Like I told you before, we were able to store all of our big supply boxes and other luggage we did not need in our room in an unused conference room. Once we found out that we were unable to check more than one bag apiece on the flight tomorrow we had to do some repacking. We had to decide what to pack and what to leave behind because we did not have enough space to bring everything. Not only that but we had to be within the weight limit of 50lbs. We borrowed the scale from the fitness room and had Matt as our personal bag weigher. We would pack a bag/box, then he would pick it up and step on the scale. It was probably not accurate, but hey, you got to work with what you got! I was amazed at the packing expertise! These people are pros!
Matt weighing our bags!
Mandy checking the scale.
Everybody freshened up and then we decided to go to lunch. Chris used to live in FTL so he knew of a cool place close by that we could walk to. It was a beautiful day so it was nice to walk! We ate at this little fish joint that was right on the marina. We were all able to sit outside on the dock to enjoy the nice weather. Because we had such a large group, we had to split up our tables. I sat with Brian, Cynthia, Matt, Laura, and Leslie. The food was really good but the company was even better. We were all able to get to know one another better, so that was cool.
Once we finished eating we noticed a big commotion in the water. I looked down at the water and there were hundreds (I am not exaggerating) of mullet fish jumping and flying out and across the water. I have never seen anything like it before. I had no clue what was going on. The waitress told us that the Jack fish was trying to eat the Mullet fish so they were trying to get away! It was so crazy to watch! Every couple of seconds you would see this huge wall of fish and water coming at you! Some fish even landed on the dock and had to be thrown back in!
We walked back to the Hotel and were given some free time to do whatever we liked. I went to the pool and swam. I then attempted to read but quickly fell asleep due to my insomnia the night before! I woke up after my nice cat nap and showered. We made plans to meet in the Lobby at 5:30pm to do a little "get to know you" exercise.
We all met in the lobby and we played a couple of games that were fun. First we all sat in a circle. Each person was supposed to say their name and three facts/info about ourselves. I can't remember everything I said but I do remember that the last fact I said was that I was the youngest person on the trip! It was funny because then another team member on his turn ( I think it was Ed) said, "and I am not the youngest person on the trip". The other game was that we had to each write down a fact about ourselves that no one/or not many people knew. Then, we each had to pick a piece of paper and read the fact aloud. Then, you had to guess who that fact belonged to. Some people got theirs right away. Others were much harder. Overall, it was a fun game and a good "ice breaker" to learn something about everyone.
Harriett made a point and asked that we all try to get to know people/team members we don't already know. Many people had been to Haiti together before, were friends, or went to church together. Harriett said that it was important for us to know everyone because we would become a family on this trip. One of the "rules" was that we had to sit next to someone we didn't know as well, and that we had to sit next to someone different at each meal. I was glad that she talked about that because knowing me, I would have sat next to the same people I knew well and would not have stepped out of my comfort zone.
After our meeting, we walked to a local Italian restaurant called Georgio's. Of course Chris was friends with the owners and suggested it! I walked side by side with Julie. I had never met Julie before and she joined our team about two weeks before we left. Julie is from Mount Pleasant, SC. She was a nurse ten years ago and currently is a stay at home mother. She is very involved in her church and is ever-growing in her faith. For her, this trip was most definitely a call from God. At this time she had been experiencing some major turmoil in her life. I was and continue to be amazed at her strength and was in awe of her complete and total trust in the Lord. I was so happy to have the opportunity to talk with her and it made me even more excited about the trip knowing that we were going to Haiti together. Julie truly is an amazing woman and I am proud to call her my friend and sister in Christ!
We had a great "last supper" (our last meal before getting to Haiti). I sat next to Brian and across from Harriett. Brian is a wonderful christian man. I had never met him before this trip. He works as a Veterinarian Technician at one of Ed's Vet Clinics. He is a family man who is very involved with his church. Brian actually is the song leader/choir director at his church. Brian has a fabulous sense of humor and always keeps me laughing! I was glad I had the opportunity to sit next to Brian and get to know him a little better. This was actually Brian's second trip to Haiti, but he never actually made it to Lotore for clinic ( I will explain more about this later).
It was nice for me to sit across from Harriett so I could ask her a zillion questions. I still did not really know what was going on even though we were on our way. Harriett was so sweet and gracious to answer all of my questions and trying to easy my anxiety! Harriett and her husband Stoney have been making trips to Haiti since the beginning. These mission trips are very important to them and they absolutely love doing them. You can see the joy they receive by going on these trips. They are a wonderful christian couple who have answered the call on their lives to serve others. I am honored to know them and thought of it as a privilege to be able to experience my first Haiti trip with them.
After dinner we walked back to the Hotel to get some shut eye. We had a big day ahead of us! It was really nice to have that day of travel and fellowship before we made it to Haiti. I was so exhausted that I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the fluffy pillow. Thank you Lord for this day; for safe travel and the team!
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