Home

It is with mixed emotions that we made our way back to Canada. Excited to see friends and family at home, but sad to leave  the people we have grown to love in Haiti. We are so grateful to everyone who helped make this trip possible.

 Please remember to pray for the missionaries still at work at Haiti Arise. The work they are doing would be impossible without them.

So ends our adventure under the Haitian sky.

Thanks again and God Bless

Love David and Beth

Thursday

The Haitians have a word for the craziness that was Thursday.It is "tet change". There was a lot going on. Here a few pics from the day. The first is of the children coming from there vbs.

A look at the completed tech school footing. The crew signed there name. This footing is very strong. A job well done.

These two shots are of the stuff from the container that came on Wednesday being sorted.

After the footing was complete the re bar and forms for the columns of the tech school went up.

The major event of the day was the arrival of another container. This one stayed at Haiti Arise.

A lot of stuff goes in a 40 foot container.

A look at the process of dropping the container on the ground.

First you tie it to a tree.

Then you drive away.

And finally it is on the ground with a bang. Actually it got jammed up on the trailer for a couple of hours before it hit the ground, but it ended well.

See you next time.

Love David and Beth

We are still here...

Thank you for checking in with us. It was another busy day for us in the middle of a busy week in the middle of a busy month.

The morning started with my usual jog up the highway. It was an ordinary start... being chased by dogs ,lots of people traffic coming down the mountain with goods for today's market. there was a truck stuck in the middle of the highway on a 10% grade with rocks under the tires to keep it from rolling, the tranny and various  engine parts lying on the ground under it. A little further up a truck passed me hauling and dragging pieces of 30 foot re bar on a 16 foot deck. It was our re bar order. I quickly ran back to the compound and met them at the front gate.( they took the long way to the compound).  We unloaded it just in time for breakfast.

Then it was time for a concrete pour on the medical clinic. After about 4 hours of placing concrete we had another section of the roof complete.
In the afternoon two trucks carrying the contents of a shipping container arrived. Soon a huge pile of stuff  was unloaded. and tarped waiting for sorting and distribution to people in the area.

I can't wait to see what tomorrow will bring. Word is another 40 foot container will arrive. It has been sitting in port for about 7 months stuck in a mire of red tape.

Staying here with us are about 20 people from 2 communities in British Columbia. They have been getting a full experience serving. Please pray for stamina for them as well as us.

The clock is ticking on our time here as we leave on Monday for Canada.

See you soon

Love David and Beth

Deal on the Docks

To boost ratings on the blog Beth said we should call this post" deal on the docks". The 800 bags of cement you see in the pic,which weigh over 70 000 lbs were being unloaded by 5:30 am this morning. Marc Eddy and myself (David)had gone to the next town yesterday about 4 pm and did a deal for it. We found the seller at the shipping port on the water front watching his guys moving cement that just came from a ship. After some intense negotiations (actually he told us the price and we agreed to it) we struck a deal and 12 hours later we got our cement. Our previous supplier had become unreliable.

Here is a look at one of the mixing stations for the tech school. These girls are running by on there way back to the school from the out house at the back of the property. The compound is a very busy place most of the time. 

Here is a look at the beginning of next community house.In this pic Pastor Ceres stands were his new house will soon be.

Another week has passed quickly. We said good bye to the nurses, and now we prepare for another team to come Monday.The election tomorrow is on a lot of peoples minds. Please pray for peaceful days ahead.

See you soon.

Love David and Beth

Election Fever

Greetings, I hope this finds you well.These past few weeks have been filled with the sights and sounds of a country getting ready to vote. As the election draws nearer the campaigning gets more passionate. Posters seem to be plastered on every square inch of buildings,fences,other signs. Even Haiti Arise has had there signage plastered with posters. Apparently once a poster is put up it is against the law to take it down no matter where it is placed. We saw a rally in the streets last night. It looked like a circus with many people who were shouting, marching, driving and honking ,singing and showing a passionate support for their candidate.The vote is on the 20th of March. 

Here on the campus the nurses have been busy helping the people of the community. They have been pouring themselves into seeing and treating many sick people.One day over 140 were patients were seen. The pic above shows the progress of our wall construction. Things have been halted for the last week, but maybe next week it will resume.

This was taken at one of the community houses that has recently been built. These guys are excited about moving from a tent to a house. We are in the process of doing the final electrical inspection on the houses as well as installing doors and windows.A new house will be started next week.

These final pics are from my last trip to Port au Prince. The first is of  the gate at former president Aristedes mansion. The next is a shot is of a suburb outside of PaP.

We were saddened to hear of  yesterdays earthquake. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Japan and those who were affected by it.

Till next time

David and Beth

Rider Pride

This pic is for all the Rider fans. This looney was embedded in the footing of the tech school today.It was supplied by one of the nurses who came on Saturday.There is a rumor that another looney may be placed in the medical clinic. 

A look  at the  road over the mountain to Jacmal which we snapped from our seat in the box of the truck.This road which had many hairpin turns (over 150 I think) was more like a roller coaster.

Here is the pay off: a couple of days and a night of rest and relaxation.Jacmal is a city on the South coast. It has more of a resort community feel to it.It is home to a few larger hotels and Bassin Bleu(the water fall which has very good cliff diving.

A pic of a coco bean out side of Jacmal.

This is a look from the pool deck at our hotel.

A look at the new mural which is being transcribed and then painted on the residence building.The image is being traced at night from a projector and then will be painted tomorrow.

Every day brings a new adventure here at Haiti Arise.I can't wait to see what will happen next.

Tomorrow shopping for tools in Port au Prince , fun,fun,fun.

Please keep us in your prayers

love David and Beth

2 out of 3

Beth James and I had the privilege of meeting 2 of the 3 kids we help to sponsor in Haiti. This is a pic of Jesula (between Beth and me) and her sister.It has been a blessing watching her grow up. Beth got to meet her 5 years ago when she came here for the first time. She is 16 .

Here is a pic of Winsom .We were in PaP on Friday and met them at a big Free Methodist Church.

It was a day of mixed emotions on Saturday. We were sad because James had to go back to Canada, but happy that he was able to make it down for a couple of weeks.

We said hello to the medical team from around Saskatchewan and Alberta yesterday. There will be a free clinic for the locals over the next while.The team has been busy organising the residence building to accept the 120 people per day they anticipate seeing.

blessings

David and Beth

Busy, Busy, Busy

Hey everyone the days seem to be flying by.Welcome to the first day of March.

 The first 2 pics are of the footings being poured on the technical school. This was the first day of many for mixing and placing concrete for the building.There was about 11 cu yds placed today. When the building is finished we will burn through 4500 to 5000 bags of cement! There are no ready mix trucks in the vicinity. 

This picture was taken of the wall being built around the children's village property. There is hardly a day that goes by when work is not disrupted by people who don't want the work to continue.Please pray for us for patience and endurance in the face of opposition. On a good note our post production for this project has jumped 300% with the addition of 4 new forms. Thanks to all who made this happen.

Here is a look at Joseph and James working on the medical clinic.  They were getting ready for the roof pour that happened last Saturday.

This is a pic of one of the wells at the children's village property.

A look at a Hatian cutting torch. Quite interesting but I am not sure it would meet safety standards.

Thank you for checking in with us. We appreciate all the support.

Love David and Beth

A few amazing things God is doing around here

It has been a very cool few days.  One was James came to Haiti so we are blessed to have him - not only because he is a great worker and can help out alot but also because he is our boy and we missed him. 

Another amazing thing happened at church last night.  I was praying for one of the women in the church during worship time and God gave me a vision for her.  I shared the vision with her after church and she told me that immediately after church someone whom she doesn't know called her on her cell and told her the exact same thing I shared with her. It was a message of hope and encouragement for her.  It always amazes me how God works. 

Another, we were on a walk about where we go and visit homes, share and pray with the people and 3 young guys accepted Christ in one family.  All heaven is rejoicing.  We were also able to pray for a colicky baby, a mother with back problems and dizziness and another baby that had cracked his skull in November and you can actually feel where there is a hole.  He needs surgery but perhaps God will chose to heal him without surgery.  We will see. 

I also discovered that there is another efficiency expert here.  He can actually talk the same language I can when it comes to quality improvement and reducing waste. What fun!!!!  He is a retired engineer named Roy.

And now for an update on some of the projects:
The technical school.  Some of the forms are in place and the rebar are getting tied for 1/4 or so of the foundation.  There was a bit more digging required so that is going on as well.

The medical clinic:  We are hoping to pour the rest of the one side of the roof on Friday.  I say we but I will not be out there as it is a crazy heavy job and I am really not in to self torture as you probably already know.  However, there will be about 25 guys (and girls) pouring the roof.  It is done with passing 5 gallon buckets up a ladder. 

The wall at the children's village is coming along.  The team has been working out there with a team of Haitian workers.  Continue to pray that the disputes that have been happening over the property lines will be resolved and there will be peace.

God has blessed us with sending so many people to help out.  We especially thank him for sending Roy (the engineer), Kathleen (the architec) and Joseph (scaffolder and carpenter).  David has enjoyed learning lots from them. 

Well, that's it for tonight.  I am hoping the internet is working good to do some Skyping. 

In Christ,
Beth and David

Long time no see

Sorry for the lack of updates we have not had very good internet lately.The blog is better with pics but at the moment it would be impossible to upload them.

We said good bye to the Moose Jaw team last week and today another team arrived from Saskatoon. They brought James (our son )minus one of his bags that the airline misplaced.

. Everyone is tired from staying in the airport last night but will be well rested for tomorrows fun in the sun.

Please pray for saftey for all who are staying here.
Talk soon
David and Beth

Moose Jaw Team Dives in Again

Here we have the Moose Jaw team diving in again.They are very dedicated to there work. In the pic they are digging a post hole.

This is how the skid steer spends much of the day. It actually ran for 4 hours today with out a break down

A look at 2 guys sawing a log into boards.

These have been a few images from Haiti.

Thanks for checking in.

Love David and Beth

Good things come in bags

Today was a day of bags full of rice, cement, and hygene kits.

The morning started with distribution of rice and hygene kits to a tent comunity which is situated on the city park. About 217 families live here. It was a time of prayer and encouragement as well as the kits and rice. About 45 -50 lb bags of rice were given out and 216 hygene bags.

After this was a roof pour on the medical clinic. We did 1/4 of the roof and went through 86 bags of cement.

There was also a few people who visited and encouraged members of the community.

Don't forget to wish your loved ones a happy valentines day.

Love David and Beth

Moose Jaw Team Dives In

Here is a look at the Moose Jaw team at the airport. We were able to get every one including their luggage back to the Grand Goav. Aparently their trip here went well.

 A look at one of our father son teams in action. These are trained professionals so you shouldn't try this at home.

Today was very busy here as the missionaries were unpacking,doing electrical in a house and a school, cutting steel,praying for people, shopping,moving dirt, sorting stuff, doing dishes,touring the neighbourhood,learning where tools and supplies are, fixing playground equipment, fixing things around the compound, loving the people and much more.

I can't wait to see what tomorrow will bring.

Love David and Beth

Finally Feeling more ourselves

After fighting the strep and stomach thing, I think the battle is won. We feel better just in time to welcome the 25 people from the Moose Jaw Team tomorrow.  Apparently, they are bringing 100 bags of luggage.  We rented a school bus as well as our 15 passenger van to pick them up.  We just got the van back after 4 months in the repair shop.  It had a lot of suspension work on it. 

There is quite a shopping list for tomorrow so Evon, Marc-eddy and myself will have a busy morning in PAP before the team arrives. 

Beth has been busy preparing for a seminar for the Ladies Conference.  She will be speaking on parenting.  The seminar is this Thursday to Saturday so there will be lots of women here on the compound. The men are going to shop and cook for the meal on Friday for the ladies.  This is a first time for the ladies here.  We are expecting over 100 ladies to attend. 

Marc was playing soccer with the boys and twisted his knee.  He had it looked at today by a doctor and will be going to Leogane tomorrow to have it aspirated (we think).  It has been quite painful and swollen.  I guess no more soccer for Marc.  Reminds me of the incident in Mexico with soccer and my knee that took 1 year to heal.  I can sympathize with him.

I learned a good lesson two days ago.  I woke up in the morning and was missing my work boots.  I thought they had been stolen.  I went to the supply shed and found a pair of old shoes, a size too big, to wear.  I was feeling a little bitter while I was walking to the job site.  When I got there, I saw many of the Haitian crew pouring cement wearing no shoes at all or just bags tied on their feet.  Suddenly I felt more thankful for my old shoes I was wearing.  My boots turned up later as one of the cleaning staff had moved them.  God has an interesting way to humble us when we grumble. 

I must get ready to go to bed soon, so I am ready to leave for PAP at 5:00 in the morning.

Love David and Beth

Pictures at last

A long anticipated picture from the mission field. Here we are slaving away.This was taken during happier days. Beth has been sick again this time with a stomach illness.She is starting to feel better today.

Here we have mission control for a lot that happens down here.

This is what the medical clinic looked like last week. It is being built with precast concrete. The quality can be controled much better with this type of construction as compared to poured in place or block construction.A big disadvantage is that we need machinery to lift the panels,which can be a challenge to keep running.As well, it may take time and education before the local population accepts that these buildings are as good or better then block construction. 

This is the plaster crew putting the base coat on a community house. They have since finished the house with 2 coats in and out. They will be starting on the second house tomorrow.

Here is a pic of the tree boat that the gang took to the  island a while back.

Thank you so much for checking in and everyones support, it means a lot.

All our love David and Beth

The end to January

We have been here 1 month so far.  When I think back over the month a lot has happened.  New Years Eve party, Crusades, Seminars, Memorial on the 12th, 24 volunteers have spent time here, beach, rice distributions, walk abouts, church services, learning to shop at the market, of course the wonderful beach- Oh did I already say that.  Not to mention all the work that is taking place.  This month has gone by quickly. 

Today was the first day that David and I were able to spend a few hours at the beach alone - well there were others at the beach we just didn't know any of them.  It was fabulous.  This past week has been a difficult one for me.  I came down with Strep throat and lost my voice but had medicine for it so I am feeling much better - my voice is still a little squeaky.  Thank you to the team again from Father's House in California as they left the meds that I needed and thank you to Lauren from the Crossroads church as she is a pharmacist and assisted me in figuring out what would work for me with all my allergies.  May God bless you all.  A special thanks to Leanne - you know why.

I think God is trying to teach me patience.  I am quite a hard learner on this one and am not enjoying the lessons.  Perhaps I will get it one of these days.  I am thankful that God has placed me here at this time.  I seek to stay in His will. 

Please continue to pray for David and me as well, remember James as he is home and working.  We appreciate every prayer.  Thank you.

Beth

At Last Another Blog

I know you have been waiting with anticipation for our next posting.

Sorry I can't get any pics as the internet is very slow and sporadic. The beach pics will have to wait.

The last few days have been a nice break between teams coming. It takes a day or 2 for me to decompress from all the activity. We went to a new beach on saturday just past the gravel pit.It had an island about 400m out that we were able to swim to.  Some of our group caught a ride in a hollowed out tree.

Our many building projects are starting to build momentum. The comunity houses are getting closer to being done with another roof slab being poured this weekend and interior plastering starting on another.

The work has finally resumed on the medical clinic now that the skid steer is operational.

The wall continues to be built around the childrens village property.

Hopefully the plans for the technical school will arrive from the engineer soon. We will then be able to get started on it.

 The team from Red Deer arrived today, I expect it will be a lot of fun serving with them here.

There trip went well except the tires that they were bringing for the skid steer were held by US customs in Calgary. There always seems to be a challenge to overcome.

Thats all for now
Love David and Beth

Quiet on the Compound

Father's House team was off to the airport this morning.  May God bless each of them and their families.  We will miss them.  Yesterday afternoon we had the luxury of spending part of the afternoon on the beach.  It was great to relax, look at the fishes (we seen a sea slug crawling on the bottom-I hear it was slimy), and swim in the clear blue refreshing water. 

I thought you'd like to know what I am called here in Haiti - no Eric it is not Ti Bet - I am called Madame David.  Some of you will know the irony of this and have a great laugh over it.  The reason is that the Haitians have a difficult time saying my name (they don't have "th" in their language).  I am either Bet (which means bug) or Buf (which means cow)  so I prefer to not be called those things so Madame David it is.  Okay you can stop laughing now...

I noticed that the blog has very few pics of David so I thought I would show you one of him and Chris working on one of the community houses. 

Kids,kids and more kids

Imagine being surrounded by 160 excited screaming children.  When they sang it was heavenly, when they played in the playground...pure chaos...  Some of you reading may think that this would be wonderful and for many it is...but for me-who likes control-it was pure chaos.  I will have to admit that I enjoyed most of it.  The team from Northern California put on a VBS program for kids in the afternoons for 3 days.  They did puppetry, singing, crafts, snack, face painting and play time.  The most memorable kids for me were the little 3 year olds that would go and pick up the snack wrappers and bring them to me.  What sweet little children.  I would say "masi" and they would smile back at me.  The kids really loved the face painting but for anyone else planning on doing it, you will want to have several (4 or 5) people painting faces.  The line up the first day for painting faces was long and somewhat unruly.  Today went much smoother. 

I have started to study creole again.  Hopefully, it will help me pick up the language quicker. 

The team has done a tremendous amount of fixing around here.  It is hard to believe that tomorrow is their last day.  Last night in church, 2 of the members shared their testimonies.  Half of the team did a skit about Jesus healing the blind man.  The leader gave a message that convicted me.  He talked about how the blind man called out to Jesus to be healed and he threw off his cloak before he was healed.  The cloak was given to people who could not work so that they could legally beg.  By throwing off the cloak, the man was getting rid of his livelihood - he had that much faith in Jesus.  We need to believe - have faith.  There was a call for believers who would like prayer and most of the church went to the front.  I would say perhaps 5 didn't.  It was amazing.  Most of the people were asking, not for physical needs or healing, but rather for prayer to increase their faith.  The group has been such a blessing to me.

A good place to be

This is a very good place to be. The missionaries who come bring there energy, creativity, and most of all there love as they pour themselves into the many activities and people that they meet.

We have a team from California with us at present. The top is a picture of some of the hygene kits they distributed in the comunity.The second photo is of the rice being divided up to hand out tomorrow.
This rice will be given to about 400 families in the area.

I will try to put a few beach pictures on in the coming days especially for the people enjoying winter in the great white north.

Till next time
David and Beth