Team Haiti Home Safely!

Team Haiti started the day July 10th, much the same as they had for the past 11 days . . . up at 430am!  We had taken the time the night before to make sure that the vast amount of our packing was already done.  Breakfast, devotions, and prayer together, we were ready to depart for the airport at 6am.

We said our quick goodbyes to Larry Judy (our hero!) . . . 

Without much incident we were able to enter the airport, pass through security, check our bags, and patiently wait for the boarding to begin.  While waiting we had the opportunity to speak with others who had been serving in Haiti.  We especially enjoyed the medical missionaries from the University of Kentucky Medical Center!!

We also had the chance to applaud a group of US Army personnel who were returning to the states.  It was so cool that Ed McDonald met a gentleman there who had served with in the Army while in Honduras.  What a small Army!

Team Haiti has left the building . . . but our hearts, spirits, and prayers remain.

The first leg of our flight home went from Port au Prince to Fort Lauderdale, FL.  The flight went well and we all sat together.  After passing through customs we were allowed back into the good ole US of A!!!

We then checked our luggage into Southwest Airlines for the second leg of our trip - Buffalo NY!

After everything was in place the team had a great meal together, and then had our last team meeting together before our flight and arrival in Buffalo.

Once in Buffalo, Chris was met by his Mom and Aunt and departed for Gowanda.  Craig was met by his wife Deb, both sons, and a few other family members - they left for Rochester together.  Mary was met by John who wasn't readily recognized due to his lime green mohawk . . . they left together.  Pastor Greg Harp met the rest of us with the van, and a very special guest - Megan Hoose!!!  She had come to welcome us home!  Jamie and Craig were called and returned to greet her!

The Ransomville part of the team arrived home in the church parking lot at 10pm.  Tired, but so glad to be home.

Stay tuned as the journey continues . . . 

Apology

To those who tried to post comments to the blog . . . I just realized the settings for the blog were prohibitive. . . the settings have been changed to allow anyone to post.

In light of this, please take a few moments and make any comments you wish to add.  This blog will continue to be available for quite some time.  We will be adding a few post-trip accounts.  Stay tuned . . . the journey continues. . .

Haiti - Day 12

Can't believe it!  Today we finished our work at the school.  There is still much work there still to be done, but so much has been accomplished in the last 12 days!!!  At this point in our entry we have packed, most surfaces have been cleaned, and we are beginning to settle in for a good rest before rising at 4:30am in order to head out at 6am for the airport.

Pastor Leon is a very incredible man of God.  Both he and his wife walk 30 minutes each day to and from the school.  We have committed to pray daily for each other.  I have a feeling Google translator is going to play a huge role!

Our favorite Pastor Leon saying . . . 

"I kill you"

The roof is 100% completed!  Here Kevin is putting the final caulking touches.

All the door frames are in, all windows have been fabricated and painted, and several of the interior walls have been started.  Over each of the windows they pour a concrete header that has a re-bar core for strength.  Once the headers are cured, the rest of the block will be installed.  A rough layer of concrete is smoothed over the entire structure inside and out, and then a final layer of stucco applied with a little paint to boot.

After missing work yesterday, Ed was back on the job site today albeit in a little discomfort.

There is much work to do as we begin our preparation to leave . . . the real question here is . . . awake or sleep walking?  Inquiring minds want to know!

For the last four nights this has been a consistent scenario in the FOHO House.  Each night the match runs about 2 hours with a lot of comment and staring . . . . the end result . . . Jamie 3 and for the first time to night, Elijah 1!

Jamie and Craig, along with Dinecia, made friends with the kids who live in the tents in our street.  Ask them about their experience in a local cafe' interacting with the kids and their parents!  

Every where you look in Haiti you see the smiling faces of its people.  Though they have little, they have what is most important . . . the grace and love of Jesus!

Tomorrow we depart on our journey home.  The first leg of our journey will take us from Port au Prince to Fort Lauerdale, FL.  In Florida we have a 5 and 1/2 layover and plan to have our closing team meeting with a very nice meal.  Pray for us as we travel that we will have safety, but that we will also have the opportunity to share the hope that is ours through Jesus Christ.

We have so enjoyed Haiti, and most seem ready to return again soon.  Yet, I believe each of us has a longing for home and those whom we love the dearest!  So aurevoir!

Bon voyage!!!

Haiti - Day 11

Today was the last full day of work on the school for Team Haiti.  Where has all the time gone.  It seems only a few days ago we were arriving, and yet there is a sense that we have been here such a very long time.  Each member of the team will return home very different than when we left.

On the job site there are several Haitians who have been working with us, or rather, we have been working with them.  The "boss" of the group is an incredible man by the name of Abilar.

Abilar "Boss"

Not only is Abilar a skilled block layer, but he is also a man who loves God.  Many mornings he has led the group before work in singing and prayer together.  We jokingly have renamed each other, he calls me 'big pastor'  and I call him 'skinny boss' . . . We are so fortunate to have such a man of character leading us.

This morning after prayer, Pastor Leon, gave Dinecia and I a botany lesson.  This is an olive tree that grows here in Haiti.  The flowers bloom into seed pods that contain the olives.  They grind the leaves for the oil they contain.  A very beautiful tree.  each day we learn something new!

The work continues to progress - cutting, welding, chipping, painting, caulking, blocking and cementing, sweeping, laughing, crying, enjoying the work God has given us to do.

This is an all-too-familiar task on our job site - the arrival of the truck loaded with more block that will soon be laid.  The only way to get it from the truck up to the work site, which is a very steep gravel incline and multiple stairs, is by hand.  If you look closely in this picture you will see a Haitian woman in the yellow dress, helping us move the block.  This woman jumped in to help us out, and it was only later that we found out she is a member of the church there and is in her 90's!!  When our Team Leader Carol, found this out, there was no way she was going to be out done by a woman who was over 90. . . go Carol!

We also had a visit today from Rick and Cookie Ireland.  Pastor Rick and Cookie are the new missionaries that will be stationed here in Haiti for the next five years; they had visited earlier in the week, and when they came today they were overwhelmed by how much has been accomplished by our team.

Tomorrow is our last day of work - actually it is a half day.  We will begin work at 6am per usual, but we will knock off at Noon.  This will allow us the opportunity to come back to FOHO Base and clean and pack.  We will be heading to the airport Saturday about 6am / 7pm Western NY time.  

 Chris Landon, from Gowanda FMC has been working all week on his farmers tan - both on his legs and arms.  Though this seems to be quite the site, you haven't lived til you've seen the sight of Chris in a bath towel, pretending to be wearing a kilt . . . maybe what happens in Haiti needs to stay in Haiti. . . 

Each night when we come home we have enjoyed relaxing and talking with each other.  Some sitting in the living area, while others haggle out on the balcony.

When I think of the "how" of Team Haiti coming together, I am fascinated by the craftsmanship of God as He called us out and pulled us together.  What a remarkable God we serve!  Though we are different and unique each Team Haiti member has learned and grown!

Tomorrow will be our last post before returning home.  Please continue to pray for us, for Larry, Elijah, Abilar, the Haitian workers, the students, teachers, Pastor Leon and his family.  Pray for safety in adverse conditions.  Courage to be God's people.  And success in proclaiming the grace of our God!

bloggfully yours, pb

Special Edition . . . Day 10

Jamie Chalmers has been actively been working on a five day video series for Pearce Memorial Free Methodist Church's Vacation bible School program.  Here is just a brief sampling of his material . . .

This pretty kewl stuff!  Way to go Jamie!!!!!

Haiti - Day 10

Today we left three of team members behind at FOHO Base (Friends Of Haiti Organization).  The heat has taken its toll.  The work is progressing nicely.  We have accomplished much.  Larry, the FOHO Director is tickled pink as regards our accomplishments.

Driving here in Haiti is an adventure!  There is no real way to explain it other than unorganized chaos.  Stop signs are an option.  Daily there is someone who makes a left hand turn from the far right lane passing in front of all.  Traffic circles bring a whole new dimension.  It sort of reminds me of trying to leave 1 Bills Drive after a game only on steroids.  Today while picking up some re-bar I pulled into one lane of traffic, backed across two, and in the middle of it had a woman in a pickup cut in back of me while another truck pulled in front of me. . . .fun times!

What amazes me each day is the kids in the midst of the chaos and construction, noise that is deafening at times as metal is being welded and or cut, learning and growing without seeming distraction.

Falla having her worked checked by her teacher.

Today we continued to weld the windows for the school.  We now have 6 more 5' x 5' windows to go!

Craig in his Leaf and Bean Coffee T-shirt, welding one of 7 doors.  Leaf and Bean are one of the companies that has been very generous in their support of Team Haiti  www.leafandbeancoffee.com  

We have a tie today for the hard workers of the day . . . 

...between Mary "the riveter" LePoint . . . 

. . . and Ed "Block1" McDonald.  Cast your vote now to break this tie.  Oh, and yes Ruth, Ed now has the skills to re-do the foundation on your home . . . lol.

On every work site there are times when one must answer the call of nature.  Due to the heat and other conditions, sometimes numerous times in a day.  The ladies have been given the privilege of going next door to a very nice woman who pampers them royally, while the guys . . . 

. . . well, you get the picture.

In spite of the conditions, each day the building is beginning to look more and more like a school.  Each of us as we labor, can imagine the kids we see each day, learning in a safe and healthy environment.  Today, one of the wooden desks collapsed due to wood that has long since worn out.  Pray today for the children, their families, their teachers.  

 

The front of the school . . . 

It won't be long now. . . 

Though each day we are pushed to our limits, we still have the joy of the Lord, and the deep satisfaction of knowing that the little we are able to do, will have a huge impact in the lives of many.

Thank you for your prayers and thoughtfulness.  Pray that we can continue to be a source of light and hope!

Have a great day our friends.

pb on behalf of Team Haiti!

Haiti Day 9

Tonight's blog entry is brought to you by our Haitian sponsor - Craig's School of Welding.  Looking for a job that will light up your work life?  Want a job that will bond you to your closest friend's?  Then Craig's School of Welding is for you!

Craig - our lead instructor

Within in minutes, Craig's School of Welding will have you hard at work!  Here Elijah practices stick welding.

Craig's School is open to all people - especially Rosie the Riveter types. . . .

The day began much as the other days have begun 430am, preparation, departure for the job site about 540am.  Work began at 6am.  Today we came within 4 sheets of completing the roof.  Work began on the front wall and the installation of doors.  (I don't know how Megan did this blog . . . I am so tired I can hardly see)  

Abilar and Chief Ed laying down the first round of block for the front wall

We now have an opening for an instructor and one Haitian Pastor do to certain restraints shall                      we say . . .barring any complication they should be back on the job tomorrow.

All in all it has been an incredibly productive day.  We continue to build relationships, share our work and our lives with one another, and give God the glory.  To end our day we unloaded 300 cinder block, uphill, in 105 degree weather!!!

After showers and a few naps, several us went to a revival service being held at the FMC just around the corner from us.  Our cleaning lady, Anita, took us to church with her.  We arrived about 4pm and the service ended at 7pm.  We have no idea what the preaching was about, but the worship music absolutely rocked.  What a delight to worship with God's people where ever they may be found!

Tomorrow's sponsor is Chief's Block and Company . . . night Team Haiti Fans!

Megan's back home

Hey! This is Megan! I am writing to tell you that I am back home safely. I can't figure out for the life of me how to post a comment so I'm hacking in the only way I know :) Bwoohahaha!

My trip home yesterday as great--only one minor goof in the Port airport but I handled it with my mad French skills. (Actually I bribed a red cap. It wasn't hard).  Anyway, on the flight to JFK I sat next to a Haitian American man with whom I conversed the entire flight home. He's 40 and has lived in NJ since he was 20. He came back to visit his mom for the first time after January 12th.  Do you know where she lives?  NEXT DOOR TO OUR SCHOOL!  It was unbelievable. If the world isn't small, and God isn't good, then I never writ, nor no man has ever loved. (Bard fans--only part of that is original--but the copyright is probly expired so I'm not worried).

At JFK I found a Life is Good shop and bought myself a souvenir: a shirt with a stick guy carrying a Haitian flag saying 'Optimism Has No Borders', which I intend to change to "L'Amour Jesu has no borders"--The love of Jesus has no borders. Dinecia--help me out with the Kryol spelling, eh?  Before I mess it up on my shirt.

Also at JFK I had the best smoothie ever.  On the flight back to the Roc I sat next to a teen from a group of highschoolers from Roc who had just taken a for fun trip to MUnich, Prague, and Berlin. He was a very nice kid--smart as all get out. He was born and raised Unitarian Univeralist and is now sort of a deist.  He asked 'So what do Free Methodists believe?" (Are you kidding??) So I shared part of my story of salvation and we wnet back and forth discussing the mysteries of the universe.  He wants to join the peace corps and do something in Italy at some point.  I said "Hey--I'll tell you what you should do--make your life's work keeping Venice from sinking!  Then I'll personally fund your work!" We had a wonderful conversation.  I hope I meet him again.  God is good.

For my team--You guys rock! I cried this morning when I woke up. Though I am joyful and thankful to be back with my family, I am experiencing a great and distracting loss being away from my beloved team, and the land that will now and always be fused into my heart. (Like a weld)!  PB, fantastic job on the blog.  I will read them each day with baited breath.  And I will pray for you without ceasing until we are all home.
Haiti forever!
love, Megan

Haiti - Day 8

A new week has begun with Team Haiti, and with this new beginning, a new editor of our blog.  Megan Hoose has done an incredible job writing each day!  Tonight the task now has fallen to PB. . . wait!  Give me a chance! Whew . . . thank you!  Here we go!

The day began much as the others.  We rose at 430am to begin our day, the heat and humidity already close friends.  Coffee was made.  Power bars consumed.  Drinking water for the day prepared.  All were in a positive mood and yet we all realized that today Meagan would be making her journey back home - a bittersweet realization.  After devotions PB couldn't find his truck keys and went into a small melt down.  Minutes later upon finding said keys in his back pocket, Carol couldn't locate our apartment keys.  The key to good leadership is . . . knowing where your keys are?

Today the work continued to progress with the roof beginning to go on!

More doors cut and welded.  Elijah is a young man from Michigan who came in last week.

More windows welded, painted and installed.  The woman next to Dot made us a wonderful Haitian lunch of white rice, black beans, and beef.

Too soon it was time for Megan to head for the aeroport.  Here is the "Rochester Connection" of Team Haiti.

Team Haiti with Elijah (far left), Pastor Leon (standing next to Megan), Abilar, worksite boss (standing 3rd from left), and the other Haitian workers.  What a fantastic team of people God has assembled!

Megan at the Airport, about to head home . . . we already miss you tons!!!

I wanted to also post today some pics of Dinecia's family . . .

Dinecia's Mom

Her brother Patrick

Dinecia's Dad

The work for the day continued.  Most of the windows are near completion.  We still have about six doors to construct and install.  Over half of the roof is on!  A productive day of work.

I am actually writing this on Tuesday morning as the internet was down last night.  How we take small things for granted.  Last night while waiting to see if the net would come back up, we experienced our first rain storm.  It rained hard!!

Each day we return home satisfied, dirty, sweaty and very very tired! Some team members can't wait til after their shower . . . 

Some, get through the shower, but as soon as they sit down . . . 

The work we are doing may be hard, hot, and tiring, but God has provided us an incredible sense of satisfaction, that what small things we are able to do, will make a huge impact for His Kingdom.  Please continue to pray for us in these next four days of work . . . until later tonight!

Independence Day Pictures

(from a few days ago) school girls flocking to see

 some family photos on PB's phone

L-R: Megan, Jamie, and Ed at the beach

with coconuts and sugar cane

This is God's country

This market and community at The Pier is one of the poorest sections of P-au-P.

They have lived in these shanties since long before the quake. 

Ed's dance moves up on the roof

Ed's groupies on the other rooftop (They're purportedly all named Ed).

Wild horses grazing by the road to the beach

An especially bright tap-tap with a friendly passenger. 

Very common sight in the Port.