Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Addendum
This trip was extra special for the nurse on our team. Read her blog at "http://trying2makeadifference.blogspot.com/".
Monday, March 26, 2012
It's in the Books
Haiti March 2012 is now history. Saturday, March 24: up at 5:20 am; breakfast at 6:00 am; on the road by 6:45 am. Travel to Port-au-Prince airport was uneventful; the flight to Miami was on-time. The hike from arrival gate to immigration seems to be longer each time I make it. The 10-hour layover in Miami afforded plenty of time to eat and preview some of the pictures we took. The flight to Philadelphia was on-time, and all our bags arrived with us. By 2:00 am Sunday we were home. Twenty hours en route make for tired travelers, but the opportunities to significantly impact the lives of Haitians and to encourage those missionaries who have left homes and families are blessings that cannot be adequately measured or described.
How can one quantify the joy and relief of a woman whose roof will not drip water from dozens of holes when the rains come? How can a mother express her thankfulness that the face of her son once again looks normal now that the growing tumor has been removed? How does a father describe his relief that medical treatment can be provided for his young son battling malaria? The construction of a new, larger guest house provides accommodations for the many teams that come bringing hope and healing to the people of La Gonave.
Yes, the needs are still many and solutions still come slowly, but lives are being changed, one person at a time. It seems that each trip re-emphasizes the challenge expressed by Edward Everett Hale: “I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something I can do.”
Soon planning will begin for a trip in September with a current focus of continuing the rebuilding of churches damaged in the earthquake.
How can one quantify the joy and relief of a woman whose roof will not drip water from dozens of holes when the rains come? How can a mother express her thankfulness that the face of her son once again looks normal now that the growing tumor has been removed? How does a father describe his relief that medical treatment can be provided for his young son battling malaria? The construction of a new, larger guest house provides accommodations for the many teams that come bringing hope and healing to the people of La Gonave.
Yes, the needs are still many and solutions still come slowly, but lives are being changed, one person at a time. It seems that each trip re-emphasizes the challenge expressed by Edward Everett Hale: “I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something I can do.”
Soon planning will begin for a trip in September with a current focus of continuing the rebuilding of churches damaged in the earthquake.
Friday, March 23, 2012
Back to the Mainland
With one last morning for work, we were able to install another screen; and still have time to have one last look at the progress on the new guest house and hospital.
The ride across the channal was exceptionally smooth. The sun was bright; the wind was strong. We were under both motor and sail so the crossing took only about 1.5 hours.
Some of us took a quick dip in the water prior to supper. We had a great time of visiting with Dan & Joy in the evening.
Although we're scheduled on a 9:30 am flight out of Port-au-Prince, we have a 10-hour layover in Miami so we're not scheduled in to Philadelphia until 1:05 am Sunday. Hopefully, we'll make it to church, but the eyelids might be a bit droopy.
The ride across the channal was exceptionally smooth. The sun was bright; the wind was strong. We were under both motor and sail so the crossing took only about 1.5 hours.
Some of us took a quick dip in the water prior to supper. We had a great time of visiting with Dan & Joy in the evening.
Although we're scheduled on a 9:30 am flight out of Port-au-Prince, we have a 10-hour layover in Miami so we're not scheduled in to Philadelphia until 1:05 am Sunday. Hopefully, we'll make it to church, but the eyelids might be a bit droopy.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
That's a Wrap
Visits and prayer with hospital patients; another screen for the guest house; two more windows with security bars; call it a week.
Greg took us on a tour through the town, out to the MAF airstrip, up to the Okipe Children's Village, and across the saline.
Tomorrow we head back across the channel for a night at the Ortlip Ministry Center before our flights home on Saturday.
This has been a very rewarding experience, and the first-timers will have many memories to share. Thanks for your interest and prayers.
Greg took us on a tour through the town, out to the MAF airstrip, up to the Okipe Children's Village, and across the saline.
Tomorrow we head back across the channel for a night at the Ortlip Ministry Center before our flights home on Saturday.
This has been a very rewarding experience, and the first-timers will have many memories to share. Thanks for your interest and prayers.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Roof is Done
It was a good day! We were able to complete the roof replacement for the hospital administrator. They obviously are extremely happy to have a leak free roof.
The moisture barrier was completed around the vertical portions of the center section.
There are several opportunities for tomorrow. Of course, there is always something to do on the new guest house construction. We also have a couple opportunities for more personalized visits with hospital patients and a visit to the Saline.
The moisture barrier was completed around the vertical portions of the center section.
There are several opportunities for tomorrow. Of course, there is always something to do on the new guest house construction. We also have a couple opportunities for more personalized visits with hospital patients and a visit to the Saline.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Working in the Heat
I'm tired. We spent the day working on replacing the roof on the hospital administrator's house. By lunch time we had removed the old tin from 1/4 of the house; we had fastened the new purlins in place adjacent to the old ones; and fastened a couple sheet of new tin. In the afternoon we finished the new tin, and began work on the next section. By 6:00 pm we had 1/2 of the roof completed. Hopefully we'll be able to finish the roof tomorrow.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Work on the Island
It's been a great day!
Our nurse has connected with a surgeon who comes frequently. Today was especially rewarding. There is a young boy who has a very large tumor on the right side of his face; it continues to grow. The doctor was concerned about the operating procedure, but was advised and encouraged by a colleague in the states to do the operation. This afternoon they did the operation. Although there were some tense moments, the operation was completed; and the boy is recovering.
The rest of us began working on the new guest house. Screens and safety bars need to be installed in the vents of the rooms, and a moisture barrier needs to be installed on the vertical portions of the center section. About 10:00 I joined one of the missionaries for a trip up the mountain to Fontina. Since we would be traveling on 4-wheelers, I was given an oral driver's exam by the missionary; it went like this: HIM: Have you ever driven an ATV? ME: no; HIM: Have you ever ridden a motor cycle? ME: no; HIM: Have you ever driven a car? ME: yes; HIM: That's good enough; let's go. We spent an hour on two ATV traveling about 2 miles. I had the opportunity to walk around the property where a pole barn church was erected by a Penn-Jersey team in the summer of 2010. There is also a Compassion school on the property. The trip down the mountain took only 45 minutes. Several places along the route provided beautiful views of the town and the water.
The afternoon was spent on the guest house. Mid-afternoon Greg, the station manager, and I visited the home of the hospital administrator. This house has a deteriorating tin roof, and needs repair or replacement. Later in the afternoon several of us went to the "hardware" store to buy the needed 1x4s and tin and take them to the house. Tomorrow we plan to start the roof replacement.
Our nurse has connected with a surgeon who comes frequently. Today was especially rewarding. There is a young boy who has a very large tumor on the right side of his face; it continues to grow. The doctor was concerned about the operating procedure, but was advised and encouraged by a colleague in the states to do the operation. This afternoon they did the operation. Although there were some tense moments, the operation was completed; and the boy is recovering.
The rest of us began working on the new guest house. Screens and safety bars need to be installed in the vents of the rooms, and a moisture barrier needs to be installed on the vertical portions of the center section. About 10:00 I joined one of the missionaries for a trip up the mountain to Fontina. Since we would be traveling on 4-wheelers, I was given an oral driver's exam by the missionary; it went like this: HIM: Have you ever driven an ATV? ME: no; HIM: Have you ever ridden a motor cycle? ME: no; HIM: Have you ever driven a car? ME: yes; HIM: That's good enough; let's go. We spent an hour on two ATV traveling about 2 miles. I had the opportunity to walk around the property where a pole barn church was erected by a Penn-Jersey team in the summer of 2010. There is also a Compassion school on the property. The trip down the mountain took only 45 minutes. Several places along the route provided beautiful views of the town and the water.
The afternoon was spent on the guest house. Mid-afternoon Greg, the station manager, and I visited the home of the hospital administrator. This house has a deteriorating tin roof, and needs repair or replacement. Later in the afternoon several of us went to the "hardware" store to buy the needed 1x4s and tin and take them to the house. Tomorrow we plan to start the roof replacement.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Worship and Rest
We joined the last 2 hours of the morning worship service at the Anse-a-Galet Wesleyan Church. Although we understood very little of what was said, we did recognize the tune of a couple songs. The service was certainly energetic and loud. We also joined the missionaries for a service in English.
After lunch some of our group went swimming and snorkeling. A couple of us were taken on a tour of the water line that WISH installed to bring water to the town. It's amazing that the system works as well as it does.
A large medical team arrive today from Scotland. Tonight there will be 6 of us in the new guest house room; six persons and 1 bathroom --- it should be interesting.
Tomorrow it's to work in earnest. Most likely we'll be working on the new guest house at least for a couple days.
After lunch some of our group went swimming and snorkeling. A couple of us were taken on a tour of the water line that WISH installed to bring water to the town. It's amazing that the system works as well as it does.
A large medical team arrive today from Scotland. Tonight there will be 6 of us in the new guest house room; six persons and 1 bathroom --- it should be interesting.
Tomorrow it's to work in earnest. Most likely we'll be working on the new guest house at least for a couple days.
Back to the Island
I started this about 8:30 pm Saturday, but ran out of time, energy and electricity.
The Wesleyana boat ride to La Gonave was one of the smoothest rides I've had. The cooks had lunch ready for us; it was good to see the folks again and to catch up on all that's happened.
Progress on the new guest house and the new hospital is beauty to behold. Seeing first hand on site is so much better than seeing the pictures that Greg and Justin have posted. I'll have to take many pictures to try to capture all the progress.
The three guys on this trip are staying in a room in the new guest house. The plumbing is functional; electricity is supplied from the WISH generator from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm just like the rest of the station. In our room we have batteries and an inverter that will power two fans through the night.
The Wesleyana boat ride to La Gonave was one of the smoothest rides I've had. The cooks had lunch ready for us; it was good to see the folks again and to catch up on all that's happened.
Progress on the new guest house and the new hospital is beauty to behold. Seeing first hand on site is so much better than seeing the pictures that Greg and Justin have posted. I'll have to take many pictures to try to capture all the progress.
The three guys on this trip are staying in a room in the new guest house. The plumbing is functional; electricity is supplied from the WISH generator from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm just like the rest of the station. In our room we have batteries and an inverter that will power two fans through the night.
Friday, March 16, 2012
A Good Days' Work
Travel for the day unfolded largely as planned. Flights were on time; all bags arrived with us; our porter and taxi driver were waiting for us. We arrived at the Ortlip Ministry Center in Croix Luly about 2 in the afternoon. Joy and Ser Lousani had lunch waiting for us.
The one project on the list for Croix Luly was the installation of a water pump for the washing machine. On a previous trip we hooked up a washing machine, but the water supply was via faucet and hose; it required manual attention to fill the machine for both wash and rinse. A couple guys on that trip thought a pressure controlled pump could be connected to provide unattended operation. A pump was obtained; a mounting fixture was fabricated; and fittings were assembled. The pump was brought with us, and this afternoon we completed the installation. An initial run this evening was as expected. Perhaps Joy will test it thoroughly tomorrow.
Some of the team cooled off in the water. Some just rested. After dinner we visited with Dan and Joy and learned more about their ministry here.
Tomorrow about noon we're scheduled to head to La Gonave for the rest of our time here. It will be very exciting to see first hand all the progress on the new guest house and the new hospital.
The one project on the list for Croix Luly was the installation of a water pump for the washing machine. On a previous trip we hooked up a washing machine, but the water supply was via faucet and hose; it required manual attention to fill the machine for both wash and rinse. A couple guys on that trip thought a pressure controlled pump could be connected to provide unattended operation. A pump was obtained; a mounting fixture was fabricated; and fittings were assembled. The pump was brought with us, and this afternoon we completed the installation. An initial run this evening was as expected. Perhaps Joy will test it thoroughly tomorrow.
Some of the team cooled off in the water. Some just rested. After dinner we visited with Dan and Joy and learned more about their ministry here.
Tomorrow about noon we're scheduled to head to La Gonave for the rest of our time here. It will be very exciting to see first hand all the progress on the new guest house and the new hospital.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
The Journey Begins - Again
In a little over 9 hours five of us are scheduled to head to Haiti by way of Miami. Four of us from Chi United Wesleyan and another from Stroudsburg Wesleyan are planning to spend a week at our mission station on the island of La Gonave, Haiti. Most likely we will be helping with repair and maintenance of homes (missionaries or Haitians) or construction of the new guest house.
As before, I hope to update this blog periodically. Stay tuned.
As before, I hope to update this blog periodically. Stay tuned.
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