Visit to Pilate

Yesterday we finally made it to Pilate. Rain cancelled our first trip and the second trip was delayed by conferences. We also wanted to give Chris and Kathleen the chance to go along.

The reason that the rain canceled the trip was that we had to cross streams six times. Now a couple of these were really small and I pointed out to the group that we had gone through wider and deeper pot-holes earlier in the day. But I was informed that to 'ford a stream' mean that the water was flowing.

We left the compound about 15 to 7. Cory had to spend 15 minutes with the hand pump pumping up a front tire before we could go. Besides our family, Chris and Kathleen we had John Pierre, two of his girls and Genner. Cory didn't 'push' driving and we arrived at the church just before 9 a.m..

After a short stretch we joined Sunday school. That is we sat in the sancuarary where 5 classes or so were all going at the same time. All I caught was that we shouldn't tell lies.

Church started about 9:45 and was out shortly after 12 p.m. They had a great song service which include 3 folks singing specials. The first was a young man who had been in a fight the week before and injured his eye. He wanted to praise the Lord. The second was a family who sang 'Count Your Blessings' who were almost lost in the hurricanes of 2004 and yearly remember how the Lord saved them.

Being first time visitors we went up front and introduced our selves. I also encouraged them to pray for the Lord's work: in Haiti, USA, Asia and worldwide. Cory had brought a couple banana trees and a star-fruit tree for the Pastor.

The special speaker talked about how we need to protect our Christian reputations and live for God 100% of the time in all areas of our lives.

After church we saw the school that has about 250 students, most in the Compassion child sponsership programs. Then we visited at the Pastor's house while waiting for lunch to be finished.

We had a very nice lunch of rice/peas, noodle salad, fried cooking bananas and goat. We had been served cake and cookies while we waited.

Back in the truck and headed home. We did have a short break at the Plaisance Church to say 'Hi' and let Chris and Kathleen see the church. Rain in the mountains slowed us up a bit on the ride home but we arrived just before 5 p.m.

While the day was good and the visit great we all were happy to be back home.