Saturday February 7 Beach

Our entire group had the day off and went to the beach. It was a welcome break. Alain and Hana and another staff person took us, showed around the resort, and enjoyed the relaxing time as well. It was a good chance to get to know them better. I am pretty sure we were the only ones to show up at the resort standing in the back of a flat bed truck.
 
The blue-green water was beautiful, the palm trees were picturesque, the breezes were gentle, and the water was warm. The buffet was different but quite good. Some swam and some preferred a nap in the shade. Quite a few picked up a souvenir or three. The day went quickly and soon it was time to climb on the back of the truck for the half-hour ride back to the YWAM base.  Almost immediately we were jolted back into the reality of where we were. It was humbling to say the least, to realize how fortunate we are to have options in life. The poverty, the shacks, the smells of sewage, the hunger pangs that we know so little about. God help them. And God help us.

Tonight a few of us who hosted Ronald in the states are being treated by him to a meal at a local restaurant. It was something that he really wanted to do and told us not to try to talk him out of it. Tomorrow we plan to go with Alain and join him in his prison ministry.

Friday February 6 Greetings to all family & friends!

Friday, 2/6
We all had a very busy and productive day. Nine women in our group stayed at the YWAM base to work on a painting project.  For 2 years the base had more than 60 gallons of Vivid Yellow paint.  Very bright and cheerful indeed.  We first did some scraping to get loose paint off and then Terri and Ellen spent a good part of the day up on a petti-bone power washing the building.  Finally it was time to paint!  We learned how to put scaffolding together and move it where we needed it, we stirred and poured many gallons of paint.  Monday we will get back at it again.  The group of men working on the roadway are making progress and will continue there next week. The other people went to the village to continue with the Homes for Hope.  A smaller group of men went to Timonette to tear down an old church building.  Evenings are our time to unwind and visit with each other and have lots of laughs.  Tomorrow we are going to the beach to enjoy a day of relaxation.  It has been hot here but not unbearable.  We are all having a great experience and still covet your prayers.  Blessings--Sandi for the Haiti Team.

Friday February 6 Road project in Luban

Surveying - can't get away from it !!

Marty- working on backhoe with a little  bit of help.

YOU WANT TO BUILD A ROAD WHERE?????

Jared pushing the dirt thru the rice patty.

Surveying for the new road.

Loading the dump truck.

Pushing thru the mud.

Thursday February 5 Enjoy the Poem!

The grass is green and long
I like to sing a worship song.
We drive to work in a truck
And work all day in the muck.
The skid loader may have gotten stuck
But would have gotten out by luck.
A Haitian man hit his head
And indeed his blood was red.
I'm glad he is not dead
We do not have a hospital bed.
Some of us are burnt like Drew
And we like the rice and stew.
The sun is very bright
And I'm in love with a Haitin-ite.
I promise to adopt next year
Unless I'm not married I fear.
If you're still reading this
I bet you would miss
The hot rays of sun
And the yummy garlic bun.
I bet you didn't know
We do not have a bow.
The guard at our gate has a gun
And surely having fun.
The boys built a roof of tin
And Shirley about broke a shin.
The ladies painted many rooms
And breathed in way too many fumes.
A man in the garage broke a vise
And thank The Lord for all the good rice.
And if you think this poem is lame
We think the same.

-Curly with help from the youngens

Wednesday February 4 First Day of Work

Haitians do a lot of traveling in the back of trucks. Today we blended right in. Most of us spent close to three hours bouncing in an open truck to and from our job sites because we are working out in some small villages. Jared, Ron, Marty and Martin were moving earth into an old rice paddy to make a road to connect a village to the main gravel road. In the rainy season the villagers need canoes to get out.  The rest of the crew helped carry stones for a foundation, put up 2 x 6 rafters, and build and paint door and window frames for a "Home of Hope."  Some people had a lot of fun playing with the children.  After supper we joined the staff for Family Nite, a worship and teaching time. Then we got to see Shirley give the guitar that she and John brought down for Elice, a boy they met on their first trip here. It was really neat to watch him play it and break out into the song, "Lord, I Lift Your Name on High."  

We are thankful for a good day, and now it's time to take our sunburns and go to bed!

Quote for the day by Jared: "It's hard to believe some of the things we've seen until you're there; pictures just aren't the same."

Wednesday February 4 Ready to Begin!

Good morning from Haiti! After an exciting bus ride from the airport, we had orientation and a good supper, then it was off to bed. (We did have to wait along the side of the road while the bus cooled down. Too many heavy suitcases I guess.)  Most of us slept well in our bunk beds and mosquito netting. Now we're ready for breakfast and to head out to our work project. Some of us will be on excavating or building projects, and a few will stay at the base.

Praise God for a safe trip
Praise God that Jen is feeling better after battling the stomach bug on the way here
Pray for safety on our jobs today

Tuesday February 3 We Made It!!

Made it safe and sound to YWAM in St. Marc... more details to follow!