Hammer. Hammer. Nail. Nail.
Ouch I hit my thumb.
I’m drenched in sweat, I hit my head.
My feet are officially numb.
Yeah, I know, corny off measure poem, but it just fits so
well.
Instead of just tarping this month, we are constructing
single room houses, which come with three bunch beds, a ladder to get into the
bunk beds, and a small ‘master’ bed. Homes consisting of wood framing, tin
roofs, and tarp walls. It is quite the process, but very rewarding. Most of the
time the family moving into the home is there observing us construct, and their
faces filled with gratitude bring joy to your heart. We are averaging about 5
houses a day, with about 8 people on average per house…providing housing for
about 40 people a day, way cool.
The one downfall: sexism. We women have to fight hard to get
respect while constructing and nailing up the tarps, but we are all determined
to prove ourselves. It is frustrating that we do have to work to prove
ourselves worthy, and a huge pride pill to swallow, but to be able to help
house a family affected by the earthquake; worth it. Hopefully I don’t break
myself in the process.
During our break for lunch we go back to the orphanage and
get to play with the 32 kids living there, which is a blast. Today I painted a
few girls nails, which was nice to be able to sit there quietly with them
instead of getting even more worn out from tossing the boys across the room and
onto their bed, or swinging them around in the air, or chasing them around the
orphanage…which are all very fun in themselves.
Yep, I love Haiti, it is official. Insanely beautiful
scenery, kids don’t throw rocks, a lot of people speak English so you can talk
to them, getting to play soccer for a few minutes before heading back to nail the metal thingy to the frame thingy…it is just amazing. The stars at night are enough
to make anyone come to realize that there is at least some phenomenal
mastermind behind it all. How could you not? We spent the other night doing praise and worship on the beach for a few hours. Playing in the ocean while singing to the amazing Creator of everything we see in front of us and more…now that is a good way to spend an evening.
