Today, I was a mountain goat!

Today, Patrick and Francois took Jeanette and I to a CONASPEH church up in the mountains.  The ride up the mountain was adventurous in our SUV. At one point the road was blocked and we had to take a different route. That road was still blocked from earthquake damage. This particular area, although in PAP, is not well recognized by the government. After taking the alternate route, we ended up coming to the end of the road. This is our vantage point and where we parked the car. 

PAP is beautiful from afar. Looking close you can see all the tents, shacks covered with tarps and ruins. 

A crystal clear day and you can see all the way to the ocean. 

At the end of the road, was a small trail. The trail led to the other side of the mountain where the church was.  Patrick and Francois daugher, her friend JC and Sandra Gourdet, of Global Ministries, on the beginning of our trek. 

Soon enough the path narrowed.

They were so sweet and cute! JC let me borrow his hymnal and I was able to sing one song in Kreyol!

If you look closely you can see the giant soccer stadium (its the red, blue, green and yellow thing in the center) . From this high up we could even see the Palace. 

It was not a very long trail, but went up and down several times and was often so narrow you could step off the side of the mountain. 

We finally reached our destination. A small church with a beautiful view. 

Today, they were celebrating their 8th anniversary with the ordination of 2 Deacons and christening of 3 children. 

The christening was so sweet. The pastor was so touching when he spoke about how important the church was in the life of children and how they should be raised to be dedicated servants to the church. He reminded me of a very special pastor I had growing up as a child, Harrel Dunham, who would walk up and down the aisle carrying the sweet babies after a baptism. 

For each child he had a special message and then made the sign of the cross on their forehead and then kissed their forehead. 

Small church, but very powerful and dedicated members. 

One of the deacons at the pulpit. 

Patrick Villier (my CONASPEH supervisor) and Francois (his wife)

Patrick and our sweet Pastor host. The pastor was so grateful to CONASPEH and Patrick for providing $1300 to help to rebuild their church after the earthquake and to help provide lighting inside their sanctuary. The church was so delighted that we attended that they had made us lunch; it was delicious. 

Back again we go...I am telling you it was narrow.  You can't really tell how much it slopes off to the left. 

We all hate feet, but after 3 weeks of walking in the dirt and the mountain goat climbing I did today, I decided to give myself a pedicure. It was very relaxing! After the water had been sitting in the sun all day it was quite warm. And thanks to Ashley Turner I am now wearing Purple with a Purpose.