Haiti Team #1: Day 1

Yesterday is a day in the past but the memories have transformed our day today. Since we didn't blog yesterday, our thoughts spilled over at the breakfast table. Darryl said the construction work inspired him. The 2 story multipurpose building, affectionately known as the Merlet Center, is looking AMAZING. Last year when we left there was just a big flat area with a big hole in the middle for a cistern. This year there is a 7,000 sq ft of that beautiful building with a roof over it. Some of the outside is painted but it still needs the stucco put on the outside. The inside walls are getting done and covered with paint.

Today our team sanded the rough spots in the stucco on the walls. Then we cleaned the floor in that room and painted two walls all before lunch.  After lunch we moved outside to rough up the Styrofoam so that the cement and stucco will stick to it. Then at the end of the day Dave and Darryl thought they would try their hand at putting cement on the walls. We were slower than the Haitians and not very good at it. By the time we were done we had a crowd of Haitians watching in disbelief with a few laughs.   Then Doug said he had two American women do a whole house in a day and it looked really good.

Pastor Paul has a second story addition going on his house with more rooms for teams to stay in and a couple more bathrooms. Also in the front yard they are building a dog free dining area. There will be a large cement table in the center with chairs around it. First class all the way.

Dave said he was surprised how the Haitians style of driving was different than ours. When cars or any mode of transportation honk, they are generally being considerate and warning others they are passing by. Right now, Friday, Dave is Skyping with his family on the roof of Pastor Paul's house. Dave's family is asking Dave to show him the building he's working on. His service is being a rebel and not connecting well. Regardless, they continue to call each other and wait it out. After a bit, his wife and him can talk. As you can imagine, concerns and laughter are being exchanged.

Ulrick, our translator for the third year in a row, said he was "Happy because I have one year without seeing you. Happy to be with all of you and be with all of you."

Odlin said, "No words. I am so glad to be here." Tom, Odlin's bestest friend EVER said, "I'm excited." I asked, "for?" and he replied, "everything."

                One thing I love about life and traveling is that hearts remain in contact. Sometimes people applaud missionaries, but the truth is we as Christians are all given the chance to be missionaries. If Christ died, sacrificed his life, and rose again for all- We are all His people. People are people are people. God is God is God. Love is love is love. We all have the opportunity to share God's goodness.