A Day Like No Other

This morning we woke up in Hinche, one of the larger cities in the Central Plateau.  We had traveled from our home to Pignon and back to Hinche yesterday for a meeting with one of our pastors.  We were delighted to find that the road to Pignon has been worked on quite a bit, so when we went to bed we were in good spirits and ready to see what today would bring.  

The plan was to travel from Hinche to the Domincan Republic border in the morning and reach Santo Domingo by mid-afternoon, but the road held many surprises for us.  We left Hinche ahead of schedule and turned onto a gravel road.  That road, we found, should not be taken to the Dominican border.  We drove through the rivers and around the woods and and over the mountains and asked for directions multiple times--everyone gave us different directions--but found ourselves on those gravel roads (that weren't in the best condition) for a very long time.  

When we finally made it to the Dominican border, we were so grateful that Almando speaks Spanish because he had to talk to guard after guard at the many check points on the very long paved road.  We drove through town after town having to ask directions for how to stay on the main road.  I was at a complete loss because the little Spanish I used to know left my brain when I started learning Creole.  Finally, as it was getting dark, it started to rain and the roads were not lit, so we had to slow down as we neared our destination.  

Since we didn't have a map and the city was so confusing, we stopped.  We don't have a phone that works here, so we were lost and tired.  We walked from Burger King--where we parked--to the gas station next door to see if we could find a phone.  I, again, was at a loss and there were no phones.  Then a gentleman walked up to us and asked us if we needed help...in English.  We were both so glad to hear those words.  He let us use his phone to call the pastor we were going to meet with and actually talked with him for us to make sure he knew exactly where we were.  After everything was settled, we thanked him over and over and turned to go back to Burger King to wait, but not before our "Good Samaritan" said, "God bless you" as he turned to walk away.

We sat in Burger King and waited--and enjoyed a burger of course.  When the pastor arrived we were so relieved--Almando because we wouldn't be lost anymore and me because he speaks Creole and I could actually talk to him!  He had us follow him to a hotel not far from his church through tunnels and back roads (we never could have gotten here on our own) which is where we are now.  All checked in and exhausted.  

There are so many things we saw today that we haven't seen before.  So many beautiful things!  We were blessed with safe travel and the wisdom to know where and when to stop.  Our "Good Samaritan" will not easily be forgotten.  And we are here.  We are safe.  We have a place to sleep.  We had an unanticipated adventure today, but, again, we will be going to sleep looking forward to what God has in store for us tomorrow!  This has been a day like no other.