Haiti December 2011: Day 4

Today`s goal was to build 2 houses. The first location looked impossible. There was no level ground, lots of rocks and the weather was extremely hot. Many team member fell, bruised their bodies and were cut. Nonetheless we were determined to build 1 house before noon. We worked faster than the day before; we felt confident that we would complete the house. We had an hour and a half to level he house and construct the roof. Because the ground was sloped it was impossible to level the house. Noon came too quickly and the roof had not been constructed. We left the site once again with an incomplete house. We returned to the house for lunch and regrouped. Our leader decided to split the teams. We were a little apprehensive at first but decided to trust his judgment. Three team members went back to the original site, while four team members went to the new site. Both teams worked without knowing what the other team was doing. At the first location, the team got to work. There was one female member of the team working on the roof. Some of the local women came to watch and marveled that a woman would be working on a roof. They couldn`t understand why and how she was building a roof. Not knowing any creole she said, “Dieu“ and simply pointed to the sky and flexed her muscles, signifying that God is the one who helps and strengthens her to complete her task. Meanwhile at the other site, the other team began to construct the home. The new owner of the home was there and offered his help. There were three young men who also wanted to help. They helped to unload the truck and helped us to get started. We built the frame of the house in less than 2 hours. This was the fastest time we had constructed a home. What made it more special was that we worked along side some local people to complete the work. It`s amazing how God puts us together. You assume that when you go on a missions trip that you are there to help, but you quickly discover that the very people that you are there to help are the same people that will help you.

In a few minutes the team from the first house came. They had completed their house with only a few minor problems that will be solved tomorrow. We all got back to work in a race to finish the house before the sun set. It took one hour to complete the roof and netting. We all worked together, unified with one goal. To provide a home of a family that had been through so much. Two houses in one day! What a blessing. God`s word says that where there is unity He commands His blessing. He fulfilled His promise to us! We prayed for the ability to build two homes and we did just that. God is so good and faithful to His word.

We prayed with the owner of the home and departed to our house. After we ate dinner, we planned to cut two more houses. Unfortunately, the shed was locked and our host had left for the evening. I guess this was God`s way of giving us rest. We ­decided to have a group discussion and reflect on the day. We realized that God`s hand was in everything that we did. Even in not building the first home by noon. If we had build the first home by noon, the local women would not have encountered one of our female team members. Her act of serving God was an opportunity to witness to those around her. As Francis of Assisi said, “Preach the gospel at all times ,and when necessary, use words.“ That was what our team experienced today. It`s not about what you say, or how skilled or intelligent you are, its all about serving God and serving people. It`s about living your life as Christ lived when He was on earth. We saw God today and we were amazed by Him.