Return to Haiti and an Unexpected Job

The last update had Bill in Haiti, trying to return home after developing a hernia. He was able to fly home in October. After meeting with the doctor, it appeared that it would take several weeks before the needed surgery could be scheduled.  However,  when we told him the situation and that Bill was hoping to return to Haiti as soon as possible, the doctor looked at his phone and said, “I think we might be able to get you in on Friday.” Praise the Lord!!!

The surgery was performed at the end of October, and during the procedure the development of another hernia was able to be treated as well.   Then recovery began, and he planned to return to Haiti after Christmas. However, in December, Bill noticed his eyesight was not normal. We took him to the optometrist who discovered he had cataracts, and surgery was then scheduled for both eyes.

Once he was completely healed, Bill was finally able to return to Haiti on January 21st. The Haitian people were so glad to have him back. The first thing on his planned agenda was to visit the people in the villages we have been working with but on his arrival,  he had to address the tin on the roof of the house in the village of Raket.  In less than 2 years, the thin tin had deteriorated from the sea spray, causing leaks in the house and the wood framing had worms. 

The decision was made to update the roof to a concrete roof.  Men were hired to start tearing off the old (2-year-old) tin. It’s always good to be able to give men work instead of handouts when possible.

It took time to do the deconstruction and then to build all the framing to support the concrete roof. It would be too expensive to buy all new plywood and supporting timbers, so the materials were rented at Madame Bernard, the largest town on the island.  

Once that was built, tying off the rebar like they do in Haiti was begun, and it was a chore!  Finally, last week, it was complete, and on Monday, the concrete for the roof was poured. Bill sent the following account about the day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Bill:

“We poured the concrete roof today with 60 guys working. It was pretty crazy. After we got the names of those that would work, we got together and had prayer, asking God to bless the work of the day and all the people that would be helping. All bowed their heads and closed their eyes while we prayed. 

And so we began. Half a bucket at a time. What a job!

We fed everyone bread and tea early, then spaghetti about 10:00 after rice and fish. That’s a lot of cooking! Peeling carrots and potatoes, slicing onions, then green peppers. Just the cooking was a project!

They are floating it now and then it will have to dry for 10 days or so before we strip all the forms.

It’s been a good day. Cool and cloudy. People were laughing and carrying on all day. It was a good way to get money into their hands and build a roof that will last! People were blessed and I pray God will touch their hearts.” 

Bill wrote again the following  day:

Life here continues to be increasingly more difficult. The conflict between light and darkness, hope and despair, trust and fear as well becomes more pronounced in this life of extreme spiritual and material poverty.  Words are difficult to find that will help turn hearts to the light, to hope, to love and faithfulness, to Jesus who alone can save and to our Father, the one great light. 

So I continue to try to speak at the gates of this demonic stronghold. 

“Though I speak with the tongues  of men and angles, but have not love…”

And I strive to know how to both live and speak 1 Corinthians 13. 

Azou’s husband was murdered with a fishing spear a few years ago. She’s an old lady, skin and bones, that lived and worked in the charcoal pit beside old TiJoe, left alone now, with but one son here to care for her, and though he loves her and cares for her, he is yet a drunkard.

 I will go to her house today across the the mountain to visit a bit, take her some food, and to speak words so hard to find, yet I hope to speak 1 Corinthians 13.

“Love the Lord your God with all your mind, heart, soul and strength” and my neighbor as myself. 

For King and Kingdom!

Bill 

Thank you to all those who pray for the mission in Haiti and for those of you who give so that we can go. God bless you all!!

Just Mercy operates solely on donations from generous folks like yourself.  God takes those gifts and multiplies them in order to serve the multitude.  As cost of living continues to rise in all of our worlds, we don’t take your gift for granted and want you to know the people in Haiti are shown the love of Jesus and His gracious gifts of provision are from people who have been blessed and choose to bless others. Thank you in advance for all you do to keep the work of Just Mercy continuing in these villages of Haiti.