March 4, 2010 Day 1

4 a.m. is too soon to get up in my world, today I was bright eyed and bushytailed. Kennedy airport by 7 a.m.. Ethan my son by my side keeping me organized, backpacks only. Late night conversation on Wednesday with my close friend Jean Yvon Kernizan revealed that we could carry two suitcases each. Yvon is the originator of www.pousoleilleve.org , I am on his board. The program was intended to be a feeding program for the children it has evolved into a school and feeding program that has 80 children who lost their home and schools. He is running it from his home. Needless to say, one of his friends from New York was at the airport at 7 a.m. and we were able to bring down over 200 pounds of cooking and feeding supplies. The day started well.

Our back seat was comfortable but also allowed us to maintain a relaxed attitude as we had no choice but to be the last off the plane and the last through customs. What rapid work the global community has made of cleaning up the airport, while certainly not what it will be, it is now functioning. Without carousels for luggage it was a bit of a free for all and finding bags you weren’t sure of made us look at those little tickets they always give you.

The ride to Yvon's took us through familiar places, he proudly told Ethan it is a straight shot from the airport with one turn, somehow I always get lost on my own and straight is a relative term. Yvon shared that the number of children was growing day by day, and that somehow supplies kept coming and more people were helping. His spirit was strong and friendly as always. Ethan had never met him and immediately saw why he was my friend.

An early dinner of fresh fish, rice beans, plaintains and other rather tasty but interesting looking veggies made for a tired late day traveler. Unfortunately I had much work to do to connect the dots and make the five day trip worthwhile. Around six I must say I was letting some negative energy control and feeling yikes, how am I going to get anything done with minimal phone contact and two calls that didn’t connect. Beverly, Yvon's wife, came home from work and brightened my mood. She is a kind spirit with a warm smile.

We were joined by an unexpected guest who stopped by with his wife. Their good news seemed to take away my evening fatigue. The Dominican Red Cross was offering free classrooms made of converted busses, no engines, can seat 30-40 children, also they were offering 500 free hotmeals a day and juice and water as well. This was almost a miraculous hand supporting the good work of Pou Soleil.

The visitor Michelle ended up being more than I thought as he opened the door to the Minister of Health, he indicated there would be no problem setting up a meeting with him. He also would be able to connect me to Brother Franklin Armand on the Plateau Central or central plateau. Brother Franklin and I go back to 2001 or there abouts. I had lost or he had changed his contact info. He is worth googling, a humble man of intense faith. My most memorable time with him over the years was when I was awakened to his and several sisters singing out in prayer in a small chapel at 5 a.m.. He truly is a saint like fellow who lives to serve the poor.

My repeated lesson again this evening is, don’t stress and let God do the planning, he is better at it. When I come here in a carefree way, it always seems to work out. Not always as I planned but better. The icing on the cake tonite is that Michelle is a regular traveler from the DR to Haiti and will help us pave the way for our Sante Bus Journey. That in the end was the main focus of the trip this time and it looks like it is covered. I will continue to follow up and double check all details so that we don’t have a SanteBus hitch.

A note to the team, which is all of you that have generously given of yourselves to help. The Sante Bus is doing the same thing here in Haiti as it did in the states, it makes people smile and feel happy. Believe that is how and why we are here. To love, to care and to be happy. Peace, great day, I will sleep well and look forward to an early awakening. JPB