Haitian Time

We finished the roof! It didn’t take us very long this morning and we finished the roof with just enough materials. Everything seemed to work out great, things lined up well and everyone was in high spirits as we finished. I’ve toured some other parts of the area before and knew of some places we could go if we wanted to go touring, since the work was done. We asked Durand to line us up with transportation to a specific sightseeing area. Durand was very hesitant and did not seem to want us to do such. He had already arranged for us to go to his brothers house. So he sold us on going to Dominick’s place. Which ended up being a reasonable alternative. More remote than where we’ve been, clean air, nice simple lunch and a good view of the ocean. Their house is west of Carrefour, very close to where we bought our building materials. Dominick and his family were honoured to host us and I feel we were humbled by their hospitality. We had a very good visit and were ready to head back to the hotel to get ready for some kind of special presentation in the evening. All the while we have been driving around in our regular Tap Tap. This tap tap has been progressively becoming mechanically unsound. Actually, there’s a plethora of sounds that it’s been producing. Today the sound it acquired was backfiring, rather consistently and pronounced I may add. This provided some entertainment, guessing when the pop would come and try to prepare to plug our ears.  Other drivers thought we were plugging our ears because of their horns, to which they would laugh and honk their horn all the more. Meanwhile, back at the ranch (also know as an exhaust system) unburned fuel was building up. Other drivers would be pointing and laughing at us plugging our ears....then pop. Actually it was more like a Kaboom!  They would have a shocked look for a second, until the wave of understanding overtook them. No more honking from them at that point. We made it back to the hotel well enough, although a little hearing loss may be a possibly for some of us. They had arranged for us to go to the church for supper at 7. Art felt it prudent that we would eat at the hotel and that it wasn’t necessary to have dinner at the church. So we understood that we were to be picked up for a presentation only at 7 PM. 

We had a good last supper here at the hotel, all of us ordering our favourites. After supper Byron lead us in a group discussion about the trip. He had asked us earlier in the day to consider and be able to answer three questions. 1. What was the most impactful part of the trip? 2. How will this experience change you when you get back home? 3. How could the group pray for you?  All of us shared and had a very good discussion about our experience here, which when you dissect it in this way, our experience does not centre around construction. We dispersed and went to get ready for whatever Durand had planned for the evening. 

Haitian time. This phase could be translated so many different ways; Island time, Caribbean time, or just Late.  We don’t even show up at our waiting spot on time anymore because we know, our ride will be late. We order our meals just after the previous meal, and they still don’t show up at the time we ask. There’s a level at which you become comfortable with everything being late. I know I push the limits of time when I’m home and often stroll in late, but I can’t recall a time I’ve been nearly two hours late without letting the other person know what’s going on. That is what happened here. Art & Kelly had gone off to bed and the rest of us were just about to make our way to our rooms when Durand showed up in another vehicle. The tap tap had officially broke down and he had been trying, unsuccessfully, to get it going. As I’ve said before, Haitian’s are great at improvisation, like the positive battery terminal on the vehicle being insulated with an old flip-flop. But real mechanical aptitude alludes Durand. Even the understanding on how to drive a vehicle that has spark/fuel issues does not register, despite our attempts to explain it. Durand was very apologetic and insisted we still head out. He was disappointed that Kelly & Art had turned in for the night, and I don’t think he understood why they weren’t waiting any longer. Five of us went along anyway, with a very surreal drive in the dark and a very touching experience once we arrived at the church. They had cleaned the upstairs area that we had finished and had one of those laser light shows into the rafters. They had a photo slideshow up on a makeshift screen and there was another diner set out even though we had said we wouldn’t be eating there. They had tried so hard to show us love. We each received a certificate of appreciation and had one of the kids thank us individually.  It was a humbling experience and worth the wait.....yet still somewhat stretching. I can be fairly relaxed regarding time, but sitting waiting, does not sit well with me. I’m often not sure how to respond to the mix of emotions from these experiences. Like the broken Tap Tap I’m conflicted, consfused and not able to function with what we face here. I can backfire with emotions when I feel mistreated. But what does God want from us? 

In the back of the broken down tap tap it has these three words along both sides;  Foi, Experiance, Amour (in English; Faith, Hope and Love).  1 Corinthians 13:13 says; “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”  They showed us Love. What have I showed them?  We share the same faith, our hope is found together in Christ Jesus but does ensuring that a roof is done right show them love?  My answer to Byron‘s second question was that I see my life getting wrapped up in projects. I somehow move from one project to the next viewing these works as necessities to complete. But am I missing it altogether?  Is their Church any more complete now that it has a roof?  I’m asking these questions but only God can lead me to the answers. I know we can’t ditch completing projects. Otherwise the Bon Berger church would not be able to facilitate the dreams that they hope to do with their facility. I believe God had a powerful lesson to be learned from all this, I just pray that I may be mouldable for Him to be able to conform me to His image. I also pray that this is the desire of the whole team. 

Just about

So, after a two day rest, we were eager and ready to get working again, aiming to finish. At the end of the day, we came close. Things went well today. Art was feeling better and back to his supervisory role. Dan and I worked on screwing on tin, assisted by Byron. Kelly and Morgan worked together trying to finish up the odds and ends welding. Tim was the ultimate gopher. I have to single Tim out here for a second because this man exemplifies the true meaning of servant. I’ve affectionately labeled him mom, because he’s always trying to look out for us; Have you drank any water lately?  Do you have some sunscreen on? You should where a safety harness. Do you need some silver miracle cream for that burn? (couple people decided to brand themselves, and I’m not talking about a TM) He was the biggest help whenever we needed him and without him on this trip I don’t think this project would have finished. Mainly because I’d be dead (going back to the first day with the 12,000 V power line incident) and that would have probably put a damper on the rest of the experience. Tim has been so great for our team, plus as my roommate he’s put up with my snoring every night. The whole team has been sent here by God. We needed everyone to complete things and that’s necessary for me to emphasize, because I can be a bit bull headed and think I can do it all myself. God has really designed each of us with a purpose and has placed us exactly where we need to be. 

On Sunday Byron spoke to this, in regards to life.  Byron used Ephesians 3 to talk about how the church in Haiti was tied to that in High River,  to which the responce was many O’ Amens, from the cheap seats (they make us sit in folding chairs up front while the rest of the church sits on benches). Both churches have the same task, to proclaim the gospel to everyone. Byron told us afterward that he intended to only preach through half the chapter but just when he thought he was done, Durand leaned in and said “10 more minutes”. I feel it’s good he did, because it gave me a chance to read verse 20 again; Ephesians 3:20 “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,”.  We are not doing this project by our own strength. Tim does not serve others on his own. You cannot live your life by your own power. We are part of God’s team, and as such we are to love God, love others, like Jesus did, with the power of the Holy Spirit in us. God promises in His Word He will “do immeasurably more”. That’s not just more than what’s expected in life, no He says “more than all we ask or imagine”. God’s plans may not be your plans and earlier in the chapter it says; Ephesians 3:13 “I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.”  God’s plans may lead us through pain, trials. suffering, blisters, burns & brands. Suffering may sound like something we should avoid, however Romans tells us “suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” My hope is found in the Lord, and I pray that you also may find the joy that is found in serving God wherever He may lead you. 

As for our team, we hope God leads us to finish the project early tomorrow and that there will be enough materials to do so (it should be very close) 😬  We know that God lead us all here for a reason and I hope that Jesus will continue to grow us into men after His own heart. Amen?

Guest Speaker

Today we had another opportunity to celebrate with our brothers & sisters in Christ here in Haiti. Byron had been asked to be the guest speaker, so he prepared a message and taught from Ephesians three. Despite a few language barrier problems, Durand and Byron made a great team working through the Word. There were many encouraging shouts of Amen, so I feel they were encouraged by the message. They are praying for our church family and I hope our church family is praying for them. Some of the group are waiting now to be picked up for the evening service, where we believe they have a special service planned to thank us. 

No Thank you

We had a day off. Today was not a work day and it was a good opportunity for those who needed rest, to do so. I didn’t mention this yesterday because I fealt it prudent to ask him if I could share this first, but our leader, Art Wiens, had to go to the hospital yesterday. Art fealt he was fighting off a persistent chest cold when we came down last week, however he’s been progressively been feeling worse. Yesterday morning we sorted out what needed to happen on the construction site and Art went off to the hospital. It ended up he has a bronchial infection and has received some antibiotics to help correct matters. Art is 75 years old and been on 62 of these types of trips to several countries. Art has a heart to serve God, and I’m glad I’ve had the opportunity to be on two of these trips with him so far. Art still has plans to continue on doing these trips as long as God might have.  If you could, please pray for Art’s continued healing. 

While Art was resting back at the hotel and Byron was preparing for a message he didn’t know he needed to give for tomorrow, the rest of us went on an expedition. Durand was away at a meeting today, but pastor Fernel took us to a market down by the City Centre. We wanted to walk through the National Museum,  however it was closed today. So we went over to a trinket market. Everyone looked through the wares and when the guys started buying, the vultures were out. Everyone had a deal for us, special price price for you. I had a specific item in mind to buy, but didn’t manage to find it, which made my shopping easy, “no thank you”.  But just as persistent as we would say “no thank you”, they would tell us that we needed to but something from him or they might die. We made it back to the hotel just fine and took the rest of the day to rest. 

February 9, 2018

The tin continued to be installed on one side of the building , Dan and Morgan did a great job welding and almost finished up the frame work. 

It’s starting to feel like a coverup!

Today we used up all the material that we had bought with the money Art brought down with us. Thankfully Byron & Dan had brought more money that had been donated to this trip by you kind folks out there. We used that money to buy the materials necessary to finish the roof. Most of the skeleton is up now and we should be able to finish that part of construction by tomorrow. Meanwhile the tin team is hot on their heals. We started screwing on sheets today where the structure was already complete. It’s really looking good.

The welder slag falling started a small fire next door, we got to eat mango’s for a snack (I believe most of mine got stuck in my teeth),  Dan and Kelly got a shock from the welder and Byron’s hair is starting to get real poofy (and it’s not from him getting electrocuted). Other than that we’re all doing well and hopeful for another productive day for tomorrow. 

Rammy

Today, we worked! We stood all of the trusses up and connected them together. They are leveled off and the gable end is connected on one end. We have one truss at the correct height and welded to the wall. That leaves us with the five other trusses to find the correct height for & weld, connect the far end gable and weld on the remaining purlins (horizontal strapping). That will finish the skeleton of the structure. Things went well enough, although the heat did have an impact. We started the day wondering how to get up on the gable end to work, so I just clambered on up and straddled the wall. I had the safety team on my back wondering where my harness was, but I informed them I didn’t want such hindrances. 😜 Several times in my life I’ve been informed that I can be a bit rammy. Meaning I charge head long into things without regard or crash and bash into things as I work. Today was a day where I excelled in in this trate. Hopping up to sit on a six inch wall 20 feet up was merely the beginning. Towards the end of the day the heat and fatigue was setting in on our team. I started getting rammy again. My eagerness to finish could have been mistaken for rudeness and I hope my team could forgive me. I have a tendency to just bowl over people in my persuit to just do it myself. This rammyness probably peaked on the way home when the Tap Tap we ride in broke down on our way home. The engine kept stalling and instead of revving the engine up to burn some carbon out, Durand was trying to keep his RPM’s low. So standing on the side of the road with a broke down truck I finally said, here let me drive. I wound up the engine and laid some rubber. I kept it in first the whole way and made sure the rpms didn’t drop. That was fun! That whole drive how you want thing, I’m really starting to like. I could see people standing on the side of the road pointing and laughing. Maybe they were laughing that I was driving a Tap Tap or maybe it was the way I was driving, but I didn’t care. I was having fun. We arrived back at the hotel safe & sound, and found Dan and Byron making themselves at home. Had a relaxing evening and now it’s off to bed. 

The Lord is working on me in regards to this subject. And I know he is working with our team to help finish the project. Any off to bed I’m exhausted. 

Counterbalance

Today we met our quota again and are finished making trusses. Things went well for our team, as we were firing on all cylinders. Six trusses complete and even got them up on the wall (upside down however) loose to be stood up tomorrow and leveled off. We even finished a bit early today which means we had time for a swim in the sun before supper (it was hot today, 35). Dan and Byron come in tomorrow afternoon and we hope to be done the majority of the skeleton by the time they get here. At this point I’m fairly optimistic on our progress, that’s usually when the bottom falls out from under you. Speaking of which, maybe what could prevent a failure would be some counterbalance. I’m drawing a comparison from my Haitian friends here; For some strange reason they decided today that they needed to trim the tree that sits beside the building. This tree has been great for shade in the afternoon but probably will be in the way when the final touches of the roof are going up. So this morning they brought up a machete and made plans to get up to the top of the wall to trim the branches. We tried to convince them to wait till the roof structure was up but they continued on as planned. 

Counterbalance is the key to their plan here. At one point he was right up near the top of the ladder. After they cut one branch down we shut down their program because we were loosing our afternoon shade, but not before we all snapped a few pictures. Counterbalance could help make sure we complete our project here, Byron and Dan will hopefully bring some of that to our team, but they can’t be the ultimate anchor that we are in need of. 

I may be grasping at straws, but maybe there is a life lesson out of this example too. Many of us have stresses and pressures that push us right to the top of our ladders. So what then is your counterbalance?  Your family?  Your friends? Your money? Three times in the gospel Jesus said “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away”. Jesus was referred to as the Word. He was the full extent of God’s presence here on earth and remains just as much of that presence today. We can live with assurance that we are safe, no matter what our circumstances are, knowing that Jesus Christ is the rock of my salvation, my counterbalance.  That Word, is true, is right and is living. Grow in the knowledge and truth of Jesus today, put down this device and pick up your Bible. Know Him, grow in relationship with Him and trust that He will never let you fall. As for our Haitian friends and their actual ladder climbing, hopefully our safety team will make sure no one falls tomorrow as we’re standing trusses. 

Quota Meet

If you’re following along at home, maybe you’ve figured out it took us two days to finish two trusses. Well today we set our hopes high and our goal was two trusses done in one day and we made it, literally we made them. That leaves two more to make, then we stand them up on the wall. Everyone seems to be working really well together and staying busy most of the day. It’s hard for the cut team, when we are finishing all the welds and they have to wait till we’re done before they get to do anything else or go back to the hotel. Kelly and Tim have been very good about it and are getting really good at their cut station. Morgan and I are still burning rod. Finding a good way to weld this steel has been tough though (ever wonder how adding one letter can completely change the sound of the word and yet they look the same!). We’re getting better at our welds, but far from perfect. 

Jonathan stopped by the church again today. He is a young man I got to know last time and he has been in contact with me the last couple years. He plays the trumpet and the drums for the church. He currently teaches English in his community and is in school himself, taking Economic Sciences. Last year his church family had the opportunity to rally behind him and fundraise to help pay for a hernia surgery. He is a great young man and “Mwen Bon Zanmi”. 

Super Sabath

Well, here we are watching the Super Bowl. I don’t really watch sports much, but on a day where we had a real day of rest, it seems like a decent way to finish the day as a team. 

Church service was great this morning. We shared in communion with their church family and felt very welcomed during the service. A very nice day all around in +30 weather, sorry you’re all stuck in the opposite end of the spectrum. 

Where’s Daniel?

It’s kinda like where’s Waldo, but not. It is the always deflating; Where’s Daniel?  On the last trip the church family confused Dan and I, all the time. So I wasn’t the least bit surprised when I was called Daniel a few times when we first arrived. Now I couldn’t count the number of times I’ve been mistaken for Dan. I’ve joked around that I could start acting mean to everyone and just call myself Daniel, and when Dan and Byron show up on Wednesday I could change back into Mike. That way they wouldn’t all be asking for Daniel. I’m not alone in my pain however, all the kids are asking for Nick. So Kelly has been affectionately labeled Papa-Nick.  We are working hard on learning Creole, so hopefully, with some good community tomorrow the church family will be asking “Ki kote nan Kelly ak Mike?”

All identity confusion aside, the day went well for construction. We started rolling a little better and managed to get some more work done on the trusses. Most of the material is cut and set aside for the rest of the trusses already, so it will mostly be assembly and welding from here on out, good work Tim & Kelly. Morgan and I are tackling the welder. We had a local guy help yesterday, but found it easier to do ourselves. He already is a welder down here, but I’m starting to figure out that titles don’t necessary equal talent. Everyone seems to be in good health and good spirits (despite the fact, that everyone wants Dan & Nick), and looking forward to the four hour church service tomorrow. 

Galatians 2:19-21

“For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

There’s another mistaking identity that all of us should strive for. Galatians 2:20 says that I no longer live, but Christ who lives within me. We are to be Christ here on earth. We should yearn to be like Christ, and the good that I do can point to Christ and He is the source of that good. Others should see Jesus in all of us believers.  

Sparks flying

Sparks were aflying. We managed to start cutting and welding today. Art had his plans finished for the trusses, so we started cutting and laid out the materials and started welding. Everything has a learning curve so far; angles, finding a welder, laying out the frame, welding on steel that seems remarkably melty (technical term). We didn’t get allot done but I think we got the jyst for the days ahead and will make good headway now. The work day finalized with an attempt to go to the hardware store again for supplies, not finding exactly what we needed, but we’ll make due. Traffic was awful all around. The area is swarming with people for carnival. Load music is still blaring and I don’t think it’s stopping any time soon. We’re still planning on working tomorrow, but I guess we’ll have to see if we can even make it there. We had to walk the last bit to the hotel tonight because of the crowds/traffic. 

Worlds problems solved in the back of a Tap-Tap

Err-rr-rrr-r-rrrrgh (insert barn yard noise here). Rise and shine in Haiti. Waking up to the sound of a rooster in the morning has an invigorating appeal to it. Now if he gets up at the wrong time and he’s waking you up with him @4am, it’s more aggravating than invigorating. However just in general, when you can wake up to the rooster crow at just the precise time you wanted to wake up, it seems like the perfect alarm clock (unless you’re Peter I suppose 😁). 

Everyone seemed to have a great sleep last night. We were all eager and ready for the day ahead. We met up with Durand headed to the church, got to see all the work their church family has put into their building since we left. Measured a few things, talked to a few people and made some plans. Art and I set off to buy supplies, we drove via a borrowed Tap-Tap to what I would assume is the West end of Carrefour and ordered supplies. Headed back to the church just in time for lunch and had a great meal from the church ladies. The materials had arrived while we were eating so we set to work on carrying them upstairs. We were experimenting with a few ways to get them up the stairwell, some wanted one way, others wanted another. I had already been scolded by lineman Tim on “Where’s the line?”  So when someone suggested shooting it out the window, I asked how close to the line will it be?  Someone didn’t understand which line I was talking about and said a long ways. Well Tim knew which line and had run outside and came back in shouting “don’t do that again”. Apparently I came within 2’ of the high voltage uninsulated power line. That’s too close, as Tim said. I filed a near miss with my Health & Safety Suppervisor and we all determined not to do that again. To be honest I probably don’t realize how fortunate I am. This blog could have possibly been allot shorter, if I had been any closer. But please, no one tell my wife, I wouldn’t want her to worry. 

After the materials were all tucked away, it was decided Art, myself and Morgan would run to Port-Au-Price for a metal chop saw. I pondered on what the others would be doing while this expedition went forth. There was no plan in place.  So I offered to graciously lead them back to the hotel to suffer by the pool, instead of the trek ahead. Well the plan worked and they even gave us a ride to the hotel, to help ease our suffering. Morgan and Art found the saw and discs we needed and returned at the end of our pool time. Sorry Morgan, I really just didn’t want to deprive you of the experience of the ride across town in the Tap-Tap. 

So what is a Tap-Tap you may ask; It is a privately owned communal transportation device. It could be a bus, van (door usually optional) but most commonly it is a small pick-up truck with a metal canopy over the box with benches down the sides. Usually they are very colourful, sometimes with loud music but always crowded. It seems that is our mode of transportation to and from the hotel. It’s very funny when locals hop on, look at us wide eyed, talk to one of our escort and quickly jump off. We have our very own personal Tap-Tap. After picking up the first set of supplies I was sitting in the back of the Tap-Tap waiting, when Durand sat down to chat. We talked about family, about the church, about church family (so many topics wrapped up in two words), politics and society. Durand does love his country, but he knows it’s broken. He also knows the answer isn’t simple. “No one pays taxes”. “They would pay taxes if the government does something for them first”. He says the government officials get into power just so they can coast. Live the life of leasure and spend the public dollars. Now we do have a Prime Minister that used public funds for a private holiday, but at least he said sorry. What then, are all politics corrupt and we should give up on governmental establishments?  No, I’m not becoming anti-establishment. There is only one leader who won’t let us down. Only one who is worthy to be called King. He will reign over all, and all who believe in Him will live forever in his Kingdom. King Jesus. “Merci Jesus” (That’s the phrase on many Tap-Taps, it means thank you Jesus).