Days 29, 30 & 31(10/13 – 15)

Thursday – Today we had 1 team leaving for the states and 2 teams arriving. With a 4^th team working in Du Plan and staying at the Guest house, it’s a busy place this week. We (Tom, John, Sarah and I) were able to get away for a quick lunch with Beth Guy who leaves to return to school tomorrow. It’s nice to get away from the hustle and bustle once in a while and sample some different cuisine. I returned to continue working on my projects while the rest of the staff greeted the new arrivals. Since the Du Plan team is leaving tomorrow, they invited us out to dinner to thank us for our hospitality during their stay here. Since we hardly ever turn down a free meal and since they have been a great bunch of people to interact with for the past week we readily accepted. We went up the hill behind Petionville to a hotel/restaurant called Ebolele’. It’s a very nice place with a beautiful view of Port au Prince and the bay. We sat out on the patio and enjoyed the view, a nice dinner and warm company. Two external dining experiences in one day – a new record. But, then it was back to work – well into the night.

Friday – More hectic team activity. We got one team out to Arcahaie,; one out to Turback; one in from Mellier and one in from Hinch. Then Jim Gulley , the Global Ministries and UMCOR Coordinator for Haiti, arrived for his monthly, two week tour. We always look forward to Jim’s arrival not only because he’s a great guy, but because he has the ability to accomplish many things that we can’t. However, Jim’s a bit of a night owl and I knew it was going to be a late work night for me. I wasn’t disappointed. We worked on the contract for 10 of the houses being built under the pilot project. I finally begged off around 10:30 and went to bed. 

Saturday – 3 teams off to the airport this morning and no more arrivals until my team from Sacramento comes in Monday. It still amazes me how well Tom, John and Sarah coordinate all of this team activity. The logistics are mind boggling.

Jim, Tom and I had a Skype call this morning with Doug Ahlfeld, with Homes for Haiti, who will be building 10 of the pilot project houses in Mellier. We finalized the contract details and worked on schedule and other construction related items. This project is another logistical nightmare. Nothing in Haiti is easy. Material has to be shipped in and then transported to the work sites. Haitian labor has to be hired and trained. Living and site security issues have to be planned – and on and on. But hey – that’s what I do. You couldn’t ask for a more challenging or rewarding job.