Winding Down

Well, we head home on Saturday. These last few days are filled with getting things cleaned up, organized and packed up. Marilyn is also lending a hand in the business office to help organized for their year-end and to help Geanne with payroll.
We had never been to the beach in the morning, so yesterday we took a stroll to spend some time at the ocean after breakfast. It was very relaxing as we were the only people there.
This morning, we took the van for a drive around town to check a couple of areas that Wade had been to before (on his first trip) and wanted to revisit. Usually, we would do walking tours of town, so it is different driving around. They have the biggest speed bumps we have ever seen.
We know we are having chicken for supper tonight because we witnessed Lucianna butchering one over the garbage can after breakfast! We can hardly wait!!
Tomorrow is the staff Christmas party. It starts with us all going to the beach in the morning and then meeting back here for a meal, program and a gift exchange. So far, there a very few signs of it being Christmas season. The church does not celebrate advent and there are no decorations. Once in a while we will hear the school children sing 'Jingle Bells'. On Christmas day, there will be a special church service and those who have the means will have a special meal, but that the is extent that it is celebrated. December 31 is a far bigger celebration for the Haitians. They throw big parties and have special church services and feasts.

Firsts and Lasts

Yesterday was the first Sunday in the new church. It is larger than the old one and has a plywood floor instead of a dirt floor and the front of the church faces the wall. The benches were quite full - a great start to a new building. These are pictures of the new church both from the front and the back and one of the old building.

Yesterday was also our last Sunday to be here as we fly home on Saturday. We feel quite sad that our time is coming to an end as we have started to make friends and relationships with many people.

We went out for goat last night and saw Kelly on Haiti Idol for one last time. He is in the top two. Of course, the finals will be this coming Sunday when we won't be here! This is a week to finish things up and pack - ending on Friday with the staff Christmas party. It begins in the morning with a trip to the beach and ends back here with a meal and gift exchange. That'll be a fun way to wind up.

Dedications

On Thursday evening, during the weekly prayer service, everyone in attendance went to the new church to pray over it and then we all walked over to the children's village property to pray over it. Both were amazing times of singing praises and prayer. Vernon (whom we've known since college days) and us, were the last ones out of the gate. We anointed it with oil and prayed over it. What a momentous time!

That evening was worth being here for for the past seven weeks. Here are a couple of photos taken by the mango trees within the wall.

Big Surprise!

This morning at the wall site, Wade was lifting up a rock and felt something clamp onto his fingers through his glove. Much to his surprise, it was this taranchula! One of the Haitian workers quickly speared it. The dark spots on Wade's glove is venom from the taranchula. Don't try this at home!!

This one is for you, Scott.

Wall is Done!

Today is the day that so many people have been working towards and praying for. The wall around the property that will house the childrens' village, school, church soccer field is completed! There is great celebration and praise here as this project that has taken a couple of years and has had quite a bit of opposition from some of the land owners in the area. That has all come to an end. The gate can be closed and locked and the property is secure. Here are some shots of the last post being erected and the last panel going in this morning.