Life in the developing world is not like life here in the USA. Here's one example...

Morgues are in competition with each other for 'jobs'. That means this : Whenever someone dies, each morgue wants to get that job. To get the job, you gotta be there first. 

In our area, morgues have launched a program where they reward the first person who calls them in the event of a death. It might be a family member, a neighbor, or a passer-by. If they hear about a death, they'll send the hearse out quickly. If they get the job, the caller gets a reward. 

It makes for incredibly awkward situations. Our town experienced one last year...

A lady was sick, and not doing well at all. People from the church were called to pray with her. While they were praying for healing, a hearse was circling in the area. They saw the hearse. They found out it was there for a 'job'. One problem, the lady did not die that day. She lived for weeks after that.

Apparently a neighbor was looking for the reward for being the first to call the morgue, and he jumped the gun slightly.   

Life in the developing world! 

Funerals in Haiti happen quickly sometimes. Morgues are expensive, and families often choose to 'get the body in the ground' the same day or maybe tomorrow. 

That means funeral bands have to be ready to go. You can get a call this morning about a funeral this afternoon. No time for rehearsing. 

On Sunday April 24th, members of the ASAPH Brass Band played for a funeral up in the mountains east of Pasbwadom. They tell me it went quite well. 

The ASAPH Brass Band has decided to not play for funerals as a group. Members of the group are free to organize themselves and take those kinds of jobs...for money. 

By God's grace, the band is overflowing with musicians who can do the job on a moment's notice.