We got to Gonaives well before the time for the match but ended up setting up the equipment we brought late because of the repair, if that’s what you want to call it. The mechanic could not find the right parts so he “degajed” meaning he improvised enough to make it work so we could limp back to Port au Prince.
We did get set up for the first match of the tournament in Gonaives. We used our brand new portable Futsal goals and they worked great!
Just before we left we had time to see all the kids in their uniforms. This was probably the first time in their lives they ever wore a complete soccer uniform with matching shorts, jerseys, socks and shin guards. They all looked really great!
Uniforms from our Canadian "HEADR" team that came down last August. Thank you Art and Team!
Uniforms from Calvary Chapel in Philadelphia thanks to Rose Simon and shipped by Crossing Community Church!
As we headed back to PAP we did have some car problems with the clutch, but nothing as scary as the day before when our rear wheel fell off the car and we had to stop in the middle of the road. The mechanic who had fixed a bearing seal had apparently not tightened the lug nuts very well, and the rough roads of Haiti just shook them loose.
We did have a very scary incident on the way home: My helper Ti Frere was driving and we were passing a tractor-trailer on a straight away on a very dark stretch of road when all of a sudden we see a single headlight in front of us. A truck was on our right taking up more than his share of the road and there was a ditch to our left. We tried to avoid what turned out to be a motorcycle and we are pretty sure he keep control of the bike and just brushed us as he went by.
Many times motorcyles and even cars in Haiti do not turn on their headlights on at night unless they "have to". In this case, the motorcycle did not have his lights on when we first started to pass the truck. Since it was a dangerous area known for kidnapping we did not feel it was safe to stop and find out what happened.
Both of us were quite shaken by the event, but an inspection of the car the next morning showed a very faint stripe where the motorcycle swiped the side. Driving at night is dangerous in any country, but it is particularly dangerous in Haiti because of the lack or street lights and many people and bikes lining the streets without proper lights, reflectors, etc. Next time we will do all we can to arrive before dark!
The good news is that during the second day of the tournament two people trusted Christ and, as God arranged it, they were the ones who won copies of the New Testament in Creole at the drawing after the match! What are the chances of that happening?!
The final is on Sunday, so please pray for a good crowd that will hang around and watch our evangelistic films afterward and that many will trust in Christ!
People should be educated about the safety at the road as well as at the places where they visit everyday, e.g. workplaces, schools, colleges etc. It is very important that people should be aware of these facts, only then they can protect themselves from injuries and fetal accidents.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Arnold Brame