Haiti Vim March 2011

Bon Swa!

It is Friday evening and we have culminated our renovation of the school conference room that we were asked to do, sans ceiling.  The brick house project was graciously accepted by the team from New Jersey as the conference room is very much in need.  While painting, removing excess paint from the woodwork, and clearing out the hall, we noticed a large container truck with the label of an American company, Florens Container Services.  Knowing that this company is located near Zac's workplace in the City, we suspect that his employer is anxious to have this bright and talented young man back at work.  Indeed, Zac has not needed a gym these 10 days as he was remarkable in so many tasks that required not only brain but lots of brawn.

Kent has faithfully recorded the experience with a plethora of photographs, some videos, and recordings of the children at play across the yard where we were working.  Myrna has inspired each of us in her caring ways and kind words and served us communion this evening.  Doug tends to keep us in line and yes, maintain the micromanaging style with any who will appease him.  Steve has to be the most patient, knowledgeable, and considerate leader any team could select.  Not only has he prepared for any and all situations, but also he is willing to teach, to listen, and to celebrate in all people with whom we interact.  Just yesterday he allowed a Haitian to join the team who simply appeared at the work site.  When we were unable to purchase reach poles for painting, this man arrived this morning with additional homemade ones.  Of course, even though we had not hired him, the team elected to pay him for services rendered.  Mary Ellen delivered the devotions this evening based on sowing and reaping.  The seeds of hope, goodwill, progress, heightening the awareness of gender role reversal, etc. are some we spread in the small area where we worked.  Each of us are hopeful of returning next year when the infrastructure paradigm of the Haitian Methodist Church extends into rebuilding the homes for the people.  And, yes, we are tired and ready to come home!

Reverend Tom Vencuss who hails from Hartford, Connecticut, and who assumed the position as Volunteer Management Coordinator for Volunteers in Mission and the Haitian Response Program Plan in August visited with the team prior to our devotions.  He wanted to learn of our experience, what ways they might make improvements, and how would we describe Haiti and the mission here.  Tom enlightened us with information as we asked questions.  The average wage for the Haitians who have work is $2.00 a day!  80 per cent of the schools are run by faith-based organizations.  Public education may not be available to some children depending upon where they live.  This is more prevalent with the thousands of Haitian families who have been displaced and live in the tent cities.  From our observations as well as others who have visited Haiti, the children here are hungry to learn.  As on minister shared with Tom, he preaches to his members tht Hope and Education are the priorities for parents and encourages them to keep the children in school.  Our translator and one of the drivers had to drop out of the university when the buildings collapsed.  Karen is hopeful of returning in September and I will do all I can to underwrite the expenses.  She is responsible for her mother and little sister and sustainable work is hard to find. 

We have been informed that we are leaving the Guest House at 6:00 a.m. so  I must pack and get a few hours of sleep.  Thank you for sharing this experience knowing that daily the team have prayed for our families, friends, and congregations who encouraged us along the way.  Be well and we will talk in person real soon.!

N'ap we ou anko

Until we meet again!

Mary Ellen

Bonswa!  (Good Evening)

Our devotions led by Steve this evening captures the spirit of the day.  It was entitled:  "The Fog of a Mission Trip."  With only two days left, we are beginning to see more clearly what we are doing and where we are going.  When we came we were tentative in what our tasks would be and how and if we would be able to perform.  Although all 6 of us are born leaders, but in the fog we allowed others to lead the way.  Today as we reported to the school we picked up tools and accepted roles without direction.  Steve was swinging from the exposed rafters (that Zac had uncovered when he removed the  ceiling tiles), finding rotten boards, ones filled with termites, and others that were in need of repair.  Also several holes in the metal roof reflect a perfect circle on the tile floor throughout the building.  Steve and Douglas worked together with Doug preparing a report that more resembled a thesis for the UMCOR/UMVIM director on site.  Meanwhile, Myrna, Zac, and Kent painted the remaining outside wall as Mary Ellen prepared the conference room by chipping away paint in the window frames, wire brushing the tile kick boards, and cleaning away any plaster (cement) from areas to be painted in the afternoon.  At one time Kent was AWOL only to be found with the school children listening to their singing during music classes and filming and recording their delightful voices.  After all, he is our "official team photographer".  A Haitian man whom we all have seen around the school showed up and shadowed Steve and Doug.  They allowed him to help.  As we were painting in the afternoon he observed for a while.  Then he disappeared and came back with a stick he had whittled on which he placed the roller so, he, too, could paint up high.  (We only have one extension pole.)  I had to pry away the paint tray to encourage him to stop for the day.  We will welcome him tomorrow as he added such pure innocence and joy to the task at hand. 

After a full day of working, Zac joined some of the younger men from New Jersey and played basketball with the children.  However, Tariq--a coach with the Rutgers football team, tended to be too competitive and simply lifted the kids up to dunk the shots.  Myrna drove in to the general store to purchase juice for communion for tomorrow's devotions, and upon her return took a shower.  Within a few minutes she shouted, "there is no water!"  This was the second time when just after she had put shampoo in her hair that the water ceased.  Fortunately, they have an alternative pump and she came out squeaky clean.  Doug and Mary Ellen walked off the compound to make some purchases at the hardware store (about the size of a closet).  At the store we experienced the same style for purchases at restaurants, stores, etc.  First you select the product and a person writes a ticket that you present to hold the item(s) in your hand as you move to the cashier to pay.  The walk along the street with the Haitians was interesting and being the only white people in a sea of them caused them to stop and stare.  Most likely this is only a reflection of how we appear to them when we are looking all around as we drive through the streets.  As we neared the Guest House, not one, but 6 vendors swarmed around us to sell us a variety of wooden crafts, paintings, jewelry, whatever!  It is so difficult to barter -- not my style or to tell some that we're not interested!  All of them are in such need and are not ashamed to say so.

Two new teams arrived in time for dinner; one from northern Texas had been in the countryside for the past week, and another group from Northern Illinois who had just arrived for the week.  Other guests from Cap Haitian, Wisconsin, New York, and Kansas City filled the patio where we all eat.  For those staying at the Guest House, including our team, there are prepared meals at breakfast and at dinner.  All meals include lots of starch, fried veggies and meat, and rice or beans.  Sometimes we have dessert.  Powdered juices including orange juice, kool-aid, and punch are the options to bottled water.  All of us are looking forward to a cold glass of milk! 

Throughout the week our team has heard a three different tunes including a Christmas carol, a Schubert symphony, or the theme from the Titanic movie blaring from a truck that we presumed was an ice cream truck.  We thought it rather strange since most Haitians are struggling for even the basic needs.  To our chagrin, the truck is selling reclaimed water for the people.   Does it not seem ironic that the music from the Titanic is one of the chosen lyrics? 

Some interesting facts for the day:

   The Methodist Church in Haiti have over 18,000 students in their schools.

   By the end of the 2011 over 8,000 Haitians will die from cholera.

Something to ponder and then offer prayers -- Nobody and no country should be fearful of drinking water too dangerous to consume.  As you brush your teeth and leave the water running, there are others in the world who would covet that wasted drainage. 

Bion nvit

Good Night

Mary Ellen

P.S.  There are voltures standing behind me to use the one and only computer.  I've got to quit before I am run out behind the guarded walls.  I'm scared as it is dark out there!  Blame Tariq!!!

Good evening!  Douglas led us in devotions this evening on the theme of the easy and hard work of a Christian we have undertaken this week on this VIM mission.   We finished devotions around 9:00 p.m. and remained talking around the table...I snuck up to prepare the blog.  Tonight the Guest House is filled.  Not only are two other teams here, one from Mississippi, the other from New Jersey, but folks from the Board of Global Ministries, and the Methodist Women's Division from the Bahamas and North America.  There must be a 2-1 ratio of ministers and lay people.  The Bishop of the New York Conference stayed with us over the weekend.  Myrna and I are having to share our room but we still maintain the squatting rights with the in and out residents.

Today our small band of 6 split into two groups.  While Zac, Myrna, and Kent remained on the Guest House compound to finish the outside painting, sanding of inside walls, and tearing out the last of the tiles in the ceiling of the conference center.  Steve, Doug and I worked along side the Haitian men continuing the cement block walls.  There has been some give and take in the leadership roles and when one of the Haitians said I wasn't allowed to carry a cement block, he experienced my independent look and "oh yes I can."  Afterwards, he jokingly laughed and called me the boss lady.  Hmmm, am I that transparent even to strangers?!

Although we felt this was an ordinary day when we had some selfish moments and thoughts, some amusing highlights include the "Oh did I mention that there were snakes in the ceiling?"  Zac had just completed the tearing down of the tiles to learn that tidbit.  When Myrna was doing some sanding she was shocked by a bare electrical wire.  The minister's wife came along and wondered if there had been a problem with the electricity.  Myrna smiled in her usual kindness only to learn that live wires are many in the house including some that run at the top of the shower.  While bending over to get some wet cement, Douglas was unaware of two cement blocks holding the string for the row to be level.  Oops, blood oozed through his hat and he is sporting a band aid across his left temple to cover the gash.  Kent and Myrna considered sneaking out into the street when the students left the campus but decided it would be best not to knowing full well if Mary Ellen had been there, for sure the three would have slipped by the guard. 

All in all we are enjoying this experience and look forward to our day at the Children's Orphanage tomorrow when we will play with the children, do arts and crafts, before taking them outside for soccer, bubbles, games, etc.  The selfish feelings that each of us have shared are that we so wanted to be with the Haitians in a one-on-one activity.  Tomorrow is our big opportunity and we are so excited!

O Lespri Sen desann sou nou; nou gen yon misyon pou Ayiti. 

(O Holy Spirit, descend on us; we have a mission for Haiti)

Mary Ellen

Greetings to all!  We, as a team, want to thank our family, friends, and congregations for the continued prayers, contributions of supplies and funding, and the encouragement for us to participate in this VIM experience.  Although we represent 5 different United Methodist congregations, the 6 of us have bonded into a tight family unit.

Before going to sleep last evening we were entertained by a la-la band that marched up and down the street outside of the compound walls.  Oh, have I mentioned the roosters that crow throughout the night, especially if a light is turned on inside our rooms?  Who needs an alarm clock here?

This morning we attended College Bird Methodist Church where Myrna worshipped when her family lived here.  Thomas joined us once again.  As visitors, they ushered us into the first row and formally introduced us.  There were at least 6 hymns (7 of us shared one hymnal that only has words), a sermon in French, and a God-incidence when two youngsters were baptized.  Not only did this cause us to reflect upon Myrna at that age being baptized, but also the realization that there continues to be hope in Haiti.  For those of you who complain that your services may run over at times, try 2 1/2 hours in uncomfortable pews!  As everywhere else, the Haitian people are polite, respond to smiles, and are patient with our limited Creole conversation.  Outside of the sanctuary we saw the College Bird elementary school had collapsed and classes set up under tarps.  The secondary building is unusable.

Since this is the Sabbath, no work teams occurred.  As we left the church, for the first time we saw the dramatic destruction of the National Palace, various government buildings, and one of the tent cities across the street.  There must be thousands of individual tents stacked in rows and rows with meandering paths.  Our pictures will provide more poignant views of the contrast -symbolism of the "haves and have-nots."

We had a lovely lunch overlooking Haiti at the Hotel Ibolele, a club where foreign and more prosperous Haitians  come for R&R, to swim,  to eat, and/or to retreat.  As we drove down the mountain back to the Guest House I felt conflicted and desirous to return to Petitionville where we work and stay.  The abrupt transition from order, beauty, charm, and wealth to the ugliness of displaced people, poverty, and squalor tugged at my very being-- feelings of guilt, embarrassment, and disparity.   I wondered if this might resemble the caste system in other countries?  Certainly it raised the question in all of our minds, the need for new infrastructure, the cost of it, and how long it will take, if at all possible,  to make Haiti a viable country?!  "How come, Lord...how can the earthquakes in Haiti, Australia, and Japan serve your holy purpose?"

Back at the Guest House compound where we are not to leave, we read, walked, talked, and enjoyed the VIM teams from New Jersey and New York.  The Guest House is a happening place indeed!  After dinner we decided to prepare for our visit to the Children's Orphanage on Tuesday where we will hosting crafts, music, and athletic activities.  Myrna's church donated two full suitcases of craft supplies and we sat at the dinner tables creating samples of crafts.  Steve has hidden artistic talents and spent at least 30  minutes designing and coloring in a stained glass window.  The project of making airplanes with construction paper, a straw, and a paperclip was accepted by Doug and Myrna.  Next came the pin-wheels and since a businessman at the next table had his laptop active, we asked him to google directions for the design.  Over 2 hours we laughed and tried to recreate crafts that any 6 or 7 year old might have completed in 10 minutes. 

Zac presented a devotion referencing the Upper Room for today.   The theme was encouraging one another and building each other up.  This in preparation of sharing our experiences with those at home.  Liking our VIM trip to a field, the seeds being planted, the risks involved, and what is the expected outcome,we discussed our insights, observations, and underlying resiliency of the Haitian people.  The charge from the Haitian Methodist Church is to bring stability to the communities through rebuilding the churches, schools, and infrastructure, not to serve individual Haitians.   That will occur along the way!

Please realize that Haiti is a country of need and progress is being made.  In September the streets were impassable, today they allow cars to move fast and sidewalk vendors.  Homes are being rebuilt as our the churches and schools.  Many NGO's and other denominations are busily offering funding and labor in Haiti.  In closing I share a remark by Steve that rings loud and clear:   "I don't care what I did here, but that I was here!" 

Nou swete 'ou youn eon seme[n

(We wish you a good week!)

Mary Ellen

To all of you -- don't forget to S-P-I-N-G ahead this evening.  Haiti time remains the same!

Saturday is included as a work day and it was an interesting one.  Myrna not only rubbed the skin off her forearms, but this morning she realized that her back had become quite painful.  Thus, she was limited in her energy and ability to do the cement work.  So she painted the second coat on the outside of the building we had sanded and painted the first day.  Since her maternal aunt lives here, she was able to visit with the family and to learn about things that perhaps she had forgotten over the years, and/or that which her parents overlooked after they migrated to the United States.  For days she fretted about not having a present for the aunt so I dug in my goody bag and came up with some special coins and some Godiva chocolates.  "No-no" she responded and so I encouraged her to realize that her visit would be "the perfect present!"  Indeed that is exactly the way her aunt celebrated the afternoon together.  Myrna just beamed throughout devotions having reconnected with her family.  Serendipity occurs even  and especially on VIM trips.

Having established a working relationship with the Haitians yesterday, we were somewhat perplexed with the limited use of our time and talents today.   All of us accepted the participatory role and followed their lead as we built cement block walls on the foundation we had prepared yesterday.  When the engineer (project manager) stopped by he was most cordial.  He invited us as "guests" to his church tomorrow when this Haitian Methodist Church celebrates their 158th year.  He assured us that the food would be plentiful and tasty.  However, we declined as we will be attending College Bird Methodist Church where Myrna was baptized.  Afterwards we will go out to lunch and enjoy some R&R at a "club" where the movie stars go.  

The afternoon was spent sanding the inside of a very large and high ceiling room that serves as a classroom, lecture hall, conference location, etc. on campus.  Monday we will work either at the apartment site or painting the room, or both!  As Doug continues to remark:  Semper Gumby -- our team is always flexible!  This evening a small team arrived from New Jersey and two students from Columbia University are in the group.  Surely we will become good friends as they are also remaining at the guest house throughout their stay.

Some lessons learned today by the team:  we are not to give any gifts to any of the Haitian workers/people.  The tools we use belong to the UMVIM/UMCOR tool shed that is stocked by new teams.  In a sharing spirit we offered safety glasses, gloves, and tools for the Haitians to use.  However, at the end of the day we have to return any tools we sign out from the tool shed.  So, Steve in his quiet way suggested that Kent and I retrieve the tools, etc.  When I asked for the glasses back, one young man so wanted to keep them and acted out the part of a celebrity.  He was quite disappointed when I insisted that we really needed them.  Kent was asked for some gloves toward the end which he willingly gave to one of the men stirring the cement mixture.  Immediately the young man held out the new gloves on his hands to the others in a boastful way.  Kent also experienced that the giving of the gloves was easy -- asking for them back fell contrary to his kind spirit.  In general, if any team member gives something to one person, it creates some jealousy as well as others coming forward for theirs.  How coincidental that Mary Ellen presented devotions based on "Open Hands"  by David Jeremiah.  Dr. Jeremiah relates "a closed hand cannot enjoy the blessing of giving to others who are in need, nor can a closed hand receive blessings God may want to bestow."  This is a gnawing dilemma that team members experience daily.  When offered some fruit the other day by a young boy working with us, Zac was unsure if he should take it...and didn't!  He wondered aloud, did I diminish the "open hands" of a Haitian?

Dous rev (Sweet Dreams)

Mary Ellen

alo! or Hello:

All of us were saddened to learn about the 8.9 earthquake in Japan when we awakened this morning.   We hold in our prayers those who lost family members, friends, or property in the quake and/or tsunami.  Perhaps we will make a VIM trip there within the year.  In the interim, if you are so inclined, a contribution to the United Methodist Committee on Relief is our recommended group -- UMCOR and UMVIM are coordinating efforts here in Haiti as they did for Hurricane Ike, Hurricane Katrina, and Cedar Rapids, Iowa flooding, etc. 

Tonight we are one tired group of workers.  As Steve comments, "our team is available!" so we were reassigned to a new project.  Now we are building a cement block house for the manager of apartments that were tumbled with the earthquake.  The property is owned by the Haitian Methodist Church and provides them with monthly income to underwrite some of the medical clinics and many private schools for the children.

En route to the site, we stopped at a grocery store to purchase food for lunch for us and the Haitian men with whom we would be working.  Of course, we thought the good old American lunch of peanut butter and jelly would be perfect and we added in salty snacks for replenishment of our sweating.  Wouldn't you know that Karen or as I call her, Tik-Ka, insisted in coming in with Douglas and me.  So as I searched for a cake to honor her on her birthday, I literally told her to let me shop alone.  Douglas accused me of being too direct but when we sang to her after lunch and served the cake, she understood my insistent attitude earlier in the day. 

Along our way we went through some tent camps, one right on the road of the apartments.  My, it is amazing the resilience of these people.  And, lest any of you have the idea the Haitian people are simply sitting around doing nothing, you are so wrong.  Many were filling up any containers they had with the fresh water that is provided to those in tents each morning.  And, an official speaks loudly to remind them to maintain the cleanliness of the water or there may not be anymore brought to the site.  We witnessed the Haitian resourcefulness and the continuous "swap meet" as they vend anything from barbecued food, to shoe polishing, bracelets, paintings, wooden carvings, produce, eggs, etc. from one end of Port Au Prince to the other.  Rather than children or street people reaching out for money, these people are seriously trying to make a living.  Even our driver whose home was destroyed in the earthquake sells us soft drinks and a variety of arts and crafts to cover expenses of the various supplies for his new abode.  I encourage all of you to change any previous ideas or concepts you may have, knowing that we and other teams who are here reiterate the same observation.  On a walk with Karen to purchase some fresh bread, children who are living in the tents and are unable to afford to go to school, were playing soccer.  So, I joined them and they were amused.  Just as I was to kick the ball, an 8 year old ran up and with agile and clever moves, stole the ball from me.

Upon our arrival, the 12 Haitian men with whom we were to take orders and to work the full day, appeared somewhat skeptical of this tawdry band of Americans.  As we shoveled gravel and sand throughout the morning, their perspective changed.  And, were they surprised to see Myrna and me involved in the shoveling and pushing wheelbarrows down a pretty steep hill.  One man even captured the two of us on his cell phone probably to confirm that he really saw women doing "male" jobs in Haiti! 

After lunch we began to make cement sans a cement maker.  Each of the men on our team were involved in the mixture making and Myrna and I lifted buckets of fresh cement along side of them and the Haitians.  If we taught them anything, we showed them that a bucket brigade makes things go so much faster.  By the end of our day we had the floor of the house fully cemented.  Tomorrow we begin the block walls.  Believe me when I offer that the sun was warm and we Americans ran for water breaks 10 times more than the Haitians.  They caught on by 3:00 p.m. so tomorrow we expect them to call for the breaks first.  We'll see!  As we worked we sang to the Haitians amazement and this made the manual labor fun. 

Apparently the 6 of us have reflected a team that enjoys one another and has lots of fun.  So much so, that a professor from the University of Connecticut who is here to assess where and how he might bring a group of students here for a service project asked to come with us.  Thomas frequently commented that "you guys never stop" and he provided some added energy and manpower for the day.  Although his hands were cramping, he pleaded to come again tomorrow.  Another student from UConn who is here with his godparents expressed that he wished he had come with us today. 

As we were loading the van to return to the Guest House, Myrna accidentally slid down a hill side of gravel.  Her arms took most of the fall and resemble ham bones, red and raw.  Now she enjoys the TLC of the team and we will hope this is the only mishap for the group.   Erik, our driver looked seriously at Doug and said that Doug reminded him of a famous movie star.  After a delightful charade, we all realized Erik was referring to Sylvester Stallone.  Later, he realized he was mistaken and came up with the cowboy, John Wayne. 

When Erik noticed that the main route to the Guest House was at a stand still due to an overturned truck, he decided to take another route.  Once again we saw the continuous streets lined with vendors, more tents, and buildings that had cracked and/or fallen partially down.  The unpaved roads filled with people walking, selling, and looking back at us, allowed us the roads less travelled and a picture of the poverty and brokenness of a people after a natural disaster. 

Kent provided devotions on Hope and Facts:  how hope can change the established facts that may very well be erroneous to begin with (poor grammar).  Three facts that we considered were:  The government in Haiti is corrupt; the reconstruction after the earthquake is too expensive, and Haiti is a failed state.  Kent's  questions for us to ponder:  what hope are we bringing to Haiti, and what facts might we alter about people's perceptions of Haiti?

jistan Samdi (Until Saturday)

Mary Ellen

First, let me make an editor's correction:  the Guest House where we are staying was the U.S. Embassy, not the U.N. embassy.  Also, the house next store on the school site was previously the Swiss Embassy and is not called, the Swiss House.

Along with the many volunteers at breakfast today, Jim Gulley, one who was in the hotel  55 hours under rubble that collapsed in the earth quake shared some of his story.  A poignant remark Mr. Gulley offered:  people need to first read the history of Haiti, and the rest will fall into place.  So many desire to help and wonder what little they could offer.  As in any area of need at home or abroad, it's the little things that make the difference and ordinary people do such kind deeds everyday!  

This has been a work day filled with "ordinary" tasks according to Zac.  As he remarks, "If I knew that I would be removing ceiling tiles and having rat droppings fall on my head, I wouldn't have signed up for this!"  However, Zac continued in his conversation about the day and realizes that the manual labor we 6 are doing allows the young people to attend school and further their education.  Zac shared that in his tutoring of youth in California, he appreciates the demands on their time.  By contrast, he more fully is in awe of the youth here who have experienced so much in their young life who remain resilient.

Myrna, being a Type A personality,  (unlike the rest of the team of followers) endeavored to take time away from the work at hand to interact with the people.  Since she was born in Haiti and lived here until she was 7, she is recalling her life here and regaining her command of the Creole language.  Steve always works along side us and today had us all a fright when he almost fell of the ladder.  Wow - what a scare resounded by screams from those nearby!  He's fine and continues to outwork all of us!

Zac and Kent received the workers of the day award for not only their strenuous removal of ceiling tiles, but for the look of chimney sweeps at lunch and  beyond.  Although the showers are lacking for hot water, we are simply grateful to have a shower to clean off the dust and dirt.  Doug, Steve, Myrna, and Mary Ellen sanded the outside of a building that had been re cemented and then reflected the Tom Sawyer story of painting the building.  Seeing that Zac and Kent needed some fresh air in the dusty rooms they were working, Mary Ellen offered to be the clean up crew.  Myrna suggested that I not look at myself in the mirror until I had showered.  When the washrag was black during the cleanup time, I understood her warning.

We have a lovely interpreter, Karen, who joined us today.  Not only is she proficient in English and assists us in our communication with the Haitian workers, but also she is a beautiful young lady.  Tomorrow we will surprise her with a birthday cake to celebrate her big day.  She refers to me as M.E.-M.E. and laughs at this old American lady who isn't afraid of getting down and dirty.  In return, I call her Tik-Ka the Haitian queen!  Karen works right along side us and is eager to practice her English. 

Tomorrow we will be at an apartment complex that was completely destroyed in the earthquake.  Whether we are one talented and skilled team as we all believe, this is an immediate need to complete the units for people to return....and we are available.  We will be making cement and building walls under the direction of a Haitian boss. 

Myrna offered devotions and read from the writings of Howard Thurman.  Team members reflected on the day and where they had seen God along the way.  Our evening sharing is one of the highlights of our VIM experiences and although this is the smallest VIM group, we have bonded and feel blessed for the opportunity to create wonderful memories together.

Mesi and Djebenis!

Mary Ellen 

Dear Family and Friends:

Thank all of you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.  That kind of emotional support is not going unnoticed!

After a brief night in Miami (we arrived at the hotel around 11:00 p.m. without dinner) most of us had little sleep, we headed to the airport at 7:00 a.m. this morning.   Our flight to Haiti was filled and uneventful.  Until....as we departed the plane Doug forgot his laptop and before we even went through customs, noting the oversight, when American checked the plane, it had disappeared.  As I keep reminding him, it is just a material thing that can be replaced. 

Customs was fast and none of our bags were checked.  Jackson met us and loaded the hundreds of pounds of luggage into the tap-tap (small bus resembling a paddy wagon) where we also sat along side benches.  The weather was warm, around 75 degrees F. and Port Au Prince is a bustling city filled with color, noises, smells, and crumbling buildings in between rebuilt ones that are painted in bright hues.  The most prosperous businesses appear to be the large and new car dealerships!

Whenever we came into congestion or slowed down in the tap-tap, many young Haitian boys would come along side the truck seeking U.S. dollars.  Clearly the number of people on crutches and having loss of limbs from the earthquake were unbelievable.  All along the route we observed UN vehicles with armed occupants who appear to be maintaining any outbreaks.  The presidential run-off will be held two days after our departure.

We arrived at our home away from home after noon.  This is a United Methodist complex, the Freres School,  that encompasses 7 acres.  This includes the guest house (formerly the United Nations facility), a church, many smaller houses, and a school that houses over 2,000 pre-schoolers through high school students, and a vocational program.  There are double sessions, one in the morning, the other in the afternoon.  Three of us walked the grounds and found around 20 youth (all male) playing soccer (football) on a black-top court, most in bare feet sans shin guards!  Oh the joy we will observe when we replace their thread-worn ball for some new ones!

Dinner was shared with volunteers from Virginia, Connecticut, Colorado, and the D.C. area who were concluding their work and/or just beginning.  We will be working at the school and then venture out into the country side to do painting, clearing, etc.  And, to Myrna and my delight, we will do crafts with the children.

As usual, Steve, demonstrates a calmness about him while preparing us for the week of work.  His devotions emphasized that the relationships we build with others are far more important than any structure we could construct.  The underscoring theme is that as the buildings have collapsed from the earthquake, so others in their place will deteriorate, but relationships last forever!

In several orientation meetings I share the following background of this Haiti Recovery and Response.  Unlike other scenarios over the years, the United Methodist Church is working under the leadership of the Haitian Methodist Church and refocusing from just reconstruction to building sustainable communities.  The church is the meeting place for the people and of the 176 Methodist Churches here, over 100 provide educational programs for the people in their area.  Many also host medical clinics.  All must realize that within one year alone, Haiti has suffered hurricanes, an earthquake, and an outbreak of cholera.  In all of these United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) teams. 2 or more Haitians are hired for every individual volunteer; thus, the Haitians' invested interest and involvement as well as the employment opportunities create a win-win situation.

All in all, this message has been informational.  Tomorrow we will begin to share our personal experiences and highlights of our team efforts. 

Good night, "orevwa, babay" (good bye in Creole)

Mary Ellen