We spent most of the day by the pool again. We were still very aware of the gunshots, the thick smoke and the sense of unrest around us, but we were still walking in peace to such an unusual degree that it was really annoying the manager and her minute by minute panic induced updates on the situation. Although at one point she finally came and said she was so glad we were there and influencing everyone...or else she was sure she'd lose her mind.
We had been in touch with our leadership at home, and had planned to evacuate into the country side, cross into the Dominican Republic and fly home from there. Mid way through the day we found out that the bridge that would take up into the D.R. was no longer passable, as the violence moved further into the countryside. We were given strict instructions to stay in place until the State Department gave us clearance or until our flights were ready to leave.
Then God sent us a surprise. In the middle of this situation, locked down with little food and water a street vendor selling ICE CREAM came to our compound door. There in the middle of literally all hell breaking lose, we sat down and had some of the best ice cream I've ever had. It reminded me of that song "Good Good Father", it was one of those moments where God just showed he was Daddy and said "Here, have a treat and relax, I've got this."
The other team made an attempt to leave and go to their original destination. Within less than 5 minutes they were back at the compound because the roads were totally blocked. I spent some time chatting with their leader, getting a feel for what was going on in their heads, and outside in the streets.
We had more beans and rice for dinner. There was more devotional time and prayer time for the people of Haiti, and for our families back home who were just starting to pick up on our situation in the news. The pool at night is nice, but huge bats come swooping way too close in the dark so we all migrated into various rooms to play cards, read and talk. Olivia spent some time journaling and drawing some of the things she'd seen and heard.
We realized that going to bed earlier, and sleeping later takes up a bit more time, grins.
Yes, sleep does help to pass time. I have used it before while sitting at my son's bedside in the hospital when he was little. Also, sleep lets your body process stress.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Dawn
Somehow though, I'm still tired now...I'm guessing I was sleeping but not resting.
DeleteI was with you until I read bats.. I know you would think gunshots, smoke and unrest would do it but there is just something about bats that totally creep me out. I thinks it's quite surreal to think of you all by the pool eating ice cream while all of this is going on around you. How wonderful that your compound was such a safe haven.
ReplyDeleteThe bats were huge, and would dive at you, so once those came out I called it a day. The last thing we needed was a rabies scare to go along with everything else happening!
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