Sunday. I woke up sweating at too early of a time. We (Poppemas, Bonnemas, Shannon, and I) left the manna compound, which is right across the fence, at seven am. We went to a church on the smaller of the two mountains of which Cap Haitien is situated. It took about an hour drive in Bill and Darla's, two missionaries next door on the manna compound, four wheel drive "troop transport" toyota. We sat facing each other on bench seats through the hectic streets that reached fifty degree angles. When the roadlike trail came to an end we hiked about ten minutes to an amazing view. The church was mostly tin and extremely muggy. The service was the two weeks delayed mother's day service and lasted roughly three and a half hours. I had "volunteered" for a short skit which Bill used as part of his (the third sermon) lesson. Cory, little Nic, Mackenzie (community kid), and I had fun doing it. This afternoon Justin, Kirk + wife and kids, Danielle, Mattea, Luke, and I were taken by Bill to a (most likely the only in Cap) English bible study. No one had prepared a lesson so Bill went over psalm 25 with us for about an hour. On the way back we visited La kay where we got ice cream, a rarity in haiti. So far a great sunday, and I'm enjoying my time before I have to get back to work.
PS. Mom, I'm still alive.
Hi all
This is my first note. It has been great to meet all the people here, so many committed young people working for the Lord. It really is encouraging to me.
On Friday the guys and I helped Wilson, one of the yard workers, make 100 cement blocks by hand. All the cement and sand is mixed by hand and put into 2 forms, kind of like building sand castles and then set on the ground to dry. It takes about 3 days for them to dry hard enough to use. They are not very strong as cement is a costly item but once they are in a wall they do fine. Sat. we did 150 in the sun. We were going to do more but being in the sun took it out of me so we stopped at 150. There were not arguements from anyone, not even Wilson who seems to handle the heat just fine. In fact he usually wears jeans and 2 shirts while working. Must be used to the heat.
Some of the other projects we have already done are paint the battery framework, pulled out a few trees, weeded in the complexes garden, fixed small items in the kitchen and of course, play w the kids. It is amazing to me to watch the nannies work w the kids. The seem to be filled w joy to be here. Hope I remember that when I get back to my own world and am tempted to complain.
The rat kill count so far this year is 38. I was shaken awake last night by the ladies. There were several milling around in the room next to them which freaked most of them out. The two compound dogs were chasing them around and knocked a lot of stuff over. Once I got the dogs out of the room and the door closed again, I went back to sleep. I think it took Shannon a while to wind down. I guess that's what I get for having my cot closest to the door.
Yesterday, Nate bought some stuff from a lady selling stuff at the compound. He didn't barter w her so she gave him some free stuff because he paid her too much. Good experience.
We're all sweaty but getting a long well. All the kids are doing great. They are working very hard and have been fun to be around. The joy in serving is easy to see. You parents should be proud of your kids.
I would certainly recommend this to all my friends. It will change you and at the same time be of great encouragement to those working here.
Paul, if you read this, I got to meet Will's mom. She is a sweet woman and so appreciative for the care he gets in the states.
It has been a ball hearing all the things that the kids remember from 5th grade. I cant remember most of it.
Thanks for your prayers. Jeff
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