Signs of Change

A funny thing happened on the way in to pick up our new arrivals on Wednesday, I actually noticed significant activity on the way into, and in PAP demonstrating development activity and upgrades to their systems... three different times.  Firstly was along the highway between Grand Goave and the city.  Many sections of the road which were next to impassable gravel strips are now recently paved, smooth and flat with centre and side lines painted rivalling anything back home.  They only go few a few kilometres, but its a start, and many other patches dug out and awaiting pavement attest to the ongoing work.  Its clearly noticeable with improvements every week, which is great to see.

The second interesting thing was the hundreds of "Action Civique" workers in PAP with their bright yellow shirts and red flags at most intersections with the job of stopping traffic to allow young children to stop safely.  Since there are no crosswalks and pedestrians definitely don't have the right of way here, it was refreshing to see everyone stop dutifully when the flags came out, and wait.  

Thirdly was at the airport, where yesterday we were halted at the parking lot far from just outside the Arrivals doors where we could get to last week, and especially the inside Customs and Baggage areas we could get to a month ago.  Every week it seems the officials are getting more and more organized along the lines of "western" airports and although it makes it less convenient in meeting arriving passengers, its pretty hard from them to get lost and this seems an improvement inn their organization and systems.  In all three cases little signs that all is not the same and little by little things are improving.

Well James & Jim and Derrick & Wayne all arrived safely yesterday, though Wayne's bags didn't arrive so we're back to PAP to get them tomorrow, plus some stops at the MCS mega-store and hopefully to Petitionville to get our Natcom phones registered.  We keep getting text messages threatening to cancel the phones because they're not registered, but the indicated phone # isn't answered, and no local offices are set up to do the registrations so its off to the main office in PAP.  I guess some things STILL have a long ways to go...  The guys are busy getting adjusted and finding lots of work to keep them busy.  Focusing in on the key thing they need to get done in their time here, though still is a challenge and occasional frustration.  Its been great going about much of the day with our cousin Jim and friend James.  The electrical situation here is crazy but I've been learning lots about high voltage power cables, low voltage lines and all the obvious power theft just about everywhere, and Jim really has a great knack for videography and is starting to get some great material for later use.  I'll better appreciate it the next family reunion back in Calgary!

Building Momentum

The last couple of days has been a stretching time, consolidating thoughts on stuff past, as well as organizing plans, materials and personnel for projects ahead.  I've been given the oversight of the Clinic Completion project which is looking to completely finish the clinic by the end of the month prior to arrival of the Medical Team and the official opening of the clinic in March.  There's a bunch of stuff to do so its busy figuring it out and getting the correct people focused on the task at hand.  Things are proceeding...


In addition on the 15th an EMI engineer arrives to layout the first duplex of the Children's Village so I'll be working with him and working to get the foundations in place prior to another team's arrival in early March.


Also on the 15th a small team of 2 arrive, a friend from Cochrane-James Mackay-and a cousin from Texas-Jim Attrell.  Cathy & I are really looking forward to their arrival and the power systems and videography projects they'll be involved in.  Also returning the 15th is Wayne form Nelson, BC, returning after just a month away and staying several months to help with the clinic, Technical School and whatever else needs to be done.


We also want to get his wife Betty's garden planted and see what can grow here so we hope to do that before the weekend.  We know stuff grows.... property lines are "living" with cut-off sticks stuck in the ground along the line that leaf out and form the property barrier.  But hopefully not too many weeds on the garden.  We'll see!


Chris & Cathy

Quiet Again

Well the day started early as the Crossroads team loaded up and headed off to the airport at 0530hrs this morning.  The trip was unremarkable except for two incidents after they were dropped off.  Firstly we ended up having to get some construction materials, and after not finding them at the nearby Eko Depot, we headed to the other, East side of PAP to go to the MAC Depot.  This area of the city is right next to the US Consulate, an ex-President's mansion and some spiffy-looking neighbourhoods.  There's even a new outlet mall across and up from the consulate, talk about not looking like the Haiti I've come to know.  Wow, I think I had reverse culture shock standing in the aisles of MAC, an exact duplicate of a large, fully-stocked Home Depot right out of NW Calgary.  After picking my jaw off the floor, and side-stepping all the Americans shopping there, we picked up a couple of items, including 8 shovel handles we've been trying to get for weeks, then started back home.

Once home and after lunch, the driver of the 15-passenger van, Yvonne asked to show me something, so I followed him outside.  He then proceeded to describe the massive tire blowout he had on the return trip, after dropping off the team.  I once had a tire blowout myself, on a busy freeway with tons of big rigs east of Houston, but nothing like this.  Looks like the whole side of the tire cratered.  Praise the Lord none else was inboard and he was able to control the wobbling vehicle and get it off the road.

Crossroad's last day was yesterday and it was special in several ways.  Firstly all of the school kids came out and presented a song they had been taught, which was a special blessing to many in the team.

Secondly, after prayerfully passing goats on to 3 needy families, the team members that didn't go to the beach were able to go to a nearby community to distribute the remaining rice that had been previously purchased.  This was especially meaningful to the participants as they were able to go house to house and individually pass over the rice sacks and say a quick blessing .  The community seemed to be thrilled and the distribution went off very well.

The rest of the final day was spent re-digging holes filled with mud from Tuesday's rain, documenting Battery instructions and making each other bracelets from left-over beads and crafts, prior to packing everything up in the evening for the return trip home.   Each, I think touched deeply from their interactions and experiences here.

Now its quiet again, at least relatively so, just the background hum of the construction crews outside and the banging and clattering from kitchen and meal preparations in.  Another change-of-pace for a few days before the next team arrives next week.   Ahh... I think I like it!

Are you Ready to be Poured Out?

AM

This week has been a challenge on many levels.  A couple of days of suspect health, a dynamic, large and interesting team with lots of ideas of what they want to do, extra issues like resident parents pulling their kid out of the team for a private excursion, potential developing relationships, not enough time or place for Cathy & I to get things right when stuff comes up and of course just the daily work which is a challenge in itself.  Although I’m getting better used to the weather, heat and humidity, even the ocean this week was a drag, as it was crowded, loud, other issues with the local bar-goers next door, and the water was extremely cloudy - you couldn’t see even 6ft in front of your face, really - kind of milky white, possibly a cloud of silty runoff from some storms near Leogane a couple of days ago, perhaps something else like a chemical dump of some sort?  Who knows?  In any case a disappointment from what I was expecting and hoping for.

Perhaps the week has nothing to do with any of the above, and I’m just having a personal challenge going into our 6th week here.  In any case, this morning’s devotion from “My Utmost for His Highest” reminded me again of the work we’ve been called to and the need to lay aside every personal desire and expectation to allow Christ to shine through.  This work, and most of the work of devout and dedicated pastors, teachers, doctors, cooks, cleaners, secretaries, and missionaries... everywhere is a work of SERVICE.  Lord, help me in that task...  and as this week comes to a close with church, a major rice distribution then a trip back to the children’s church at Taino, I need to keep a good attitude, a helpful spirit and a willing heart.  A very definite challenge!

Are You Ready To Be Poured Out As an Offering?

“If I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all” (Philippians 2:17 ).

Are you willing to sacrifice yourself for the work of another believer—to pour out your life sacrificially for the ministry and faith of others? Or do you say, “I am not willing to be poured out right now, and I don’t want God to tell me how to serve Him. I want to choose the place of my own sacrifice. And I want to have certain people watching me and saying, ‘Well done.’ ”

It is one thing to follow God’s way of service if you are regarded as a hero, but quite another thing if the road marked out for you by God requires becoming a “doormat” under other people’s feet. God’s purpose may be to teach you to say, “I know how to be abased …” (Philippians 4:12 ). Are you ready to be sacrificed like that? Are you ready to be less than a mere drop in the bucket—to be so totally insignificant that no one remembers you even if they think of those you served? Are you willing to give and be poured out until you are used up and exhausted—not seeking to be ministered to, but to minister? Some saints cannot do menial work while maintaining a saintly attitude, because they feel such service is beneath their dignity.

.....To paraphrase the devotional, then, a question.  What is your attitude today?  ...allow the Lord to use you, use us, poured out in whatever work, whenever time He so chooses and desires, it will be a blessing for all...

Chris (:

PM

This evening we were blessed by the team sharing from their hearts their experiences to date, then having Marc & Lisa share their testimonies and the broader vision of Haiti Arise for the people and country of Haiti.  This team is very diverse in many way, but clearly the Lord has touched their hearts and they have made many connections to the people and children here.  I am sure the next few days will be both a great blessing and difficult for them as they finish tasks here then prepare to return home.

6 1/2 tonnes of rice waiting to be split and bagged

two competing assembly line, all in fun...

flour children

standing room only at church... waiting on the distribution

The rice distribution went off very well, as it was well-organized and controlled so that each family received a 5 lb bag of rice and most a 2 1/2 lb bag of flour.  It was a blessing to be a part of the whole thing, and the people were definitely appreciative.  

It was especially interesting to see the pastor from the HAM mountain church figure out a way to get his 4-55 lb sacks of rice back to his church.  From what I understand its motorbike to downtown, then loading onto donkeys for the considerable trek upwards to the church.  Not sure if the pastor and his kids are hiking or not, but apparently we're going to find out ourselves on the 19th when we get to join them for a service (James & Jim, bring good walking shoes...) in the mountains. 

Later in the afternoon the team went to the Taino Children's Church just up the road and blessed them with song, testimony and some notebooks and pens.  It still amazes me that the whole church there is essentially kids and young adults, but I don't think any over 20.  No teenage years trying to figure out what you want to do with your life here...

Finally we got back to base for a well-deserved rest and the team was blessed with a local tradition, we ran out of diesel and the power went out for several hours.  We managed with some candles and hastily-retrieved flashlights to make it a romantic evening in Grand Goave which I'm sure will be memorable highlight for many.

Work a'Plenty

Work is proceeding quickly on several fronts, including the Technical School, inverter replacement, school presentations and the clinic.  As typical here, it goes a bit slower than usual as supplies are not readily available and shopping trips always a challenge.

The Crossroads team has been really hung ho, getting out early each morning, till the heat and humidity saps strength and the afternoons drag on.  The teachers have had the opportunity to observe and today and Monday will be introducing some ideas from their experiences in Canada.  After getting their bearings the first couple of days, they are hard at it, wanting to get some concrete poured in their stair excavation project which hopefully will happen perhaps next  Monday.

Cathy & I are doing well, settling in to a bit of a routine and jostling from one area to the next as needs arise.  Ken's time here has been good too, getting massive clean-up at the tool shed and assisting in maintenance and repairs.  He's not looking forward to departing next week.

I came down with a bug last night which has really kicked my energy for anything.  Today has been mostly resting and catching up on some office work that has been lingering.  Finally finished a tent-raising manual and project proposal for Lisa, so now its on to other items.  There's no lack of work!

no pics, but otherwise in a groove..

Well this is a first, no pics today!  Not that things aren't happening, but we've been busy with new projects, new team and new things to do.  Very busy but things are progressing well.  With the arrival of a new team the world changes, so to speak and the learning curve starts anew as we try to figure them out, and vice versa which takes a couple of days.  Yesterday was a breakthrough day for us in understanding the new faces, and today the team as a whole really broke through the fog of culture shock and started to make some real connections with kids and folks here.  Attitudes are like a roller coaster - you may have noticed reading this blog - and the team is on a huge high tonight.

The projects are progressing well, though as per usual here in Haiti if things aren't changing from precise plans all the time, you're not paying attention.  You've got to be flexible.  As a for instance on Monday we stopped at PAP's EKO Depot, a Haitian equivalent of Home Depot (a quite refreshing stop from the mom & pop roadside hardware shops here) and picked up a number of items slated for purchase.  In spite of double-checking numbers, getting precise amounts of cash and waiting for the items to be assembled at the store, when we got back to base we realized everything was the wrong size or already purchased (by others) and had to go back.  Systems need a little fine-tuning... Fortunately they were able to be returned (not typical) and we got most of the parts needed to replace the battery inverter backup power system on the residence.  Unfortunately the new system requires double the batteries anticipated pre-purchase so now we're short 24x $150 batteries. Well, there's no lack of things to pray for, ever, and certainly not here.

In spite of these and other issues, we are well, things seem to be going better - though likely that is us getting more comfortable with what we're doing - and hey, we had pancakes for breakfast with Luciana's famous maple, clove &cinnamon syrup so its hard to beat that!  And the final word, Cathy & my Creole is also improving by leaps and bounds so we're trying to use it whenever we can which is keeping the mood light and conversations interesting, but what is life if not interesting and an adventure, I ask...?

M'ale, na we pita! (Goodbye, I will see you later)
Chris


PS: OK, OK I couldn't do it without a few pics.... (:

Crossroads Safe Arrival

Just a short update to say that the Crossroads team has safely arrived, with I believe all their bags, though one did go missing for a while at the airport.  They are full of enthusiasm and energy, even after the long trip here and things have definitely picked up with their arrival.  We're off for a walk-about to stretch their legs and show them around, then an evening to settle in and recuperate.

I had another new adventure this morning, expanding my Haiti driving experience by driving in, around and through PAP for shopping and the trip to the airport.  It was fun, actually pretty tame as some developing countries go that I've driven in before, though I must say the lack of a horn does make it more interesting.  Packing up at the airport required both the van and the truck bed, to the disappointment of team leader Pat and two friends, who desperately wanted to ride in the back from the airport.  Though I don't mind that method of travel, in fact I did the same a month ago, I f thought that piling three men onto a heaped load of suitcases tenuously strapped in wasn't the best way to introduce Haiti to these guys, so it was a no go.  I promise there will be other chances, Pat!


The only incident was the other vehicle, the van which got a slight nudge from a truck at a police check point, but nothing even to report, except a delay on the road.  With Price, Haiti Arise's Coast Guard police escort riding in the truck, we flew through all obstructions.  I did prove one thing though, it IS POSSIBLE to get a ticket in Haiti.  Two traffic cops were fast-approaching on a section of road where we'd moved into empty oncoming traffic lanes to avoid a jam, ready to stop me in my tracks and write a ticket, only to have them wave us through, with a smile, once Price was seen in the vehicle.  


After arriving was a quick lunch, unpacking of bags and then an hour walk-about to stretch legs and get a feel for the area.  That's it for now, lots to do now that another team has arrived!