This is Martha (a new volunteer) and I on the mountain that we hiked today. We decided to stop about half way up. I tried to upload a photo of the mountain, but it took too long. We left this morning at 7 am, and got back around 1 pm. It was a very warm day, and we ran out of water practically at the point we stopped at the top. It made for a very tiring walk back. It was amazing and beautiful. I felt like I got to know the culutral better just by hiking and seeing more of Haiti. We saw some incredible things, and met some amazing people. At one point we stopped to take a breather at a y shaped path, and were surrounded by Haitians on all angles all of a sudden; I guess we were a sight.We were very sweaty and our faces were really red...some of the kids were like..you are white..and you are red as we walked by. We packed a lunch to eat, but I decided to give away a lot of my snacks, beause they needed them more than I did. I traded half of my peanut butter and jelly sandwich for a picture. Kids are very willing to pose for pictures if they get to see them, but older people usually want something in return of a photo. I thought it was a good trade...a temporary sandwhich for a lifelong photo. This trail reminded me of a steep deer trail made up of dirt and sliding rocks. It was really neat to overlook the moutain and see some of the homes people live in. I was so impressed that people walked up and down this trail to go to church. We were exhausted walking up and down it one time, but people are so willing and dedicated to make the trek each Sunday. We stopped hiking at a church, but we could hear them singing from far away. It was beautiful, and make us all the more eager to make it to that point. We sat down in the shade, and had a little lesson. I read James chapter 1, and we discussed it. The Lord gives us trials to help us not lack anything, but to continue to perserve and consider it a joy to be under trials to strengthen our faith. It was encouraging, because we need to perserve through the good times and the hard times, because it will be worth it. The Lord can work through us if we are willing. The Lord has been so gracious to me, and has provided me more opprotunites to share my faith and be able to listen to some of the volunteers experience or hard times that they are going though. The Lord puts us in places at the right time, even when we don't see the fruits right away, or when we don't think what we are doing is making a difference. If we are willing, and if we pray for opprotunites-the Lord provides them, we just need to be aware and on the lookout so we don't miss them. I am thankful and blessed. thanks for all your love and support :)