OK, so it hasn't been a daily update. However, that should not be interpreted as a lack of engagement.
Friday did indeed begin with discussion of requirements for the trusses for the roof of the toilet that will be built for use by those waiting to see medical personnel. Initial parts were cut. Refinements were made with assistance from a computer based solution for the three sides of a triangle. Truss fabrication was put on hold by a request to remove a window in a wall near the hospital entrance. The window will be replaced with a door which will lead to the aforementioned toilet. For a completely different project some old door frames were ripped to use as concrete forms.
On Saturday the initial priority was assessment of Sureform counter tops that were to be joined for use in the operating rooms. Several of the cuts were not straight, and closer inspection indicated that appropriate tools were not on hand. Three of the A/C units in the operating rooms were run for 4 hours to verify the capability of the solar system; there were no problem encountered. With the last work day coming to an end it was back to the trusses. Gussets were cut and the first of three trusses was completed. Documentation (sketches and notes) on the truss components and assembly was prepared.
Sunday began with the morning worship service at the Anse-a-Galets Wesleyan Church (where we were introduced and asked to extend greetings). Shortly after the service concluded we headed to the dock where the outboard motors were being mounted on the Wesleyana. The ride across the channel was nice -- just enough bounce and spray to remind one that we were on the sea, but not enough to be uncomfortable. There was nothing more on the agenda but rest and repacking for the trip home on Monday.
We left the Ortlip Center this morning about 6:20am for a 9:40 am flight to Miami. After navigating immigration, baggage claim, and customs, we had enough time for a nutritious burger and fries from Wendy's topped off with a large serving of Haagen-Das. What better way to wrap up a week of ministry in Haiti. The flight to Philadelphia was on time and our checked baggage arrived with us; the rush hour traffic was better than anticipated. Thanks for your interest and prayers. Please continue remembering the missionaries on site who live these adventures 24/7; each visit increases my appreciation of and thankfulness for their service. Photos will follow --- soon I hope.
Monday, May 19, 2014
Thursday, May 15, 2014
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.
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.
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
In Port-au-Prince
Except for the insanely early start Monday was a good day. The flights were on time; and although the line at immigration was very long, it was in a single queue and served reasonably well served by 4 agents. All the baggage arrived and was "escorted" to the waiting vehicle by our favorite porters. Dan and Joy met us, and we shared lunch and a shopping trip before heading to the guest house.
Tuesday is shaping up to be a very interesting day. We are staying tonight at the Gilles' guest house in Port-au-Prince (where a team stayed in the spring of 2011). Tuesday while Dan is participating in a training session for some Haitian missionaries preparing to go to Burkina Faso in Africa, Joy will be returning to the Ortlip Center and on to La Gonave with the supplies purchased in Port. Meanwhile Wilson will be driving Pastor Luke and I on a tour of several of the churches that have been rebuilt including stops at Place L'or and Petit Goave (where we worked and stayed in 2010) and on to Croix Hilaire (which is a possible focus for the October trip).
The current plan is for Dan, Luke and I to take an MAF flight to La Gonave on Wednesday morning. That would be nice!
Tuesday is shaping up to be a very interesting day. We are staying tonight at the Gilles' guest house in Port-au-Prince (where a team stayed in the spring of 2011). Tuesday while Dan is participating in a training session for some Haitian missionaries preparing to go to Burkina Faso in Africa, Joy will be returning to the Ortlip Center and on to La Gonave with the supplies purchased in Port. Meanwhile Wilson will be driving Pastor Luke and I on a tour of several of the churches that have been rebuilt including stops at Place L'or and Petit Goave (where we worked and stayed in 2010) and on to Croix Hilaire (which is a possible focus for the October trip).
The current plan is for Dan, Luke and I to take an MAF flight to La Gonave on Wednesday morning. That would be nice!
Sunday, May 11, 2014
To Haiti Again
On Monday two of us are headed to Haiti to work with missionary Dan Irvine for a week. I'd love to provide an overview of our work plan, but this is Haiti, and plans change from day to day. We know we will be busy, and we know that we will be meeting real needs. For now that is sufficient. Stay tuned.
As in the past, I plan to periodically update this blog providing the Internet is accessible and I'm reasonably coherent. Your prayers for wisdom, strength and safety are always welcome.
As in the past, I plan to periodically update this blog providing the Internet is accessible and I'm reasonably coherent. Your prayers for wisdom, strength and safety are always welcome.
Friday, October 4, 2013
A Job Well Done
A team of 6 persons from 4 churches in Penn-Jersey spent 2 weeks (Sept. 5-20) in Haiti serving on the island of La Gonave. Prior to our leaving home there were 2 projects of possible focus for our work --- repairs to the Wesleyan school at the church in Anse-a-Galets, and work on the new La Gonave Ministry Center to prepare it for the rapidly approaching dedication of the new hospital. Once again it was evident that God had assembled the right number of folks with the right complement of skills and had prepared our minds and hearts for this time of ministry. (I’m not sure the bodies were properly prepared for the tasks, but they remained mostly functional throughout our stay.)
Upon our arrival it quickly became obvious that our focus needed to be on getting the new Ministry Center ready for the celebration that would take place one week after our return home. For the last 2 ½ years work teams from North America and the UK joined with local laborers to erect a ministry center that would accommodate 44 overnight guests, provide food service for them and provide meeting space. (By comparison the old guest house could accommodate 18 overnight guests.)
Remaining work included: spackling, caulking and painting (multiple coats) half of the sleeping rooms, hallway, outer corridor, an office and a public restroom; ceiling panels and battens in two public restrooms; missing battens in other rooms; screens to be made and installed on 24 windows; a doorway to be framed; several doors to be hung or trimmed to fit; towel bars and tissue holders to be installed; bathroom and entry door locksets to be installed; security locks to be installed on the 12 exterior gates.
We used: 50 gallons of paint, 5 gallons of primer, 2 buckets of lightweight spackling, 1 bucket of drywall joint compound, 96 tubes of caulk, 250 board feet of lumber, 7 sheets of 4x8 Masonite, 4 pounds of nails, 2 ½ rolls of insect screen, and 50 gallons of gas for the generator. We are thankful for the churches and individuals that supported us for this trip by contributing $7500 for materials and supplies in additions to funding our travel and living expenses. Their support enabled us to also provide funds for the purchase of 2 paint sprayers, 2 doors, 5 locksets, 3 grinding wheels, welding rods/wire, 10 ft. PVC for downspouts, 5 bags of cement plus sand for the laundromat area, 50 bags of cement plus sand for the 2690 sq. ft. of ceramic tile for 5 bedrooms, office, public bathrooms, hallway and outer corridor; and we covered the labor costs for the local tradesmen that were hired for the laundromat and ceramic tile work. Funds were also provided for the purchase of guest house furnishings: 4 toilets for public restrooms, 2 sinks for public restrooms, 10 beds, 10 mattresses, 10 pillows, 10 fans, and 5 mirrors.
Although we did not have the opportunity to work at the Wesleyan school, we did purchase 2 buckets of white reflective roof coating and paid for local laborers to apply it.
In the second week of our trip we were joined by a team from central Pennsylvania led by Justin Charles of Lenape Solar. Justin has spearheaded the effort to provide a solar system for the hospital and mission station that will eliminate the dependency on diesel fueled generators for electricity. During their week and a half stay they installed all the mountings for the solar panels on the hospital roof, the inverters, the batteries, and the control systems. Had the solar panels themselves not been held up in customs, the entire hospital / mission station complex (including the new Ministry Center) would have been running completely on solar power by the time they returned home. Unfortunately, customs processing delayed the solar panels release for another week. However, according to posts on FaceBook received today, the panels were released by customs on Wednesday and transported to La Gonave yesterday and today. Justin had instructed the missionaries on solar panel installation so within a day or so the sun will be providing all the electricity for the La Gonave Wesleyan Hospital / Ministry Center complex!
The hospital dedication took place on September 28. It was attended by more than 200 dignitaries and guests. The new La Gonave Ministry Center provided overnight accommodation for 44 guests and served meals to 70 persons in the dining hall.
Words cannot adequately capture the significant beneficial impact that will be realized by the people of La Gonave because of the ministries that have been enhanced and enabled by these new buildings. It was a blessing beyond description to have been part of this adventure. To God be the glory!
Upon our arrival it quickly became obvious that our focus needed to be on getting the new Ministry Center ready for the celebration that would take place one week after our return home. For the last 2 ½ years work teams from North America and the UK joined with local laborers to erect a ministry center that would accommodate 44 overnight guests, provide food service for them and provide meeting space. (By comparison the old guest house could accommodate 18 overnight guests.)
Remaining work included: spackling, caulking and painting (multiple coats) half of the sleeping rooms, hallway, outer corridor, an office and a public restroom; ceiling panels and battens in two public restrooms; missing battens in other rooms; screens to be made and installed on 24 windows; a doorway to be framed; several doors to be hung or trimmed to fit; towel bars and tissue holders to be installed; bathroom and entry door locksets to be installed; security locks to be installed on the 12 exterior gates.
We used: 50 gallons of paint, 5 gallons of primer, 2 buckets of lightweight spackling, 1 bucket of drywall joint compound, 96 tubes of caulk, 250 board feet of lumber, 7 sheets of 4x8 Masonite, 4 pounds of nails, 2 ½ rolls of insect screen, and 50 gallons of gas for the generator. We are thankful for the churches and individuals that supported us for this trip by contributing $7500 for materials and supplies in additions to funding our travel and living expenses. Their support enabled us to also provide funds for the purchase of 2 paint sprayers, 2 doors, 5 locksets, 3 grinding wheels, welding rods/wire, 10 ft. PVC for downspouts, 5 bags of cement plus sand for the laundromat area, 50 bags of cement plus sand for the 2690 sq. ft. of ceramic tile for 5 bedrooms, office, public bathrooms, hallway and outer corridor; and we covered the labor costs for the local tradesmen that were hired for the laundromat and ceramic tile work. Funds were also provided for the purchase of guest house furnishings: 4 toilets for public restrooms, 2 sinks for public restrooms, 10 beds, 10 mattresses, 10 pillows, 10 fans, and 5 mirrors.
Although we did not have the opportunity to work at the Wesleyan school, we did purchase 2 buckets of white reflective roof coating and paid for local laborers to apply it.
In the second week of our trip we were joined by a team from central Pennsylvania led by Justin Charles of Lenape Solar. Justin has spearheaded the effort to provide a solar system for the hospital and mission station that will eliminate the dependency on diesel fueled generators for electricity. During their week and a half stay they installed all the mountings for the solar panels on the hospital roof, the inverters, the batteries, and the control systems. Had the solar panels themselves not been held up in customs, the entire hospital / mission station complex (including the new Ministry Center) would have been running completely on solar power by the time they returned home. Unfortunately, customs processing delayed the solar panels release for another week. However, according to posts on FaceBook received today, the panels were released by customs on Wednesday and transported to La Gonave yesterday and today. Justin had instructed the missionaries on solar panel installation so within a day or so the sun will be providing all the electricity for the La Gonave Wesleyan Hospital / Ministry Center complex!
The hospital dedication took place on September 28. It was attended by more than 200 dignitaries and guests. The new La Gonave Ministry Center provided overnight accommodation for 44 guests and served meals to 70 persons in the dining hall.
Words cannot adequately capture the significant beneficial impact that will be realized by the people of La Gonave because of the ministries that have been enhanced and enabled by these new buildings. It was a blessing beyond description to have been part of this adventure. To God be the glory!
Friday, September 20, 2013
Arrived at Home
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.
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.
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.
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