Haiti Day 4: A Hurtling Battery, Barbie, & Team Determination

Haiti Mission Trip Day 4 (Tuesday)

After such a productive Monday, the CHC team was ready to get back at it on Tuesday morning.  Before I move on to the happenings of Tuesday, though, I wanted to share something funny that Josh overhead Monday night.  He was in the team room and heard a Haitian neighbor shouting, “Scoo-by! Scoo-by!”  Before he had much of a chance to process what that could possibly mean in Haitian Kriol, he heard the man whistle and call Scooby again.  I guess he didn’t know that to call Scooby, he should have shouted, “Hey, Scooby, where are you?!?” (“RRRover heeerrrre!”)  Sorry for the digression, but I have a nine-year-old at home who could talk in Scooby-Doo voice all day every day if no one told him to stop, so I thought the Haitian Scooby was particularly funny (he HE he he he).

If Monday was the most productive day of our trip, Tuesday was the most frustrating.  Because we were such a task-oriented team, we saw a lot more that we could have done on Tuesday, and we wanted to accomplish as much as we could in the short time that we would be in Haiti.  The roof team went back to work and encountered to most meticulous part of the roof – lots of measuring and cutting along the valley of the roof.  The paint team went to work on the dining room and kitchen walls and ceiling, only to run out of paint an hour-and-a-half into the day; part of that can be attributed to how efficiently everyone worked.  More paint arrived late in the day, but we spent much of the day waiting and looking for something to do.  (The old construction axiom of “out of work, grab a broom” didn’t work either as there was only one broom, and its handle had been broken in two.)

The work may have been tough, but you couldn't beat the view!

Tedious work

 

Teamwork

Tough part today to prepare for a productive tomorrow.

Better part of a day spent in this valley.

The painting begins

Robbie getting the hard-to-roll places.

Progress!

So much of the day was spent waiting.  But there is much to learn on a mission trip during such slow times.  We had fun getting to know one another and laughing together.  We watched the unfolding story of Andre’s tutelage of Ethan to befriend the goats.  We also adjusted as a team when one of our team members had a . . . uh. . . wardrobe malfunction.  After some clothes-swapping and making use of the resources at our disposal (Remember the blue towels?), as well as separating into male and female painting areas, the work was able to continue with everyone’s dignity intact.

Ethan making new friends.

Andre in a safe place...for a moment.

This little girl loved her new Barbie doll.

Robbie & Jodie posing for the CrossFit crowd.

This whole overhead squat thing was Josh's idea.  Inside story...just sayin'.

Ethan just wants to pet you, pal...

During work times or down times, there was always time to enjoy the incredible views.

A Hurtling Battery

During one moment of down time, I was sitting on the dining room floor with Andre, showing him photos on my phone.  From the roof we heard a loud clatter and looked up to see what was the matter.  No, it wasn’t Santa.  Instead, a drill battery somehow came unclasped, crashed onto the floor, and came hurtling down the stairs just a foot or so from our heads.  I looked at Andre, and Andre looked at me as if to ask, “Did that really just happen?”  I was quickly reminded of the chorus of Chris Tomlin's "Whom Shall I Fear" (as I was on Friday night during the scary part of our drive into Jacmel) that was part of my Haiti soundtrack:

I know who goes before me
I know who stands behind
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side.

THE Most Precious Moment

On the way down the mountain from the construction site, we had an extra Barbie doll to give away.  The whole team was on the lookout for a little girl who wasn't surrounded by others; we didn't want to cause a ruckus.  About halfway down, someone spotted a little girl standing outside with some adults.  Dusty gave the doll a heave, and the little girl let out a squeal of joy that words simply will not describe as she raced to pick it up.  I wish we had a photo or video of that moment, but there are some moments that neither photos nor videos would do justice.

Team Determination

One thing that stood out to me on this day was how each team member encouraged the others.  When the roofing team came down at the end of the day and didn’t see much distance from where they had left off on Monday, other team members pointed out how they had done the hard part now and had set themselves up to make much progress the next day.  Fenel would later dub our team “Team Determination.”  That was true in our work but also in our attitudes; I would want to go on another mission trip with any of the members of this team!

Another positive of this day, like all our other days at the construction site, was that after a quick trip to the beach to cool off, there would be 13 amazing boys and girls at the House of Abraham ready to welcome us “home” and make the most of their time with us.

Saintemine -- so stinkin' cute!

Sharing candy with the neighborhood kids over the back wall.

Richarson -- always posing.

Always captivating to see what Widly will do next.

Christalla & Heather

Dusty & Clyphode

Plan of salvation in Kriol on the back of this frisbee; Richarson sharing with Dusty.

Robbie & Tchi

Josh in Widly World

Taking David ("Bubba") for a ride.

 Jodie & Tchi & belly laughs

I'm going to be taking a few days off the blog for Easter weekend ("He is risen, just as He said.").  I will pick up next week on our last couple of days in Haiti, some summary thoughts, and a photo slideshow of the trip.

Catch up on or re-read previous days' blogs here:

Day 1: The Team's Unexpected Challenge  (Updated: Link corrected)
Day 2: Boaz, Super Ninja. Who Knew?

Day 3: Accomplishment! (and the Return of Josh's Man Card)

Sponsor one of the House of Abraham kids here.

Thanks for reading.  Celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus at church wherever you are this Sunday!

4theVoiceless,

Al

Haiti Day 3: Accomplishment! (and the Return of Josh's Man Card)

Starting the Day with Accomplishment

Josh set the tone for Day 3 of the Colonial Hills Church mission trip to Jacmel, Haiti, with his morning devotional.  He reminded the team through his own personal journey that accomplishments for the kingdom of God are what truly matter, not worldly pursuits.  Then, this team went to the work site and had the most productive day that I have ever been a part of on a mission trip – and this was my 10th trip.

Heather, the one who didn't know what she could do, had a shovel in her hands before we could get off the truck good.

Roof Prep

Jim and Dusty worked on the roof all day, installing 2x4’s and getting the roof of the new House of Abraham building ready for insulation and roofing panels.  I don’t think they came down all day except for lunch.

 

 

A long day's work and a job well done.

Concrete Work

I am very grateful to Jeff Witt and Marsha Dawson, who taught me about the importance and the process of preparing a team for a mission trip.  In our three pre-trip meetings for this trip, we stressed flexibility and focus on serving how we were needed and not necessarily how we had planned.  This preparation paid off in a big way on Monday as the rest of the team (plus Jalen and Sierra, who were staying with Fenel for a few weeks and who joined in as valuable members of our team) prepared to pour concrete, which had not been part of our pre-trip planning.  The team responded as if we had been in training for months for hauling concrete.

The walls for the bottom two rooms of the house had been built, but the floors had not yet been laid, so our job was to take the concrete that the local workers were mixing in a dug-out bowl in the back of the house and carry it bucket by bucket through the house, down the stairs, and into the kitchen and dining room areas.  There, a couple of local workers would float the concrete until the rooms were finished.  It would be a tall task to finish both rooms in one day.  We formed an assembly line from the mixing area to the two rooms and went to work.  The further along we got in the process, the more energy we seemed to have.  We laughed as we recognized that our communication was coming in single words: “Bucket!”  “Heavy!” “Empty!”  And then, finally, “Finished!”

Josh, regaining his man card after the Day 1 man-capri episode.

And down the line...

...it went..

...not missing a beat...

...until it reached...

...the bottom of the house.

 

 

 

2 rooms of FINISHED concrete in 1 day.  Well done, team!

 

Ending the Day with Accomplishment

What a sense of accomplishment (that word again) we felt at the end of the day.  The team took care of one another and worked as a team all day.  The ladies on our team never missed a beat.  A special shout-out to DeSoto CrossFit, where Robbie and Jodie work out: whatever the training regimen is there, it is obviously good prep to be a part of a Haitian concrete moving team!  My favorite story of the day (via Josh) was when the truck pulled up with more bags of cement.  Several guys lined up to take the bags (94 pound bags, mind you) from the Haitian worker on the truck.  When Robbie stepped up, he laughed and politely shook his head.  She nodded and indicated that he should bring it on.  He was taken aback when she took it with little effort and walked away with it.

Always Time for Relationships

While we worked hard all day, there is always time to set aside to build relationships.  We befriended little Andre; he joined in and helped all day.  And Ethan began his quest to befriend the goats who roam the property; that story will unfold throughout the remainder of the week.

Andre, fully outfitted team member, thanks to Gary.

Have I mentioned how cool it is to go on a mission trip with someone from your small group?

Andre and Ethan

Gary & crew

Josh, either winning the limbo contest or bouncing a soccer ball (that has left the shot) off his chest.

 

 

 

Need to Catch Up on the Trip?

 A look back at previous day's posts:

Day 1: The Team's Unexpected Challenge
Day 2: Boaz, Super Ninja. Who Knew?

Sponsor one of the House of Abraham kids here.

Thanks for reading.  Check back tomorrow for more mission trip adventures from Haiti.

4theVoiceless,
Al 

Day 2: Boaz. Super Ninja. Who Knew?

Day 2: Sunday, March 17

Day 2 of the Colonial Hills mission trip to Jacmel, Haiti, began with an (extra) early wake-up call so that we would be up and ready for the 6:00 a.m. worship service.  No air conditioning and a very full sanctuary make the early service the preferable one for many.

I always love trying to recognize songs that people are worshiping to in another language.  This time, I recognized "Agnus Dei," small parts of Paul Baloche's "Hosanna," and "Power in the Blood."  The pastor preached passionately from Ruth 2:1-16.  The message was in Haitian Kriol, so we didn't understand much, but several of us thought we heard him say, "Boaz, super ninja."  I don't know how that translates into English, but I have even greater respect for Boaz now and will heretofore give him the super ninja credit that he evidently deserves.

Ethan spending some time in Widly World.

Josh & Clyphode

We got to spend the afternoon playing with the kids and doing some of the things that we had planned to do with them.  The ladies spent time with the girls playing with Barbies, and the guys spent time with the boys doing a race car craft.  Perhaps you are familiar with Home Depot's Kids' Workshops, where kids can go and do a project on a Saturday morning.  Well, our local Home Depot had donated race car craft kits, including stickers, and aprons for each of the boys.  After putting the cars together, we found a piece of wood to put on the steps as a ramp and drew a finish line.  We were in the midst of discussing how to explain how to the kids how to start a race when Roberson put his car at the top of the ramp and yelled, "1-2-3-Go!"  Ha, so much for the need to interpret!

Roberson and Tchikovsky figuring out what goes where.

"Grandpa Gary" giving excellent instruction.  Richardon, second from left, seems either fascinated or amused.

Hands-on fun!

Robbie, Heather, & Jodie making the fun happen for the girls (including Maude from the kitchen).

Busy at work.  Not sure what was more fun, making the cars or playing with them...

Tchi testing out his new ride.

Jean Jean connecting with the girls.  Anadine seems confident she will get her doll back.  Seems to be some kind of (hopefully equitable) swap going on in the background.

Jodie checking out the girls' new dolls.

1-2-3-Go!!!

First order of business with the new dolls: new hairstyles!

Sunday was a very satisfying day.  Worshiping with brothers and sisters who are passionate about their worship of the same Lord that we serve.  So much hope, not in circumstances but in Jesus; as we say here in the South, "That'll preach!"  Playing and singing and having a blast with kids that we love and went to serve.

 David ("Bubba," playing with his car in his own unique way)

 

Wow, do these kids love to sing!

As rewarding as Sunday was, this was a team full of task-oriented people, and we couldn't wait to get to work on the new House of Abraham on Monday.  And get to work we would.  Day 2 was in the books with its super ninja, race cars, and Barbie dolls.  Check back tomorrow for a recap of our first work day.

A look back at previous day's posts:

Day 1: The Team's Unexpected Challenge

Want to make an ongoing difference in the lives of these precious children?  Sponsor one of them; I do.  Click here to find out how.

Thanks for reading.

4theVoiceless,
Al