We started our morning with coffee, sausage, porridge and fresh fruits. The bus picked us up at 8:30 to bring us to the Kalico resort. After our ten days at the compound, we were certainly anticipating this day of relaxation. Our morning consisted of beach volleyball, swimming in the pool and the ocean. Some of us were able to touch a jelly fish that one of the Haitians scooped out of the water. We ate a wonderful buffet of Haitian food. Some of us enjoyed the bartering with the local vendors for our souvenirs of wooden crafts, jewellery and paintings. During the afternoon we enjoyed the sun and lounged around the pool. We took the bus home and were greeted by our welcoming committee which are the orphans. Sponsorship gave out the last of the gift boxes and three more children were sponsored. Corry……we found the twins!!! They are happy and healthy and the girl has been sponsored by one of our team members. Dinner consisted of mashed potatoes, salad, beans, fish and plantains. For dessert we got to try sugar cane and key lime pie. Tonight, we will be packing our bags and spending time around the campfire to discuss our personal experiences. Good night and we will be seeing you tomorrow night sometime.

God Bless
Team 2

CLICK HERE to see the pictures

What a day! There is nothing like starting your morning with a cup of coffee and sitting outside watching the activity starting for the day. We did receive a little bit of rain last night but the humidity is still with us. We ate a wonderful breakfast of omelettes on toast and of course the delicious fresh fruit. This is our last full day here so we are all completing our goals today. The construction team was able to finish five houses today. That means they are cleaned and landscaping has been completed. They poured some more stairs, built some interior walls and trusses were laid. The sixth house will be completed tomorrow by the Haitians. The sponsorship team was able to meet with the children of Port-au-Prince that were absent the first time they went to the schools. Time was spent with the orphans writing letters for their sponsor families and more team members have potential sponsors. The team also gave thanks to the kitchen staff for cooking our wonderful meals by giving the ladies rice, beans, cooking oil, clothing and milk bag beds. Now for VBS……..God has a sense of humour! He blessed us with over 550 children. Our story today was about Jesus walking on the water and Peter stepping out of the boat and walking towards Jesus. Our word for the day was “Courage”. We were also able to feed the children juice and rice and soup mix from the Gleaners which we were so thankful for. They left VBS with a song in their heart, a memory verse in their head, a full tummy and “courage pouch” with a picture booklet of each of our six stories, crayons, pens, stickers, memory words and a bag of skittles. We have eaten our dinner and we are all happy for the accomplishments that we have completed. We are all looking forward to a rest day tomorrow. Thanks again for your comments; we look forward to them after each meal. Keep us in your prayers as we prepare ourselves to leave Haiti.

God Bless,
Team 2

CLICK HERE to see pictures from today

We had another restful sleep (besides Lynn falling off her bed in the night, thank goodness she is okay). The temperature has been warmer this week and has been lovely to wake up to. A fantastic breakfast of fruit and something that tasted like apple pie was a great start to our day. Our VBS crew have become amazing at assembly line work and we are ahead of schedule for crafts and the courage pouches we are handing out on our last day. Our prayer is that the message that we teach each day will be understood. The kids are learning verses and key phrases and are able to repeat them from memory now. Timing ourselves has made a fun game out of our repetitive work. The construction crew had another successful day. I am amazed at all they are accomplishing in there day. Six sets of stairs finished today, these are homes that we can be truly proud of. There are now 2 full houses that are ready to go! The crew has worked so hard to complete these projects for this new community. There are more houses ready to put roofs on. They had a few logistic setbacks but it didn’t seem to slow the crew down. Sponsorship worked onsite today and accomplished a long to do list. The key word to helping with sponsorship is patience! Rice and beans were delivered here at the camp today so they were sorted and are ready to be delivered to families tomorrow. A few of the team have had the opportunity to go to their sponsor child’s home. For some it is a difficult and emotional experience for others it is a moment to create closeness and understand their sponsor child a little more. On our walks in the village we discovered a 25ft deep hole that is to become a community toilet that has been newly dug, on a narrow path by a steep hill, so dangerous….so we asked the men of the village what they needed to finish it. All they needed was some cement; we pulled some resources together and got the bags of cement delivered to them today. It was wonderful to see a need and be able to help it through. Our day was filled with joy, praise, and hard work as per usual. We thank you for your comments and look forward to hearing them every night!

God Bless,
Team 2

CLICK HERE to see pictures

Today was full of activity. We woke up to some slight noise but by now we should be used to it. This morning’s breakfast consisted of doughnuts, scrambled eggs, some sort of cream of wheat and like always fresh fruit. After a short devotion the construction team set out on the Tap-Tap to the hill. Fortunately, we took two trips so we could get up the hill without walking and we also brought up forms and lumber. When all of us were up on the hill, we ran out of shovels to put in people’s hands so Jeff sent a group of girls down with him to go get water. Up on the hill a small group of people were sieving out sand to make the mortar for the walls in the middle of the house. Down at camp same old VBS preparation was on the menu. Almost 500 crosses were made for the craft tomorrow. Sponsorship was also taken place in the morning giving over 43 boxes to the children. The children had smiles from ear to ear as they were so grateful for the things they received. We are also proud to say that there are now a total of 5 more children sponsored by the team members. On the way back to the compound for lunch, the construction team learned that you can fit 24 people in a Tap-Tap and still make room. In Haiti there is no such thing as a full Tap-Tap. After lunch half of the construction team stayed back to do VBS and the other part of the team left again for construction. They have now finished 1 ½ mortar walls in the houses and almost all the doors and screens. We are thankful for all of their effort and strength that they have provided us with this week. Today in VBS we were sadly disappointed to only have 250 kids, yes ONLY. We blame that on the early bus that arrived at the off camp school. We sang and learned about how to pray. The kids received their craft bracelets and were sent on their way. The construction team once again came back tired and hungry… they just don’t stay full. The clouds are starting to come across the sky we think it is going to rain. Hope everyone loves the cold back home because we are enjoying the hot weather here.

God Bless:

Team Two
CLICK HERE to see pictures

Today is the Lord’s Day and what a beautiful day it was. The food is fantastic and this morning we had waffles. After breakfast, we had some time to get ready for our church service at 10:00. We were the guests of honour and were given the front of the church to sit….with a fan! Pastor Charles delivered a beautiful service based on Philippians 3 vs 10 -11. We were taught three points from the Apostle Paul, to know Christ, to know the power of his resurrection and to share in his suffering. We were also treated to a beautiful song from the choir. After the service, we were warmly greeted by the members of the congregation. They are so thankful for the work that we do for their fellow Haitians. After lunch, we had the opportunity to give out 24 goats to needy families in Faveau. Goats have a personality of their own and Joanne Baan did a good job of looking after them while they were being handed out. We took the bus back to the compound and at 4:00 we gathered all of our “giveaways” and strolled through the local village outside our compound. What a great way to get to know the people of Haiti! We handed out quilts made by a highschool in Woodstock, toothbrushes, toothpaste, candies, balloons, soccer jerseys and shorts, stickers, Izzy Dolls made by ladies in Ingersoll, ON, cloth diapers and children’s clothes. They were very grateful and the kids held our hands as we walked through the village and the banana fields. We came back to the compound very dirty and dusty but amazed at the people living around us. We ate a wonderful dinner of lasagne and salad and we are now sitting around socializing with each other, preparing ourselves for the next few days that we have left. The construction team informed us that there are now 10 floors completed in the houses, and that we should be ready to house people by March of this year. We have already received six applications for people to live there.
Please keep your comments coming, it certainly is the highlight of our day. Please pray for all the teams as they prepare for their last week in Haiti.

God Bless, Team 2

CLICK HERE to see the pictures

Today was filled with bartering, pizza and emotional experiences. We woke up to peace and quiet and had a wonderful breakfast of banana filled French toast and fruit. After breakfast, we got ready for our outing to Port-au-Prince. The bus came early and we got onto to our air-conditioned tour bus. First we left for the mass grave where 250-300,000 people were buried after the earthquake in 2010. Emotions ran high as we looked at the monuments that stood there. Next we travelled to the cathedral ruins in Port-au-Prince and we were all amazed at the size of the church, and how much damage had occurred. It was emotional for us to see the destruction caused to what once was a beautiful place of worship. Jack informed us that after the earthquake hit the surrounding community, members gathered around the church and sang hymns all night. We then left to see the palace ruins and we stayed for a brief picture session and travelled to the corner for some souvenir shopping. There we were offered bracelets, necklaces, paintings and other hand-made crafts. Danica, now a professional barterer is proud of the price she got her souvenirs for. Other “newbies” took veterans with them to learn how to play the Haitian game. After all of our gifts were bought, we headed up the mountain to the Baptist Mission for lunch. When we finally got off the beaten path, there were once again vendors awaiting us. We had lunch and again hit the streets for shopping opportunities. Jackie stated that she had never met such polite people that invite you to see their crafts. When we got on the bus at 2 pm we headed farther up the mountain to the look-out point. We got our group picture and some family pictures. Some people bought paintings and more unique souvenirs. Later we sped down the hill and fought through traffic to get to Domino’s pizza. “It is so weird seeing a piece of home in a remote country” states Jessica V. After our pizza stop, we headed back to camp and after our long drive though the slums and traffic, we arrived back home. The orphans awaited our arrival and greeted us when we got off the bus. Tonight we are eating and discussing today’s events.

God Bless:
Team 2

P.S. we are sorry for the late pictures the internet is not nice!

CLICK HERE to see pictures from today’s adventure

What a fantastic day we had! Our morning was as peaceful as usual. A nice morning breeze, cup of coffee, and a yummy breakfast of crepes and fruit! As per usual we set out right away to accomplish as much as possible! A group of people went to a school in Port- au- Prince called  Christa College where they also saw sponsor kids from SEADT to hand out boxes to sponsor children. Unlike the last trip there were many sponsor children that received boxes. Some other great news to share is that two team members found sponsor children, and were able to spend time with them and meet their parents. The construction (much more energized as they got to sleep in) team set out for a long hot day. In total, they finished five floors, hung some doors and put screening in a few of the houses, so a few houses are almost complete! We were informed that yesterday the team had to re-do floors due to a cow walking through the wet cement-twice! The team also learned that when 19 people want on the hill they have to WALK up the hill because the tap-tap cannot make it. They are again covered in cement and still had energy to play with the VBS kids when they were dismissed from their job. After a long day of working so hard and we are extremely proud of them! Back at the compound, it was a quiet morning preparing crafts for the days to come. We strung beads and made over one hundred and fifty bracelets’ out of our total five hundred that we need to get done, so we made progress! The craft for VBS today is tying a tea towel into a scrubbing rag. The leaders for VBS were a little bit nervous for it because they didn’t know if the children would understand how to do it. Then finally it came time for it to start. The kids danced, sang, were intrigued by the story, aaaaand… more or less did the craft well! Almost all four hundred and thirty of them were right into tying their knots and making an awesome rag! Shortly, we will be enjoying a yummy dinner and afterwards, the highlight of our day, reading through the replies to our blog. They encourage our hearts greatly, so keep them coming! We appreciate them so much! In the days past we have grown closer as a team and are working together so well.

God bless your hearts,

Team two

CLICK HERE to see pictures from today

WOW, what an amazing day. It was filled with song, dance and hard work. The construction team once again started their day at 5:30 am to go get water for the cement floor pours. The rest of us woke up by ourselves for a change. Breakfast today consisted of oatmeal and sausage and assorted fruit trays. After we were done eating, Jackie led us in devotion about how God moulds us from clay. She stated that we have to remember that we are not here to help the kids but the kids are here to help us. Once the construction team came back for their breakfast, the rest of the team was hard at work already. We then worked out some kinks in the VBS from the day before. Other girls made trusses and learned some Haitian history from one of the translators. The VBS prep crew was hard at work making a stormy sea for today’s craft. Dinie was later found down stairs saying to Kelsey that “the stormy sea made her sea sick of doing it.” So she moved on and made sponsor boxes for those that didn’t receive them. The donations are being put to good use. At lunch the construction team was late again and the sponsor team was now back from doing the first delivery in Faveaot. The community is struggling therefore it has lowered the schools enrolment. Those currently attending the sponsor program received their boxes and were overjoyed by their gifts. The construction team is exhausted and there final count of floors poured today was two and a half and two more ready to pour for tomorrow. Let’s hope they hang in there through the calcium burn and blisters. Later that day when VBS started up, we needed all the people we could get. We started off with songs and praise and the bus of kids from another community did not arrive till after the crafts were done. The group of the leaders ran upstairs and made 500 crafts in 15 minutes and there were distributed to the group on the bus as they left. VBS went better than yesterday even though there were no games. The kids were sent on their way after snack, juice and songs. Today we lost a few kids and ended up with ONLY 401 kids (give or take a few). Now as supper is coming, the compound is slowly quieting down. The kids can go home today knowing how to make a thunderstorm that Lynn actually thought was real from upstairs. Tonight is filled with SLEEEEEEEPPPPP!!!

Stay tuned for more updates! Thanks for your support and comments we enjoy hearing them at supper.

God Bless: Team 2

CLICK HERE to see pictures from today

Our morning today was just a pleasant as our first. A group of people had an earlier start to their day then the rest as they left to fill the water tanks for the cement pour for later today. The rest of us had a quiet morning (besides Jeff honking the air horn on the dump truck at 6 am), enjoying our coffee, fresh fruit, and muffins. Our morning devotion was lead by Pam. We sang Jesus’ praise and were reminded that we are the hands and feet of Jesus. After our devotion we all set out to do our duties. Some started building trusses for the roofs on the houses that they are building on the hill; others set out to prepare for the start of our VBS this afternoon, as well a team of people went back to the hill to pour cement floors. On the construction hill the team had to lift many buckets filled with cement, which is a very difficult task. But they accomplished their goals and poured four cement floors. “My arms feel like jell-o!” says Tyler. While the construction team was hard at work on the hill our VBS team was getting nervous for the kids soon to come. We went over the songs and the actions and Roxanne was in a state of “intense dread” as she explains it. Joanne, Jessica V, Victoria and Danica were still busy making trusses with all the kids now out from school. Once VBS started Harold was on his own making trusses. A small devotion before we started VBS and off to the games we went. The songs were sung and the story was preached. Once the skit and story were done we split up the boy and girls and sent the girls out with Lisa, Victoria, Danica, Kelsey, Alyssa and Jane to learn the game of the day. The boys stayed in with everyone else and made stars out of pipe cleaners. It was hectic with over 150 girls at the start of games and more boys then figures to count. Once switched the girls made the stars and the boys turned their stars into glasses (“Lunette”) they would cry to us, (meaning make me glasses). After we all piled in the church again and were dismissed row by row for there crackers and juice. The final count of kids was over 400 kids. By the time we were finished handing out the snack the construction team returned and were whipped. Every single one of them was covered head to toe in cement from the massive pour today. After they were all showered up, they joined us in playing with the kids. Today was a success in all parts of the team and we thank God that we were blessed with such a wonderful day.

God Bless: Team 2

CLICK HERE to see the pictures from today