return.
Thank you for your prayers and support.
I would like to say thank you to the whole team, but especially Erin, Steve, and all the Haitians who have touched my kids hearts.
In the beginning, I believe that Tony’s reason for going was to protect and support his wife….but I also knew how good his heart was, and that this would be a spiritually, emotionally and mentally changing experience for him…..
He has always had a kind and giving heart…his concerns for others were always high and above his own. I can remember as a child, when told that there was only so much available to spend to help “Santa” buy his presents…he would always say that he didn’t need much, “Let spend it on others!” (maybe an angel on the tree or a family known in crisis) and some times…he would want to give so much…that I would have to remind him….that there was a budget.
In the beginning of this trip, I was concerned for their safety, and didn’t think that they realized how different, difficult, and dangerous this could be….but I prayed and prayed….the answer i got was what I already knew in my heart…..that He was sending the right people to do His best work!
At this point, I am about to get very emotional and don’t want to take away from the true meaning and message of this post…..
Thank-you God for blessing me with such a good son…..thank-you God for blessing me with the best daughter-in-law ever…..and thank-you God for bringing Steve into their lives to guide them to where they will serve You the best!
God Bless you all in this mission and in your lives!
Sincerely,
Chris Long
Dear Chris,
I am so grateful for the love, talents and energy Tony and Erin have given to me and the rest of the team. They truly shined during the adventure and I’m excited by what I see in them and what I know God in doing in their lives.
I believe you are right on the mark that Tony has a kind and generous heart and Erin is blessing to all who know her. Together they inspire me.
Blessings, Steve
…”respond with a word or two of encouragement to the team…”
…for me — and I am purposefully going to use a hyperbole — there are not enough words in an English unabridged dictionary and not enough sheets of paper in the world for me to express to each of you and to all of you how much you inspire me, how much your unselfish and heart-felt acts of grace and faith have touched and moved me, how much you have humbled me in your unabashed joy in and willingness to “serve rather than be served,” and how much your hearts that refuse to be stilled in their worshiping, proclaiming, living, and sharing your love of and devotion to God have ignited in my heart a desire to do the same.
To say that I am blessed to know each and all of you is an understatement…
To say that I admire each and all of you is equally an understatement…
…but for me to say that my heart is overflowing with gratitude to God for each and all of you and for my being blessed to call each and all of you friends is a truth capable of being expressed only in the way that the heart speaks best — with tears.
I cannot help but believe that God is constantly saying to each and all of you, “Well done, good and faithful servants.”
…as for me…you make me want to be a better person and a better and more willing and devoted disciple.
…thank you for “coming and following” when God called you…thank you for “going” when God asked you…and thank you for “making disciples and for making a difference.”
We are all blessed to experience your travels with the regular updates. We continue to pray for you daily and can’t wait for you to return home so we can see the rest of the pictures and hear the rest of the stories. We love you all! Pass our love on to “the boys” too.
Thanks. great to be back home. tons to share and letters to give the kids.
What a blessed trip this must have been for all. I know I feel like a part of it with receiving the updates. Tell Tony and Erin that one of God’s little critters is anxiously watching for their return. Have a safe return home!
Thank you for your prayers and enabling Tony and Erin to be part of this journey. they are wonderful and I treasure their friendship.