David's day in PaP city

Here is the Port au Prince (PaP) version of Home Depot I visited today. It is about 1/4 the size of the store in Regina. The prices are very inflated, somtimes by as much as 500% compared to before the earthquake. Note the armed guard . Every major store has at least 2 guards with loaded sawed off shotguns. I know they were loaded because we saw them putting the shells in when coming on shift.

Another store we went to today.I think this is the caterpiller company. These stores did not seem to be affected by the earthquake. They must be built to a higher standard compared with the majority of places.

  

Some of the city we drove through today with Gord behind the wheel. Gord (from Vancouver)did a masterful job of getting us around town . It was the first time he had driven in Port au Prince. It is not for the faint of heart. The lanes were constantly changing which way the traffic flowes . All the while you must dodge pedestrians and holes in the road. Note the Tap tap a common form of transport in Haiti.

Even though much of the city is a mess the people for the most part are well dressed and clean.               

 Bye for now.                                            

Saskatoon Team

Today we bid farewell to the Saskatoon Team as they are leaving early in the morning (4 am).  It has been a joy to get to know all of them.  The benches they built are fantastic.  They also rearranged the benches in the church to fit the new ones in and increased seating by around 100.  Great Job!

We were able to go to the beach for a bit this afternoon.  I love the beach.  The water is warm enough to be comfortable but cool enough to be refreshing.  It's hard to imagine but the temp here today was 35 degrees plus the humidity and it felt cool after being in the water.  I am truly going to freeze when I go home.

The church service tonight was a blessed time of praise, prayer and preaching.  The pastor is blessed by God to preach and pray. 

My neck is aching tonight.  It couldn't be from throwing rocks this morning. I was helping to clear the area at the back wall so when they start pouring, the rocks are not in the way.  I should have known better.  James was helping with the wall today.  It is really coming along.

Monday

The cement mixer had the wrong spark plug in it so it is not working at the moment.  Gord and James were being MacGyver yesterday to make it work. 

We did a rice feeding in Mark and Lisa's neighborhood.  We were able to hand out some clothes and hygiene bags as well.  It was a blessed time.  This little girl was very precious.  She was very insistent at posing for pictures.  We rode in the truck which was very full.  It was a blast.

Relaxing!

Today was a good day. You can't even tell that there was an aftershock early this morning. Everyone is very calm here. No one was harmed.


David drove the Saskatoon Team to Tapion this am for church at 7:30. Then they all came back for church here on the compound. Church was very good. David did not look very good after church so he went to bed. I found some meds for him that have seemed to have worked. Tomorrow will tell.

After lunch we headed to the beach for a relaxing soak in the ocean. The water was warmer today.

We finished handing out rice at Tapion to the people who did not receive any last sunday. This was a good experience. Roslin had everything very organized and was an amazing help.

We heard today the Haiti is experiencing a fuel shortage. This means we need to try to find fuel tomorrow so that the team will have enough to get to Port au Prince on wednesday. Pray that this is only a rumor and that fuel will be available.

This was a very relaxing day. I am feeling much better and have started to eat again.

Aftershock

Well I definitely felt that one.  4.2 according to http://neic.usgs.gov/neis/last_event/world_haiti.html I thought someone was banging on our door.  I was sleeping and having not a very good sleep at that.  I woke David and ran out of the room.  It only lasted a few seconds.  I guess that it was located not that far from here just off the coast at Petit Gouve .  If you google map the location it shows you where it was.  First thing I did was run outside and I did not see James, so I ran back in and upstairs, where Gabby told me James had ran down already.  Gabby has been in Haiti since Jan 16.  She went right back to bed.  That encouraged me a little as she has been through a lot of aftershocks.  I still ran back outside with the others.  I am quite awake now as I usually do not run around in the middle of the night.  Hopefully soon I can go back to sleep.

In reflection:
This gives new meaning to the scriptures that talk about the whole earth groaning in anticipation of Christ's return.  I am not sure how anyone could experience it and not know that there is a God who is in control.  I serve a Great and Powerful God!  The Great I Am!! 

Another scripture that comes to mind is the one that says the rocks will cry out if we don't praise God.  They definitely cried out in Haiti.  What will it take for Canada to wake up? 

Right now I am not experiencing fear, but rather a sense of awe at how great God is.

I have heard Haitians say that the earthquake was needed here to break the bonds that Satan had on this land.  I heard that in Canada but it was met with skeptacism and an attitude that those that believed this were judging Haiti.  But to hear it out of the mouth of the Haitians is a confirmation to me that the bonds are being broken.  Halelujah!!  The facts speak for themselves.  The people of Haiti are turning to God.  Continue to pray that Voodoo would lose it's power and that more people would turn to God - not just in Haiti but in Canada as well. 

Ecclesiastes 3:2

It took 2 men two days equipped with a machete and an axe to take down this tree. Apparently the town magistrate did not like the tree or the wall encroaching on the road so it had to go.  I heard they plan to improve the road past the compound. The tree will get turned into charcole. This part of Haiti is part of the approx 20% of the country that still has trees.   

While life comes to an end for the tree there is new life sprouting in the garden. These plants were put in last week. It may be symbolic of the whole country as it starts to rebuild and the signs of a new beginning are starting to show.

 The wall is an example of  the rebuilding effort. The crew got into a rhythm today and built another 150 feet to 5 coarses. I could see the satisfaction on there faces especially at the end of the day.  There were even smiles on faces which had not smiled much before. All in all another amazing day under the Haitian sky.

Submitted by David

Friday the 26th

The team from Saskatoon are making benches for the church.

James working on the wall. He is not feeling well today.  Please pray that he will get better soon.  It appears the whole family has gotten it.  Pepto-Bismol is our friend!

GOD IS WORKING IN HAITI - Some thoughts from Vernon

This trip was different because I went to an area of Haiti where the land is so beautiful and not deforested like other places in Haiti I have been to. I could see God’s magnificent hand in the creation of this country intermingled with the tragedy of poverty of the people and now on top of the poverty there is the devastation of the earthquake. I could not help but think the older generation 30’s and up who had worked so hard for what little they had and in 50 seconds it was gone!! They lost family, and the little they had and have to start over. The hearts of the Haitian people are so amazing because they can see the blessings from God through the earthquake. I sat on the plane with a Haitian lady who couldn’t keep from praising God because the events of the earthquake is turning the hearts of the people toward Jesus. They have nothing and yet they are praising God.

Throughout the trip I saw the work of God’s hand so mightily on our team and the people around us. I witnessed a few miracles. I had a great time working with the Haitian guys as we worked on the security wall. I learned how to tie rebar without any tools… only a nail J … how to build forms with pieces of boards and old nails.

I tried to meet with Jenna’s birth mom, but never was able to connect with her. We made arrangement to meet at the airport and I waited for a few hours and thought she hadn’t come, but found out later that she was there but just not where I was. It was very disappointing and sad to know she needs help so much and I couldn’t even find her to offer her a little help. However, we will keep trying to connect with her.

I enjoyed being with all of the team members. They were a joy to work with, to pray with and to have fun with. Please continue to pray for David, Beth and James as they are in Haiti for another three weeks.

Signing off, (thanks to my wife, Kathleen’s, help with the typing)
Vernon

malad...translation sick

This morning we started working on the wall.  The brick layers had forgotten to put in the rebar to tye the bricks to the foundation.  I think we have that worked out.  I became quite ill about 8:30 this am and have been in bed and the bathroom since.  Please pray that this will leave soon.  David and James are doing alright.  James was a bit homesick but seems that he is past it now. 

The Saskatoon team is heading out this afternoon to hand out hygiene bags and other stuff to bless the people.  I was looking forward to this but will be in bed instead.  I am sure the team will have an amazing experience praying and blessing the families.

Bricks, bricks and more bricks!!!

I thought you would like some pictures to go with yesterdays blog. 

David and Mono  moving bricks from up the lane where they are made to the compound.  I was able to watch them make some of the bricks.  They use a press to make two blocks at a time.  They were a God send to both David and I.  They are both single and are Evangelists.  They are on fire for doing God's work.  They are working at the bricks so that they can make money (the honest way) to help rebuild their families home.  Their oldest brother died in the earthquake, yet they have the joy that comes only from God.  What a blessing they are.  They work all day from 7 am to 4 pm with very little food.  David is amazed how they can do this.

The rice feeding! 

Loretta and Cheryl handing out rice.

Laura and I walked back to the compound with these fabulous girls.  We laughed and talked a bit of Creole.  They all were a wonderful blessing to my day.

The thermometer said 32 but it felt like 42...

The team from Saskatoon arrived on Tuesday.  Today the work consisted of moving blocks from down the lane to Haiti Arise, packing rice bags, handing out rice bags and a quick dip in the ocean.  It was a hard day for me today.  Tomorrow will be better. 

Sad day

The team left...Enough said!!!

Beach, Sun and Sea Urchins

The last chance for a swim before the team leaves for home.  The team consists of Eric, Vernon, Sharon, Wade, Travis, Beth, David, Jean, Aaron, and James.  What a great team.  What a blast!!!  The beach was great until the attack of the Sea Urchin!!!  David stepped partially on one.  I did surgery on his foot on the beach with a jack knife.  It was unsuccessful.  He is fine now. 

Vernon and Mark.

I think Mark is looking forward to seeing his wife and kids.

Kites

Tuesday morning we walked to the tent city on the orphanage property.  We handed out the lentil and rice bags and the kites that we made for the kids.  The lentil and rice bags are only $35 and supply 30 meals.  We made some up to taste it and it was quite good.  It is packed full of vitamins to provide nutrition for the malnurished.  The kids loved the kites and some actually flew.We had the opportunity to pray for the people at their tents.  One lady brought her young child who was extremely malnurished (their hair turns red when they are malnurished).  We were able to pray for her and the little one and give them a bag of food.  Another man had a french bible and he could read it.  He was challenged to share his ability with the rest of the camp.  He read john 3:16 and then translated it in creole.  The people around him were listening to his words.  There were so many stories.

David gave his hat to the man in the picture.  The man had been lying down as he has difficulty with his legs.  When David was telling him he was giving him his hat, his wife came over to get him up.  They were so blessed by David's simple act of kindness.

Monday afternoon we headed to a community that had not received any help.  We were told it was 15 mins.  away.  45 mins later we arrived.  It was an adventure.  This is the road we drove on. 

We had to move the rice to a truck because we came across a run-off area that the van couldn't get through. 

Rocks were put in the run-off trench for the van to drive over.

James handing out some rice.

The fearless adventurer!

We had to drive across the river and river bed to get to and from the community.  Usually, because this is rainy season this area would be covered in water.  But it has not rained very much this rainy season.

Gardening

This morning was great.  It reminded me of spring at the farm, when we till the soil for planting the flowers.  The soil here is so rich.

 We planted beans for drying and tilled another area for cucumbers.   Chistof is the

The picture of Farmer Jean tilling the soil.  His advise is to not use the rototiller with flip-flops.  He is also wondering if his digit will grow back on their own. 

These girls names are Paskal and Monasheena.  They came over this morning to hang out.  Their homes are located just outside the compound.  We started to weed the tomato plants.  While doing so we found a melon plant.  There is still a lot more to weed. 

forever blessed

As I came to work in haiti, oh how I have been surprised to find that I have not been doing nearly as much work on her as God has been doing on me. This is my first missions trip, this is my first time leaving my country, this is the most I have cried in a week span in my life! It's really hard to put into words the range of emotions I have felt.  The second day here we went out into a tent city to do some hand outs. I was overwhelmed by the poverty, just crushed. When we arrived back at the compound I was so discouraged by what I saw I regretted even coming, but after one of our incredible 3 hour debriefing sessions I had a change of heart. The next day we went out was an experience I will never forget. Giving out candies to the children - all I was giving them was a single fizz candy, but what they gave back to me was just so much more than I ever imagined. thier smiles and laughter in such poverty, they had nothing at all, and yet they seemed to have almost nothing to complain about. God has been showing me his love through these children and I will be forever blessed by this experience!

Trav!s L!v!ngston

Miracles on Haiti Street

So we had to make a decision on Thursday morning as we ran out of materials for the wall.  We could buy more supplies for the wall with our extra monies or keep it all for food for the people.  As a team we finally made the decision that if we don't get the wall done the medical team would not be able to come.  We decided that we would trust God to double the money we had left and leave it in His hands.  So we had a solid price for the rice and when we went to pick it up on Saturday we saw God double our blessing and He saved us 1500 US dollars.  Wow it was incredible!!!!  We saved a lot of money bought 100, 55lb bags and are now able to help 2 communities with what God blessed us with.  God is so good.  Thank you for your prayers everyone.
posted by Sharon

Church and rice!

This morning some of us went to a sister church (Tapion) of Haiti Arise.  This came from providing a children's ministry in their community.  This morning the pastor asked the people to raise their hand if they accepted Christ after the earthquake.  The majority of the people raised their hands.  Some of the children recited memory verses.  David prayed for the people and gave them a blessing from Canada.  It was a service that is so hard to describe.  Even though it is in another language, the Spirit of God spoke to each of us there.  This service started at 7:30 in the morning.  We had to leave at 9:00 because we were to attend the service back at the campus at Haiti Arise. 

The service at Haiti Arise contrasted the other in a few ways.  There were more people at Haiti Arise,  we had to walk up mountain terrain to get the Tapion church, music at one, accapulla at the other.  Both were fabulous.  Jean gave a good message at the Haiti Arise church.  At this church they started with prayer at 8:00 and the service at 9:00.  It was finished at 11:00.

In the afternoon we went back to the sister church to hand out rice.  The sacs held 8 bags and each bag held about 8 lbs each.  We had planned for 200 but over 400 showed up.  We will be taking some back next sunday to the church for the families that did not receive any.

To get the rice there, it was stacked in a smaller taptap and on the roof of the van.  So some of the guys rode on top of the van.  They liked it so much that they rode both ways. 

Market, Rice and Beach

Today has been a full day.  We started off by going to the market.  I have never been in a market like that before.  There was a plot of land that all the stalls were set up in.  There was a small aisle to walk through.  It was very interesting,  We seen pigs getting cut up, fish salted and fresh fish, chicken sitting on the ground, live chicken (they bind there legs together so they can't walk), candy, fruit, hygiene stuff, belts, sunglasses, hats, sugar cane, and a variety of other stuff.  We had the opportunity to go to a bakery and see how they make the buns that we eat.  All I will say is it is not that hygenic.  It was interesting.  This afternoon we bagged the rice for the rice feeding tomorrow.  We had a bit of fun. After we finished that we drove to the beach and had a wonderful swim in the ocean.  Refreshing.

One of the families that we visited, gave food and prayed for.

From Wade's Journal Friday March 19th 11:30

   We (Jean, Sharon, and I) just met some of the world's poorest people.  We went into the area(tent city) on the other side of our compound and found a God sent person to lead us to those with the greatest need.  Words will never tell. 
   Always remember the blind old lady sitting on the ground doing her laundry.  She was taking care of 10 people.  They lived in a tiny shack.  We gave her food and she prayed a prayer of praise and thanks.  It was like God was right beside her.  It was the best and hardest thing I have ever done.  They were also thankful. 
   Never forget the lady and her son.  They knelt before us and asked us to lay hands on their heads and pray for them.  We gave them food and we prayed. 
   Life can  never be the same.  This makes what we saw in Sir Lanka and Guatamaula seem like 5 star hotels.  Our guide said that 200 years ago - 1803 - Haiti chose to build itself on the blood of swine - VooDoo.
  So many smiles with so little to smile about.
  A mixture of emotions so intense and so opposite.  Impossible to reconcile - don't even try.
  Our guide -sent from Jesus - told us that God will bless us for what we have doen.  He already has.  I think I can feel myself healing.  I have met God in Haiti - as I prayed before I left.
  The tent cities of Haiti - the new low and poorest of the poor pray and love Jesus

Mark informed us this morning that there was a tremor last night.  Most of us slept through it.  

One of the houses in the neighborhood.  This is a common occurrence.

Working on the wall.  David and Aaron are in the front.  At this time there was a lull in the work.  They are filling the wheelbarrows with cement and pushing them down the path you can see on the right of the little tree, out back past the men working in the background.  Did I mention it is hot here.  The guys have done an awesome job.

The team in Regina airport.  We met up with Aaron in Port au Prince.  |In order from left to right: Wade, Jean, Eric, Vernon, Sharon, Travis, James, David, Beth.

These two are the same age.