BUCKET BRIGADE

Fri, Oct 30 - Much of our work has been moving sand and rocks to a new location in preparation for mixing cement next week. Using two shovels and four 5 gallon buckets, the team forms a line and passes the buckets from person to person.

 

Susie, Maury, Bill and Claudia loading buckets

Terry, Lisa, Susie, Ricardo, Claudia, Denise, Bill & Jim made up The Bucket Brigade.  Team members rotated, as they took a break from the heat and humidity.

 

The Haitian "workbench" made from tree limbs and rope and tied to a tree.  They made hooks to use for holding the rebar for the floor of the second story of the school. 

 Boys at recess playing soccer with a small rubber ball.  The school and church will receive good soccer balls donated by some of the churches of team members.

 At recess the younger children gathered around team members.  Language was no barrier to the team in interacting with the students.  These girls were fascinated with Jackie's hair.

GRACE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL & PETIT GOAVE

Thursday, Oct. 29 - We spent the morning in Port Au Prince at Grace Children's Hospital managed by International Child Care, whose headquarters are in Kalamazoo, Mi.  They provide many services to the community and the country.  Before the 2010 earthquake, the Children's Hospital had 65 beds and they now have 15, until they are able to build a larger hospital.  They provide many services throughout the country including clinics for TB, Eyes, Shots,  Lab, Pharmacy and Gynecology.  For the children to be healthy, they need to also take care of the mother and father. We were told the Grace would not have survived after the earthquake without the help given by United Methodist Committee On Relief (UMCOR).

The team had devotions with the patients waiting to be served at the general clinic.

This special needs abandoned boy is VERY excited as he is getting dressed in the new outfit made for him by the Sewing Ministry at St Joseph First UMC.

Lisa with one of the children at Grace Children's Hospital.

On our drive from Port Au Prince to Petit Goave, we saw first hand the pervasive poverty in the country.  We saw hundreds and hundreds of street vendors on the side of streets and roads selling everything and anything trying to support their family - charcoal, produce, clothes, tires, food they had prepared, shoes, etc.  The drive from was harrowing, as there are no streets signs, stop signs or stop lights and there are no speed limits.  At intersections, the bravest go first and our driver was really brave. On the highway, there seems to be no regard for when it is appropriate to pass other cars.  Motor bikes create a lane of their own.  The rule of the road seems to be "honk & go".  With God's help, we arrived safely in Petit Goave at the home of the Circuit Superintendent.  An area to house mission teams has been added to their home.  We have comfortable beds, some air conditioning and refreshingly cold showers.  Our hosts are treating us royally and we are having great Haitian food.

 Street vendors along the road.

 

We appreciate your continued prayers for health, safety and that all those with whom we come in contact will feel the love of Jesus Christ.

INTERNET NOT AS EXPECTED

Our internet access in Petit Goave is not as expected, so we may not be able to update the blog as often as planned. Keep checking back, as we will update whenever possible.

ARRIVAL IN PORT AU PRINCE

Thank you for your prayers for uneventful travel, as all our flights went very smoothly.  The airport was chaos, but with the help of several Haitians, we left the airport with all our luggage.  In the photo above, Maury and Jim are riding with our luggage in one of the trucks transporting us to the Port Au Prince guesthouse for the night. 

Waiting for our rooms at the guesthouse.

The entire team in the dining room of the guesthouse.  We will be gathering later this evening to get organized for tomorrow - visiting Grace Children's Hospital in the morning, the Baptist Mission for lunch, then travel to Petit Goave.

Getting Ready

 United Methodist Volunteers in Mission - A Service of Sending Forth Haiti Mission Team.  Pastor Harris of St. Joseph First UMC sends Bill and Denise forth to witness and serve.

The team is busy preparing for their trip by stuffing their suitcases with items for Brakeman School and Grace Children's Hospital, while trying to make the 50 lb weight limit.  Team members and their churches are sending many things which are fun and useful.  Denise displays over 100 outfits made by the Sewing Ministry and soccer balls from the Missions Commission of St. Joseph First UMC.  

The Crossroads District Haiti Volunteers In Mission (VIM) Team will arrive in Port Au Prince on Wed. Oct 28 and return on Sat Nov 7.  We will visit Grace Children's Hospital, then travel to Petit Goave to work with local Haitians at Harry Brakeman School to build an additional classroom.  Please pray the love of Christ will be felt by all those we encounter.   Please also pray for safe, uneventful travel and good health.