Making up for Lost Time

3 weeks! Yeah, so i've been neglecting my blog duties. A little bit about the last few weeks and then we'll stop playing catch up:

Four guys from Iowa came down between the 13th and 20th, Terry, Jay, Tony, and Jeff. These guys were some serious workers. They fixed 7 generators, cut wood for 50 school benches, plumbed 3 bathrooms, installed a kitchen counter, and tiled the kitchen, dining room, living room, bathroom, office, and Bruce and Deb's shower. I was amazed at the drive of these guys. They also worked very well with the Haitian guys and taught them how to tile and cut the wood for the benches. I worked a lot with Tony and really enjoyed his company. The joy of the Lord just flowed out of this guy.

The day after that team left, 3 people from Seattle came to work on a study of where a bridge could be built over the major river in this region. Hundreds if not thousands of people cross this river everyday to get to the large city of Port-de-Paix. When the river is high, it is impassable and people are cut off from the major economic hub of the region. The vision of the pastors here is to build a 300-400 foot bridge to allow cars and people to cross unimpeded. It will really be an awesome feat for this area given the availability of equipment, the funding required (millions and millions of dollars), and all the political arenas to negotiate (please be praying for this project). The team from Seattle was here to complete a study which will provide us with the best location to build the bridge. Most of their time was spent walking the river and taking measurements. It was difficult work in the heat and humidity, but it was awesome to see the river and watch these guys use their technical skills and abilities. One of the guys, Tom, we dubbed our "community relations director." He always had a treat, a hacki-sak, or some other nick-nack to entertain the kids that followed us from place to place. He really enjoyed interacting with the people and was very personable despite the difficulties of communication.

One of the great privilegdes of being here has been to work with some very exceptional people who take time away from their work and families to come and serve for a week or two. These people are inspiring and always a source of encouragement.

Well, there is no team here this week, so work has slowed back down to a normal pace :)

My adjustment to living in Haiti has been more difficult than I thought it would be. The bugs, the rats, the language, the heat, all the little things that you would never imagine that you would miss, sometimes it all is a bit much. The sun goes down at six, you've made and eaten dinner by 7, and then you think "ok, i'm here by myself, i have 2-3 hours to occupy before I can justify going to sleep, what should I do now?" It can be pretty tough, but then right as I think it's going to be too much and I'm about to throw in the towel, at that moment, God steps in and gives me peace. I've begun to realize how much God needs to work out in me. Over the last month, I've been amazed at my own selfishness, especially in light of the struggles those around me are facing. Everyday I realize more how much I need Him. Here are a couple verses that have been on mind:

Ephesians 2:8-10 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Romans 7:24-25 "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord!"

1 Corinthians 1:7-9 "Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful."

A couple of prayer requests:

1. Continued team unity
2. Safety from accidents or injuries
3. Wisdom in designing and building projects (right now we are working on an inverted siphon)
4. That God would heal this land and call these people to Him

The Mouths of Rats

A group from Boca Raton Community Church was here for a week. They came to install a roof at La Bus and gutters at Myet. The gutters collect the rain from the church/school building and conveys it into a cistern so the people can have water for 3-4 days after a good rain. Thanks Boca! You guys were a great encouragment, kept me laughing, and accomplished quite a lot!


The work team


Jennifer and Leslie (along with Paster Luis and Jerry). These two ladies kept the Boca Team well-fed and laughing ;)


Praying at the clinic


Bruce, Pastor Luis, and Pastor Chrisbom at a well outside Raymond


Jeff! Hello from your soccer pals :)

Old School, New School

Typical Haitian schools. The different corners of the building are the different grades, but they are all in the same room. Usually the buildings are used as schools during the week and as a church at night and on sundays.


The school/church at Viyon. The roof is made of tin, but the sides are just sticks. When it rains, leaking is a serious problem.


The school/church at Moulin. This is one of the buildings that we are in the progress of completing. The buildings are much more stable, the high roof makes it much cooler, and allows functions to still be held in the rain.

Teamhouse Trials

Hello everybody!

I have resolved my internet access and will resume posting. Sorry for my disappearance over the last couple weeks, but I am in a developing nation and internet is not as easy to come by (this is what i have to keep telling myself as i go through internet withdrawl).

A team from Iowa has been here over the last week, and we tore apart the team house (the house that teams and I live in). We tore down all the interior walls, poured new wall footings, started laying block walls, and layed a bunch of tile. The guys here were very energetic, fun, and encouraging. Especially a guy named Tony who i got to know more than the others. Also, the Haitian guys loved learning how to tile! We got a lot done, but I am pretty tired. Tonight I am going to make myself a little dinner, read a bit, and get to bed early. Ahh...sleep :)

This next week, we have a team from seattle here to study a river and a possible bridge, so that should be very interesting.

This last couple weeks has been kind of up and down. My attitude has not really been where it should be. I've been very focused on myself and my comforts. It has been a great reminder as to why I am here: serve without the expectation of gratitude for the joy of serving the Haitian people and my awesome God. I am praying that He will continue to build in me a servant's attitude. What a work in progress I am ;)

The many faces of Haiti

One of the many beautiful Haitian faces.