On the day before Thanksgiving Andy got back from his trip to Haiti, where he went to the village of Ranquitte with Dr. Ray Jackson, a local ER physician. The trip was an eye-opener. Although Andy knew that Haiti was the poorest nation in the western hemisphere, he had little real understanding as to how desperately poor the Haitian people are. When the pray, "Give us this day our daily bread," they genuinely know what they ask God for--the next meal. Andy went with a group of seven affliliated with Christian Flights International. Jennifer kept a journal that you may wish to look over at our new CFI blog. For Andy, meeting Per (Father) Andre was the highlight of the trip; Andy and Father Andre, the local Roman Catholic priest in Ranguitte at the Church of St. Francis, have become good friends. Not only does Fr. Andre lead his Haitian people in a wonderfully joyous daily Eucharist, he also works as a day laborer repairing the damage that erosion does to the worn-out roads. Andy also became friends with Honore Roger, a carpenter (who made the doors in front of which he stands) and lay Seventh-Day-Adventist lay preacher. Roger has asked Andy to find him a French-language History of Christianity (If you have a copy, tell Andy right away!). In the next few days Andy will post more pictures showing you the poverty, beauty, and faith of the Haitian people.
