Of Boats and Spoons and Living Life

What an exciting time it was in May and June finishing up the fishing/transport/ ambulance boat and working on the woodshop!  Bill had brought the proper materials to caulk and water proof the boat from the states. The Haitian method that had been started was not going to work out well. So the stuffing they had started using before was pulled out of the cracks and the “pitch” sanded off making way for the new materials.  (See many more pictures below this update.)

During the work on the boat, Bill wrote this account:

We had dinner with the guys who have been helping us build the boat and the shop where we will teach vocational classes in woodworking and arts. It was pleasant to sit around the table and just share thoughts.

 We talked about life here and how to make it better. I asked them if they had any ideas to improve their way of life. They talked of many different things but it seemed to hinge mostly on tourism. Some were for, some against the change it would bring. Then they asked me what I thought would make their lives better. It was an open door through which I walked.

All the teaching of Jesus came flooding to my mind as I thought how to answer. “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his own soul?” What does it mean to really be alive? Of what does life consist?   ….and I spoke of the love of God our maker and the Kingdom of His Son. It was a good day!

Interactions like these are why we are in Haiti. Opportunities to share the love of God and deepen relationships are vital as we serve the people of the village of Kakok.

Our boat captain, Richard, was with Bill in May along with Chad Nissley who had been to Haiti back in 2012.  Both men had skills that were used to help projects along. We are so grateful to those who come to share with us in the things JUST MERCY is doing to serve the people of the island.

 

 

 

The boat was completed in time to enter a sailing race that the fishermen of Kakok hold each year.

The boat had only been in the water a few days so the crew was just getting used to handling her.  Bill, Richard, and Chad were the first non-Haitians to ever enter the race.  A great time was had by all and JUST MERCY came in second!  (Scroll down for more pictures below this update.)

 

 

 

Numerous medical needs continue to come on nearly a daily basis.  A badly burned toddler.  (Burns are a regularly seen injury since most people cook on open fires on the ground.) A lady who had been in a motorcycle accident whose scarred legs had swollen to a terrible size. First aid needs. Sickness needs. We do what we can but are hoping for a medical team in the near future to come and serve.

Work continued on the second story of the woodshop as we need a place to store wood products and also, it can be used as another place for  teams to stay.  It is exciting to see the progress.  It now has a roof on it!

While Bill was home earlier this spring for a few weeks, he made some wooden spoons out of the wood that was used to build the boat. It is one of the products we plan to have the Haitians make in the woodshop. It makes a beautiful wooden spoon, something that could be sold both in Haiti and the US to help the men support their families.

 

The drought continues in Haiti. The well went dry that was a 15 minute walk away from most of the people of the village so they have to walk another 30 minutes, hauling their water in five gallon buckets on their heads from a well further away, an hour or more round trip. (In the mountains of Haiti, the trek to obtain water is much harder and longer.) While much of the U.S. was getting nearly record rainfalls, springs and wells in Haiti were drying up, gardens had died, and people were suffering. Please be praying for rain for Haiti.

Bill wrote of the time spent with Richard, Chad, and some of our Haitian friends: “But perhaps of more significance were the times we shared each day striving to understand and draw close to the heart of the Father, searching our hearts to find the deeper questions that we long to have answers to:  “Who is God and how do we know him.” “If the Son sets you free you are free indeed.”  “What is freedom?”  “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, because what the world needs is men who have come alive!”  Indeed!  Why? Reading the words of Jesus and the sonnets of Milton and the admonitions of the “Scotsman”. 
Finding strength and courage in our brothers heart to live life fully alive and bring glory to God wherever He leads us. The Adventure leads us both outward and inward and that’s our mission.”

Thank you for your prayers and support.  Blessings on you all.  (We hope you enjoy the extra pictures shown below.)