So, here are the shnazzy details about ministry this month:
Our team’s main project is to finish the construction of a two bedroom building on the compound. The building will house missionary couples that come to Haiti and work with Missions of Hope. It was quite entertaining when given instructions on how to finish this project, too. Our contact essentially said “make this building look like that building,” as she pointed to the one across from it.
Yep…true story!
After scrounging around the tool shed for supplies, we started by nailing some crossbeams for the roof. And even though one person on our team has a background in construction, I have a feeling the Haitians find it entertaining to watch us build this thing.
Our squad as a whole is assisting in the construction of a huge facility that Missions of Hope is building near their church/school. It’s going to have a sanctuary, more classrooms, a library, and a kitchen. This past Saturday our squad formed an epic bucket brigade line and poured 30 tons of concrete for nine hours. I was told that the work we did would typically take ONE hour with the proper machinery in the U.S. We did it the good ol’ fashion way – with buckets and our hands. No need to fret though! The facility is being built according to Florida standards, so it will be able to withstand earthquakes and other forces of nature.
Construction at MOHI
Me and miss Sarah Shirlen after the 9 hour concrete pour
Our squad also has the privilege of helping with the construction of an orphanage called “BeLikeBrit.” The story behind the orphanage is about a 19 year old girl named Britney who died in the January 2010 earthquake while on a mission trip in Haiti. A couple hours before the earthquake hit, she had sent her family a text saying she fell in love with the people and wanted to come back to Haiti and build an orphanage. Tragically, Britney and many of her classmates did not survive the earthquake. In honor of her life and dream, her family and countless others have worked since then to build the orphanage she wanted. It’s a sad story, but it’s a blessing to see how God can work through a tragedy and create something beautiful. Here’s a link to find out more info about the project: www.BeLikeBrit.org
BeLikeBrit…notice it’s in the shape of a “B”
Once again, here are my random interesting tidbits for this month thus far:
- I’ve decided that Haitians are the best tree climbers in the world. Period.
Although you can’t see him, there’s a Haitian boy at the very top of the tree
- The thought of showering every day or even every other day seems strange now.
- Within the first week of being in Haiti a handful of us, including myself, got a nasty 24 hour bug. I am fully recovered, but that was definitely not a highlight of my time here.
- My legs are covered with bug bites and scabs.
- Speaking of bug bites, my perfume of choice is the lovely scent of bug spray.
- So long as I have a Haitian boy or a really long PVC pipe around me, I can pretty much eat a mango or coconut any time I want.
A boy getting a mango down for Meagan
- A Haitian BOY made fun of the way I hand washed my clothes. I declined his offer to wash my clothes for me, given that the first article of clothing he picked up was my underwear, haha.
That’s all I got for now! Thanks for reading and leaving your encouraging comments! Seriously – they mean the world to me!
