The day began at 4:15 am. We left Croix Luly (Dan & Joy Irvine's near the wharf on the mainland) at 5:35 am; by 5:45 pm the team and all their luggage were waiting to be picked up at the Philadelphia airport.
It was a great trip; much was accomplished; we are tired and fulfilled. Thanks for all your prayers and support.
Perhaps sometime in the next week I'll find time to post some reflections on the trip.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Homeward Bound - Phase Two
The journey in the Wesleyana across the channel was quite smooth and pleasant. We are enjoying the opportunity to relax, sleep, visit, and play in the water.
Our schedule for tomorrow will begin about 5: 30 am with an hour ride to the airport. We are scheduled to arrive in Philadelphia at 5:40 pm. It will be good to be home.
Our schedule for tomorrow will begin about 5: 30 am with an hour ride to the airport. We are scheduled to arrive in Philadelphia at 5:40 pm. It will be good to be home.
At Fontina - Part 2
Sunday:
After a visit to the OKIPE Children's Village, we headed back up the mountain to Fontina. It took an hour and fifteen minutes to travel the 4.5 miles.
Monday:
It was a long day of setting forms, pouring concrete, moving forms, pouring concrete. After 9 hours of work we had the 2 long sides and one end completed with 8' of concrete.
Tuesday:
Continued work on the second lift; by 2:30 pm the second lift was complete. The third lift extends about 2' to the header boards at the base of the roof trusses. Another 9-hour day resulted in the completion of one side.
Wednesday:
The morning was devoted to completing the third lift above the main entrance. Our work had come to a close. Over the next few days the Haitian mason and several local laborers will be able to complete the third lift. Several windows and doors were already on site, and a Haitian welder will set them in place and attach them to the rebar.
In addition to the concrete work, a few of the team members refurbished a swing set and sliding board.
It has been a tiring but rewarding experience. The Pastor and director of the school were very grateful for our work. The local folks have been most welcoming. We have been blessed beyond description.
After a visit to the OKIPE Children's Village, we headed back up the mountain to Fontina. It took an hour and fifteen minutes to travel the 4.5 miles.
Monday:
It was a long day of setting forms, pouring concrete, moving forms, pouring concrete. After 9 hours of work we had the 2 long sides and one end completed with 8' of concrete.
Tuesday:
Continued work on the second lift; by 2:30 pm the second lift was complete. The third lift extends about 2' to the header boards at the base of the roof trusses. Another 9-hour day resulted in the completion of one side.
Wednesday:
The morning was devoted to completing the third lift above the main entrance. Our work had come to a close. Over the next few days the Haitian mason and several local laborers will be able to complete the third lift. Several windows and doors were already on site, and a Haitian welder will set them in place and attach them to the rebar.
In addition to the concrete work, a few of the team members refurbished a swing set and sliding board.
It has been a tiring but rewarding experience. The Pastor and director of the school were very grateful for our work. The local folks have been most welcoming. We have been blessed beyond description.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Homeward Bound - Phase One
We are back at the mission station in Anse-a-Galets. The bumpy ride down the mountain never felt so good -- NOT.
We had a productive second week. Two concrete "lifts" of 4' each were completed. About half of the last 2' lift was also completed. The pastor expressed his gratitude and that of the congregation for our labors.
A few more photos have been posted to my Facebook page. Within the next few days I hope to provide more information about our second week at Fontina.
Tomorrow we're scheduled to ride the Wesleyana across the channel then head to the airport on Friday.
We had a productive second week. Two concrete "lifts" of 4' each were completed. About half of the last 2' lift was also completed. The pastor expressed his gratitude and that of the congregation for our labors.
A few more photos have been posted to my Facebook page. Within the next few days I hope to provide more information about our second week at Fontina.
Tomorrow we're scheduled to ride the Wesleyana across the channel then head to the airport on Friday.
Saturday, September 8, 2012
More Pictures Posted
Some pictures from our work at Fontina have been posted to my Facebook page. If you cannot view them, send me a friend request.
Today has been a nice day of needed rest and relaxation. Local artisans brought their wares to the mission station for us to shop. Some went snorkling again.
Just a reminder. Tomorrow we head for Fontina which means no Internet. We plan to be back at the mission station Wednesday evening.
Today has been a nice day of needed rest and relaxation. Local artisans brought their wares to the mission station for us to shop. Some went snorkling again.
Just a reminder. Tomorrow we head for Fontina which means no Internet. We plan to be back at the mission station Wednesday evening.
At Fontina - Part 1
Here's an summary of our week at Fontina.
Monday:
Although all travel in Haiti is "interesting", the trip from Anse-a-Galets to Fontina is in a class by itself. After a stop to fill jugs with drinking water (from a reverse osmosis facility in town) we took an hour and a half ride in two pickup trucks (with worn out suspensions) up the mountain never reaching a speed of 10 MPH, and most times traveling at less than 3 MPH. The "road" is rocky, bumpy, narrow, steep, rutted, uneven, unlevel, ..... Suffice it to say we were glad to have arrived.
The rest of the day was allocated to "settling in" to our accommodation for the next several days. The folks of Fontina had prepared (were in the process of preparing) rooms for sleeping, eating and showering. Air mattresses and mosquito nets were set up. Four guys hung hammocks, and another pitched a tent in the church building.
Prior to our arrival work had been done to level the ground at the church building and pour a footer. We were to later discover as we began to pour concrete, that the footer had not been made as level and smooth as we had expected.
Shortly after supper we were ready for bed.
Tuesday:
Several horizontal runs of rebar and the verticals with them had been installed by folks prior to our arrival. Unfortunately, the last two horizontal rows had to be removed because they were not at the proper spacing. The rebar is run on approximately 15" - 18" spacing and the intersections of horizontal and vertical are tie wrapped to keep them in place. By end of day the rebar for the fist pour (lift) of concrete was ready, and much of that needed for the second lift was ready as well.
Although doors and windows will be iron (for security), wooden frames are used to define the locations during the pouring of concrete. One door frame was built and set in place. The Haitian crew leaders set the 4' x 8' plywood panels on either side of the posts as the forms for pouring concrete, and the panels were braced with 2x4s (or whatever was available) to prevent bulging. The building has 6"x6" posts set on 8' centers so each lift results in a 4' high section of the wall.
Fortunately, we were able to have an ATV with us, and it was put to good use as we need additional fuel for the generator.
Wednesday:
Pouring of concrete began. Two local laborers were hired to mix concrete (by hand). Another two general laborers were hired to help out. Aggregate and sand were mixed in a flat area on the ground using shovels. Cement was poured over the mix and all worked together. Then water was added and mixing continued. A bucket brigade consisting of many of the team members and several local folks who had gathered to watch the progress was used to transport the concrete to the needed location where the Haitian mason dumped it into the form and tapped down. After 3 or 4 hours of curing in the hot sun, the concrete was set enough that the panels could be move to another section. By end of day one end and one side had been poured.
The other 3 door frames were completed, and the building of window frames got underway. Work on setting rebar on up the the walls continued.
Thursday:
Setting plywood panels and pouring of concrete continued. By end of day the first lift was completed all around the building.
The building of window frames continued until all 2x6 material was used. We learned later that there are more windows in this building than in others, and the lumber supplied was based on prior construction.
Junction boxes for outlets and switches will be installed around the building at the 4' level. About half of the junction boxes have been set and conduit run up to the header plates in preparation for the second lift of concrete. Although there is no city power in Fontina, they do have a generator that is run at times.
One of our team members could come for only one week; he left Fontina today to begin his trip to Port-au-Prince for his flight Saturday.
Tonight we had goat complements of Pastor Gesley, pastor of the congregation here in Fontina. Madame Sammie, one of the cooks at the guest house, has come to Fontina with us. As Pastor Dan Irvine told me as we were planning this trip, she can cook as well over charcoal as she can on a propane stove - and she can! The food we have here is the same as what we're served at the mission station.
Friday:
Another window frame was built from lumber that was delivered yesterday. The only available lumber was 2"x8" so it will have to ripped to 6". Some of the rebar near the top had to be threaded through the braces so more holes had to be drilled.
The primary focus for this morning was the pouring the second lift in the back and left side panels that have windows. This turned out to be a challenge because it seemed to take longer that it should to get plywood panels moved and concrete mixed. However we persevered, and by 1:45 pm it was done.
Throughout the week many of the folks from the community would gather to watch this groups of "blancs" work on their church. The Pastor expressed to me the gratefulness of him and the congregation for our work on their church. Several of the local folks, teens and adults, would join the bucket brigade and join in the call of "bucket, bucket" while waiting for the buckets to make their way along the line. Even the Pastor and the Director of the school joined in.
Our tools were stored for the weekend, and we made the 1 1/2 hour trip down the mountain in 2 trucks and an ATV. It will be very good to relax for a couple days.
Still working on some photos to upload; stay tuned.
Monday:
Although all travel in Haiti is "interesting", the trip from Anse-a-Galets to Fontina is in a class by itself. After a stop to fill jugs with drinking water (from a reverse osmosis facility in town) we took an hour and a half ride in two pickup trucks (with worn out suspensions) up the mountain never reaching a speed of 10 MPH, and most times traveling at less than 3 MPH. The "road" is rocky, bumpy, narrow, steep, rutted, uneven, unlevel, ..... Suffice it to say we were glad to have arrived.
The rest of the day was allocated to "settling in" to our accommodation for the next several days. The folks of Fontina had prepared (were in the process of preparing) rooms for sleeping, eating and showering. Air mattresses and mosquito nets were set up. Four guys hung hammocks, and another pitched a tent in the church building.
Prior to our arrival work had been done to level the ground at the church building and pour a footer. We were to later discover as we began to pour concrete, that the footer had not been made as level and smooth as we had expected.
Shortly after supper we were ready for bed.
Tuesday:
Several horizontal runs of rebar and the verticals with them had been installed by folks prior to our arrival. Unfortunately, the last two horizontal rows had to be removed because they were not at the proper spacing. The rebar is run on approximately 15" - 18" spacing and the intersections of horizontal and vertical are tie wrapped to keep them in place. By end of day the rebar for the fist pour (lift) of concrete was ready, and much of that needed for the second lift was ready as well.
Although doors and windows will be iron (for security), wooden frames are used to define the locations during the pouring of concrete. One door frame was built and set in place. The Haitian crew leaders set the 4' x 8' plywood panels on either side of the posts as the forms for pouring concrete, and the panels were braced with 2x4s (or whatever was available) to prevent bulging. The building has 6"x6" posts set on 8' centers so each lift results in a 4' high section of the wall.
Fortunately, we were able to have an ATV with us, and it was put to good use as we need additional fuel for the generator.
Wednesday:
Pouring of concrete began. Two local laborers were hired to mix concrete (by hand). Another two general laborers were hired to help out. Aggregate and sand were mixed in a flat area on the ground using shovels. Cement was poured over the mix and all worked together. Then water was added and mixing continued. A bucket brigade consisting of many of the team members and several local folks who had gathered to watch the progress was used to transport the concrete to the needed location where the Haitian mason dumped it into the form and tapped down. After 3 or 4 hours of curing in the hot sun, the concrete was set enough that the panels could be move to another section. By end of day one end and one side had been poured.
The other 3 door frames were completed, and the building of window frames got underway. Work on setting rebar on up the the walls continued.
Thursday:
Setting plywood panels and pouring of concrete continued. By end of day the first lift was completed all around the building.
The building of window frames continued until all 2x6 material was used. We learned later that there are more windows in this building than in others, and the lumber supplied was based on prior construction.
Junction boxes for outlets and switches will be installed around the building at the 4' level. About half of the junction boxes have been set and conduit run up to the header plates in preparation for the second lift of concrete. Although there is no city power in Fontina, they do have a generator that is run at times.
One of our team members could come for only one week; he left Fontina today to begin his trip to Port-au-Prince for his flight Saturday.
Tonight we had goat complements of Pastor Gesley, pastor of the congregation here in Fontina. Madame Sammie, one of the cooks at the guest house, has come to Fontina with us. As Pastor Dan Irvine told me as we were planning this trip, she can cook as well over charcoal as she can on a propane stove - and she can! The food we have here is the same as what we're served at the mission station.
Friday:
Another window frame was built from lumber that was delivered yesterday. The only available lumber was 2"x8" so it will have to ripped to 6". Some of the rebar near the top had to be threaded through the braces so more holes had to be drilled.
The primary focus for this morning was the pouring the second lift in the back and left side panels that have windows. This turned out to be a challenge because it seemed to take longer that it should to get plywood panels moved and concrete mixed. However we persevered, and by 1:45 pm it was done.
Throughout the week many of the folks from the community would gather to watch this groups of "blancs" work on their church. The Pastor expressed to me the gratefulness of him and the congregation for our work on their church. Several of the local folks, teens and adults, would join the bucket brigade and join in the call of "bucket, bucket" while waiting for the buckets to make their way along the line. Even the Pastor and the Director of the school joined in.
Our tools were stored for the weekend, and we made the 1 1/2 hour trip down the mountain in 2 trucks and an ATV. It will be very good to relax for a couple days.
Still working on some photos to upload; stay tuned.
Friday, September 7, 2012
Back to Town
We are back at the mission station in Anse-a-Galets for the weekend. We're thankful for a chance to slow down and rest up. We'll most likely head back up to Fontina Sunday afternoon.
As you should have deduced from the absence of postings, there is no Internet connectivity from Fontina. For all intents and purposes neither is there Digicel phone service. A relatively new communications carrier, Natcom, does provide service; and although one of you team members has Natcom service, we only used it for pressing needs.
In the next day or so, I'll try to post a summary of our week of work, and I'll try to get a few more pictures posted on my Facebook page.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Up the Mountain
Today was a good day of reflection, relaxation and rest. Some of us spent an hour or so in the morning worship at the local Haitian Wesleyan Church. We also attended a "missionary service" (in English) with the missionaries on the mission station. After lunch some of us went snorkeling at a sandbar just off shore from the dock. Final preparations have been made for our trip to Fontina tomorrow morning.
This afternoon some pictures have been posted in an album on my Facebook page.
It is not clear how accessible phone service and Internet connectivity will be. We plan to be back at the mission station on Friday evening. So --- don't be concerned if there are no further entries for a few days.
Saturday, September 1, 2012
To the Island
One never knows quite what to expect when in Haiti. This morning we walked next door to the wharf where we were to board the Wesleyana (a sailboat from decades ago with two outboard motors) for the 12-mile journey across the Saint Marc channel to La Gonave. At the wharf we watched as an ATV was loaded onto the sailboat. While some held the ropes to keep the boat against the dock, one drove the ATV 'til it's front wheels were on the boat then four guys jockeyed the ATV until it was sitting in the hull. Our luggage was loaded around it; the cargo was covered with a tarp; and we finally boarded ourselves. The water was the calmest I've experienced, and the crossing took only 90 minutes.
In a meeting with the station manager we refined the logistics for supplying water (potable and cooking), food, and other accommodation factors. Meal times included conversations with various missionary families on the mission station. It was very encouraging to see the progress on the new hospital and new guesthouse.
Tomorrow will be a day of worship, rest and final preparation for our work in Fontina. Monday we head up the mountain.
In a meeting with the station manager we refined the logistics for supplying water (potable and cooking), food, and other accommodation factors. Meal times included conversations with various missionary families on the mission station. It was very encouraging to see the progress on the new hospital and new guesthouse.
Tomorrow will be a day of worship, rest and final preparation for our work in Fontina. Monday we head up the mountain.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)