Journey to Haiti

A Missionary Flight International cargo plane lifted off from Ft. Pierce, Florida, bound for Haiti. The WW II plane held sixteen short term missionaries and a missionary from Open Door Haiti, who lives in Florida.
Scales weighed each team’s combined luggage before weighing every passenger. Quite different from a commercial airline.
Alan’s team consisted of himself, the missionary, Brian, and his nephew, Hunter, from Arizona.
Intense heat slammed the passengers when they stepped off the plane in Cap Haitien. There was no air conditioned walkway or helpful baggage handlers. Passengers helped unload the plane.
After a short drive, the trio arrived at the Open Door Haiti compound in a nearby town. Surrounded by a high concrete wall, stood a church, school, medical center, kitchen, and dormitory. Most of their time was spent in the confines of the protected area.
During weekdays, a generator produced electricity and ran fans which provided a little relief from the heat. However, the expense was too great to run it at night and on weekends. Small battery powered fans, helped some at night, but with little breeze, stifling heat remained a constant.
Thankfully, Alan used the pastor’s computer to send emails so we could keep in contact. Each one mentioned his activities and the oppressive heat-often more than once.
His eyeglass ministry began very slowly. With few clients in the beginning, he was able to spend time building relationships with team members. The schedules of two other teams overlapped with his team so there were people to meet from around the US and Canada. His previous mission experiences enabled him to share, encourage, and mentor.
Though his original project didn’t go as expected, God had a better plan. Bonds formed. Friendships began. Lives were touched.
He could have been discouraged because he didn’t give out his normal supply of glasses. However, he took it in stride and realized that God was working.

Jeremiah 29: 11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”


Dear Father, help me to not be discouraged when my plans don’t work out. You are the one in charge. Amen