beams and cloor that we will pour
boots and gloves made out of tire tubing for the cement mixer guys
having fun with the kidsFriday, May 21, 2010
thoughts
Started the day with a hearty breakfast; oatmeal drenched in warm syrup, fried plantain, an egg, chopped mangoes, and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Lot of food, I know, I was struggling to get the p, b and j down, but I did and washed it down with some fruit punch. Trust me you need all the energy you can get down for in preparation for the day, it all goes away by the end.
We walked, gear in hand, through the village to the church/school/clinic building ready to do whatever they tell us to. Honestly, some of the days have started to blend together for me. Being in a foreign country, working long hard days does that to you. So if I’m remembering correctly today we passed a lot of buckets full of concrete assembly line fashion to some more structural forms on the second level. Hard, intense work, the hardest yet, I’d say for sure. The overcast sky was a huge blessing. Concrete is super heavy. It was basically a trap workout for me – 500 reps maybe more I really have no idea. At the end of the day I was completely covered in concrete, so bad that when I got back one of the worker ladys kicked me out of the back outdoor area…..outcast because I’m dirty.
I slipped in a game of soccer with some of the kids during their recess. A daily must….so much fun!
So everyday I’ve been here I question what I’m doing here? I want to do right. I want to be careful not to do more harm than help. It’s so easy to say that of course I’m doing good or being helpful. But still I’m constantly in my mind asking myself, what is the right thing?
So today as I was watching some of the Haitian men mix a batch of the concrete, I remembered something. A while ago I read something by a pastor that stuck with me. He said that the church is the hope of the world and that there is no other organization like it. And as I stood watching them build this building that would be the church – I realized that’s it! A church that would not only meet the physical needs of this place – food, education, health but most importantly the spiritual hunger that we all have for the love of Christ. This place would be a light for the people in the community and Haiti. Hope for the hopeless. The .00000001% that I’m here doing is part of that greater vision. And for now I have peace.
-Dave from Oakland, Ca.
We walked, gear in hand, through the village to the church/school/clinic building ready to do whatever they tell us to. Honestly, some of the days have started to blend together for me. Being in a foreign country, working long hard days does that to you. So if I’m remembering correctly today we passed a lot of buckets full of concrete assembly line fashion to some more structural forms on the second level. Hard, intense work, the hardest yet, I’d say for sure. The overcast sky was a huge blessing. Concrete is super heavy. It was basically a trap workout for me – 500 reps maybe more I really have no idea. At the end of the day I was completely covered in concrete, so bad that when I got back one of the worker ladys kicked me out of the back outdoor area…..outcast because I’m dirty.
I slipped in a game of soccer with some of the kids during their recess. A daily must….so much fun!
So everyday I’ve been here I question what I’m doing here? I want to do right. I want to be careful not to do more harm than help. It’s so easy to say that of course I’m doing good or being helpful. But still I’m constantly in my mind asking myself, what is the right thing?
So today as I was watching some of the Haitian men mix a batch of the concrete, I remembered something. A while ago I read something by a pastor that stuck with me. He said that the church is the hope of the world and that there is no other organization like it. And as I stood watching them build this building that would be the church – I realized that’s it! A church that would not only meet the physical needs of this place – food, education, health but most importantly the spiritual hunger that we all have for the love of Christ. This place would be a light for the people in the community and Haiti. Hope for the hopeless. The .00000001% that I’m here doing is part of that greater vision. And for now I have peace.
-Dave from Oakland, Ca.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
More thoughts from today
The kids had a great time tonight, so many games to play, so much fun for them, thanks to Kim, Susie, and Amy, and our new medical team friends, the face painting group.
A little boy waited quietly to sit on my lap, a very very shy boy, Kiki. He was in the background waiting for his turn. Quiet amazement in his eyes. A small toy car with wind up wheels that he could have played with for hours. Silent, shy, keeps to himself. Hoping to spend some special time with Kiki tomorrow night.
A man on his stoop today on our way home, the entire team walking by, he went out his way to say "thank you for helping us".
All is well here for the entire team. Every day is a new experience for all.
Neil
A little boy waited quietly to sit on my lap, a very very shy boy, Kiki. He was in the background waiting for his turn. Quiet amazement in his eyes. A small toy car with wind up wheels that he could have played with for hours. Silent, shy, keeps to himself. Hoping to spend some special time with Kiki tomorrow night.
A man on his stoop today on our way home, the entire team walking by, he went out his way to say "thank you for helping us".
All is well here for the entire team. Every day is a new experience for all.
Neil
working hard at the school
Had another great day at the worksite. We got the swing of the bucket line and moved approximately 7 yards of dirt through the building. We shoveled stone, sand, and mixed cement to pour another column and some footings. Hauled a lot of rebar onto the deck.
The medical team worked hard at the clinic at the school today. They treated 115 patients at one site (they were spread out at different sites). Many people waited all day to be seen.
All team members are feeling pretty good now, albeit sore muscles from the bucket lines. Wish us luck tomorrow as we mix, pour and move more materials.
Played many games with all the kids tonight. Many smiling faces.
- Amy and some construction lingo by Neil
The medical team worked hard at the clinic at the school today. They treated 115 patients at one site (they were spread out at different sites). Many people waited all day to be seen.
All team members are feeling pretty good now, albeit sore muscles from the bucket lines. Wish us luck tomorrow as we mix, pour and move more materials.
Played many games with all the kids tonight. Many smiling faces.
- Amy and some construction lingo by Neil
bucket line professionals
Sharon chatting with the girls at school
a bunch of the new guys working hard
this dirt pile was a huge accomplishment via the bucket brigadeTuesday, May 18, 2010
rice pick up
picked up our first batch of rice for distribution yesterday. will pick up many more 50lb bags this week thanks to donations from so many people at home... thank you!
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