Tour, Fly and Build

My apologies for the belated update.  The last three days have been busy and full (all good), and my laptop decided to not receive IP address data from the routers so my access to the Internet has been sporadic.

Tuesday was in fact the 10-hour grand  tour.  We stopped to take photos at Mais Gate, Cite Soleil, Quitus Chabain, Croix Hilaire, Papette, Leogone, and Place L'or.  We also stopped at the Petit Goave compound; it looked much the same as in 2010.  I was told that teams have stayed there several time during the last few months.  At Croix Hilaire we were able to take several photos of the current state of construction and document the floor plan.  Back at the guest house I was able to visit with the woman who is spearheading the development of an accredited 4-year nursing program at the new hospital on La Gonave.  It was exciting to learn about the plan and to explore possible opportunities for visitors from North America.

Wednesday began with an early morning flight on MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship) from Port-au-Prince to La Gonave.  After settling into our room in the new La Gonave Ministry Center we toured the new hospital (where there are many details to be addressed before it's ready for patients), the old guest house (the interior of which has been gutted, except for the apartments at either end, in preparation for becoming the central supply for the hospital), and the old hospital (still serving the medical needs of the people of La Gonave).  We also had opportunities to reconnect with the missionaries and other friends.

On Thursday Dan had a two-fold assignment for us.  The first was to layout the location of the walls for the re-located information station at the hospital and drill holes for and set vertical rebar in preparation for laying the block walls.  The second was to insulate and cover a wall opening that had been planned for a window.  Again at meal times we were able to visit with other volunteers.

Sorry that I've not been able to select and process some photos yet; don't give up hope.

The word from the after dinner discussion is that on Friday we will be building three trusses for the roof of the toilet that is being constructed for use by the folks waiting to be seen at the hospital.  That should be fun.