The Kentucky Team’s Saga – Part III – Of Cutting Wood, Digging Ditches, and Loving Children

During the time the Kentucky team was in Haiti, the guys and Kim went for a walk with Bill for the purpose of finding some trees to cut on the sawmill.  But it ended up being more than that.  Kim tells the tale.

Felling trees

“Yesterday, I followed Bill to take pictures of the guys “felling” a tree. Little did I know, it would turn into a couple hour trek. We stopped by many homes trying to negotiate for the trees, and also look at some trees that were already cut down. What was amazing to me though, was seeing Bill in his element.  The way he talked to the people and visited with them, you could see the love of the Lord in him for them.   He made them feel special. He embodies exactly what I think of when I hear the word missionary. His acknowledgement, especially of the “mama’s” (the older women) was the most precious. And you could tell they adored him. I didn’t have any idea what I was in for when I set out on this tree hunt, but am so grateful for the opportunity to experience this.”

B.J. said about the same trek: “Does God’s love abide in our heart?” As I walked around the island with Bill, I’m reminded that I have a lot to learn about what it means to show God’s Love!
To see this white haired, white bearded man go up and hug a little ole lady sitting on the ground cooking, it has showed me that I have a lot to work on in my life! That couple of hours of just building relationships seems to have a bigger effect than any building we could have built! Even back home now I realize the same effect could work here! We just need to take the time to build those relationships with the lost around us. Sometimes we just need to be put in a completely different surrounding to see the direction God has for us. Can’t wait to go back and see what else God has for me, and whoever I can get to go along for the eye opening journey!

Setting off for the market

One day the Kentucky Team wanted to visit the market on the island.  They took off on foot with a guide and translator.  Here is part of Caleb Lindsey’s account.

“Today we woke up once again to the sun rising on the horizon, a cool breeze blowing through the trees and the sound of the Caribbean Sea gently washing up on the shore of the small island of Ile a Vache. Having made plans the previous night to go to Madam Bernard (which is one of the larger villages on the island) to get some supplies and let the team see as much of the Haitian culture as possible, we set out enthusiastically to do just that.  Madam Bernard is about an hour and a half hike one way and it was up hill both ways I swear! It was beautiful though and we got to see a lot of what Haiti is like and interact with the people and be a little part of their lives for a while. We took a walk through market and got to see first hand the type of environment these people live in, how they operate, and what they do.

Guys working on the ditch

After our walk through the market, we came to what appeared to be a water drain that went out to the sea but the ocean had filled it with sand and it wasn’t working properly. There was a group of about thirty Haitians watching about six Haitians work to clear it but it was evident that none of them really wanted to be working and most of them were just standing around. We didn’t have anything else to do so we went over to see if they wanted help. They laughed at first but after some convincing they let us take a try at it and to make a long story short, an hour later we had helped clear the majority of the sand, had gotten to know all of them, they had gotten to know us, and all of us ended up having a jolly time! In the end they wanted to work and we were tired so it worked out great!

Back at the at the base, as I listen to the ocean and the crash of each wave as it washes up on the shore I’m reminded that it’s constantly doing that even when I’m sleeping, even when I’m awake but not paying attention. It never stops. It just consistently does it’s thing. God’s a lot like that.” 

It was such a blessing to have Mike on the island.  He is an experienced sawmill operator and was able

Mike running the sawmill

to work with the Haitian men, doing additional needed training about operating the sawmill.  B.J. and Caleb built a work surface for the kitchen.  (See pictures below the update)  Even in our little kitchen, the cooks spend much of their time squatting on the floor or sitting on tiny short chairs to do dishes or cook.  Skip did some other needed things.  The guys were a blessing!

The girls spent a lot of time just loving on the children.  It seemed every time Hannah or Rebekah picked up a child, he/she fell asleep in  arms.  Her peaceful spirit was so calming.  Kim passed out coloring books and crayons and the children loved the coloring sessions on the deck.  Games were played in the yard and the children were loved.

We so enjoyed having the Kentucky team here and were blessed by their fellowship, their work, and their love for the people of Haiti.    (Additional pictures of the KY team’s time here are below.)

If anyone is interested in a trip to Haiti with JUST MERCY, please check out our new companion website, www.adventuremission.org!

Hauling in a log

B.J.and little friend

Kim on the deck with children coloring. There were usually MANY more children than this!

Caleb & B.J. with the new kitchen work surface