The Port Trip

Hello again,

We left the house at 5 AM and headed to the airport.  We were supposed to be at the airport at 6:15...they do not open the doors until 6:30...so we sat.  That was fine.  Paul Romeus, Belle's husband took us.  We really wanted to make sure we would be on the flight...and when they finally opened the doors...we were given the first boarding passes.  What a relief, to know we WERE on that flight.  Now I have to add a bit in here.  Almost 2 months ago, Belle broke her foot in a couple of places.  She is STILL in a cast.  It may have been hard on her, but it sure got us places quickly today.  Not sure if it's because we are older (that is Belle's opinion), or if people were just being extremely nice, but we had a GREAT flight down to Port.  Belle's friend in Port met us and had his friend take us to immigration, since he is somewhere in the government and has a bit of pull.  But Remy met us there, since he had all of Don's and my paperwork.  We got to the building just before 9.  (Took over an hour to drive through Port to get there).  We saw roads and alleys we had never seen before...shortcuts!!  RIGHT!!  Anyway...we got there and went to the front of the line and they let us right in.  There were hordes of people out there.  I think mostly getting Haitian passports.  We went right up the the room to get our permi de sejour (residency).  Poor Belle, it was up and down stairs the whole time.  

I could not believe how many people from Cap we met while in Port for a day.  The dentist who works with our dental team was in immigration.  He said he was "making my passport legal".  I think it expired and he was updating it.  But, anyway...we got to the room, they sat us down, looked at our paperwork and we filled out one sheet.  The gal who worked with us was super nice and so patient.  She really was a sweetheart.  

This one guy kept coming in to exchange a big bill for smaller money.  The second time, I asked him if that money was for me.  He laughed and said no.  The third time I said are you SURE it's not for me, and he giggled, and the woman helping us laughed.  The fourth time, I told him he was so rich that it MUST be for me.  He really laughed, and so did everyone in the room.  Then he leaned in and said, "Later, downstairs!"  We all got a kick out of him.  And it sure lightened the mood.  But once the papers were verified (about 15 minutes in that office), we headed up for fingerprints.  Took us to the head of the line and got us right in.  We were in and finished within an hour.  Belle needed a couple more papers, but she did get the fingerprints done, so she won't have to go back.  

We left there and had to cross the street.  Port au Prince is about ten times worse on vehicles than Cap, so those of you who have been here will have a small bit of understanding about how dangerous it was to have to cross the road.  Belle stepped to the edge of the road, to watch for a break, and traffic stopped and let us cross...just like that.  Praise God for her cast!!!   Remy took us back to the airport in less than half an hour...we took the main, straight roads.  So, we were back at the airport by 11 AM....and our flight was at 4 PM.  They did try to get us on an earlier one, but they were full.  So we spent an interesting 5 hours people watching.  And saw a LOT of people we knew there.  

I cannot believe how MANY people responded to our request for prayers for this short trip.  It's thanks to ALL OF YOU WHO PRAYED, that it went so well, and we have it all finished.  When the booklet is done, Remy will pick it up and bring it up to us.

So this is a HUGE THANK YOU for getting us through this situation!!  God IS awesome and He very definitely answers prayers!  Between you and God we had a good trip and have all the paperwork done!!  Thank you!