A Lot of Hard Work!

14th Haiti Trip

After the conversation in April with our friends from the mountains about the extent of the ignorance there and the need of Jesus, we had some decisions to make. Do we try to do more in the mountains than just support the schools and teach Christian Character classes? Do we establish a place there to hold supplies etc. so we can do more? We have to have a base from which to work in order to fulfill our hopes to take the Jesus film into the mountains along with other educational materials for the gospel and cholera education and continued medical mission trips.

The lease on our house in Haiti was coming to an end. We had to decide how we would continue being in Haiti. We did not think it was a good financial decision to continue paying the high lease. We had talked with a friend earlier who thought it a good idea to build our own base and offered funds to get it started.

So, after only 12 days at home in April, Bill returned to Haiti on April 19 to begin work on the new base. The land is a piece we bought last year just above the well above Yvrose’s children’s home which will be advantageous in so many ways.

Our friend, Jim Hulstedt, flew back into Haiti to help a few days later. Fill was hauled in and the long, hot, labor intensive process of getting the foundation in was begun. We were SO blessed by Victory Compassion once again. They loaned us their concrete mixer which was a HUGE help in getting the concrete work done. Jim called it “the concrete mixer sent from heaven!”

We got a call the first week of May from James who had been to Haiti to help us in January. He and a friend, Peter, were flying in the next week to help!! Brett and Manolo were also still there so Bill had more help than expected and we were so grateful God sent these men at such crucial times. Daniel, our Haitian “Job Boss” also worked hard and we are grateful for him and his helpers.

The stem walls are almost complete on the new mission base.

It was a long hot five weeks and Bill and Jim lost a few pounds. But at the end, the foundation and stem walls were in, ready for the frame walls on top. You can check out our Facebook_Album to see more pictures of the progress made during that time.

After returning to the states, James wrote the following:

This last time in Haiti I was able to experience working right along side some of my Haitian brothers on a construction site. Just as I see the effect my culture has had on me I see the product of the Haitian culture. It was apparent how I have been indoctrinated with the self will and determination that forged the “American way” in contrast to the results of freedom without responsibility and a history of free handouts, just two products of their environment. A man can’t choose where he’s born, only who he becomes. There was no difference in the ability or skill, only in the attitude driving that ability and skill. Haiti doesn’t make me realize what I have or what I don’t have, Haiti makes me realize what I really need. And I think the work that JUST MERCY is doing there is doing just that for the Haitian people. By simply being light, loving by example, and leading with humility they are bringing a reality that displays the needs of our souls and what it looks like when it is filled with the fountain of life. Each time I am there, it grows more apparent that the only culture that really brings life when it is operational is the culture of the kingdom of heaven. When there are people that have decided to devote themselves to loving the way their heavenly father loves, there is no limit to the adventures they will lead.

Children preparing to take food for the school lunch program up the mountain.

We are so grateful for the many friends who have come to Haiti to labor with us and experience what God does to their hearts. But though the construction was the main “job” this trip, other things needing done continued. Donated food for the schools was taken to the trailhead. Children from the mountains came down and carried it up on their heads. School continued for 500 children in three locations. This month, the teachers were reading the story of Jesus from the book of Luke to the children. We continued to monitor the cholera situation in the mountains. Plans are being made for the future to take the Jesus film to the mountains, seeking to bring light to dark places.

Bill returned home May 22 for a much needed rest but plans to return to Haiti in a few weeks, hopefully with some friends to put up the frame walls and put on the metal roof. A team is coming in July to help also and we hope to get the interior plumbing finished while they are there.

If any of you could help with a donation so we can buy the windows, doors, and fixtures we need for the plumbing, we would be blessed.  You can donate right here on this website if you choose. Our faithful supporters continue to let us pay the teachers for the schools and take care of other obligations in Haiti but to finish the house (which will also be a guest house for our visiting helpers) will take additional funds beyond what our friend has donated. We pray God will use this base as a source of light and hope for the people who use it and the people we minister to.

Please check out our Facebook page here. Thank you for praying for us and for being a part of the work of JUST MERCY.