It's All About Team

Before I get into the events of the day, I thought I would "introduce" the team to you which will hopefully provide you with a little more of a "face" as I talk about the various people.  There is a picture on the church blog and I suppose it would be possible to put that here, but that is way beyond my computer skills.  ha,ha

John is the builder.  He hails from a town about an hour from our city and has been to Haiti previously to put together these prefab houses.  Brian said tonight that John is a "taskmaster" as a leader...never gives anyone a break.  Of course Brian said this as John walked into the room:)  The joke at our church is the John had to come because no one trusts Brian to be the builder.  :)

Sarah is the Haitian born woman who was adopted by a Canadian family when she was four.  She is finding the poverty overwhelming.  The Haitians of course assume she lives there and can speak Creole.  A lot of people are approaching her expecting this.

Michelle lives about an hour from our city as well and was to Haiti a few months ago building homes.  She will actually be staying to assist Marilyn with a medical team when our team comes home.

Of the above three, I have only met Michelle briefly.

Marilyn is from "World Partners and has given so much of her life to the people of Haiti.  She is an amazing, beautiful, godly woman.  Brian cannot speak highly enough of Marilyn and the depth of experience she brings to the team.  She understands the people, and the culture and is therefore invaluable as they face so many challenging aspects of ministering in this country.

Brian I. and his daughter Emily are part of our home church.  This is their first short term mission experience.  Emily and Sonya were roommates this past year as they attended university and I understand that Emily is quite happy to take the credit for introducing Sonya and Cam to each other:)  Thanks Emily!!!!

Poppy is also from our church and this is her fourth time to Haiti.  She is a powerhouse of a woman.    Seriously!!  Not only does she do a ton of behind the scenes preparatory work, but she has no problem holding her own on the work site.  I think Poppy is always smiling when I see her:)

James is a young adult from our church.  He has been to Haiti five times.  His first experience was a month long stay with his family quite a few years ago.  Since then he has gone with a team.  According to James, "It's all good."  :)  He and Cam are best of friends which is why he will be Cam's best man on July 14.

Cam is my amazing son!  He has been to Haiti four times, and it was the second time he went which turned his life upside down and has set him on the life course he is on today.  And now it seems to be in his blood.  He only packed a knapsack for 10 days which tells you two things.  One, he packs only the bare essentials and two, the rest he will borrow from others:)  Yep...that's his philosophy!!

Sonya is my future daughter-in-law which is still surreal to me.  I love her to pieces already.  She is no stranger to the mission field having spent most of her life in Mexico with her Mom and Dad and brother and sister.  I find it so beautiful how God has orchestrated her life and Cam's to share a passion for missions.

Brian is the love of my life and right now, missed very much.  But I hear such excitement in his voice as he shares with me the God happenings of each day.  Brian puts hours and hours of Creole language study in before each trip.  It just blows me away.  He so desires to be able to communicate to the best of his ability once he is there.  He's also passionate about team and works very hard to bring unity both prior to going and while they are there.  Brian said today the team is doing great!!!

And You...You and I are the rest of the team.  Because you see, in the economy of God's kingdom it doesn't matter where we are, there is this incredible gift called prayer that God uses along with tangible sweat equity, to bring a little more of His kingdom here on earth.  So keep praying.

And now for today--  Brian's text

"Another great and interesting day.  Pieces missing again so off to Lejeune for Michelle and myself to pick up the missing pieces for the current house and the next two.  Trip went well.  Sat on top of a big truck for the ride.  Unbelievably rough ride and hot."

I asked him during our phone conversation if that was safe.
There was a delay and then he responded, "Absolutely!!! What else would  you like to know?" :)  The reality is that I KNOW that each time he goes to Haiti I never get ALL the details.  And yes, that is for the best.  Back to his text--

"The team at the site had to take a break because it was so hot.  It was 33 in the shade and the thermometer wouldn't work in the sun.
We almost finished the house today but had to stop because of thunder and lightening.  Not good on a metal roof!!!!  Today we build for Adner Jean and his wife Lacroix.  They have five children.  They too lost everything in the earthquake.  He's a journalist.  We are blessed.  So are they."

Brian expressed to me that they will almost for sure not be building five houses.  They are missing pieces for the 5th house and these would have to be sent from Canada.

Tomorrow they will finish the second house...about half an hours work and then build the third house.  Sunday will be a day off.  He expects that one of their days will be a "Blessing" day in which they will travel to each home and give the families gifts.  They were unable to go to Imoyse's  home last evening.

When we began our conversation this evening Brian said it was pouring rain.  Cam, Sonya and James were standing at the edge of the house where the water is rushing over the roof.  They were having a riot...throwing water at each other, etc.  It must have looked enticing because John was heading there to join them and Brian planned to as well.

"Living God,
the day slides away westward,
the rhythms settle slowly down.
Let that way of gentling things,
gentle me."
--William J. O'Malley
"Daily Prayer for Busy People"