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