Bienvenue from Port au Prince!
Connor and Ben checking in here. Everyone is getting to bed
relatively early as we are all exhausted, so the old guys put us on Blog duty.
We’re no good at this, so bear with us.
Day Four started much slower than the previous three as
exhaustion continues to take its toll on us. Our bodies are weak at this point
but every time we turn around we see the smiling children who will one day use
the classrooms we are preparing, and are reminded of the eventual fruits of our
labor. We are all relatively healthy, but keep our physical well-being in your
prayers!
Today brought much of the same things; hauling gravel, moving
cinderblocks and lumber, and slinging mortar. Despite the language barrier, we
are forming relationships with the Haitian workers and the children, and are
able to better communicate every day. We laughed a lot today, sometimes because
we joked with each other but often times because we were the subject of the
jokes between workers. We are learning some phrases in Creole and French and
are teaching our fellow laborers some English phrases. My (Connor) two years of
French in junior high are coming in handy!
All of our work thus far has been on the ground floor of the
school building, however there is a chance our work will move upstairs
tomorrow. This would mean instead of hauling buckets of mortar 50 yards, we
would be hauling them 100 yards and up a flight of stairs. We’d be lying if we
didn’t say we hope to stay working on the ground floor! We heard rumor of an
afternoon at the beach Saturday, so tomorrow may be our last full day of work
at the school. But work is far from done here in Haiti. There is still much to
be done at Source de la Grace but we have seen great progress this week. Keep
the Vaval family and Source de la Grace in your thoughts and prayers.
John found a biblical corollary to our project. In 2nd
Chronicles chapter 2 and 3 Solomon is building the temple. He had 153,600
workers; 70,000 to carry loads, 80,000 to quarry stones, and 3,600 as
supervisors to make the people work. If only we had that many hands in Haiti!
Au revoir,
Connor and Ben
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Day Three
Learning obedience through long suffering?
We woke up today with a breakfast ready at the table and my mind hoping to prepare itself for a long day of work ahead. I’d be lying if I said I was eager to work today. Yesterday seemed to be a never ending spiral of lifting buckets, slinging concrete and more of the same. Today wasn’t any different. Rick and John determined that we had lifted somewhere in the vicinity of 35,000 kilograms (approx. 12 tons) of cement today, whether it be in buckets, moving cinder blocks or 95 lb. bags of concrete mix. This all sounds like it was so much to bear and just how hard we’re working. Sometimes I’ve even thought that I’m worthy of something because I’m working “so hard” for God’s Kingdom. Yet, these Haitian men we work along-side, do it day in and day out, don’t complain, and I imagine oftentimes work a day’s wages for just something to eat. I read a scripture verse a few nights ago and it helped provide some fuel for me to put things into perspective. Hebrews 5:8 “although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.” How much are we willing to suffer for the cause of Christ and what is the purpose of that suffering? I appreciate my job compared to what our Haitian brothers do daily. I appreciate the technology after seeing such primitive ways of getting the job done (sometimes better than what I’d see in the states). I appreciate my wife among the most, but have I really suffered? Do the aches in my back, neck and feet count? That is certainly not the suffering He speaks of. I pray that God teaches me the suffering he was talking about before our week is finished because in our weakness He is made strong and I need some more Christ in my life. In our suffering, God’s sovereignty can reign even truer.
God is an awesome God. Scott spoke a great word tonight of how “awesome” we think things are. There is only one thing that is awesome, the one true God. It IS awesome how Jesus Christ rings in the hearts of those that live in such poverty. Their worship is true and I feel they are so grateful for what Jesus did for them. I find myself often worshipping and so quickly change to thinking what is for lunch or when do the Chiefs play. I am certainly not worthy of anything more than death.
We stayed today and washed up at the church to save on time so that we could be ready for service this evening. We just finished up dinner a short while ago (around 8:45), François made a delicious bullion soup (meat, potatoes, dumplings, plantain). With my belly full it is now time to follow the routine of getting ready for bed on a mattress in a cool room because I have no other distractions to worry about here. If only I had the opportunity to suffer as Christ did. We got to eat when so few others have.
I enjoy the fellowship of my brothers here. Our Haitian brothers have been so patient with our inexperienced mud-slinging. They understand that we know just how bad we are and they are okay with it. If I have learned anything, it is that. It’s not how good or bad we do something but how we can love others in a way that makes them a better person. We appreciate your prayers.
God bless you,
Travis
We woke up today with a breakfast ready at the table and my mind hoping to prepare itself for a long day of work ahead. I’d be lying if I said I was eager to work today. Yesterday seemed to be a never ending spiral of lifting buckets, slinging concrete and more of the same. Today wasn’t any different. Rick and John determined that we had lifted somewhere in the vicinity of 35,000 kilograms (approx. 12 tons) of cement today, whether it be in buckets, moving cinder blocks or 95 lb. bags of concrete mix. This all sounds like it was so much to bear and just how hard we’re working. Sometimes I’ve even thought that I’m worthy of something because I’m working “so hard” for God’s Kingdom. Yet, these Haitian men we work along-side, do it day in and day out, don’t complain, and I imagine oftentimes work a day’s wages for just something to eat. I read a scripture verse a few nights ago and it helped provide some fuel for me to put things into perspective. Hebrews 5:8 “although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.” How much are we willing to suffer for the cause of Christ and what is the purpose of that suffering? I appreciate my job compared to what our Haitian brothers do daily. I appreciate the technology after seeing such primitive ways of getting the job done (sometimes better than what I’d see in the states). I appreciate my wife among the most, but have I really suffered? Do the aches in my back, neck and feet count? That is certainly not the suffering He speaks of. I pray that God teaches me the suffering he was talking about before our week is finished because in our weakness He is made strong and I need some more Christ in my life. In our suffering, God’s sovereignty can reign even truer.
God is an awesome God. Scott spoke a great word tonight of how “awesome” we think things are. There is only one thing that is awesome, the one true God. It IS awesome how Jesus Christ rings in the hearts of those that live in such poverty. Their worship is true and I feel they are so grateful for what Jesus did for them. I find myself often worshipping and so quickly change to thinking what is for lunch or when do the Chiefs play. I am certainly not worthy of anything more than death.
We stayed today and washed up at the church to save on time so that we could be ready for service this evening. We just finished up dinner a short while ago (around 8:45), François made a delicious bullion soup (meat, potatoes, dumplings, plantain). With my belly full it is now time to follow the routine of getting ready for bed on a mattress in a cool room because I have no other distractions to worry about here. If only I had the opportunity to suffer as Christ did. We got to eat when so few others have.
I enjoy the fellowship of my brothers here. Our Haitian brothers have been so patient with our inexperienced mud-slinging. They understand that we know just how bad we are and they are okay with it. If I have learned anything, it is that. It’s not how good or bad we do something but how we can love others in a way that makes them a better person. We appreciate your prayers.
God bless you,
Travis
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Day Two
Hi All,
We officially entered Haiti time when we boarded the plane from Fort Lauderdale to PAP. As the plane was loading a couple with a young baby, in mom’s arms, and the rather strong dad with diaper bag and backpack in one arm and large carry-on in the other headed down the aisle. However at this same time a woman of larger dimensions came bulling up the aisle the other way. It was pure Haitian ballet, if you’ve ever seen the way Haitian drivers, cyclists and pedestrians interact. We did reach PAP safely and got to the Vaval’s home about six. As always Francois fixed us a perfect meal.
This morning we headed to the church to begin helping the Haitian workers apply a first coat of stucco to the school classrooms. While their work was tremendous, ours suffered a little. At first we did the basic jobs; carried the hod (slang for stucco), cleaned up some floors, and moved (rather weakly) some bags of cement. Pretty soon Rick decided to try ‘slinging’ some mud (the other slang term for stucco) at the wall but very little stuck. In fact as we all took turns slinging more mud got on us than the wall. Their lead foreman repeatedly (ALL DAY!) kept showing us how to do it and towards the end of the day we all had ventured into this more advanced work but in the end we were were amateurs, but able nonetheless.
We worked hard today and while it’s only about nine we are all beat. Much work was done today. At dinner as Moise was asking about how the work went, we expressed while we would love to do it tomorrow we were concerned that our Haitian brothers might be a little concerned about our work. Moise assured us that much more was accomplished with us helping than would have been accomplished them alone. Samuel told us that our help with the work even caused our Haitian brothers to work a little harder. So we will head out tomorrow again to stucco. Pray for us that we can even get out of bed in the morning, stiff and sore as we will be.
God Bless, John
We officially entered Haiti time when we boarded the plane from Fort Lauderdale to PAP. As the plane was loading a couple with a young baby, in mom’s arms, and the rather strong dad with diaper bag and backpack in one arm and large carry-on in the other headed down the aisle. However at this same time a woman of larger dimensions came bulling up the aisle the other way. It was pure Haitian ballet, if you’ve ever seen the way Haitian drivers, cyclists and pedestrians interact. We did reach PAP safely and got to the Vaval’s home about six. As always Francois fixed us a perfect meal.
This morning we headed to the church to begin helping the Haitian workers apply a first coat of stucco to the school classrooms. While their work was tremendous, ours suffered a little. At first we did the basic jobs; carried the hod (slang for stucco), cleaned up some floors, and moved (rather weakly) some bags of cement. Pretty soon Rick decided to try ‘slinging’ some mud (the other slang term for stucco) at the wall but very little stuck. In fact as we all took turns slinging more mud got on us than the wall. Their lead foreman repeatedly (ALL DAY!) kept showing us how to do it and towards the end of the day we all had ventured into this more advanced work but in the end we were were amateurs, but able nonetheless.
We worked hard today and while it’s only about nine we are all beat. Much work was done today. At dinner as Moise was asking about how the work went, we expressed while we would love to do it tomorrow we were concerned that our Haitian brothers might be a little concerned about our work. Moise assured us that much more was accomplished with us helping than would have been accomplished them alone. Samuel told us that our help with the work even caused our Haitian brothers to work a little harder. So we will head out tomorrow again to stucco. Pray for us that we can even get out of bed in the morning, stiff and sore as we will be.
God Bless, John
Monday, March 26, 2012
Prayer times
Prayer times for the Haiti team will be this Thursday at 7pm and this Saturday at 9am at the Church house. Please join us as we lift up the men as they work this week to help SDLG with building projects as well as other needs.
Thank you,
Amy
Thank you,
Amy
March 2012 - Day 1
The March 2012 Haiti Team departed from KC this morning at 6AM. Special thanks to those who drove us to the airport at 4:30! Hope you get a nap sometime later today. As I type this we are in route to Ft. Lauderdale. We will have just an hour on the ground before we will leave for Port au Prince. Moise will meet us at the airport.
Our plans for the week are to work alongside our Haitian brothers on the school and orphan home at Source de la Grace. Thankfully, our team consists of three construction minded men. The other three (including myself) will just do what we"re told. And hopefully not get in the way!
Please pray for a productive trip; that we would accomplish all that God has for us to do here. Pray that the relationships continue to grow between LCF and SDLG. Pray that we would be open to all the Lord has to teach us this week.
Thank you for standing with us in prayer. What a blessing to have faithful friends to cover us in prayer.
For His Name's Sake
Scott
For Team Haiti 3/12
John Skillman
Travis Kreutzer
Rick Woods
Connor Hickox
Benjamin Eshnaur
Scott Hickox
Our plans for the week are to work alongside our Haitian brothers on the school and orphan home at Source de la Grace. Thankfully, our team consists of three construction minded men. The other three (including myself) will just do what we"re told. And hopefully not get in the way!
Please pray for a productive trip; that we would accomplish all that God has for us to do here. Pray that the relationships continue to grow between LCF and SDLG. Pray that we would be open to all the Lord has to teach us this week.
Thank you for standing with us in prayer. What a blessing to have faithful friends to cover us in prayer.
For His Name's Sake
Scott
For Team Haiti 3/12
John Skillman
Travis Kreutzer
Rick Woods
Connor Hickox
Benjamin Eshnaur
Scott Hickox
Sunday, March 25, 2012
With Everything
A team from LCF will leave tomorrow for Haiti. The team consists of 6 men who will dedicate their team there to mainly provide manual labor to help with some of the building needs at Source de la Grace. Please lift these men up in your daily prayers. Pray for safety, strength, and joy as they work for God's purpose.
We sang a song in church this morning that resonated with me about this trip. It is called "With Everything" by Hillsong. Some of the lyrics that stand out to me in relation to this trip to Haiti are "With everything, with everything, we will shout for your glory. With everything, with everything, we will shout forth your praise". I envision these 6 men, if they could, shouting from the top of the walls at Source de la Grace those exact words in the song. Huge blessings as they work alongside the people of Haiti. I have a good feeling that Moise is smiling already in anticipation! (And so is God!).
Blessings,
Amy
We sang a song in church this morning that resonated with me about this trip. It is called "With Everything" by Hillsong. Some of the lyrics that stand out to me in relation to this trip to Haiti are "With everything, with everything, we will shout for your glory. With everything, with everything, we will shout forth your praise". I envision these 6 men, if they could, shouting from the top of the walls at Source de la Grace those exact words in the song. Huge blessings as they work alongside the people of Haiti. I have a good feeling that Moise is smiling already in anticipation! (And so is God!).
Blessings,
Amy
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