Saturday, February 5th

Got up at 4:00am to catch a 6:30 flight. No problem driving to the airport. The groups bags were checked through to Port-au-Prince (PAP), so they did not have to clear that hurdle. I checked my bags, we all went through security and waited at the gate. We boarded at 6:00, and left on time. The plane was only 1/3 to ½ full. We all filled out immigration forms and declaration forms. Arrived in PAP a little early, about 8:20. We went through immigration with only minor problems. Since we had put bright duct tape on each of our bags, someone had made a pile of them next to the carousel. We grabbed 3 luggage carts and headed out the door. There were a TON of red caps waiting to help us. We said ‘no’ to several, but 3-6 guys ended up pushing the carts to the EGO van in a waiting parking lot. I gave them $20 US, which is the equivalent of 2+ days wages for a laborer in Haiti. The head guy wanted more, but I said no.

We loaded all of the bags-700 pounds worth, plus carry on bags, personal bags and ourselves into the 15 passenger van. Made a stop at a cement store and ordered 200 bags of cement to be delivered to EGO. We then stopped at a grocery store and loaded up on provisions for Doris, and some purchases for ourselves. Stopped halfway to Dessalines for a potty break, buying some home-made peanut brittle from a young kid. I gave him a piece of some that I had brought from home to share.

Arrived at EGO about 1:00pm. The roads were all hard surfaced, and in VERY good shape. Sights on the way were typical: streets and highways full of people and vehicles; tent cities everywhere around PAP; some presence of UN troops; beautiful views of the ocean; beautiful views of the lush rice fields in the Artibonite Valley; stark contrast of the brown mountains and rock piles around Dessalines.

We unloaded all of the checked luggage and carried it into the main house, where we were greeted by Don and Doris Peavey, founders of EGO. They were very pleased with the items we brought with us, especially as we sorted things by type. We took a LOT of stuff! Everything was important, from tools, to medications, to personal care items, to clothing, to toys and games, to diapers and baby items.

We pretty much chilled for the day after looking around the orphanage and getting used to the 95 degree heat. We had a pretty simple evening meal with Don and Doris.