TGIF in Haiti

TGIF - Yes it's been a really wild day in Haiti. We had a lot of rain last night. When I woke up from the sound of the downpour, all I could think of was how was the deacon from the church was staying dry underneath a tin roof and bed sheets for walls. We woke up this morning, had a quick bite for breakfeast and got right to work with some of my brothers in arms. Five of us went across the street to the deacon's house and hung some tarps on the walls and made it a better (read dry) place. The rest of the guys went down to take measurements for the church building we will raise attached to the school. When we finsihed with the tarps, Pastor Winslet from Coehna orphanage showed up. It was so good to see him. He was all smiles as I gave him a soccer referee shirt and whistle. His orphanage now has a boys soccer team! He asked us to take a break tomorrow and go visit him to watch the boys play a soccer at 2pm. We talked about his family, the orphanage and life in Haiti after the quake. We laughed some. He has such a calm Pastor's spirit. After the conversation, Jim Meyer came back with the rest of guys from the lumber store. It's always a half day trip to get lumber and great for our first timers to learn the Haiti way of doing things. Again, we smiled and laughed with Pastor. Jim showed the Pastor the bags of goods we are bringing to him and the orphans tomorrow. After the conversation, a whole host of activity started in the field across the street. It seems some people from nearby decided the open lot was fair game to live in. We then went over to the Grace House of Hope orphanage. The place was busy with activities. We had workers breaking down the property wall that collapsed, others building ceiling beams and still others mixing cement for a new base for a cross above the complex. The girls were around but only to steal a hug, baseball cap or piece of bublegum from our pockets. It was a blast to watch: Tim Gibbons teach the Haitians to use the saw and cut lumber, Jacob and Josh lead the Haitian crew to build the ceiling beams, Rod jumping in everywhere, Trevor swinging the sledge hammer while learning the Creole language, Jay teaching the girls to do puzzles, Bill making sure we were doing it the right way, Eric using the powerdrill and Jim talking with everybody. The best part of the work day happened at the end when we circled up to pray. All the workers circled up and before Jim or I could pray, our new best Haitian friend Big John prayed in Creole over us all. It was awesome to hear this big man pray for us and the mission. We then came home for dinner and mangos. By this time, the lot across from Marie was half full with people living under bedsheets. I sure hope it doesn't rain tonight. Just another day in Haiti. We are so blessed.