HAITI - March 1

Haiti - Thursday, March 1

Yesterday was (earth) Moving Day; today was Block Day. When we got to the site, the Haitian crew was already spreading the fill in the main Phase 1 foundation. Our team started off moving several hundred blocks over to the Pastor House, and the mortar mixers fired up their wheelbarrows and started mixing the first of MANY batches of mortar.

While they were getting ready, the first trucks of fill started arriving and dumping huge loads of fill. The biggest truck had the best and most daring driver and was able to get right onto the foundation to put the fill where we needed it. But there was still a huge amount of work breaking down the piles and spreading it out. Is that Melissa on top of the pile?

This load went right where we wanted it, over the wall and into the bathroom foundation. I can't tell you what the driver had to do to get to that point!

But finally, it all got spread out. Tomorrow a layer of gravel goes on top, and then we can prepare to pour the slab.

Meanwhile the block teams got started. Yesterday they did almost everything up to the six block level (where the bottoms of the windows are), so today the work was laying blocks around the window openings and getting up to the ten block level, where the bond beam, which also serves as a lentil for all the windows and doors, will be.

Almost finished! Tomorrow all that has to be done is two interior walls, which will go fast, and the leads on the front.

And the foundation is all spread now and waiting for the first loads of gravel tomorrow.

No one can believe how much work has gotten done so far this week. When the Lord wants something done, He is lavish in his blessings and guidance. Time and again we have felt His hand on us here. And it is not just in construction. Today after lunch part of the group went on a prayer walk and passed out more tracks throughout the neighborhood. Tomorrow we will go over and visit the wonderful children at another orphanage nearby, Pastor Felix's. Seeds are being planted, and the harvest will surely come!