The May Mission team just returned from a week long stay in Haiti. During the week, the team visited Bayaha every day and continued work on the new school building and strengthening relationships with the children and other villagers. The team worked with Haitian masons and laborers to begin construction on the walls of the building. Haitians will complete the walls. Work will begin on the roof, interior walls, and the concrete slab floor in the coming months. We are optimistic that the building will be sufficiently complete in time for the beginning of school this fall. The team also brought flip flops for Bayaha children and girls in an orphanage that the team visited during the week. Team members taught VBS, dental hygiene, and held a hot dog roast for the children. As planned, there were enough hot dogs for the school children and other village children, with seconds and thirds for those who wanted more. The team installed a tether ball pole in the school yard and played tether ball, frizzby, catch and parachute games with the children. A good time was had by all!
Villagers watered and tended the new garden planted this spring. They picked parsley, carrots, and other vegetables for meals they were preparing. The team also helped lay out the foundation for a 15' by 15' hut that will be home for a grandmother and her daughter. They currently are living in a shanty shack in a seaside dump in Cap Haitian. Haitian villagers completed the foundation by week's end and will finish building the hut soon.
All in all, the team had a rewarding experience, many days of hard work, and lots of fun kidding around with one another and villagers. We were pleased to serve and work along side Haitians in improving their life situation. As always, there is so much for those who will return or join us for the first time in the future. Please join the effort to help make Bayaha sustainable in whatever way you are so moved.
Rob Draper, The Loft/TWUMC
