Hello World,
A little background before I jump into the story of the first 21. I am in Port Au Prince, Haiti supporting the efforts by Haiti Outreach Ministries to rebuild both houses and compounds to more effectively impact the communities of Terre Noir, Cite Soleil, and Repatriate and create/develop systems to improve sustainability with the advice and guidance of local community leaders as well as a support team in the States.
These 21 have been stressful and stretching at the same time. I have the pleasure of being a part of great staff (in no particular order) of: Stephen, Nathan, Autumn, Nadege, Byambison, Ella, Jean, and William. And we just added Lucy and Gracie two days ago. I'm learning the life of flexibility and patience. I've had quite a few tap-tap rides (pickup trucks with their beds converted into a passenger space with two benches running front to back), one long walk, two short runs, and several bike rides. Most of these relate to me working on a massive security fence for the compound in Repatriate. This fence and most of the existing structures at Repatriate fell down in the earthquake. As such we're rebuilding it differently so that it will be prepared to handle more significant stresses. We're rebuilding slowly but surely and constructing new buildings as well.
I'll try to keep you up to date on the goings on here. More often than every 21 days from here one out. For instance today I built a pantry for the kitchen at Blanchard. I'm developing my skills as a carpenter but it is very rough around the edges at this point. Literally need to get some sand paper and sand it down before somebody gets hurt. And William, Gracie, Lucy and I went to Visa Lodge today for the first time. Saw the last 20 minutes of the Spain v. Paraguay match in Spanish. Jeff and Kelsey Wiggins got married today so I skyped into their wedding and talked to some great friends.
But its time for some dinner folks. Tomorrow is church at 6 am.
