It's been another good couple of days, so here's an update for you!
Thursday:
Today was another full (well, almost...) day of work. We kept on hauling sand, gravel, and water up to the second floor of the new building at the ministry center. We were able to pour three columns today. It was a lot of hard work, but we persevered and made it through (with only a little bit of sunburn... ;))! We were able to visit Quisqueya Christian School today. They had a basketball game going on, and we toured the school as well. It was interesting to see a basketball game in a different country, and outside. Apparently, there are some different rules here than in the States. Don't ask me, though, I don't have much knowledge of sports & rules. We came back to the ministry center afterwards and called it an early night.
Friday:
Today, we only had a half day of work. We poured the concrete for the last column, and we were pretty much done with the second floor. We were also working on pouring concrete for outdoor showers that they hope to have done before summertime, as there are a lot of groups that come then. We then had a celebration lunch, with a typical Haitian meal. It was cornmeal, goat meat, yam, and plaintains. I can't say that I was a big fan of the meal, but it wasn't too bad. After lunch, we headed off to a village that has many artists who do iron art. It's all very beautiful, and is made out of recycled iron. We came back to the ministry center, and did some debriefing. Now, we're here for the night, just relaxing and doing some packing.
Tomorrow, Ryan is headed back to Michigan, Bill is going to Jacmel, Haiti (where he used to live) for a few days, and I'm staying an extra week to volunteer in an orphanage.
We can't believe that the week has gone by so fast, and definitely appreciate the prayers and support as we were working here alongside the Haitians to work on their building project.
Thanks,
Rachel
Friday, May 6, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Saturday-Wednesday Update
I know, I know...this is terrible! I haven't updated once since we've been here.
So, here goes a somewhat detailed rundown of what we've been doing.
Saturday:
We arrived in Port au Prince around 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Ana (our 'leader') picked us up at the airport, and took us to the Sous Espwa Ministry Center, where we're staying for the week. We had the night to relax, and the cook at the ministry center made us pizza, which was very good! We all crashed pretty early, as it was a long day.
Sunday:
We went to a Christian Reformed Church here in Port au Prince. They had us sit in the front, and we sang and there was a sermon-it all lasted about 2 hours. After the service, we met with the leaders of the church so that they could tell us a little bit about the church, and what's going on. We then went to visit the land where the church is hoping to build their new building. They are currently in the process of fundraising to buy the land. After that, Ana and Kristie(a CRWRC missionary) took us to a restaurant that had a pool, so we hung out there and ate, and swam in the pool (Bill and Ryan did...I just thought it was nice to relax :)) Kristie then took us on a tour of Port au Prince. It was very cool and interesting to see all the different parts of the city, and very saddening to see the parts that had been destroyed by the earthquake.
After the tour, we went to the VanDam's house (missionaries), and met up with the rest of the Sous Espwa staff and another work team that was here from Lakeside CRC in Grand Rapids, MI. For me, as a Michigander, it was fun to play some Dutch Bingo!
Monday:
Today we went with the Lakeside CRC team to Leogane, which took us about two hours to get to. We went to the CRWRC offices, and Kristie did a presentation of the work that they've been doing there since the earthquake. Basically, they've been building core houses for families. These are small starter houses, which are meant for the families to add on to when they have the resources. We were able to visit a couple beneficiaries of this project. We then headed back to Port au Prince, and hung out at the ministry center for the rest of the night.
Tuesday:
Today was when we were supposed to start work. But, due to some problems with the bank and buying materials, we weren't able to do much. We instead went to Fort Jacques, an old fort way up in the mountains. It was a gorgeous view of Port au Prince, as well as all the farmland on the mountainside. Last night we went to Zach and Sharon's (missionaries) house for dinner, which was an enjoyable time.
Wednesday:
Today is when the hard work began. We are working on building the second floor of a building, which is going to be used for an apartment. Today's work consisted of setting rebars, and pouring the concrete columns. It was a lot of hard work, but we made it through the day! We started at about 7 this morning, went until 12, and then started again at 1:30. We went until 4:00 this afternoon, and then we cleaned up and went to the Van Dam's house for dinner. We played ping pong with their kids, and had a delicious meal and learned a bit more about Sous Espwa and the ministries.
So, that's what our time here has been like for the past few days (in a nutshell).
It has been a very exciting experience, and I can't believe that tomorrow is already Thursday!
We appreciate your prayers and support, God is definitely working here in Haiti!
Thanks,
Rachel
So, here goes a somewhat detailed rundown of what we've been doing.
Saturday:
We arrived in Port au Prince around 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Ana (our 'leader') picked us up at the airport, and took us to the Sous Espwa Ministry Center, where we're staying for the week. We had the night to relax, and the cook at the ministry center made us pizza, which was very good! We all crashed pretty early, as it was a long day.
Sunday:
We went to a Christian Reformed Church here in Port au Prince. They had us sit in the front, and we sang and there was a sermon-it all lasted about 2 hours. After the service, we met with the leaders of the church so that they could tell us a little bit about the church, and what's going on. We then went to visit the land where the church is hoping to build their new building. They are currently in the process of fundraising to buy the land. After that, Ana and Kristie(a CRWRC missionary) took us to a restaurant that had a pool, so we hung out there and ate, and swam in the pool (Bill and Ryan did...I just thought it was nice to relax :)) Kristie then took us on a tour of Port au Prince. It was very cool and interesting to see all the different parts of the city, and very saddening to see the parts that had been destroyed by the earthquake.
After the tour, we went to the VanDam's house (missionaries), and met up with the rest of the Sous Espwa staff and another work team that was here from Lakeside CRC in Grand Rapids, MI. For me, as a Michigander, it was fun to play some Dutch Bingo!
Monday:
Today we went with the Lakeside CRC team to Leogane, which took us about two hours to get to. We went to the CRWRC offices, and Kristie did a presentation of the work that they've been doing there since the earthquake. Basically, they've been building core houses for families. These are small starter houses, which are meant for the families to add on to when they have the resources. We were able to visit a couple beneficiaries of this project. We then headed back to Port au Prince, and hung out at the ministry center for the rest of the night.
Tuesday:
Today was when we were supposed to start work. But, due to some problems with the bank and buying materials, we weren't able to do much. We instead went to Fort Jacques, an old fort way up in the mountains. It was a gorgeous view of Port au Prince, as well as all the farmland on the mountainside. Last night we went to Zach and Sharon's (missionaries) house for dinner, which was an enjoyable time.
Wednesday:
Today is when the hard work began. We are working on building the second floor of a building, which is going to be used for an apartment. Today's work consisted of setting rebars, and pouring the concrete columns. It was a lot of hard work, but we made it through the day! We started at about 7 this morning, went until 12, and then started again at 1:30. We went until 4:00 this afternoon, and then we cleaned up and went to the Van Dam's house for dinner. We played ping pong with their kids, and had a delicious meal and learned a bit more about Sous Espwa and the ministries.
So, that's what our time here has been like for the past few days (in a nutshell).
It has been a very exciting experience, and I can't believe that tomorrow is already Thursday!
We appreciate your prayers and support, God is definitely working here in Haiti!
Thanks,
Rachel
Monday, May 2, 2011
We're Here!
I don't have much time to write, but just thought that I should let everyone know that we made it safe to Port au Prince, and have been having a good time seeing the different ministries that are here in Haiti. Hopefully I can give a more detailed update. If not tonight, then for sure tomorrow!
Thanks for the prayers and support!!
-Rachel
Thanks for the prayers and support!!
-Rachel
Friday, April 29, 2011
Intro-Ryan
Hi everybody...this is Ryan. Better late than never, right? I am 25 years old, married to Ashley for almost three years, and a Grand Valley State University grad. For my career...that is a long story. I'm making progress. I know God has blessed me and has a plan for me to use the abilities I have in a way that glorifies him, and that is enough. This trip is something I didn't plan on until the last minute, but everything worked out perfectly and I have incredible friends and family who have made going on this trip possible (you all know who you are...and thanks again). This will be one of many mission trips for me, but my first trip to a county that isn't spanish speaking or Canada. I can't wait to meet my fellow travelers and see the work that God has been doing in Haiti.
"For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
Friday, April 22, 2011
Intro - Bill
Greetings. I'm Bill Diephuis. I'm 40 years old, married to Karen for 15 years, we have 3 boys, Liam is 10, Gabe is 8 and Zach is 4. We live in Lynden, WA where I am a partner in an electrical engineering firm. I graduated from Calvin College in 1995 with a degree in secondary education. Karen and I got married that summer and a year later we took a position with CRWRC in Haiti and we lived there from 96 - 98. It was a great experience - difficult at times but great. I developed a deep appreciation for the work that permanent staff are doing in the field in seeking to train and educate and empower the poor.
Some of my hobbies are sports (baseball, biking, hiking), fishing, and some home remodeling. I also spend time being a Cadet counselor and Deacon at church.
I'm looking forward to getting to know the rest of the team, working and serving together. Only one week before we leave...
Bill
Some of my hobbies are sports (baseball, biking, hiking), fishing, and some home remodeling. I also spend time being a Cadet counselor and Deacon at church.
I'm looking forward to getting to know the rest of the team, working and serving together. Only one week before we leave...
Bill
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Intro-Rachel
As the title says, I'm Rachel. I'm 18 years old and graduated from high school in 2010. In August of 2010, I went with Christian Reformed World Missions to Managua, Nicaragua for 4 months. This was a huge step of faith for me, as I'm a homebody, and don't really like to be thrown into uncomfortable situations. As you can imagine, going to a foreign country 2 weeks after turning 18 (and not knowing the language at all) was incredibly uncomfortable. I worked at a special education school, Tesoros de Dios. I had so much fun with all the kids and living with a host family, despite the language barrier. It was definitely difficult, but a growing experience for sure, and God taught and revealed to me so much.
I'm so excited to be going to Haiti in a week and doing a completely different type of ministry. I really like hard work, there's just something rewarding about doing manual labor. I'm hoping that I won't have too much trouble with the work that will be done, but I'm more excited to be in the country of Haiti and with the people.
I can't wait to meet all of you in person in 10 days or so, and know that I am praying for all of you-that the Lord will protect and prepare your hearts and minds as you get ready to serve Him and the people of Haiti!
I'm going to attempt to post of a picture of myself so you can have a face to my name (forgive me if it doesn't show up...I've never posted pictures on a blog before)
Have a great rest of your week, and see you in awhile!
Blessings,
Rachel
I'm so excited to be going to Haiti in a week and doing a completely different type of ministry. I really like hard work, there's just something rewarding about doing manual labor. I'm hoping that I won't have too much trouble with the work that will be done, but I'm more excited to be in the country of Haiti and with the people.
I can't wait to meet all of you in person in 10 days or so, and know that I am praying for all of you-that the Lord will protect and prepare your hearts and minds as you get ready to serve Him and the people of Haiti!
I'm going to attempt to post of a picture of myself so you can have a face to my name (forgive me if it doesn't show up...I've never posted pictures on a blog before)
Have a great rest of your week, and see you in awhile!
Blessings,
Rachel
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)