Haiti Mission Trip 2012

“Insert sad face here”

annandalehaiti2012 — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:37:51 +0000

One of the fun things about staying at the Methodist guest house in Port-au_Prince is getting to meet folks from many different places who have also come to serve the Haitian people. Many teams come through the guest house as they arrive in Haiti and are preparing to head out the next day to various projects in outlying regions. Teams also come in to the guest house the night before they fly out the next day to return home. Without fail, every team that we meet that is flying out the next day is very sad to be leaving the country and the people here.

Yes, sad to say, today is our last day in Haiti and we too feel sad about leaving behind our beloved Haitian friends. We have been exceedingly blessed by God to have had a wonderful week here with the folks of the Delmas 33 Methodist Church and we have been so deeply touched by the people we have encountered here. I truly believe that it is no mistake when we form special relationships with Godly people. We feel that we have been profoundly touched by our new friends here.

Our day was very busy today. Our major focus was to complete little jobs around the work site, to receive last minute deliveries of materials (received a load of block today, and I must admit it nearly did me in!!!), and to leave the area organized and as tidy as possible.

It was exciting to see the back steps that were poured on Saturday. Except for the supports underneath, the form was removed today and we were able to admire a job well done. The two small rooms downstairs are almost done (parged and gravel poured to prepare for the pouring of the floor).

One of the big jobs of the day was to dig the foundation for the room which is to be enclosed on the back of the church. That was a very labor intensive job, but by the time we left it was nearly complete.

At the end of the day several folks from the church came to bid us farewell. The elder lay pastor of the church came and led us in a time of scripture, prayer and song. There were many tear-filled eyes as we expressed our appreciation to God and to one another.

We have truly had a wonderful experience and feel extremely blessed to have been able to serve with workers and church members at Delmas 33. Although our hearts are sad to leave our beloved Haiti, we are very happy and blessed to have had this awesome opportunity. Thanks be to God!!!

Michelle

Day 13 –

annandalehaiti2012 — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 23:42:54 +0000

Wow!!! What a wonderful day the Haiti Mission team 2012 had today. Waking up by the rural alarm clock (father rooster!!), we all dressed and headed over to the dining room for breakfast. A busy and enjoyable day had been planned by our leader.

We went to worship at the Delmas 33 Methodist Church where we had been working during the week. The worship service was nothing less than inspiring with solos by a young lady in the church (Barbara), congregational singing, introductions of individuals of our team, a presentation of a communion chalice and plate by a Va church, presentations of beautifully crafted necklace crosses to all of the congregation at the church, and a reciprocating gift from Delmas 33 Church to all members of our team.

Rev. Michelle Lindsey was the guest preacher, with a visiting DS from Haiti (Rev. Dorseley) as the interpreter. The sermon was awesome and the spirit of God was felt throughout the church. A duet was performed by one of the young ladies (Barbara) in the congregation and a minister within our group (Aaron). Following the service a reception was held with refreshments.

Afterwards the team was taken to a local restaurant for fellowship and enjoyment of our only meal out. Then we went up the mountain to “the overlook,” and well it was. It was in the mountainous region of the area and houses were built as if they were stacked on top of each other. The view going, coming and at the top was simply breath-taking.

All the time spent here working as a team has been great and we feel that we are performing the work that God has planned for us. The Haitians are the most patient, creative, appreciative, and flexible of any people I have ever witnessed. With their attitude and fortitude, this nation will spring back and be rebuilt.

God Bless – Maurice, Sr.

Step By Step

annandalehaiti2012 — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 23:35:57 +0000

After saying goodbye to a mission team from Connecticut who’d been building out in the mountains far outside of downtown, we headed out this morning for our work site, stopped by our usual grocery for supplies and then headed on to the church we’re rebuilding at Delmas 33. With the back stairway framed and ready for concrete, we set out to fill the footers and the stairs. At the same time, other members of the team cleaned the sanctuary to get it ready for the service tomorrow. In Port-au-Prince, and certainly in the area surrounding the church compound in which we’re working, there’s a thick cake of dust on everything during the dry season. Some dusting and mopping spruced it up nicely. Michelle, a pastor on our team, was invited to deliver the sermon tomorrow at this same church, and Aaron, another pastor on our team, will be singing a few duets with Barbara, a local church member and singer, with whom he practiced today. Throughout the day, various members of the community stopped by and said hello and thanks. The Haitian workers continue to patiently teach us helpful building skills even with the language barrier.

While we were filling the wooden frame of the staircase with bucket-after-bucket of wet concrete – one step after another, I saw kids laughing and playing in the dusty street with homemade kites made from worn-out sacks of emergency food rations. And I saw their parents nearby rebuilding this place one step at a time.

GPW

Resilient People

annandalehaiti2012 — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 23:56:08 +0000

The definition of resilient is the ability to spring back into shape after bending, stretching, or being compressed. After seeing the destruction several months after the earthquake and now returning to Port-au-Prince two years later, I now know the true meaning of this word. Finding most of the streets clear of debris, and seeing piles of sand and cement replacing rubble, I truly feel the people of Haiti are being reshaped into a stronger, more resilient people.

Working with the Haitian craftsmen has given me a new understanding of what it means to spring back from devastation. We are helping them to create a wonderful worship space where Haitian people can come to thank God for his blessings. It has been a true honor to work hand in hand with the Haitian people to repair and improve the Methodist Church of Delmas 33. With this spirit I feel the country of Haiti can rebuild and decompress from the disaster they have all experienced.

Moe

Day 11

annandalehaiti2012 — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 03:05:18 +0000

Today was an abbreviated work day, we were able to combine a morning of work with an afternoon of education about Haiti. We were able to see some sites in this city of contrasts. Where you think you should see despair; in a place where there is still remaining earthquake rubble, vacant lots where there once were houses, and many people still living in tent cities, you see smiles and a city full of life. The Presidental Palace is still unrepaired and the Freedom Statue is surrounded by a tent city. While there is still evidence of homes destroyed the amount of rebuilding is truly amazing.

We spent several hours in the Pantheou Museum which provided a guide who gave an overview of Haiti’s history from Christopher Columbus, their fight for independence from France, to the present In addition there is presently an exhibit of photographs taken shortly after the earthquake. The one that captured the spirit of Haiti was: women surrounded by rubble, sweeping the sidewalk with their hand-made brooms.

The spirit and graciousness of the Haitian people never ceases to amaze me. Their willingness to share what they have, extend a hand, a smile and a hug seems limitless. I am always humbled by their perseverance, my complaints and trials are so miniscule compared to theirs.

The team here has been wonderful, 10 people of all ages and backgrounds working together to help the local craftsmen rebuild this beautiful country. It has been a privilege.

Janet

Day 10

annandalehaiti2012 — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 02:25:20 +0000

Hello from Port-au-Prince,

Today was our second day at the site and it seems as though we have started to hit our stride. Everyone is working extremely hard to complete the necessary tasks. I am pleased to report that Team #2 and the Haitian contractors seem to be functioning as a cohesive unit. We primarily provide the labor to allow the Haitian skilled craftsmen to work at a fast pace. Sifting sand, mixing concrete, bending rebar and transporting concrete via bucket brigades seemed to be our primary functions of the day.

I continue to be impressed by the work ethic and skills of the Haitian contractors. They seem to be able to do more w/ less on virtually every task. I was particularly impressed with one of the workers approach to remove wasp nests from the construction zone. He used a flaming paper bag to smoke out the wasps and then proceeded to remove their nests so we could begin to repair the damaged area. I would have used several cans of wasp spray and probably would have been stung 20 times in the process. However, his technique almost earned him the title, “Wasp Whisperer” but unfortunately he received a single sting on his cheek. All of his coworkers enjoyed a laugh at his expense because it was not a serious injury:)

I feel truly blessed and privileged to be a part of this team and this mission.

Appreciation January 24, 2012

annandalehaiti2012 — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 01:55:52 +0000

Hello from Haiti,

We already miss our friends from team #1. They flew home this morning. We enjoyed our time together last night sharing stories, worshiping and singing together.

We could hardly digest the sites traveling to the job site this morning. We could not decide which way to turn. There were people selling, people carving, people repairing cars, people carrying items on their head, people washing, people carrying out their lives the best way they know how. It was a flood of emotion.

We were met at the Methodist Church at Delmas 33 by Madam Lorsa. She is a strong woman of the church who helps take care of the site. Lorsa picked up a shovel and helped us move sand from one location to another. She also helped screen the sand into different sizes. John fashioned cinderblock walls to help separate the sand that had been screened into different sizes.

Madam Lulu ( a Haitian church member) husband’s works for the U.N. He showed up at the Church driving a large water tanker, and delivered water to the job site filling the 50 gallon water drums with water. This water is used to hand mix the pargi (stucco) that is placed on the interior/exterior of the church. Once the drums were full women from the community came with their buckets to have them filled. Peter and Maurice Jr. experienced throwing stucco on the walls. I must say the Haitian construction team makes it look easy.

We enjoyed a wonderful lunch prepared by the staff at the guest house. There was more than enough to eat. The Haitian hospitality is so gracious.

We are thankful for the time we have shared so far, the loving kindness shown to us by the Haitian people, and your continued support and prayers. God has truly blessed us and we appreciate you and all that you do.

God be With You and Blessings from Team #2

annandalehaiti2012 — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 23:01:35 +0000

Our day today has been very similar to all of our other workdays. We moved block, sand, cement- the work here is very labor intensive. Structures are so close together you can’t get equipment in to move anything. There are large metal doors are at the street, which are locked for security purposes, which prevent your unloading closer to where items are needed, so bucket brigades are formed and annually moved where needed, or moved by wheelbarrow. The Haitian workers are good workers and take pride in what they are doing. Our team has melded nicely with their efforts and we’re all pleased with the amount of work that has been accomplished since we arrived. We hope the next team can make as much progress as we feel we have.

During our lunch breaks we’ve been blessed Madame Lulu, her daughter Barbie, and and another young lady by the name of Nadine, entertain us and and joining with us with their voices. They really sing beautifully.

Several times during our stay we have been awakened by the crowing of a very noisy rooster. I have been here before so I have gotten used to it. I even look forward to his doing so, it reminds me of Christ’s statement to Peter about his forthcoming denial and reminds me to be careful what I say and how I present myself, so I am not guilty of making similar mistakes.

Sunday, after a 2 hour church service in which our team sang 3 songs (one in French) We were taken on a tour to a very high mountain which tremendous view of all Port-au-Prince. It’s hard to believe such a beautiful place has such a history of devastation. We could spot the airport, the damaged capitol building, but one’s eyes ultimately settled on a squared off area to the northwest of where we were standing. This is a large cemetery that brings to mind that over 300,000 people were killed during the earthquake of 2 years ago.

The highlight of today for me was when Sandy Arzynski and I accompanied by our interpreter Joseph,had the honor of visiting a local Christian school. I had brought 144 American flags given to me by the American Legion Post in Annandale. Each child was personally handed an American flag. The main point we tried to make, was that while we are proud to be an American, we are here as followers of Jesus Christ and are helping to rebuild their country because of our Christian love and concern for them.

One last thing- Every morning Mark gave us the word for the day, and asked us to reflect on the word as we worked.

When I CONTRAST the STUBBORN, CREATIVE and FLEXIBLE attitude of the Haitian people and all their trials to other countries, it gives me a great RESPECT for these people, and I’m THANKFUL to be able to do a small part to help them in their time of need.

Rudy Meekins

Haiti Is A Thin Place

annandalehaiti2012 — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:29:06 +0000

Haiti is a thin place. ”Thin Places” are places where the boundary between earth and heaven is merely a membrane–where the wall between the material world and the Divine is virtually invisible. As you may know the term comes from Celtic Christianity, and it is a way to describe where God is especially present. Thin places might be actual locations as the magnificent vista from a mountaintop, or the lushness of a Redwood forest where one easily hears the whisper of the Divine. Thin places might also be experiences when we cannot deny the presence of Spirit, or the feel the compassionate hand of God on our shoulder. Haiti’s whole history, and her present circumstances beg the question how could this possibly be such place? As we are driven through the streets of Port-au-Prince from our comfortable lodging at the Methodist Guest House to our work site the church in Delmas 33 we pass staggering poverty, grid-lock congestion, and unimaginable circumstances that we Americans could never survive. Within these same streets we see smiling faces, neatly dressed men and women going about their business, street merchants who’ve artfully arrange the few items they might have to sell. Colorfully painted store signs and advertisements often employ words of hope: ”Dit Tous A Jesus Depot” (Tell All to Jesus Depot.) The picks-ups or “tap-taps” which are the means by which most Haitians get around town are gloriously decorated with words like “Merci Jesus,” “Christ Capable,” “Dieu Garde” “Tout A Jesus,” “God of Love,” ”Psalm 34:8.” I wonder if they employ these words because it appears one is tempting the Almighty to ride eight-to-ten people squeezed into the back of a ramshackle truck helter-skelter through Port-au-Prince city. Spotted today: Dump trucks wholly painted with the words “Perseverance” and “Bethlehem” on their sides.

So here is the thin membrane between the profane and the Divine. In another sense Haiti is a thin place because the separation between life and death seems almost imperceptible. Life is lived very, very close to the bone here. There are no margins of error, there are very few support systems. Evidence of this also lies in the streets and the tent cities and the hillsides surrounding the city.

Today we attended services at the Delmas 33 church where we have spent the week working side-by-side with magnificent Haitian laborers who show us everyday how to make something out of nothing–creatively and gracefully. Together we have successfully added several feet of height to the cinder-block wall that needed augmenting and during the service we were graciously thanked by the congregation. Although this church has a roof, and doors, and windows, it still is very much an open-air sanctuary, barely a separation from the outside. Formed concrete louvers allow constant circulation of fresh air, and there are open windows shaped into crosses which line the sides of the church so that one can see straight through to the sky above. From my vantage in the first row pew, I could see blue sky and a dazzling green banana plant leaf through that cross shape. White lace curtains gently swayed behind the minister as he delivered what we all know was marvelous sermon despite the fact that it was entirely in French and not a one of us grasped the gist of it. As we sang familiar hymns in an unfamiliar tongue I was struck by the “thinness” of the whole experience. There was barely a membrane between this congregation and heaven above, between us and them, between them and circumstances that could end their lives quickly. When we were asked to stand in front of the congregation to introduce ourselves we could even see to the now familiar street outside where a man was bathing himself in just a pot of water–his unclothed body framed in the doorway of the church–no separation between that of the earth and that of heaven.

For me today, Delmas 33 Methodist Church, Port-au-Prince, Haiti, was both a location and an experience of a thin place. I am forever grateful.

Claire Baker

Petion-ville, Haiti – Saturday 1/21/12

annandalehaiti2012 — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 22:12:32 +0000

Greetings from Delmas 33 Methodist Church where we have been working this week. The rebuilding of the security wall in the back of the Church is just about finished. Our Team has been helping the Haitians with this. Also many of the church members have been visiting and helping as well. The children especially are eager to help with the tasks needed to support the project. One youngster , Daniel (the 4 year old grandson of our cook for today) was very anxious to push the wheelbarrow loaded with sand or gravel to the back of the Church. He was very persistent and cute with a happy smile and undiminished energy. Many of our team “helped” Daniel to push the load. Fortunately the little guy wasn’t crushed under foot on his many trips throughout the day.

At lunch time we sang songs with the children and some young adults joined in as well. They sang in French and we sang in English but the tune Rudy played was familiar to us all.

Working together on the security wall helps cement (no pun intended) our friendship with each other and our Haitian brothers and sisters.

I am very proud to be working with Mark Bradley’s team this week.

Dan Pemberton