Day 4: A "Light" Day? Yeah Right!

 As we were preparing to leave for the work site, Tiga told us that we were going to push the rubble loading back a day so that we could "watch" Haitian teams apply mortar to several houses that were already assembled. Therefore, today was to be a "light" day. We all shrugged our shoulders, saying "ok, let's take it easy for a day."

Well, nothing was further from the truth! We split into 3 teams and rode to separate work sites in the back of a pick up truck, making us all feel right at home! The Haitians applied the mortar while we made it for them (the application process is quite a skill and most of the group that tried, struggled to do it correctly).  First, someone had to shovel dirt, placing it into a hand held sifter, which was then manually shaken until the dirt fell out and the bigger rocks were separated. 

 

Once accumulated, the sifted dirt was then mixed by shovel with bags of concrete to make the mortar. Someone then took heavy buckets of mortar and brought them into the house for the Haitian workers. By lunch time we were all spent. Cold Cokes were served and were quickly consumed. After a wonderful lunch, many in the group feel asleep on benches or the floor!

Local boys pitch in to help!

The after lunch shift brought more of the same. Sift, mix and repeat. At both sites, however, many of the locals that watched us work in the morning, now began to work side by side with us! What a joy it was to see several young boys hoisting shovel full loads of dirt to be sifted. It was truly awesome, a great testament to the pride and work ethic of the Haitian people and an example of the impact that groups like ours can have on others.

We expect to lift buckets of rubble tomorrow with tired muscles. We appreciate your prayers for our energy tomorrow, but you don't have to worry about our enthusiasm!

Local mortar artists!

"People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them." (Mark 10:13-16 NIV)

- Curtis C.