We are all together again at the guesthouse. We finished our construction work at the sites yesterday evening...only three days of hard labor, but the local crews will keep working on the projects. Sitting around the table right now, people are already thinking about what might be done on a follow up trip to help keep lifting up lives. Like bring a lot of little watches...things we just take for granted.
Today the PAP team drove out to Mellier to see where the others had been working, and while there we visited UMCOR chicken and goat agriculture projects that are based on the Heifer Project system. A short walk down a dirt path brought us into the village strewn out under banana trees and down to the Grande River, source of much gravel and sand for new construction (being proceesed by hand), village laundry, bathing... and cholera.
Then we drove in our two white vans over a mountain and down to the city of Petit Gouave, where we were met by Pastor Maude and learned about UMCOR microfinance projects from a lively and enthusiastic gathering of local women. They sang for us...we sang together...video to follow. Agriculture and microfinance projects are combined with health and literacy to build stronger sustainable community. We also were treated to a demonstration of a simple solar oven made of tin foil, cardboard and duct tape positioned around a dutch oven that baked a chicken safely to perfection.
We drove into the center of Petit Goave ( Small Port) to visit and pray at the site of a former medical clinic...now a platform of white tile. One of our interpreters, Jean Claude, was trapped there in the earthquake while working with a surgical team and shared his miraculous story of survival.
We traveled with Pastor Pierre and his wife who work with UMCOR, he with the literacy and she with the microfinance projects. He is a sociologist and linguist as well as a Nazarene pastor, and serves a large church in Port-au-Prince and as a DS for thirty churches, too. He was in the city when the earthquake hit, saw a chasm open up and heard screams echoing across the valley. He walked the ruined streets for a long time finding water, giving encouragement and consolation before finally getting home to his own family.
The two hour drive home turned into three hours when a tire gave out and we had to find a good place to have it repaired, so we arrived in Port-au-Prince in rush hour traffic after dark. I do not have words right now to describe the scene...but our amazing drivers pulled us through safely...we weren't in any danger, but it was just apparent chaos. We know that God brings new life and order out of chaos all the time, but this will be a real piece of work.
After a fine supper we shared worship and reflected together on what the Spirit says about wealth and poverty in John 12:1-8, related to our experiences today.
We sang in closing "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus," and then one of the staff here sang it for us in French, and ended the formal gathering with a duet of "How Great Thou Art" sung by two staff members. Now I'm going to turn this over to Kay Lansverk! Love...Su DeBree
Hello Friends,
Our team arrived back at the Guest House a couple hours ago, full of joy.... and frankly....REALLY tired. I hope to add some stories about our time in Mellier tomorrow or Sat, but as I just said, bed is calling my body to come and rest.
I only want to add this one comment ... The people we've worked with, lived with and sang with ...Jean Claude, Dina, Claudine, Jacky, Betty, Marilyn, and .... were the best part of our time there.
Love to all, (especially you Marvin!)
Kay
