Paradoxes and contrasts...this is the description of Haiti we keep hearing from our gracious hosts, Jon and Florence Robertson. And the view out our car window today confirmed the truth of their description. In the midst of abject poverty and devastation from the earthquake, there are beautiful bougainvillea trees blossoming. While people crowded around our car, begging for anything we might give, there were also well--dressed, uniformed, perfectly-groomed young schoolchildren, laughing their way home after a day of studies.

We arrived in Port-au-Prince just this morning, yet with a lovely meal and conversation, followed by an afternoon rest, it feels already like home. Our accommodations are palatial, and as John says, "embarrassingly so!" We are residing for this week in what was Florence's childhood summer home. It is up in the mountains out of Port-au-Prince, and though it is surrounded by urban growth, the crickets' song and the lush tropical plantings give a hint of the paradise that Jon and Florence remember about the Haiti they once knew.

Tomorrow we head out of the city to the coast and to explore some of the many programs sponsored and assisted by the Foundation Hope for Haiti (Fondation Espoir). This afternoon, as part of our introductory tour of the city, we also were honored to meet Hans Tippenhauer (a world-renowned engineer, husband of Nadege Robertson, and president of the foundation) while visiting the Foundation's offices. In this second-floor meeting room, a vibrant training program was in progress. Men and women from throughout the country had traveled there to be trained in sustainable practices that they, in turn, take back to their local communities. What spirit and zest was in that room! We look forward to seeing, hearing, and experiencing more signs of hope as this week unfolds.