Worst Field Trip Ever PART 3--Finale!!

OK....HERE IT THE LAST AND FINAL PART TO THE "WORST FIELD TRIP EVER" SCREEN PLAY!! 

COUPLE THINGS TO NOTE:

--IF YOU MISSED PART 1 OR PART 2 CHECK THEM OUT

--THIS BLOG IS VERY SIMILAR TO PART 1...THEREFORE IF YOU ARE FEELING A LITTLE ILL OR DON'T CARE TO READ ABOUT CHILDREN VOMITING THEN THIS MAY NOT BE A BLOG FOR YOU....MAYBE JUST TUNE IN NEXT TIME WHEN I'M SURE IT WILL BE A MUCH MORE UPLIFTING BLOG. ;) 

--HAVE I TOLD YOU LATELY HOW MUCH I LOVE MY LIFE IN HAITI AND ALL THE CRAZY THINGS THAT COME WITH IT!!

PART 3

Scene 31:

On the road again....Upon leaving it was made sure of that all the kids who had been sick before were well equipped with puke bags. As we began the long journey home, some of the younger boys were still filled with excitement at the new surroundings. There were silent prayers by all the adults that it would be a quick and clean ride home.

Scene 32:

About 15 minutes into our descent, you guessed it! The vomiting began again. (Mind you we were about 1 hour and 15min away from home still.)

Although the first child had a puke bag in hand, he still managed to first throw up on his neighbor’s foot, who was lying on the floor, also not feeling well. With a sigh, they all buckled down and braced themselves for a very long ride home....

Scene 33:

Once one child began vomiting, they all began.

Scene 34:

The sun had gone to bed and one by one the sick kids fell asleep, too. 

For this, the 2 missionaries and the Haitian staff were thankful. 

Scene 35:

As we made our way into Port au Prince, two things began to happen. The taptap began to drive slower and slower, until it was no longer in motion. Traffic! Traffic jam with no end in sight.

 A couple street kids saw this as an opportunity to terrorize the taptap. They jumped on back and were asking for food and money, while threatening those inside. Needless to say, this is not something the kids have seen often and watched with wide-eyes and concern. One of the Haitian staff had to jump out and scare them away, at one point. Unfortunately this didn’t last long and the kids came back to cause more trouble. Once the children inside the taptap started ignoring them, the street kids got bored and wandered away. 

Luckily there were Christmas lights to distract the children. Not only christmas lights brought awe, but also the simple sight of a lit up gas station. It’s the small things such as this that got us through the journey.

We still had a few smiling kids!! :) 

Scene 36:

Traffic continues, and continues, and continues, and.....

Scene 37:

As the traffic continued there was suddenly a giant, lit up, christmas tree and nativity scene! The staff and 2 missionaries made sure to get the kids excited about it. A shout out to Soge Bank for giving us this awesome display and bringing excitement to the smelly taptap.

Scene 38:

The taptap found a small break in traffic and snuck through. They were finally free sailing! The joy and excitement of wheels in motion and the air blowing in their faces was amazing! 

Scene 39:

Short-lived joy- 20 minutes of freedom quickly came to a halt. As they approached the next traffic jam, the driver decided to turn around to find a better route. This only led to another traffic jam and an even longer route. As the taptap sat in this traffic jam for about 1 hour, the joy was now gone and replaced with crabby, hungry, complaining children, as well as adults. Thoughts were rolling through the adults’ heads as to what should be done now. 

It was decided to turn around once again, only to re-enter the traffic jam we had previously left.

Scene 40: 

While deeply stuck in traffic, the dreaded words, “I have to pee”, were spoken. With no chance of a pit stop and safety concerns if we opened the door, one of the Haitian staff creatively diapered the child

Scene 41:

Traffic Jam # 241...or so it felt.

Scene 42:

The excitement of the christmas lights and new sights and sounds quickly ran off. Children began to slump down in their seats and with heavy eyelids, many fell asleep.

Scene 43:

30 minutes later the traffic broke and we sped home at breakneck speed. Silent prayers of safety were offered up to God. 

Scene 44:

Grace Village! Hallelujah, thank you, Jesus! 

The taptap with 2 tired missionaries, 5 Haitian staff, and 25 kids arrived at their final destination- home! They were smelly, dirty, hungry, crabby, tired, some covered in vomit, but all were oh so thankful to be home. 

Scene 45:

Showers, food, Duck Dynasty, sleep.

Conclusion:

Lessons learned: There are several other factors to take into account when going on a field trip in a 3rd world country. Bumpy, windy, dusty roads. Traffic Jams consisting of too much exhaust, honking, odors, and few road rules. No bathroom breaks with actual toilets. No fast food options. 

Needs: face masks, butt cushions, puke bags, full body dust protection suit (great invention idea for those looking to make money), more diapers, more food, more water, more clothes, more hand sanitizer, more wet wipes, more seating, anti-nausea meds, more money, and lots more patience.....or maybe reconsider trip altogether?

Cheesy music plays softly in the background:

The positive side of this no good, horrible field trip.... We got some great photos, learned a little about history, bonded with each other, and experienced new sights, sounds, and smells. We even got to go on a Christmas light tour in Haiti and see a giant Christmas tree. Although it seemed to be a no good, horrible field trip we are able to make light of it, learn from it, and enjoy it for all it was. 

Most of all, we are just thankful that we made it through alive! 

.....let’s hope there will never be a sequel to this movie......   ;)

MUCH LOVE TO YOU THIS CHRISTMAS FROM HAITI!!!