I will see you again

It’s not a goodbye but I will see you again….

Last full day started as great as all previous days, with a magnificent sun rise. Had a conversation with a young lady in the computer room, turns out the she is a reporter for newspaper and was on the ground in Haiti one day after earthquake. She showed me some great pictures from that visit, I told her about our walk in Haiti. Rene and Frenzy showed up on time and started the prep work to mount the truss. Rene was welding overhand, underhand and in all different positions, I am very proud of both of their progress. Truss was mounted, two beams installed and it was time to say I will see you again in July….it was sad.

I was able to spend some time with Miriam, showed her how the iMac works and went over few of my videos (she was moved). The girls from the orphanage were working with a music teacher all afternoon, so we went over to the church to listen to them, they sounded great. At the end the boys joined them on the stage as well and all the kids sang. It was great!

After dinner, I was the support person for Miriam’s presentation of her vision. We met with two groups that are interested in rebuilding current New Life Children’s Home facility and interested in building a 36 bed hospital in Pistel, Haiti. We had a very productive meeting and I was honored to support Miriam in her vision. Due to this very important meeting I missed the devotional for the kids, so I could not say my “I will see you in 3 months”. I did managed to send the bubble gum with Sarah for the kids.

Why did God make leaving such a sad event when arriving is such a joyous one?

I will show up on these pages once again in 3 months, but this is not goodbye, I will see you later!

Just another Friday

Friday, just another day in Haiti, Rene and Frenzy showed up early and started to work on finishing fabrication of the truss. Frenzy had to leave at 9:30am to attend to some business, but Rene stayed all day. While Rene worked on the truss, I started to assemble bed parts (since boys were in school today0. By mid morning Bob was free to help me and we started to set posts for the truss. Posts are no more than an old rail from the railroad and it’s very heavy. Rene help us mix concrete in after lunch and both posts were completed before end of the day. I did ask both of them (Rene and Frenzy) to come back tomorrow to set the truss and beams.

I also was able with help from Windsor to preassemble all of the beds that are going into the other guest house. Beds could not be finished since the tile floor is not finished in that house.  

This afternoon I also had a talk with the girls that sing as a group (they did not want to sing another day). We talked about God and gifts that He gave us and how we use them. I don’t know if that talk worked or Miriam’s conversation with all of them later on but when they sang inside church later on, the whole neighborhood heard about our God! It was awesome. We have a tentative schedule to record them tomorrow (we will see how it goes then).

Friday night, just another night, but tonight after quite a warm dayit  is a movie night. First of all, Sherry and Danny are going home tomorrow (for a month), so they both addressed the kids (and it got emotional). Also, the kids have been so great helping out on the bunk beds and I wanted to thank them for all the help. Since there were so many of them that were involved, I had to recognize all of them. So we had ice cream as a treat. Sherry told me that last time they had ice cream was at Christmas, and few of the kids have never seen and tasted one. So once the single serving tubs were distributed, it was fun watching kids scoop up that frozen treat! An animated movie started right after that, but this old man was not interested.  

Tomorrow is a last full day at New Life Children’s Home, I am looking forward to see what God will put in front of me!

Very emotional day!

Turned out that last night we had 2 groups that stayed at New Life Children’s Home. One from Florida and one from Atlanta Georgia. I walked around the compound early this morning with a lady from the Georgia Group, showing her around the property and trying to get her interest in support of New Life.

Kids were back in school today so not as much chaos. I was able to put together two more bunk beds, and work with Rene and Frenzy on last beam fabrication for fish farm and we started to lay out and fabricate the truss. I have to admit that both Rene and Frenzy have pleasantly surprised me with their willingness to learn, how quickly they are picking up this fabrication and that they actually apply a thought process when working on fabrication. As this week progress, I let them work on their own more and more, and both of them stepped up to the challenge. What a great feeling when you are a teacher (just awesome)! This feeling is my reward for the daily heat, humidity, and dust!

In the early evening a group of us, including Miriam, Dr John and Pastor Max went to visit an orphanage that is located in the middle of “nowhere”. Lady that is running the orphanage received this plot of land from someone, put a very primitive fence up and called it home. A moon like surface is surrounding the area. A 1 inch of fine dirt covers the whole area, it is virtually impossible to keep anything or anybody clean. Pastor max is a young man called to serve the Lord in the near (relative term) by tent city. He has an overflowing plate of his own already, he sleeps on the floor of the make shift church, but yet he has no problem to oversee this orphanage as well. It was agreed that a pad will be made for storage tanks so they would have place to store water, tanks will be purchased and water delivery will be arranged. It was a heart breaking visit. A departure from (city) conditions, as bad as they might be, this is a 10-fold worse. The good news from this visit was (if there is one) that the kids were in a very good spirit and they looked healthy, unlike how they looked during Patty, Renee and Joan’s visit. Dr John was very encouraged about the health aspect of this visit.

Tired and hungry and emotionally drained we returned to New Life Children’s Home. Cold shower and some dinner were somewhat refreshing.

Days get better and better!

I don’t think I used awesome day yet (just kidding). Each day is better and better and more satisfying. This morning Rene and Frenzy had to go pick up Marie so they did not come back until noon. So in the morning I welded up first of the beams for the fish farm roof.  After that I made a cart with wheels for the welder so it can be easily moved around. By that time Renee and Frenzy showed up, we went over the job for the day, and they started to burn stick.

Barry was busy with boys painting bunk beds parts, but the paint seems to dry very quickly so there is no drying time involved. And the boys have done such a great job painting.

I moved (remounted) shutters in the first guest house from inside opening to outside opening and with help from Roberto we were able to build the first bunk bed. It came out just great.

Rene and Frenzy worked until 6:00 pm and finished 10 of 11 roof beams. Most of the welding was done by Rene but Frenzy did some welding as well. Those guys did a great job today, and as in the previous few days, they were smiling on the way out of the gate.

We have a group of visitors with us for most of the day, collage age kids from Florida. They were sorting container items in the church and join everyone else at devotional time. The girls from orphanage were supposed to sing tonight, but changed their minds when time came. Miriam gave them no choice in that matter and they performed after all. I can see after very short conversation with Miriam, that she is so full of vision and spark!

God has provided another awesome day and I can’t wait to see what he will bring tomorrow!

Another amazing day!!!

What an amazing day! Danny and Bob worked all day on finishing tile in the guest house. Barry was in charge of painting of bunk beds (kids had no school due to Haitian Carnival) and me, well I went to school (as a teacher). Early in the morning I was able to draw up a gable truss for the roof extension over the fish farm, break it down into material list and by the time Rene and Frenzy arrived I had everything ready for them. It did not take them that long to cut all of the pieces for the truss. They were ready for the next challenge, learn how to weld. I gave them brand new welding gloves, sleeves and a chipping hammer. Went over safety aspects and basic ideas of welding. I found a scrap piece of H channel (nothing in Haiti is scrap), and showed them how to weld. Both of them started slow since they have never welded before but in no time they were burning stick (I need to add that they were welding a straight line). They really picked it up quite fast. So the next step was to manufacture a battery stand (additional level to fit more back up batteries). They worked on it for the most part by themselves; I went and installed an electrical outlet by the fish farm. Once a while I would go back and check how they were doing on the fabrication. By the end of the day they were smiling for ear to ear, they were so happy to learn. Before they left for the day, we put the extension up on the existing rack and welded it up to each other. Job was finished! Danny was so happy for the extra space for new batteries, Rene and Frenzy were ecstatic about learning, and I, I got that great feeling for teaching someone a skill that they can use in life.  

We will see what challenge God brings tomorrow, but so far all He has brought is blessings for all involved!

Just a plain great day......

There were two more events last night that I missed since I was just worn out. First one was with Michelle, girl that was at Maries and is staying here after a toe surgery. She spoke to all of the children during devotional last night. She told her brief life story and to told the kids that she really likes at New Life Children’s Home. Second one was with a 17 year old boy that a week ago stood up and spoke his dissatisfaction for conditions and food at New Life. Well, on Friday that boy was transferred to the orphanage at the tent city (yes THAT orphanage Patty and Renee). He was there for two days and two nights before he was transferred back with big tears in his yes. Last night he gave testimony how much the two day transfer changed his life, he appreciated to be back!  

Yesterday one of the nurses with Team Haiti 4 Jesus got sick and required an IV. Team members were scrambling to find something to make tunicate. I offered my wife’s rubber bands that she uses for keeping power cords organized. Those bands were very helpful for that purpose and the nurse was doing lot better today.

It rained last night once more, but not as hard as previous night. Morning came quickly, and I was back on bunk beds from the early morning. Boys were very helpful (no school today or tomorrow for Haitian Carnival), they were able to work on their own for the most part. I made a jig for them to use to drill holes, that way all of the holes will align during assembly.

Also this morning Rene and Frenzy showed up. They drove Marie’s car today and possibly will use it tomorrow as well (Marie is out of town). Remaining days of the week they will take Tap-Tap (funds for transportation were provided)

  I showed them what I needed them to do, and for most part they stay on their own cutting rebar and metal angle pieces. They cut enough pieces for 12 beams and battery rack. Tomorrow we will start learning how to weld.

In the middle of it I was asked to take few birthday pictures for one of the kids that is very hard to photograph.

A great and very fulfilling day!

Rain down on me........

It rained last night, and it rained. The field was flooded but not the spirits. Sunday school and the service were under the Mango Tree. What an awesome experience to worship God with no boundaries around you. His blessings rain down on us all! 

After the worship, off to make some chips (as wood chips). Started to plain out boards, router corners and pre-drill all screw holes. If you think yesterday was a challenge? Today I started with just two boys, but Pastor Donle told me that he really likes when the boys get involved. So he sent me half dozen of them. God was working on my patience today. Between teaching the boys what to do, keeping an eye on all of them so no one would lose a finger on power tools and boys trying to work with no safety glasses, it was truly a test for my patience. Well, by 5 o’clock all of the boards were finished and put away. Dan and Sherry will get the boys to paint them in Haitian colors. I still have the legs and fur strips for bunk beds to be cut and finish.

I was looking forward to a cold shower when my next call arrived. The kids have been practicing few songs and would like me to record them. Well 4 songs later and two wardrobe changes (the last one was finished in the dusk) but we got something to work with. I do have to admit (to those familiar with the subject) that we recorded a song about meeting God under the Mango tree. I do not know the name of the song, since right after the recordings were done; I went to grab a cold dinner and a cold shower right after. So just stay tuned, the official release is coming soon!

God's sense of humor

This was a full day today. The bunk bed building project was in full swing. I had several boys helping out off and on. I found that their attention span is no different that of those boys at home (or perhaps mine as well). To cut one two or five boards its fun, but to cut 200 it’s work! So through out the day I was teaching someone else. And then before lunch I had to stop, laugh and ponder on God’s sense of humor. I found myself cutting boards with a young man, Aeroness (he is 29 years old) that is legally blind. Well just stop and think about this, is that funny or what? On top of that we are making bunk beds from grade 2 construction lumber!

All together we were able to finish cutting all of the runners to length and were able to trim both sides of all the boards to resemble higher quality boards. We still have to cut legs for the beds and the fur strips to hold mattress slats.

This evening pastor Donle played his acoustic (amplified) guitar and the kids sang. During that time I was trying to remember who said that you need brick and mortar to worship God? If there was someone, they’ve never been to Haiti!

To those that are interested, Michalle had her toe surgery and is staying at New Lift to recuperate. She has fit in quite quickly and is doing well!

An awesome day

Woke up this morning to a very comfortable temps, it rain last night for quite a while. After breakfast of to work we go. Nothing too strenuous, unpacking 4 50 lbs bags of man stuff (I know that ladies will be disappointed. Sorted everything according to a project, went over the inventory with Danny and Bob and went over to the fish farm to come up with a plan for attack. Quickly (it’s a Haitian term) got a list of needed items put together and Danny with Bob went to get the supplies. I had enough time to install two auto water fill valves and pump float switch, when the guys returned from the store.  At 3:00 pm Roberto and Windsor were ready for. They were joined by Roosevelt and several onlookers for “Bunk bed building class”. We started with explanation how to determine length of the boards, went over the power equipment that we will be using and the safety aspects of the job. Each boy got a pair of safety glasses and the fun begun. We made a first template and the boys cut 24 boards based on that. They were very proud to get those boards cut and Sherry did not believe that I let them use power saw! Great start to this project.

Boys finished the late evening with a soccer game and all went to dinner. After dinner, it’s Friday night, movie night. It started with a worship DVD that the ladies left. Kids really like to sing to it. 

A moment of reflection for myself. During the day I asked Roberto if he likes to sing, he told me just sometimes in the church. Well he was standing right next to me while the DVD was playing “Here I am to Worship”. In the darkness I could see and hear Roberto sing. Somehow my thoughts during this moment strayed to Ben Thomas (I  tried ) to get Ben to join me on this trip, but the timing of it was not good for Ben. I thought that how much blessing he has to be able to lead worship at home. To view all that that come to worship God from the stage, it has to be just awesome. As I watch the kids really feel the songs, there was no one tonight that was leading, just a picture on the wall and feeling that God is present.

 After several worship songs, kids were treated to Mr. Bean. The laughter filled the area, and the kids have most likely seen this DVD several times. Movie followed, but this old body did not stick around a refreshing shower just sounded too good.

One really has to be blessed to experience all of this just in one day!

Just before I posted this blog, Sherry told me that Michalle is here. The proceedure went well and she'll be recouperating here for a week. Great news!

It’s like coming home!

My journey started early in the morning, up at 2:30 am (just woke up and figure it was time), leave home at 4:15 am and on the plane at 7:00 am. Was sad to see my wife drive off as she dropped me off at the airport. Since I was wearing an orange shirt with “Impact for Jesus” I had a young man from FT Wayne IN come over while waiting for boarding. He was on the way to Haiti to continue their efforts to adopt a 15 month old child. They are praying for August completion of this process. Would you believe that once sitting in my assigned seat on the plant both of them were sitting right next to me. Is this a God moment or what? During our flight we’ve spent 2 hours talking about our experiences in Haiti. In Ft Lauderdale I met up with Barry, he has been helping out off and on at New Life Children’s Home. It was actually nice to travel with someone (I did not say that!). Airport was chaos as always, all the work that has been done to the baggage area, and it’s everyone for themselves again. We were escorted on the side of the Local Customs since a Pastor that was traveling with Barry knows all of the officials working at the airport. We were picked up by the driver, and on the streets we went. The smell, conditions and the traffic have not changed. At the Orphanage, great feeling came to me. It was like coming home! Sherry and Dan by the Mango Tree with the handicapped children. Kids recognizing you from afar. And plenty of laughter in the compound. Danny took me around to show me progress and all the things that are going on! Dinner bell was shortly after, great meal and conversation to catch up on what is going on. Of course conversation with Jean Rony, Windsor and Roberto after dinner. All so happy to see me and so was I.

The pastor is off on Thursday so Jean Rony led devotional time for older boys and later gather all (including workers) for prayer time. He showed videos that I brought with me (Sometimes I cry, Bunk beds for Haiti, Your Child, Changed), kids just loved watching them. All that was outside school house, with summer breeze, comfortable temps and family all around you.

It’s like coming home; you just look forward to get there!