waterfalls and caves

As promised, here are some more photos of our time in Hinche last week. We had the opportunity to explore a local tourist sight, a waterfall with the name Bassin Zim. We drove down a long winding gravel/dirt road so steep and full of holes that most people driving a normal size car have to pull over and walk the rest of the way. Once at the waterfall, we hiked up the side of it to the top, led by two children "tour guides" looking to make some money. Click the link below to view the pictures from our journey.

taking the scenic route

During the drive to Hinche last week, we were amazed by the beautiful countryside. The most mesmerizing of it all, though, was Haiti's longest river, the Artibonite River (and also the source of the November 2010 Cholera outbreak, unfortunately). We also stopped at the Peligre Dam, a hydroelectric dam completed in 1956, which generates and sends electricity throughout most of the country. Click below to see a few more pictures!

campus ministry retreat

driving into the city

Earlier last week, we had the opportunity to travel to Hinche and spend time with our church’s campus ministry at their annual retreat. The drive there was about 2 and a half hours and absolutely beautiful, as was the local countryside scenery- I’ll have a few posts in the next few days with pictures.

our sleeping quarters

The retreat lasts about 5 or 6 days, but we only stayed one night- and it was a looong night. Without getting into details, the heat and the mosquitos left us with literally, absolutely NO sleep. Our once hesitant-attitudes towards a 5am prayer time quickly shifted to eager anticipation as we counted down the hours through the night to 4:30am so we could finally get up and begin our day.  Andrew and I have found a lot to laugh about from these last couple days…

locals playing futbol on the retreat property

We were asked to speak/teach on Tuesday morning, in which we focused on finding your identity in Christ and shared some of our experiences from leading campus ministry the past couple of years. Afterwards we had a short Q&A, where we got to learn more about their ministry and provide some insight based off of our time in Athens. It was good for our hearts to be with such generous and god-centered young people, and also to learn of needs and find ways we can begin to serve the church here.  The time made us nostalgic for our own beloved campus ministry in Athens (we so wish the two could meet!), but we are looking forward to developing these relationships and being able to watch this ministry of about 40 learn and grow this coming school year.

us with the campus ministry students that attended the retreat

xo

because He is good

This morning I spent some time meditating on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. A simple scripture that I have read countless times over the years, even shared with other people:

"Rejoice always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances; 

for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

But today...

meal of champions // the college life

It is part of the Haitian culture to only eat two meals per day- breakfast and lunch. Usually lunch is around 1 or 2pm (and isn't that large), so by the time 6pm rolls around, our American, 3 meals per day bellies are hungry!! We keep a few snacks on hand, and mac&cheese has been our go-to late night guilty pleasure. Living in Haiti, I have had to kiss my vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free diet goodbye. It’s just too complicated (and hungry) otherwise. It’s like college all over again-- minus the late night study sessions and youtube breaks ;)

haitian nuptials

Ah! It's August! Is it just me, or did July feel like such a long month? 

Also, am I the only one that until last month thought nuptials was pronounced "noop-i-tals"? Yep? Okay.

Anyways...

This weekend we had the chance to attend our very first Haitian wedding. It’s true that love transcends all languages, because seeing the groom look at his bride as she walked down the aisle still had me teary eyed. Andrew and I do not know the couple very well, but thought it would be a good cultural experience- and that is exactly what we got! The bride looked beautiful (though she is not referred to as a bride, but as a fiancé), and the following reception at a friend’s home was simple yet lovely. We will share some pictures for now, and leave the details for another time ;)