Well, I returned from Haiti last night after being gone for one week. During that time I was privledged to preach 7 sermons and to teach one lesson. I also attended a baptism service that began at 4:30 a.m. and went until 7 p.m. We had to walk about 2 miles to get to the sea where they baptized about 20 people. I was also able to attend a wedding ceremony that had 3 couples being married. On Thurs-Sat worship morning services began at 7:30 a.m. and went until 10:00 a.m. During the evenings they began at 5:30 p.m. and went until at least 8 p.m. They would sing for 2-3 hours and then I would preach. There were 7 people who gave their hearts to Jesus during those worship services.
We participated in a water and clothing handout at a local congregation. You could not imagine what that was like unless you were there. The people were pushing and shoving and attempting to get all that they could. I guess I might be like that if I lived in their conditions. Some of the homes since the earthquake are nothing more than tents and tarps. There were literally thousands of those. Others had concrete homes or mud thatch homes that had dirt floors and where numerous family members shared the same bed. The living conditions are horrible and the countryside is filthy with trash everywhere.
The roads were horrendous. Even the good one was dangerous to travel on as there are no lane markings and people drive as fast as they can and there is no one to attempt to enforce any traffic laws even if they had them. Buses traveling at 70 miles an hour, small pick up trucks loaded to where bumpers were almost touching the ground, people everywhere standing around, or attempting to make a living by selling trinkets. The mass of people pushing and shoving is absolutely amazing.
Phyllis Newby is recovering from malaria and typhoid. The compound where we stayed houses about 70 orphans, has a hospital that is serviced by local doctors and nurses and, of course, houses missions work camps. We slept on the third floor where there were about 40 beds but there were only 7 of us who were there at the time. There are no walls on that level only a tin roof. It was miserable hot but up there we did have a breeze. The rest rooms were about 200 feet away and there was only cold water. It made for interesting showers as you were attempting to get your breathe after the cold water hit you. Jerlee Ottinger did much of the cooking and caring for folks. What an amazing woman she is who at 80 years of age is still making that trek to serve the people she has fallen in love with.
My daugher, Debby, went with us and I was blessed to have her share this adventure with me. Of course, she attempted to take her mothers place by telling me what to do all the time. We went together to St. Marks, a large town, the streets are still more dirt and rock than anything else and the amount of people who are at every point is amazing. Again there are no traffic laws so vehicles were turning everywhere and coming from every direction.
I am wonderously blessed by being able to go there and by being part of a congregation that is filled with people who believe that they are called to be part of the ministry all around the world. Thank you all for your wonderful love and support and for just being you.

Pastor H. G. Rudd