Women and a Well

Today was an incredibly long day, not by hours but by miles.  Not even by miles but by arduous journeys up and down and around mountains, on Haitian roads.  You've seen the videos, they don't do it justice.  Many people say "it's not just the destination it's the journey" but haven't been in a truck in Haiti.  You can't relax.  It's constant stress, not to mention for the driver.

 

 

 There are also a lot of sights to take in.  In some ways there are 10 Haitis, maybe more.  And the truth is there is a tremendous beauty in Haiti, especially the long range view of its vistas.  But the closer up you get, the more you see of reality.  There are very few trees.  The mountains are eroding, others being mined.  Some slopes can't hardly keep soil anymore.  Remember the mud in the streets the other day?  That comes from any rain because it just washes right down into towns. 

A very difficult view is of the hillsides.  Two years ago these hills were mostly empty.  But when the government didn't want the tent cities giving blight to the capital, they paid people in the tents a few hundred US dollars to relocate. Many of them moved here.


Our first stop was Belladare for a graduation from SHG facilitator training.  We met 5 nice ladies, one of which has already started a group. 

 

Our next stop was Miriballais to meet Pastor Paul.  For those of you from FBCW, there was a large sum raised during 90 Days of Generosity that was presented today to Pastor Paul.  His church is building a new school on a plot of land and we are funding a well project that will not only provide fresh, clean water to the school but also the whole village. 
     
    

The new school already has a soccer field
(even before there is a school).  Watch out
for their goalie. I hear he has a mean foot!
Four of them to be exact!

 

After touring the church building and current school site, as well as the site for the well and new school, we were invited back to his house for a "little something to eat".  We took the opportunity to make an official presentation of the funds for the well project with Robyn and I serving as representatives of FBCW.  He was visibly touched and told us that it was a blessing from God that we didn't just send the money but came here ourselves.  It was an honor to be a part.

  

 

 

Pastor Paul's wife is also starting a chicken coup microenterprise, sponsored by another church.  We delivered some of the wood and the chicken wire today as well.


Pray for Pastor Paul's church. From what we understand, they are incredibly evangelistic.  They are all incredibly poor and yet they continue to raise funds for building a church building, and reaching the community for eternal life and for better living.  We asked how we can pray for him, and he responded, "no! I'm praying for you now.  You are now our ambassadors for our church and school."


You should come here and see it for yourselves.  Next year maybe?  Build a church or school? Evangelize a village?  Any dentists out there that can give a few days in a rural clinic?  A GYN that could spare a couple days a few times a year to help thousands of women?  What about you?

Lots more to tell, but exhaustion does not permit.  Tomorrow we go to the orphanage.