karen finally blogs

Well this is the end of day 5 here in Haiti for me. I would like to say that the village wall is complete, and we will be starting the first house, but that has yet to happen. However, progress has been made on other building projects. I've been privileged to work with several team members, including my sons Tyler and Andrew, on the wiring for 2 of the 3 community houses that have been constructed so far. Though we are rookies, there are several people here who are able to give us direction and correct our blunders. The first house is only a few minutes walk from the main compound, the second about 10 min walk. The path feels like: over the road, through the woods, etc, because it is. We pass by tethered pigs, cows and goats as well as hens, chicks, and roosters. Also a variety of kinds of houses, including wood frame structures covered with plastic tarps, sturdy concrete block homes. Some of them are sound, and some of them have been abandoned. No matter what shape the house is in, all of the people we meet greet us with a friendly bonjou. While we are at work in the houses, we usually are visited by plenty of kids and adults who want to see what is going on, and what we are doing. This has been so rewarding, as we get to interact with them... the Creole language is mostly beyond my ability, and my French is not much better, but we manage to smile a lot and have fun. The site for the children's' village is along our route to Mme Luc's house. It is a wonderful site, with some big trees scattered about the property, just waiting for kids to climb them. Maybe construction on the wall has been held up because we have not yet come up with the plan that God has in mind for the children's homes. Marc and I have discussed the plan, and he has thoughts for looking at the possibility of making them 2 story, in order to accommodate more children. I am looking forward to further conversations, and trust that the Lord will lead us to His grand plan for the children.

It seems impossible that we are at the half way point of our trip. Sunday will be a relaxing day, with a trip back to the beach after church in the morning. The break will be nice, but it will be good to get back to work also.

God bless all of you at home who are praying for us.

Karen