Spending New Year's at the BEST WESTERN!!!

Segaar-King family go cave exploring at Port-au-Piment

New Year's afternoon date at the Best Western

In most places throughout the US and Canada, spending New Year's afternoon at the Best Western wouldn't be worthy of writing about in a blog.  But in Haiti, where only one Best Western exists, (actually, a Best Western Premier), it is worthy of note.  On New Year's day, Sharon and Zach got a chance to escape the duties of parenting for a few hours with friends to go out on a date to the Best Western courtesy of Sharon's parents, Larry and Faith Segaar, who were visiting for the holidays and willing to do some child-care.  It was good to get away for a few hours.  We were the only ones in the restaurant (there is a hotel boom in Port-au-Prince which has vastly exceeded available clients).  The food took several hours to come (normal for Haiti) and was nothing to rave about (normal for Best Western).  The view was great on the patio where we sat, and, as one would expect at any Best Western, the bathrooms were clean and functional (NOT normal for Haiti).  It was nice to walk around in the recently completed hotel as well (see above picture).  Honestly, life and ministry in Haiti is normally about an "11" out of "10" on the stress scale for foreigners like us (actually even Haitians consider life in their country very stressful).  Having four wonderful but challenging children definitely adds a little to the stress equation.  Right after Christmas we made a trip to Port Salut on southern shore of Haiti (see picture below).  The highlight was a trip down into the largest cave system in Haiti, the Jeanne Marie Caves (see picture above). 

We give thanks to God for his grace and peace and look forward to a New Year of serving him in Haiti.