Where He leads...: The latest from Haiti

The latest from Haiti

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I suppose the biggest news to report is that I am writing this blog entry from Haiti. Why is that significant? Because as many of you know, originally I was supposed to hop on a plane home yesterday.

First, let me catch up with what has been happening these past couple of weeks and then I will share with you why I am still here. Before arriving in Haiti, I knew little about what our team was going to be doing. As I mentioned previously, we had been told that more than likely we would be working on some groundwork for an orphanage called The Lamb Center. It took a few days for that to be ready for us, so we started with painting the rental homes where the kids are currently living. In a little over a week, we finished painting both the girls' and the boys' homes. It's incredible what a little paint can do to make concrete walls come alive and a place feel like a home! We painted the ceilings white which also made a big improvement and helps brighten things up when there is no electricity.

Before

After

In addition to the painting, we also split up throughout our time here and worked on various projects. There is a volunteer trailer we have been trying to get ready that will stay at the construction site and be stocked with tools, water, lunches, and a place to take a break. Most of the painting on the interior is finished, and they are working on completing the electricity and plumbing. It will be great for future volunteers to have that on site as they work throughout the day under the hot Haitian sun! There is also a volunteer house that SP is renting. Hopefully it will be up and running in the next few weeks so future teams can stay there and be closer to the project site. The house itself was built after the earthquake and looks to be in great shape. It just needs a perimeter fence for security, a more complete kitchen, and additional furniture before its ready to house volunteers.

Perhaps the "project" our team enjoyed most was a party we threw for the children. My mom had given me money to use for any needs here, and I thought a party for the kids would be a great way to spend some of that. We made a list of treats we thought the kids would enjoy and any other supplies we needed for the games and activities. Our final team member, Jerry, arrived a week after the rest of us. I told him about the party and he brought some funky sunglasses, whistles, candy, and balloons. We each came up with a game or activity. Allen and the guys filled up water balloons and made a target for us to hold while the kids launched water balloons at us. Katrina had a coloring station with paper and crayons for the kids to draw pictures. Nadege had a Haitian story book and sat under a tree reading that to some of the kids. I made balloon animals, which eventually turned into balloon swords because the demand got pretty high for them and the dogs were taking too long! And probably the most popular of all was Celeste's dance party. She had been dancing with the kids almost every day and they loved listening to the music and learning her crazy moves. We also made up some kool-aid for them to have with their lunch. At the end of the party, we gave them each a bag of treats. We packed in each bag some cookies, candy, a pencil, sunglasses, a whistle, and 2 silly bands. And we gave them each a notebook and a bag of chips. It was so wonderful to see their faces light up when they received their bag. Everyone instantly put on their sunglasses and started munching on the candy. It was a great success!

Jerry coaching one of the little squirts on how to throw a water balloon

Dance party with Celeste!

Aside from the painting, prepping, and partying, we did begin some of the groundwork for the new building. We started setting up the batter boards. Before this trip, I didn't know what those were--and I probably still can't really explain them to you--but I know the process. Cut 4' pieces of wood. Dig holes. Lots of holes. Mix up some concrete. Put the wood in the hole and pour in the concrete. The ground here is so rocky. You have to use a pickaxe to break up the ground, shovel that out, use the pickaxe, shovel, and so forth. It's hard work. Especially in this heat and humidity. But our team did an incredible job and we got a lot done in the short time we worked on that project. As we set up the batter boards, I helped with quality control. We strung a line down each end of the site and I helped keep all of our boards perfectly in line and perfectly vertical. We've got a few more to finish and a few of us will do that this week before the next volunteer team arrives on Saturday.

Construction site with the batter boards set up

So why am I still here? The obvious answer to that is that God is not done with me in Haiti. If he were, I would have left yesterday. Another answer to that question might be that two weeks serving in a place like this is never enough time for me. I should have known that coming in, but I signed up recognizing that this was a great opportunity to serve in Haiti and to get a taste of what Samaritan's Purse does on a global level. In my first two weeks here, in addition to helping out with what the rest of the team was doing, I also had the opportunity to assist with some of the administrative tasks that needed to be done for The Lamb Center project. Through that experience I got to know and work even more closely with two of the men overseeing SP's work there. I got a behind-the-scenes look at all that is involved with a project like this and saw a bit of the to-do list for what's left. It's a big list. I enjoyed being able to help them get some of the documents and other files together and organized. And I know there is still a lot I can help with. In talking with one of the guys, I learned that staying a bit longer might be an option and that they could definitely use my help if the request was approved. We put it out there and it was approved the next day. So... I'm staying for two more weeks. The next volunteer team doesn't come until Saturday, so this week I will help with some more administrative work and also get the batter boards done and string pulled across so that the team can start digging next week.

I'm just as excited for these next two weeks as I was when I set out to come for the first. This is a great opportunity and I am blessed to be here and serve with Samaritan's Purse. I've met some incredible people so far who have come down here to volunteer and work with SP. They have encouraged me and I hope I have been able to provide them with some encouragement as well. And most of all, it's wonderful getting to know the kids at The Lamb Center and having the chance to love on them nearly every day. Thank you for continuing to pray for me throughout these next two weeks. I listed some prayer requests prior to my departure for Haiti. As I reread them just now, they still apply so I will list them again to include with any other prayers you would like to lift up for the remainder of my time here. :)

Please pray for good health for myself and the other volunteers and staff.
Please pray that the work of our hands will be productive, but also that our presence and work there will be a demonstration of Christ's love.
Please pray that we as members of a team will be selfless and loving towards each other, and demonstrate unity as the body of Christ.
Please pray for opportunities for us to share the love and message of Christ through both word and deed, and that we will boldly take advantage of those opportunities.