This started out as an exciting day even though it was to be our last full day in Haiti. We had lots of plans. The main event was to take the boys to a beach for a little play time. How we would get there, where we would go, and how we would get back was all a bit sketchy and yet to be determined, but Bato assured us everything, hopefully, would be taken care of in Haitian time. It turned out to be a hot sunny day and everyone was looking forward to going to the ocean. For us, the painting was finished, the bookshelves completed and the travelling was over. We still had the bags of gifts, cards and penguins to hand out, but we planned to do all that in the evening when we returned.  The day started with a troubling sign when Barb, who is typically a whirlwind of activity, was confined to her bed with a mysterious illness. All she wanted was some alone time and quite. Our concern grew when she didn't show up for breakfast or lunch. When the boys returned from school, they gathered around her to pray for her. She was back on her feet in no time! When you look through the pictures, you'll find several pictures of the rather strange bus that showed up at about 4 pm. We were actually getting quite anxious that any transportation would ever show up. We all expected this expedition to have started much earlier, but when this big white (heavily used) bus backed up to the gates of the orphanage, we were all ready to go. [Not a valid template] The bus ride was fun and we had a chance to gnaw on some sugar cane, and candy coated peanuts. We ended up taking this big passenger bus down this dusty road to the beach. The driver was far more adventurous than any of us would have been. We arrived safe and sound and enjoyed the warm Caribbean water. The weather and the water were warm and we were luck that there were absolutely no sea urchins which last year which left their spines stuck in the bottom of our feet! We played for a couple of hours until the boys were tired and cold and then began the journey home. We had so much fun and it was great to play and laugh and swim as a family. Because the bus had no doors, on the way home people on the streets of Port-au-Prince kept jumping on and catching a free ride for a half mile or so. It was just a strange experience. When we arrived home, Pastor Wooley Sauveur was waiting for us with a wheelbarrow full of manioc (see the pictures) Manioc is a root that when boiled tastes just like a potato, but when it is grated to a fine mush and the wrung dry, makes a flat bread when fried. The bread is call cassava and is wonderful when it is warm with a little bit of peanut butter.  Pastor Wooley was very patient with us and taught Erin, Tony and I the art of grating manioc which is quite labor intensive and very dangerous to your knuckles. There is a real knack for doing this quickly, kind of like the way the ladies wash clothes in a rhythm all their own which is very hard to match.  Later that evening Abbie, Jennifer and Erin began to hand out their bags of Christmas surprises and we all enjoyed the excitement over candy, toys, books, pencils, Crayons, etc. At the end, just before bed, we took a couple of group pictures with the penguins and reminded all the boys of the love and support of those who sent us. "We are representing a bigger family, God's family, who remembers you, loves you and prays for you." I told them and "these penguins are to be a constant reminder that we will stick by you no matter what comes. You are never alone." Now, whether or not that all came through when translated into Creole is another matter.  We were exhausted, exhilarated and emotional that this grand Adventure was coming to end. As I reflect on these events, I am reminded that the Grand Adventures is only beginning, and we have started something with this trip that will continue in the years ahead. We must complete the work here, in our own churches and in our own lives, before to move to the next chapter. I hope these posts, albeit late and well after the fact, have been helpful, enlightening and fun to read. I hope to see you again next year. [Not a valid template]