Back in Petion-ville

Well, our week in Haiti is coming to a close and what an awesome week it was!  We are back at the Guest House in Petion-ville and today we head for home.

We worked hard, but had fun at the same time.  We moved about 1400 cinder blocks - some twice, into the building and up to the 2nd floor

                                                 




                                Move 'em in and...

move 'em up!

...and countless buckets of sand, gravel and water up the ladder to the 2nd floor.

The bucket brigade

Back from the field!

WHEW! We are back from the project site and at the guest house in Petionville! We have had an unbelievable week working hard on the construction, hosting a VBS and today's church service before coming back. Tonite we decompress and pack for our departure tomorrow afternoon.

Every mission trip I've been on has had it's own identity, and this one was no different. But the thing I noticed the most was how much I missed having my wife with me. She was with me when we went to Honduras and Uganda, and I have grown to love being on these trips with her by my side, experiencing God's blessings together. I will be glad to get home to see her and Remi!!!

We fly out of Haiti tomorrow and arrive in Atlanta around midnite and will again stay at the church there, before heading home Tuesday morning.

I've shot lots of video footage and am looking forward to putting together a documentary of our experience. Please let me know if you would like copies to show for groups that may be considering coming to Haiti.

Again, thank you for the love and support we needed to make this happen. Without YOU, God's work could not be done!

The Blog I Never Sent Wednesday

Last night was restless. It is sticky hot and difficult to sleep comfortably. Nevertheless, we are thankful. Today has been a great day! For breakfast, we had omelets, cereal, and fresh fruit. In our first hour of work at the church, we estimated 300+ concrete blocks moved up to the 2nd level again. The rest of the day we spent moving bucket after bucket after bucket of sand and rock to aide the Haitian workers laying the block and mixing the concrete. We walked to a little store today and bought drinks for the workers, our interpretors Richard & Marc-anny, and enjoyed a cold Coke or 7up oursleves. Brad also fixed the cord (twice) on the generator but it wasn't very helpful since the 1 bulb actually caught fire #funinmissions! The highlight of the day and so far of the trip came when Marco led a young man named De De (sp?) to accept Christ. Wonderful!!! Other than that, everything else has remained the same - work (exhausting), food (amazing!), cleaning up (sort of), devotion (nice), and bed (sweatboxes). 2 1/12 more days to go and lots more to do and experience. Love from all of us and prayers!

The Blog I Never Sent Tuesday

Arrived in La Tremblay today and moved into the ecole (school) run by the UMC here. Walked down to the eglise (church) and started work. We moved sand into the structure and approximately 350 concrete blocks 40 feet through a four foot high window and up scaffolding to the roof (2nd story floor) to prepare to build walls and complete the balcony level. We did that in 5 hours including frequent breaks and lunch. The bucket showers (pours) really felt great - HA! I know everyone worked hard and are extremely tired. We will have a longer day tomorrow so we will see how that goes. Early to bed tonight. Also, tonight and tomorrow is the Voodoo celebration of Halloween so it has definitely been interesting to see (and hear!) the people party (not all do though). All is well, talk to you tomorrow. Prayers!

The Blog I Never Sent Monday

Holy Cow! It's hot! I specifically mean this Cyber Cafe ... must be 105 in here.

All is well, no snags. Flights were great. Seat upgrade was well worth it. At UM Guesthouse in Petion-ville winding down, showering (yea!) and getting ready for bed. Breakfast at 7, depart at 8. Headed to La Tremblay to settle in at the UM school where we will sleep and start work on the church (1/4 mile awat from school). Met our cook (Eve Rose) - she seems awesome. Will meet interpretors tomorrow. Customs still has the four team bags that contain medicines. Punks! But Tom (UMVIM Director) and the EMH (Methodist Church Haiti) president will retrieve them. That has been the only snag. Everything else has been great and smooth.

We're still here!

We took a tap-tap to an internet cafe this evening and we're excited to update our supporters! We have been in La Tremblay and working hard!  We have moved ALOT of blocks, sand and gravel up to the 2nd floor of the church!  We've got sore muscles, but it feels good! 

One of our goals this week was to not only build a building, but build relationships with the local people.  We are doing that and our lives are much richer for it!  We want to see how God changes lives, not only our new friends, but ours also!  Last night, with the help of Marcos and Kevin, a young man named De De accepted Jesus!!  WOW!!!!

I understand there has been a "symphony" going on at night in the men's sleeping quarters.  As the only female, I get a room to myself, so I'm getting a good night's sleep  :-)

There is lots more to tell.  I know others will be blogging as well!

Checking in!

We ventured our from our host site tonite in a "tap-tap" public bus - very interesting; will post a picture after we get home. Found an internet cafe and so we're checking in.

Things have gone great! We've had 3 very productive days of building the church, but talk about HOT weather! Haven't gotten much sleep, however, due to the hot nights, loud sounds, and my very proficient snoring roommates (you guys know who you are!). But at any rate, this team has quickly come together and we have found that God has equipped us to be excellent block movers!

About another day and a half of hard construction, then we have plans to hold a "mini-VBS" for the kids of the school where we are staying, followed by some local sight-seeing and church on Sunday, then back to Port Au Prince for our final night before heading out.

Life is "interesting" in Haiti. Voodoo? It's real and practiced here, but for many, it's more tradition than it is believed. I did have the opportunity to work with Marco and the local Haitian pastor in leading a young man to Christ, which was an amazing experience.

God has certainly revealed Himself in these people, and we are the ones being blessed, but I'm sure God has more to show us.

I'm going to hop off so some of the other team members can get on to post. Keep the prayers coming, and we'll see you at home soon!

God IS Good!