Day 3

On to work!

We left the mission this morning around 9 and headed up to Duplan for our first work day. On tap was assisting in the building of a below-ground cistern, the main method for water delivery here in Haiti. Before the fun stuff though, we had to move some dirt ….a lot of dirt! Fortunately, there was a road badly in need of some fill, so our trips with wheel barrow and rake were nearby. Later in the morning, we couldn’t wait for the school to dismiss for recess, something to which every team member was looking forward. The treats and toys we brought from home were wildly received, with the highlight being Ceola’s nail painting salon, and John’s sticker emporium. Adam, Tom, and Mark tried their best to keep up with the kids on the soccer field during this time with the help of Pastor Edzair Paul, but at the ringing of the bell for the kids to go back to class, work was almost a relief. The Haitian children are wonderful, and grateful for even the little things. All throughout the afternoon, many would find some opportunity to step out of class and wave or say hello.

Along with more shovel activity in the afternoon, we had a chance to assist in carrying buckets of cement for the floor of the cistern. We were joined by Lumere, a lay pastor at the church in Duplan who worked along side of us the whole day. It rained a good bit of the day (and still is) so, between the rain and spilling some of the bucket contents on us, things got pretty sloppy.

We all continue to thank God for allowing us this wonderful opportunity to fellowship and work alongside the Haitians. Their resilience and sweet spirit continues to be a wonder to all of us. They have been more of a blessing and Christian example to us than they’ll ever know.