One Last Leg

We certainly had a boat ride today.  The first part of the trip was very choppy.  We were treated to a saline shower while we sun bathed.  The last part wasn't bad at all; the trip took about 2 hours so it wasn't much longer than normal.

This was a day to rest and relax -- even take a nap.

Tomorrow will be a long day with a 6 1/2 - hour layover in Miami and a scheduled arrival of 9:47 pm in Philadelphia.  There's not likely to be another post before Sunday.

Phase Final

I think we sweat more today than all the other days put together.  The temperature was high; the work environment was dirty; surprises lengthened the work; just a typical work day in Haiti.

Phase two was the demolition of four ceiling panels.  The panels came down; dust clouds filled the air; all kinds of fuzzys and termite rotted wood covered the floor and us; and we uncovered an active termite nest.  We discovered that significant termite damage had occurred beyond the area we had first identified.

Phase three was the replacement of the damaged panels and battens.  All four of the initially identified panels have been replaced and most of the battens are on.  The remaining battens will be put on after additional panels have been replaced.

Tomorrow we're scheduled to take the Wesleyana to Ortlip; we should be on the mainland by noon.

Phase One

Preparations for replacing some ceiling panels in the station manager's house have been completed.  A couple panels were cut to size; all the battens (3/4" x 2") were ripped from 1" x 6" stock; the panels and battens were sprayed with Zincomat (probably unavailable in the USA); and hopefully enough screws were scrounged in the depot to complete the  job.

We also mounted several termite bait traps on the walls where there was evidence of termite activity.

Tomorrow will certainly be an interesting day.

Surprised, Not Really, Oh Yea

The unexpected is so common place in Haiti that such occurences should not come as surprises.  The project for today was the replacement of a couple ceiling panels in the station manager's house.  Disassembly of the first panel revealed active termite activity so the approach was modified.  The old material will be left in place until the new panels and battens have been cut to size and spray treated with appropriate termite inhibitors (the task for tomorrow).  Once the house has been vacated on Thursday morning, replacement will continue.

In the meantime there was an opportunity to observe a C-section procedure at the hospital.  While these procedures are rather common here, the one today turned out to be not at all typical or ordinary.  Thankfully, both mother and baby girl survived, but not without close brushes with death.  Matt will remember this day and this trip for a very long time.

We brought along some newborn and infant clothes that will be given to the mothers.

Another One Done

Replacement of another termite rotted door frame has been completed. This project was much more straightforward than what was anticipated; we are thankful! Next project is replacement of a couple 4'x8' sheets of ceiling board in the station manager's house.

Easy Pace

Today was low key and moderately paced.  Finished replacing the door jamb in the station manager's house by mid-afternoon.  Decided it was too late on a Saturday afternoon to start a new project.

A day of worship, rest, and relaxation tomorrow to prepare for our last four days of work.

We Have Water

First order of the day was the send off for the Bethany Wesleyan team as they headed to Port for a couple days before returning home.

Another termite infested door frame was inspected.

While waiting for lumber for the door frame, we installed the UV water purifier in the station manager's house.  In Myle's words: I can brush  my teeth in the sink tonight instead of my water bottle.

Tomorrow it's back to the first door frame.

Half a Days Work

'Twas a pleasant voyage across the channel even though it took 5 minutes of coaxing before the second outboard came to life.  There was just enough movement to remind us we were on the water.

After meeting and greeting the folks, we were introduced to our first project --- replacement of a termite infested door jamb in the station manager's house.  A few hours work in the afternoon completed the "demolition" phase.  We're ready to start the reconstruction tomorrow morning.

We're Here

Just a brief note to say we've arrived (almost).  Up at 3:00 am; on the road at 3:30; in the air at 6:55; Miami by  8:10 am.  All going as planned.  Pushed back from gate in Miami about 9:45 am; pulled back into gate about 10:10 am to have some fuel removed from fuel tanks; the captain said we would have been too heavy to land in Port-au-Prince.  So after an hour and forty-five minutes at the gate, we were finally airborne to Haiti.  Rest of the trip was mostly uneventful.  We did detour around a mini parade in Cabaret.

Tomorrow we should complete the arrival portion of our journey.  We're told the boat will pick us up about 8:00 am for the voyage across the channel to La Gonave.

Haiti 2015 May

Another fellow and I are scheduled to head to Haiti early tomorrow morning.  The plan is to assist with various items of repair, maintenance and construction on the mission station on La Gonave based on the priorities of the folks on site.

As time, energy, and Internet access permit, updates may be posted on this blog and/or the "Penn-Jersey District Missions" FaceBook page.  If you are on FaceBook, I encourage you to join the "Penn-Jersey District Missions" group.  Hopefully, photos will be posted in an album on the FaceBook page as well.  If you have not yet signed up for the District Missions newsletter, I encourage you to do so.  Visit "http://eepurl.com/19miX" to sign up for the newsletter.

If you read this blog but are not on FaceBook, please let me know.  I'd like to phase out this blog since the "Penn-Jersey District Missions" FaceBook page provides similar features and has convenient support for photos as well.

We are thankful for the financial support that has enabled this trip, and we ask that you continue your prayers on our behalf for health, safety, strength and wisdom.  It is our desire that both missionaries and Haitian nationals will be encouraged by our service among them.