Our Final day in
After lunch most of the group walked to the edge of the property where they cleared weeds and picked up trash.
With our last dinner of rice and beans over (yea!), we are all looking forward to being back in the
Friday June 12, 2009
The team was quite scattered today, with 4 members venturing out to the 5th section while the rest worked in Saint Marc and around the base.
The group that made the trip got both the trucks through all the floodwaters on the way to the construction site. On the way back, however, one broke down and the other got stuck in the mud. The team left at 6am and has yet to return at 9pm.
Everyone who remained at the base was put to work with cleaning and organization around the area, with some venturing out into the city to do community service. With the heavy rains in the past few days, a mixture of trash, mud and excrement accumulated in the waterways which normally drain the streets and living spaces of excess water. Our job in the morning was to remove the muck to a nearby river, where it could wash out to sea allowing the water to pass. After lunch some of the crew went back out into a park that the YWAM team had previously created to rake trash and generally clean up the area.
All in all it was a productive day, and we are looking forward to finishing the house during the day tomorrow. Pray that the floodwaters recede enough to allow the whole team to make it through by truck in order to complete the final touches and to dedicate the home.
::Sabrina::
Thursday June 11, 2009
What an eventful day! Half of the team, including myself and other volunteers, made our way out the worksite on a two hour trek through water that at times reached to our waists. The rubber boots that we were all outfitted with left many with blisters and rashes, but the time spent on construction was well worth the hike. At this point all the floors are poured, the roof is in place, and half of the brick walls are laid. Tomorrow only a few team members will be venturing out, with high hopes to finish most of the main building, leaving the plaster and painting for our final day here in Haiti. Despite many setbacks, we are fortunately making progress, though it may seem slow at times.
The group that remained on base during the day today spent time painting, gardening, and weed whacking—the Haitian way, with machetes. The mechanics also had another day to do some work on the never ending vehicle repairs.
Keep the feet and legs of the team in your thoughts and prayers, we need them to heal for the rest of the week!
::Sabrina::
Wednesday June 10, 2009
The last two days are being posted together as we have been experiencing technical difficulties with the internet connection. Apparently the satellites cut out when it rains, one of many problems that have developed as a result of the weather. Currently it is the beginning of the rainy season in Haiti, with tropical thunderstorms appearing on the horizon almost every day. Due to flooding, the team was unable to reach the worksite today. The dam that was previously holding back a nearby river broke in various places, with gaps ranging from 10ft to 40ft across. The road became impassable about an hour and a half walk from the site, so the team turned back and ventured out to a village that was in the vicinity. We spent around three hours visiting with the locals, a mentally exhausting task. Many of the groups had phenomenal experiences handing out Bibles and praying with the people. Most have plenty of stories to share.
After the usual rice dinner and showers back at the base, we were greeted with yet another downpour. The schedule for tomorrow is still up in the air, as most predictions foresee the road remaining flooded. About half of the group is expecting to pull on the mud boots and wade through high waters for the last leg of the trip—most likely a 2 hour walk. The rest of the team will be put to work around the base, performing odd jobs and addressing special needs.
Keep us as well as the Haitian people in your prayers during the next few weeks, the weather conditions are threatening to become an issue.
::Sabrina::
Tuesday June 9, 2009
Our first real construction day in the 5th section is over, and I can honestly say that I haven’t been so dirty—or so tired—in years. On our way to the YWAM base most of the group was amazed at the disrepair of the roads, so we were in for quite the surprise today. The two hour truck ride to the worksite was so bumpy and replete with potholes and mud puddles that riding a bucking bronco back in the states might seem rather easy. All 24 group members held on for dear life amidst our gear and prepared with mud boots at 7am, onboard two different trucks. Little did we know that those boots would come in quite handy with mechanical problems, a flat tire, and full out pushing the vehicles through a giant mud hole on our to-do list, all before 9am. When we finally made it to the worksite, the villagers were brimming over with excitement at the event of our arrival. All throughout the day many volunteered to help with our projects, and even the children were swinging hammers. The roofing crew accomplished much more than anticipated, but there is still much to be done.
After cleaning up and packing the trucks, we heading over to another local village where we spent half an hour handing out the Haitian Creole Bibles that the team brought along from the US. The interaction with the people was incredible and moving. Many of the children were amazed by our skin color, timidly touching our arms to see if we felt real, just like them. As they got more comfortable, most jostled each other to hold our hands and show off. Many of the group members were able to ask about the local families about their needs (via an interpreter) and bless them with prayers before we left the area for the day.
The ride back was much less eventful, but just as jarring. Showers and food were the order as soon as we hit the base, and I’m sure it will be an early night for us all!
::Sabrina::
Monday June 8, 2009
Day two will probably end up being the most relaxing time spent here in Haiti. We changed the original schedule and spent the day at a resort, as Terry had to spend the day at a meeting with the US consulate and could not instruct us at the worksite. We spent the day on the beautiful beach after a rather bumpy ride through the busy streets of Saint Marc. Just as Jim predicted, the resort felt like a twilight zone in the midst of the poverty we have all witnessed. After some time in the sun, we enjoyed lunch as part of our stay, where many of the team members tried goat for the first time—a food that is frequently eaten here. Most of us had the opportunity to purchase a souvenir or two from the vendors lining the outer edges of the private beach. The bargaining and heckling with price was very new for many group members. After a wild ride back to the YWAM base, Terry elaborated on his vision for this work and the history of Haiti as a whole. We also received instructions and project assignments for tomorrow—our first full day of work beginning at 6 am.
::Sabrina::
Sunday June 7th 2009