After visiting the school, we headed to the Village of Bombardopolis. It is about 17, long, miles from Pastor Steve's house. We traveled through a few small communities on our way. At one village, since it was a saturday, there were many people gathered at the outdoor community center to play dominos, watch Rooster fighting and just visit with one another. Many people knew Pastor Steve and they were clearly thrilled to see him! We were asked to be interviewed on the radio station so Pastor Steve and I were guests on Vista FM 90.5. It broadcasts throughout the NW region. I had never been on the radio before and let me tell you this was 
quite an experience! We were in a tiny booth area, with an equipment person and two interviewers. It was EXCEPTIONALLY HOT!!!! We were all dripping with sweat!! They would ask a question, Pastor would interpret, I would answer, he would interpret. It was quite a process! I think I did OK for a novice, it was clear that Pastor had much more experience and was quite a natural at it. We were on air about 25 minutes (which was about as long as any of us could take the heat!) When I came out of the booth and walked outside I could hear it was being broadcast over loud speakers out to the community. They asked us to come back the next day to be guests at a planned celebration, but we needed to leave early.
quite an experience! We were in a tiny booth area, with an equipment person and two interviewers. It was EXCEPTIONALLY HOT!!!! We were all dripping with sweat!! They would ask a question, Pastor would interpret, I would answer, he would interpret. It was quite a process! I think I did OK for a novice, it was clear that Pastor had much more experience and was quite a natural at it. We were on air about 25 minutes (which was about as long as any of us could take the heat!) When I came out of the booth and walked outside I could hear it was being broadcast over loud speakers out to the community. They asked us to come back the next day to be guests at a planned celebration, but we needed to leave early.(the plywood box in the corner is the "Studio")
After visiting several families and walking around meeting and greeting folks, we continued on to Bombardopolis. Every 20-30 feet it seemed we were stopping and talking with people.
Everyone wanted to see Pastor, I think I was a novelty, especially to the children as very few "blanc's" ever make it to this part of Haiti! We met mothers, fathers, MANY cousins, everyone from laborers to the Mayor of Bombarde came to see us. Even the Representative for the area to the Haitian Parliment in PAP made an effort to find Pastor and greet him!
In the Village is also a 19 bed hospital that serves the entire area of about 50,000 people. I have been following their work on the internet for about 3 1/2yrs now so it
was great to finally get to go there. The Leech's have worked in Haiti for about 15 years and raised their 4 children here. The last one will be going off to college in the fall. When we met, "Mrs. Steve" as they call her was holding a 2 1/2lb. premature baby born at 29 weeks. She had survived her first week so there was hope she would make it. The Leech's are the only missionaries left at this facility and they direct the hospital and Steve drives the ambulance (after seeing the roads, this is amazing!) They gave me advice for the mission trip in July and will hopefully be able to let a Haitian Doctor work with us one of the days. They are truly special people to stay so long in such a remote place and manage such an important facility. While there are short term teams who will come into the area occasionally, there are VERY FEW missionaries who will stay longer term. (FYI: they have an available house on the compound!)
After this visit, we headed back to Pastors house...stopping every 20 feet or so...to meet and greet! The homes in the area are simple but vary from thatch huts to fancier concrete structures. There were a few compounds that different denominations built such as the Baptists which can house teams, but most homes are very quaint. People were out working in their gardens and yards. (It has been dry so there was great concern regarding the crops) Some homes had businesses in the yard such as charcoal production, wood working, etc. There is a lot of varied vegetation from fruit trees to cactus to corn. It seems that the land will grow pretty much anything given the right circumstances. We eventually made our way back to Pastors home after negotiating our way in and around the potholes, rocks and ditches formed from errosion that make up the roads!
(to be continued.....)
After visiting several families and walking around meeting and greeting folks, we continued on to Bombardopolis. Every 20-30 feet it seemed we were stopping and talking with people.
Everyone wanted to see Pastor, I think I was a novelty, especially to the children as very few "blanc's" ever make it to this part of Haiti! We met mothers, fathers, MANY cousins, everyone from laborers to the Mayor of Bombarde came to see us. Even the Representative for the area to the Haitian Parliment in PAP made an effort to find Pastor and greet him!
In the Village is also a 19 bed hospital that serves the entire area of about 50,000 people. I have been following their work on the internet for about 3 1/2yrs now so it
was great to finally get to go there. The Leech's have worked in Haiti for about 15 years and raised their 4 children here. The last one will be going off to college in the fall. When we met, "Mrs. Steve" as they call her was holding a 2 1/2lb. premature baby born at 29 weeks. She had survived her first week so there was hope she would make it. The Leech's are the only missionaries left at this facility and they direct the hospital and Steve drives the ambulance (after seeing the roads, this is amazing!) They gave me advice for the mission trip in July and will hopefully be able to let a Haitian Doctor work with us one of the days. They are truly special people to stay so long in such a remote place and manage such an important facility. While there are short term teams who will come into the area occasionally, there are VERY FEW missionaries who will stay longer term. (FYI: they have an available house on the compound!)After this visit, we headed back to Pastors house...stopping every 20 feet or so...to meet and greet! The homes in the area are simple but vary from thatch huts to fancier concrete structures. There were a few compounds that different denominations built such as the Baptists which can house teams, but most homes are very quaint. People were out working in their gardens and yards. (It has been dry so there was great concern regarding the crops) Some homes had businesses in the yard such as charcoal production, wood working, etc. There is a lot of varied vegetation from fruit trees to cactus to corn. It seems that the land will grow pretty much anything given the right circumstances. We eventually made our way back to Pastors home after negotiating our way in and around the potholes, rocks and ditches formed from errosion that make up the roads!
(to be continued.....)
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