Dear reader, please understand that sooo much happens during the day that you simply must budget face time with the team after our return for the real stories. We will attempt to highlight today's events and "God sightings" but it would be impossible to capture a satisfactory glimpse in this cyber venue alone. Caveat number 2: PB is already sawing logs, and none of us knows how to make comments to the blog anonymously. Sorry we can't answer that question yet.
Now onto the good stuff. From Ecclesiastes 3: "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven...a time to tear down and a time to build...a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance."
A time to build: obviously that is why we're here, and tomorrow we will post photos of our progress on the new school. (A time to weep: the reason we cannot tonight is that the nightly power outage was longer than usual (in fact it continues as we type) and it is quite late. (And PB is sawing logs.))
A time to tear down (albeit impromptu) occurred at the end of the work day when PB, on his second voyage driving in the INSANE Port traffic--replete with gear-grinding, lurching, and antiperspirant failure--and while in the wrong gear, backed into a cinderblock wall. Fortunately damage was minimal to both wall (already crumbling) and truck (FOHO, we'll be making a generous donation designated 'new truck.') The rest of that story can only adequately be told in person, and with reenactment of the team's reaction. :)
We had so many times to laugh today! Couple examples....
At worksite....
Craig drops cinderblock (unwittingly) on Laura's toe.
Laura: Good thing these are steel toed boots.
Craig: Actually they're not, but it's OK--I didn't hit myself.
Pause....
Megan: Um, Craig--it was Laura's steel toe.
Craig: Ohhhh. Oops.
(a few hours later back at FOHO)
Craig drops drill battery pack on Megan's bare toe.
Megan: Ow
Craig: Good thing those are steel toed sandals!
(ba dum bum)
A time to dance was afforded at the school children's break time when PB, Dinecia and Megan taught the eager students a couple of silly camp songs in English, which they relished and learned remarkably well! Aaaaaaaaalligator was a favorite, but the teacher rang the 'back to work' bell before we could get through the whole thing. There was also lively arm wrestling, initiated by the same PB, with some of the school boys, which was wildly entertaining for them all. Dancing it did devolve into when two boys tried it without a table! (The teachers weren't crazy about that. oops).
A time to weep; a time to mourn. Pastor Leon's middle son, Jeanganzi, paid us a visit this afternoon. He came out early from his university classes to meet us. His mother and also older brother, Emoy, are both teachers at the school. In a conversation with one team member, Jeanganzi spoke about his personal heartbreak because of the earthquake. Previosuly in that conversation, he had been smiling and bright, but as the subject turned to that disaster, his entire countenance transformed into one of utter sorrow and brokenness. He said, "I cannot handle talking about it anymore now....what I feel, it is...indescribable."
As these sentiments were shared later at FOHO among our team, many broke down and wept. PB reminded us that Jesus also wept, and we share his sorrow for the loss of his beloved children, which, though unspeakably difficult at times, is at the same time an awesome privilege. We had a very meaningful time of reflection on God's love for each of his people and about grief. PB says grief is a loss, and loss can include loss of ideas, expectations, preconceptions, and hopes as well as physical loss like homes and loved ones. So we grieved a bit, in our own ways, over those things we have lost already on the trip, and for all that is, and who is, lost all around us in this country. Again, words fail. We sincerely regret that you cannot see with our eyes these experiences we so wish to convey to you to bless your spirits. But God can do that without our help. Are you available to receive his blessings tonight? We pray that you are, and that you, and we, will be drawn closer to His love and his generous Spirit during and after this trip.
Until tomorrow,
your Team Haiti
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I am reminded of Luke 2:19 "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart". It sounds like you all have many things to treasure and ponder! The heartbreaks and joys can never be fully explained to those of us who aren't there but we love your updates. They give us glimpses so we can rejoice and weep with you.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like Craig needs a safety zone around him so he doesn't injure anyone else's feet, lol! Obviously we should have made it clear that PB should NOT be called on to drive! I hope the damage to the truck is minimal.
How are those heater meals working out? Inquiring minds want to know.
Heater meals are great, we gave some to the Haitian workers. We are all polling as we eat, Lasagna, two thumbs down but the rest of the meals are two thumbs up. The cookies are hockey pucks and taste like cardboard. Chris says that lemon snaps are good. The rest of the snacks are very good. We have so much food we could feed a small army. We are making water every day, 10 - 20 gallons. We drink about 15 gallons a day at the work site. The Haitian Church members made us two home cooked meals for lunch and they were outstanding. First day lunch; fried plantains, potato salad mixed with with macaroni, ham and carrots. Day two, rice and beans and we spooned a sauce with beef and coyote squash. Ed, Dinecia, Chris and Jamie.
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