Deepening

At the moment we're at an in-between time, with no teams and just a bunch of projects to keep us busy preparing for many teams in March.  The Technical School is in a hiatus, of sorts as Roy waits for the beams to cure before removing forms and moving to the next bay.  Crews who have been very busy are now shifted to new sites and communications altered to reflect the changes so everyone is on-board.  We had initially planned a break ourselves, but have decided for multiple reasons to stay and keep working.

Work has accelerated at the clinic and to a lessor extent the Children's Village as our next two teams are going to be in each and certain preps are required.  The clinic is requiring a lot of work, finishing details not envisioned earlier, or added plus a bunch of repairs for stuff that didn't work so great the first time around.  I'm following up on the welding layout work of Jim, who just left.  Actually its fun, I may have to check it out when I get home... We have another week and the clinic should be looking good.  It's really coming around.  I'll get pictures later in the week.  At the Children's Village rebar is being tied and this week we'll assemble it and get the footings poured, at the least.


Besides that we've had some health issues, as there's been a bug going around for 2-3 weeks now and I managed to bruise a rib which is sore, but only when I move... ):  As our time increases its great to just spend moments together discussing stuff and getting to know each other better, deepening relationships and learning to love and appreciate each other more and more.  The beach is still nice, but more relaxed without a big group or the need to get out snorkelling as I've already covered this area like a blanket.  So, its just nice... and I like it.  

Signs of Life

If many of you are wondering "what in the world am I talking about, '3 if by land'"? from this morning's blog let me explain.  Though going on 32 years I've lived in Canada, and the fact I consider myself Canadian, I was born in the US, in Vermont where US Revolutionary War history is an important part of our history.  Actually, the US calls it the War of Independence, from a tyrannical Britain and bringing with it the establishment of a period of religious freedom and enlightenment.  The quote is in reference to a lantern warning of how the British were coming-1 if by land, 2 if by sea-and the message Paul Revere took to the people to rally them to resistance.  Not sure how this relates to anything, however I thought I would explain...  Perhaps its in some ways reminiscent to the Christian renaissance going on here in Haiti, throwing off the shackles of the last 200 years under Satan and moving powerfully forward in Christ.

In spite of all the construction havoc, multiple projects, and other activities that are part of every day, once in a while something intervenes to push all that to the background, and remind us powerfully that all this is really about one thing-people.  This afternoon was such a day, as in excess of 30 people gathered at the church, but I believe it was >40 an hour later, but we lost count... and marched out to the sea to be baptized and recommit their lives to the Lord.

On the road there a background of choruses punctuated the air and attracted curious stares as the procession of 100 or so souls wound through the bush to the sea.  At that point, after much prayer for the candidates and God's blessings, Pastors Marc and Bazou along with some others lead individuals forward to be baptized in the warm Caribbean waters.  They came young and old, male and female a long procession joyfully accepting this new commitment in the Lord.

Here's the pics, which will speak for themselves....

3 if by Land...

Moments ago we sent off the Jim, Jim & James trio on their way to the PAP airport then onward to homes in Texas and Alberta.  We'd been joking that we'd flash the flashlight from the balcony, three flashes to say have a nice trip, but we had to get up to see them off so I just flashed their dark room before they threw on the light and jumped up ready to roll... It was kind of bittersweet for Cathy and I as Jim (A, Attrell) and James were relatives and friends, and Jim (B, Bates) has become a friend during his extended stay.  Each has made valuable contributions, with Jim B doing yeoman's work designing and constructing some fantastic windows and doors for the Technical School and Clinic, while being moved mightily by the simple and powerful praise and worship of the people here, Jim A completing numerous staff and community interviews in the 120+ GB of taping that he completed, and now gets to edit and James providing invaluable assistance getting the Children's Village started as well as catching a vision.  They all were a great blessing and will be missed.  We want to see them back!

Meanwhile, we started two different pours yesterday, the primary one being the start of the second floor beams at the Technical School which left "papa Noel" concrete-covered and loving every bit of it, and a materials/playground pad at the Children's Village to gather and protect supplies there during upcoming construction on that site.  In addition, stripping of the first duplex is nearly finished, levelling well underway and form tying proceeding for the first Children's Village duplex.  Which reminds me, since we made some changes I've got to get a new rebar order in, pronto!  At the clinic we now have three doors through the outer wall for the public, two into separate washrooms, the interior parging is done, the reception sunshade complete and work on the fence started.  Next week will be focused on painting and wrapping up the rest of the projects there prior to month-end, as well as, of course, ongoing work at the Children's Village and Technical School...

Nearing Milestones

Today Garrett left and the Children's Village project made a temporary shift onto James' capable shoulders, though being new to this construction style he didn't sleep much last night between being anxious and the apparently massive symphony of snoring coming out of the men's dorm.  Fortunately I sleep well and am too far to hear it so I sleep like a baby...  With many mentors and good instructions from Garret the Children's Village is coming along, then Roy and Chris picking up where Garrett left off, we're all looking to do what's required to move the project along. Excavation is nearing completion and final levelling and rebar tying underway we'll enter the next phase shortly.

Ferrying back and forth to the South Campus, I had the opportunity to try out a motorbike, and did fairly well although I did mistake the gas for brake and dumped it lightly turning through the Children's Village gate.  Later, Marc's main concern was whether anybody saw me, because apparently the Haitians love to laugh at the blancos wiping out, and come to think of it, I did hear a few chuckles shortly thereafter.  More practice is required, though with "news" spreading like wildfire here I'm not sure who will lend me their bike next....

My main project for the day was smashing a hole through the outer wall and installing the first of 3 doors to the outside.  First thing this morning the jack-hammer was clattering away and daylight quickly shone through to the outside world.  After a few hours of cutting, scrapping, chipping and sawing the pre-welded door finally fit well enough to screw it into position, weld on a few stray bars to imbed in the new concrete filling the gap from the demolition and concrete the whole thing into place.  Looks great, and in a few days of curing we'll give it the acid test of regular opening and closing.  This was a team effort and all concerned should be very proud, especially our welder, Jim from Crossroads in Red Deer who designed and built it from scratch, with assistance from Jean Philippe here.

Another major clinic project taking shape is the reception area sun shelter, and the team of carpenters made a lot of progress getting the framing into place as it takes shape.  With another couple of days that should be done too.

On the electrical front, many of the little details are done, and the inverter trench completed though not finished as we still don't have the right wire.  I think we finally figured out what that is and during a trip to PAP later this week we should be able to find it and finish the trench work.  Once the battery shelf and a doorway are completed the only thing remaining on that project will be actually buying the batteries and installing the inverter.

As far as the Technical School goes, Roy was able to get a couple hours into that today (between being pulled everywhere else) and the first major bay's beams are nearly framed and boxed and ready to pour, which should happen later in the week or early next week.  That's the first major step to getting a second floor on and one eagerly anticipated.

On the women's front this week is special too.  Since its Carnavale this week the schools are out for 4 days and most of the shops closed, so the women are doing a bunch of special events here.  Tuesday they are doing the whole Tuesday evening church service, and Marc promises to keep quiet the whole evening... we'll see how that goes!  Right now there's 50 ladies doing a craft next door (twice expected) so the ladies are scrambling to expand the supplies to be able to keep them all busy.  Meantime, as announced on Sunday the husbands are supposed to be home cooking for the ladies and their kids tonight to bless them.  Should be interesting!

Finally, Wayne's returned and he's back to helping wherever he can which is a great blessing to all.  After finishing the forming with Roy, he's going to fine-tune some woodworking at the clinic while all the while reworking tools and minor repairs in his spare time.   We really appreciate him!

Finally a few thought about systems.  We've been having problems with the water.  There's a huge 1000 gallon tank on the roof for use in emergencies, or when the pump isn't on, but it seems to be draining through the check valve which we'll have to replace.  Now its just a matter of orchestrating various valves on and off and filling the tank during generator on times.  Not a problem but something else to do to make things work.  

As for the generator we finally got staff here to revise systems to always make sure we've got a full barrel of diesel for back-ups we're not caught short in the middle of the evening, but last night we got caught running dry and having to gather the bobcat, truck (for lighting) and a few people running around in the rain looking for the right tools to transfer the full reserve barrels into the tank.  It worked, and I did get a good exercise workout, though it was pretty much right arm only.  It's a start, as are the system updates, but there's still TONS to do...

The last item is one we're eagerly waiting on, the garden planting to burst forth.  Upon close examination today it appeared the early seeds might already be up but I'll wait a few more days before starting any early weeding... don't want to pull any new veggies.  

Days of Work & Rest

The past couple of days have been a bit up and down, with lots of work progressing along with all its challenges, plus some relaxation and rest.  Yesterday I made another trip into Port au Prince to pick up some lost baggage but specifically for shopping many items needed here.  What started well getting into the city quickly with little traffic, grew enormously as we had to make additional stops for missing items and numerous horrendous traffic jams on the way back (i.e. stopped dead for 20-30 minutes waiting for something to move...) made the normally long 2 1/2 hour return trip into a 6 hr nightmare.  To make matters worse a swarm of fire ants (several hundred) decided to congregate under my toes on one foot and started biting all at once.  I thought something was wrong as the foot seemed tone swelling so I pulled them down off the bench behind the driver's seat where they were resting and discovered them there.  Ouch, and OMG, where did they come from?  Its still a mystery...  At least the scenery was interesting and I managed several shots of the mountains and other scenics along the way...

Returning I did hear that work was proceeding fairy well, and lots was accomplished so that compensated from the otherwise tiring excursion.  This morning I made the rounds checking progress, to discover LOTS of achievements at the Technical school, where forming is going up for the first floor beams and compaction outside in rep for second storey scaffolding going to be needed soon.  The place looks nothing like it did just a few short weeks ago.  Roy and crew are doing a great job.

At the clinic, most of the remaining construction projects are well underway and should be done next week, leaving clean-up, again, painting then finishing details prior to the end of the month.  We're getting there, but I think the fence will still be an issue, though the design is in place and just needs to be welded up and installed.

With Garrett's arrival on Wednesday, the first duplex of the Children's Village is also underway, and excavations are proceeding rapidly to be followed next week with rebar and eventually pouring the footings, pillars and slab.  Its amazing how the start there really brings into focus the whole vision for that property and gives a glimpse of what's to come.  Its also amazing to know that it can be built for about $20/sq. ft, a small fraction of costs in Canada or the US.  If you're making an investment in Haiti with HAM, its REALLY going a long ways!

On top of these projects our team of 2, Jim & James, our cousin and a friend, have been very busy scoping out electrical power needs and doing interviews and videography of various HAM staff and personnel here.  Its been fun, and revealing of potential opportunities to improve systems and save money, and moving to hear some of the stories of people impacted by Haiti Arise's broad scope of activities and ministry.

Finally, this afternoon, we made it out to the beach for a couple of hours and got to enjoy some sun, sand, great snorkeling topped off with rock lobster grilled at the beach... delicious!