Day 7

Our day started out warm and toasty. We went into Haiti this am and experienced the real deal in the Market. Whole fish fried, ready to eat along with bananas and other choices. After 1/2 hr we were all good and ready to get back to work. Above Shelly is tracing her template and preparing our gussets to put together the rafters. It was a good job for us ladies, but we had several boys longingly looking at our hammers so we decided to share the labor. They put nails every 2" instead of 4" simply because it was fun, so they should be quite strong!

 Onita is guiding the boys here and trying to keep the nail usage to a minimum.

 Raising the rafters and showing the opposite view of what we have been sharing of progress. From this angle you can see the mountains in the background. The other way you can see the ocean in the distance. Every way you look it's beautiful landscape. We got a break over the dinner hour with an awesome rain! Then we had some cloud cover on and off for a break from the heat!

 Cutting tin over the ribs at an angle posed a bit of a problem until the pastor agreed to use his machete!! First time for everything!

Chad redeemed himself today i suppose and filled in that gable(with the help of Onita, Brent one of the locals and i think i laid mud for 5 block hehe)...who knew he was a block layer deep inside!?

it's not all fun and games. lets be honest. Look at Onita's legs. Bugs and war wounds of falling off block platforms. We are an itchy bunch of Americans. We've had to resort to slapping others if we see them scratch as it quickly gets out of hand!

Tonight during devotions we talked about "Why are we here anyway?" It's fun to talk together of how we feel/felt stretched to come here or be here. Seeing such a high level of poverty and attempt to grasp what our lives would look like if the situation were reversed. It is our hope that the poor, non-poor and ourselves be able to discover our true identity as children of God, no matter the color of our skin and be honest stewards of God's creation. As our group walks along side these locals,  it is our prayer that while using all the talents the good Lord has blessed each one of us with, that all the glory and praise be given to Him!!

(last photo compliments of Chad VG)