BRADENTON, Fla. -- Woodland Community Church took a break from tradition on Sunday, dedicating their services to the group of teens who just returned from Haiti and their stories of overcoming obstacles.
- Violent protests began in Haiti
- Canceled flights forced the group to extend stay
- Group returned home last week
A group of 28 teens and church leaders took off for a week-long trip to Haiti late last month.They were scheduled to return on July 7, but couldn't make it to the airport due to protests and roadblocks in the streets.
They returned to their compound in the village of Neply until church leaders felt it was safe to try the trip again.
"We just got to a place where it wasn't safe to continue," said Jeff McCauly, a pastor at the church.
"I was definitely scared as some points, but it wasn't that kind of scared that we wouldn't be able to get home," added Dan Osborne, one of the teens.
Late Monday night, the group returned to Bradenton.
Many said they weren't afraid while in Haiti, just uneasy about what was coming next.
"We felt like God seriously had us there for a couple of extra days because we weren't done there," said Sophia Light, who attended the trip.
Sophia's grandmother Gale Swan remained calm through it all, just happy to have her granddaughter home.
"We were just all thrilled and hugging and sharing, it was wonderful," Swan said.