March 16th
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!!!
