Day 4 - Friday

Dear Lord,

Please bless our work here. We are so insignificant against the great crush of need here. Lord, these people have only Christ as their hope, because there is none in this world. Amen.
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I tried to post this prayer before we left this morning, but it did not go. I am writing more now.
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The past two days were merely warm-ups to get our muscles stretched and our bodies acclimated to the heat. Today we went to a new church site, and with pick and shovel and 40-pound tampers, we moved dirt piles into the concrete sections of the foundation. Several of us were involved in selecting rocks of the right size - 5 to 10 pounds and loading them into wheelbarrows. I think we moved over six bucket loaders full of dirt. Four were dumped there while we were there, and we moved a bunch more before. My twenty years of sendentary work were obvious, but none of us could keep up with the Haitians working beside us. We were working directly in the blazing sun, and used up twice as much water as on previous days. We rested in the shade of an acacia bush. These things are quite well-armored with thorns -- thorns that easily pierce sneaker soles, and soles of leather shoes. We invested some time removing these from our shoes. Some now have strange rashes showing up (not heat rash).

Today Mason went with Bruce into Port de Paix, and attended a meeting where they made up 2/3rds of the white people there. The poverty level, access to water, and tourism in Haiti were discussed there. Lots of people know Bruce, Mason says. Bruce noted it was a productive meeting because his improvement programs are being written into Haiti's strategic plan. Mason was chosen to go because of his knowledge of French and rapidly increasing Creole vocabulary.

Mason and Kester are spending a lot of time talking to the kids, and being friends to them. All the kids got into a soccer game. Kester today noticed one of the kids who was helping to build his church had blisters on his hands, and got a pair of gloves that would fit him. Maria worked like a fiend today, inspiring some of the Haitians to redouble their efforts to make it clear that a mere girl could not keep up with them. You go girl! You know, I keep using the word kids here, but we brought with us young people who know how to show their love of God to others and who know how to work. I am so thankful to have been able to see them on action. They are not kids any more!

We finished up the work day by planting a pair of Adelia crasopanthia palm trees. There are 29 of these trees left in the wild. They are only found in Haiti. Bruce is trying to bring them back. We made sure the kids were involved in their planting. In one of the pictures above, you see Mason collecting fertilizer for the palms. They will remember and want to see them when they come back.
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From Pat M: Christien, Wendy and Kiernan - we miss you very much. Thank you for responding to Sandi's message so quickly Xtien. The hard work here is very satisfying. About sixty per cent of the Haitians are on the verge of starvation, and the greater percentage may be on the verge of starvation of the soul. I think we are making a difference both ways.

Kiernan, Pap pap - Kisseroo number four. Looking forward to having bumbleberry pie and ice cream with you. Love you!
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Supper last night was meatloaf, mashed potatoes and corn. Peach shortcake was for dessert. Absolutely delightful, again. We can feel our bodies soaking up this nourishment after being worked beyond our norms.
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Tomorrow we will go to Myett, the church that DPC sponsored, and put on a door and some concrete steps. An easy day!