Up at 6:15 am; on the road at 6:35 am; in the air from Port-au-Prince at 10:35 am; on the ground in Philadelphia at 5:25 pm; in the house at 6:40 pm. The trip was relatively uneventful. The arrivals area in the Port-au-Prince airport has been substantially renovated; it looks more like a typical airport - great sign of progress.
It was an extremely productive and beneficial trip; I'll try (again) to post a recap in a few days.
Thanks for all your interest, support, and prayers.
Friday, September 20, 2013
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Headed Home
First my apologies for not getting a post out last night. Yesterday my fuel tank hit empty; thankfully it was just for the one day, and I was the only one affected so the work continued.
Yesterday was a long work day, but the results were well worth it. Our goal was to make all the rooms on the north side of the guest house functional. All the windows have screens on them. All the rooms, bathrooms and hallways have been caulked and painted; towel bars and toilet paper holders have been hung. All the doors have been trimmed to size and hung, and locksets have been installed. All the mounting brackets for the exterior gate locks have been welded to the gates. The local tradesmen will most likely have all the tile laid by the time we get home.
About 8:30 this morning we left the Wesleyan dock on La Gonave for the journey back across the St. Marc channel. While not quite as calm as the trip over, this trip was among the smoothest we've had. It's good to slow down, take a nap, do some snorkeling, catch some rays (there are plenty to be had), and repack for the trip home.
A few more photos have been posted.
Yesterday was a long work day, but the results were well worth it. Our goal was to make all the rooms on the north side of the guest house functional. All the windows have screens on them. All the rooms, bathrooms and hallways have been caulked and painted; towel bars and toilet paper holders have been hung. All the doors have been trimmed to size and hung, and locksets have been installed. All the mounting brackets for the exterior gate locks have been welded to the gates. The local tradesmen will most likely have all the tile laid by the time we get home.
About 8:30 this morning we left the Wesleyan dock on La Gonave for the journey back across the St. Marc channel. While not quite as calm as the trip over, this trip was among the smoothest we've had. It's good to slow down, take a nap, do some snorkeling, catch some rays (there are plenty to be had), and repack for the trip home.
A few more photos have been posted.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
One More Work Day
We have only one more work day before we begin our trek homeward. Today was another very productive day. More screens made and installed; of course more painting; progress on the security locks for the exterior gates. It has been a very good trip.
Monday, September 16, 2013
A Good Day at Work
I've been told by a team member who ought to know that the caulking is all done; that's good because we also have used up all the caulk available. Painting continues - will it ever end? Quite a few frames were made for window screens.
The tile workers are making good progress, and the solar installation team arrived today and went straight to work.
Check out the pictures on FaceBook.
The tile workers are making good progress, and the solar installation team arrived today and went straight to work.
Check out the pictures on FaceBook.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Worship, Rest, and Relaxation
This morning we joined the resident missionaries for an English language worship service followed by the noon meal and a time of visiting. This afternoon a few of the folks went swimming (this time with the snorkling gear). Others watched portions of the Chargers vs. Eagles football game -- how's that for primitive life in Haiti!
Tomorrow it's back to work full speed ahead. We have 3 work days left; there is still plenty to keep us busy. Pray with us for a strong finish.
Tomorrow it's back to work full speed ahead. We have 3 work days left; there is still plenty to keep us busy. Pray with us for a strong finish.
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Time to Recharge
It has been an intense, full and focused week. But even the hardiest of bodies need to be recharged once in a while.
This morning after breakfast we headed up the mountain to Fontina, the site of our work last September; the trip wasn't any quicker than it was last year. Some parts of the road had sections of concrete tire tracks poured so the ride there was quite smooth (as long as the truck stayed on the concrete pads - it did). However, other portions of the road had been eroded by water flow and were in worse shape than last year. Nevertheless, we had a good visit. Many of the folks recognized us and were happy to see us. The church building is still not being used for services. Compassion has funded the construction of a new school building adjacent to the church. That work is complete and ready for use in the school year to begin in October. Folks were clearing the rubble from the demolition of one of the old buildings that had been used for school.
This afternoon we rested; for a couple hours the entire team had taken a nap. It was needed.
Floor tile for the guest house was delivered yesterday, and today the tile bos and his helpers were busy with the installation. Also, delivery of the components for the hospital solar system began arriving at the mission station.
This morning after breakfast we headed up the mountain to Fontina, the site of our work last September; the trip wasn't any quicker than it was last year. Some parts of the road had sections of concrete tire tracks poured so the ride there was quite smooth (as long as the truck stayed on the concrete pads - it did). However, other portions of the road had been eroded by water flow and were in worse shape than last year. Nevertheless, we had a good visit. Many of the folks recognized us and were happy to see us. The church building is still not being used for services. Compassion has funded the construction of a new school building adjacent to the church. That work is complete and ready for use in the school year to begin in October. Folks were clearing the rubble from the demolition of one of the old buildings that had been used for school.
This afternoon we rested; for a couple hours the entire team had taken a nap. It was needed.
Floor tile for the guest house was delivered yesterday, and today the tile bos and his helpers were busy with the installation. Also, delivery of the components for the hospital solar system began arriving at the mission station.
Friday, September 13, 2013
More Work
Work continues with full engagnement. More than half of our time is behind us. The progress is noticable. We have expended all the excess energy that we might have brought with us, but each morning we're ready to go at it again. We are however thankful for the weekend. Check out the photos on FaceBook.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Market Day
We worked just for a few hours this morning --- more painting and more door installations. Just before noon we walked through town to the market --- nothing like Acme or Super Fresh. All kinds of wares spread out on tables or laid on cloths on the ground. We chose not to buy here. Some of us went to the sandbar for snorkling, but without masks and breathing tubes it's difficult to see under water. So they settled for some treadding water and sun bathing. Some took a stroll through the saline - the flat land next to the water where folks who have no other place to live make whatever shelter they can. Even in these circumstances folks greet us with a smile, and the little children come near to get a closer look at us blancs.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Work Day Four
Progress continues. It's more of the same --- caulking, painting, mounting doors. The temperature is not cooling down (we didn't expect it to).
We had a very good visit with Dan Irvine as he shared some of the work that remains to be done and the various opportunities for ministry teams.
We had a very good visit with Dan Irvine as he shared some of the work that remains to be done and the various opportunities for ministry teams.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Work Day Three
Another good day of work is over. Ceiling panels in restrooms complete. One room with a second coat of paint. Much caulking applied.
One of the pictures I posted today shows a room with two coats of paint applied. This is the same room that Brian and I worked on last March. The photos from the March trip show this room without ceiling panels and with the ceiling panels and battens. Now we have a picture of this room with two coats of paint applied.
To borrow a quote from Smokey and the Bandit: "We've a long way to go and a short time to get there." However, our objective is much more noble than theirs.
As always, we are being fed very well. We are grateful that none of us have had any health issues. Continued prayers are appreciated for our wisdom, health and strength.
One of the pictures I posted today shows a room with two coats of paint applied. This is the same room that Brian and I worked on last March. The photos from the March trip show this room without ceiling panels and with the ceiling panels and battens. Now we have a picture of this room with two coats of paint applied.
To borrow a quote from Smokey and the Bandit: "We've a long way to go and a short time to get there." However, our objective is much more noble than theirs.
As always, we are being fed very well. We are grateful that none of us have had any health issues. Continued prayers are appreciated for our wisdom, health and strength.
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