Pics of our trip up the Mtn.

Working at the shop. ( Marc and John)

Xander loves to wear Nicky's welding helmet.

A recently drilled well.  It wasn't pumping out clean water.  Xander and John checking it out.

These are some pics of our trip on Saturday, up the mtn.

The crew. We had a great time

This was the huge tree I was blogging about yesterday.  As we were walking to this tree, we turned around and most of the Haitians had followed us to see what we were doing.  They were probablly thinking "what are these crazy white people doing".

This is where the people were doing laundry and bathing.

Our lunch spot under the bridge.

Nicky and Marc got to go to the Franklin Graham crusade in Port.  These are some of the pics they took.

Site seeing the past two days

Since we have been here in Haiti, (we got here Nov. 15th), Nicky has been working non-stop because there is so many vehicles to be fixed.  He has also been out with a well driller a few days.  So on this past Saturday I talked him into not working and going for a drive to see some of the country.  He wanted to take us to see the areas where they had drilled wells the past couple of weeks. 
     We loaded up into one of Global's Ford trucks, we all fit inside the extended cab.  Besides the four of us we took Nicky's nephew Marc, another 18 yr old who is down for a month, John, and one of the other missionary kids on the compound, Josh.  We were pretty crammed in but it was so much fun.  Near the compound there is a part of Titanyen where the Market is held on Tuesday and Fridays.  There is road that was built up the mountain for quicker access to some of the more remote areas on our side of Haiti.  People still have to walk for miles but at least vehicles have easier access.  Global is still drilling wells with their cable tool machine but have been able to work with another organization that has a rotary machine, drills so much faster, like 165 ft in 5 hours, what a blessing.  They are trying to drill at least 10 wells in these mountain areas.  It definitely is more promising being able to drill quicker but lots of things still go wrong and need to be fixed. 
     We traveled no more than 10 miles, it only took us about 45 minutes, up this mountain, very steep and curvy, till we got to a level area then continued on down to a valley then back up the mountain to a level area then back down to a valley, this is the continuous cycle while driving in Haiti.  All the while there are scattered houses, some are like little villages with a church and of course a witch doctor, but mostly the houses are scattered along the mountain sides.  It is amazing how they decide where to build a house because there are not any roads going to each house it may just be a goat path.  The areas we traveled through where mostly dry then all of a sudden you round a corner and you see lush green areas where the people have crops growing, beans and potatoes.
    We drove by one really green field and saw a man irrigating the crops and wondered where the water was coming from, so we backed up.  We turned down this little road and saw about 50 women washing clothes in a small river.  We decided to follow this river (creek) to see where it was coming from.  We only walked for about 100 yards and came to this tree, what a tree.  We found out later that this tree is a mapou tree.  This tree was huge.  We have really big trees in NC but this tree was so big, about 17 ft. across not around it.  The creek was coming out underneath the tree roots.  There were vines growing all over and around this tree and the surrounding vegetation it was so cool.  Except for the wasp nests all around it. John got stung twice.
   We traveled a little further and ate lunch under a big bridge while watching people bathe and wash clothes in the river, then headed back home to get the guys back so they could go to youth group in Port- Au- Prince.
   Sunday we all decided to go to the same church.  Before we could leave Nicky and John had to change a flat tire in the Ford and take the tire off  the rim and patch it so we would have a spare. The night before the gator Kristie drives had a flat the boys pulled it off and patched the tube last night and got it going again. We were to follow Chris and Sheryl Brumley to church this morning but as they were pulling out of their carport a thick black smoke started pouring out of their vehicle.  After a few minutes of trying to figure out the problem they decide we all would take a old dodge van to church which is 1 hr away no luck it wouldn't start. So Josh showed us where the church was and to brumleys caught a ride with some of the other missionaries to another church.  And you think you have a hard time getting to church on time.  We all loaded up again, the same ones that went yesterday, and headed to church.  After church we decided to go eat a local bakery.  We had hamburgers and pizza and even Blue Bunny ice cream.  I really thought that the ice cream would taste so good since we haven't had any in almost 3 months, but you know it didn't seem to be as great as I remember it.  Being down here I thought that I would be missing so much and craving all kinds of food but you know I haven't .  May be the Lord is preparing me for full time living down here. Pray for us as we work thru communication problems and talk thru issues we think we may see living here in future may come up so we don't get so surprised then. These decisions are major life decisions that will alter our life for ever and we don't want to come down and get burnt out in a few years like many do. Being a missionary is not like you think it would be no time to do much your so busy working it would be much easier to stay home and work and enjoy life in the states. I'm so thankful we were able to spend time with Steve Revis in north west Haiti his life and ministry is hard living where he and very few others are our time with him has made this place seem easier with that experience over the last 11 years. No one knows how the Revis kids grew up in Haiti living here was so hard for them and we know our kids will give up a lot of things to be here, but just like them we will have each other to stay close.
  Another team came in today so another busy week.

Nicky's nephew Marc helping to fix the well rig.



Drilling a well in 5 hrs.









working on the well rig

Nicky and others working on piping for generator house,  Xander is always helping out.



 These photos are from the burn clinic - it is open everyday except Sundays - from 7:30 - 10:00am

  

This was a childrens program.  There were about 60 kids.  It was set up in someone's backyard under a tarp.

                                  



Photos of some of the kids in the schools run by Global.



 These are some of the cutest kids you will ever see and they are so well behaved.
I'm having some trouble getting my photos to load up but I will try to post more.



 





Another busy week

  This week has been crazy, but what a blessing.  First off, Monday was a mostly spent getting ready for the team that came in on Tuesday.  Tuesday was mostly spent at the airport by Nicky and Kevin picking up the arrivals;  Dave and Judy came in at 10:30am, the team from Guatemala arrived at 2:30, Marc, Nicky's nephew came in at 3:45 and then they had to wait on luggage that came in at 4:30.  Needless to say everyone was exhausted. 
   The team that arrived is composed of 22 Guatemalans, ages 17- 45 (estimated).  What a group!  What a spirit of worship!  They love to sing.  We can here them all the way to our house (about 200 yards, again estimated) but that's okay because just to feel the power of their worship blesses us.  They told us that it cost $1200 a piece for them to come.  A teacher in Guatemala makes $100 a month, so this is like a years salary.  They are all so happy to be here and be able to serve the Lord.
   We had a scare with Xander the other night.  He woke up about 2am throwing up and diarrhea.  Praise the Lord it didn't continue.  He had gotten stung by a really nasty wasp like insect about 3 times the evening before so we loaded him up with Benedryl and Tylenol.  We think the throwing up and diarrhea had something to do with that.  But the next 2 days we had to keep Benedryl in him because the sting sites were so swollen, but he's a trooper.  Its hard to keep a 7 year old still, I thought he needed to rest but he had other plans. 
  Other than homeschooling I have been doing a lot to help cook for the team.  I didn't realize how much food 22 people, especially young people, can eat.  I did get to go to the grocery with Scott and Janet from the NC Baptist men.  We left at 6:30am to drop their team off at the airport at 7am.  Then we headed to the 2 grocery stores that they shop at.  You will never meet a sweeter couple than them.  I just thank the Lord for taking care of us while we are here whether its providing teams that encourage us, other missionaries to help us, or providing fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to give us a ride to the grocery store.
  We know it is by God's grace and everyone's prayers that we are able to be servants for Christ here in Haiti.  Feel free to email us at nrunk.  We really do appreciate all who are praying for us.  Thank You!16@gmail.com
 

Church services in Haiti

Today we went to a church called Mission of Hope. I think this is about our 4th time there.  Even though the service is in creole they try to put some of the words to the worship songs in English.  Most of the time they play the same songs we do in our contemporary service at First Baptist.  So even though we can't read creole yet we know what the words are in English.  I was so worried about not being able to understand the songs or preaching that I didn't even want to go.  But God is so good!  I was in sort of a bad mood before we went but God turned it into a huge blessing.  I don't know why I keep putting God into a box that is surrounded by me.  I need to remember it is me in a small box surrounded by God.
    Its a little harder to keep the kids entertained.  They got new bibles for Christmas so today was a bit easier.  We can see the kids starting to warm up to the Haitian kids.  They don't seem to be as shy around them.  Haitians have no concept of personal space.  I guess I wouldn't either if I was used to having 15 people living in such a small space, the houses aren't very big, usually no bigger than 10 x 10.  The kids especially love sitting next to Xander and Ellie.  We'll start out the four of us standing side by side on the pew while singing then when its time to sit down a few Haitian kids have squeezed in amongst Xander and Ellie.  The Haitian kids just love touching Xander and Ellie, especially their hair.  Most of the time when we go to the schools the Haitian kids gather around Xander and Ellie and just hold on to them.  This is going to take some getting used to by the kids.  I'm sure the more they are around Haitian kids the more used to the closeness they will be. 
  During the church service Xander and Ellie where sharing the silly bands they got for Christmas, so we had all these kids sitting around us with silly bands on.  Its great to see our kids sharing.  The Haitian kids just thought that was the coolest things in the world, they were stretching them and wrapping them around their fingers.  I forgot to mention we got to church at 9:30 and didn't leave our pew, no padding, until 12:30.  They do a lot of worship songs and special music groups and only a little preaching.  It is awesome to see hundreds of people so intent on worshiping our Lord. 
  Hope everyone had a blessed Christmas and remember how blessed you are in the U.S.  We gave out 200 backpacks filled with toys, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, combs,and brushes to the kids at one of the schools on Wednesday.  Haitians don't celebrate Christmas like we do at home, definitely no presents.  So we were happy to give out these gifts and to see the smiles on the kids faces. 
  The past month and a half have gone by very quick.  It is wonderful to see how our awesome God is using us.  Us, who are we that the Lord has chosen to use us?  It is such a great opportunity to know that we are doing what God wants us to do.  So many people were against us coming to Haiti or at least didn't understand why we would want to go to Haiti.  We feel that the Lord has blessed us so much in the U.S. that how could we not go where his will leads us.  I'm sure we are much happier here in God's will than being back home not doing what God wants us to do.  I encourage everyone to take a closer look at their lives.  Is this really what God wants from me?  Are all these material things worth my time and money?  Take time to listen to what God's will is.  It may not be loud, we just need to slow down and not busy ourselves so much trying to please ourselves.

Life in Haiti

The kids caught a baby goat.  They named him Goaty.

Nicky working on one of the Mules used to get around the compound.

  

   God allows tragic things to happen for a reason .

   Today we went sight seeing with the team that is here until Wednesday.  As we were returning back to the compound we came upon a tragic scene.  There was a little boy, about 5 or 6,  he had just been hit by a car.  It had just happened a few seconds before we got there.  No one was helping him the crowd was staring but not getting close and  no one would touch him.  There were others running down the road chasing after the car that had hit him.  There was no hope for this child, he was gone.  He may lay there all day before someone moves him.  No one wants to touch him until after the police get there.  If you try to help you go to jail because they hold you responsible for hurting or killing them. 

  All we could do was pray.  Unlike the States there is no first responders, ambulances are very few and far between,  and no EMTs.  This tragedy shows how short life is.  We know that child is in heaven now, a better place, but the parents and the driver of the vehicle we don't know their fate.  It makes us hold our kids closer and slow down to remember what's really important. 
   Nicky has been trying to fix vehicles as soon as parts come in from the states.  He starts at 6am to get trucks loaded so workers can go straight to work at 7am after devotions and closes up about 5:30 to clean up and lock up the shop and containers.  Friday he moved gravel till midnight then was back up at 6am to clear some land behind the NC Baptist house that was over grown.  This is the house that we will live in when we return next year.
  Each week we hear of so many salvation's.  It is so exciting to see and hear of all the conversions.  One of the chaplains for Samaritans Purse told of a three year old child who died of cholera when they went to pray and comfort the grieving family they told them of Christ's love.  The mother and 11 others mourners accepted Christ.  Praise the Lord!  God can use any tragedy to His glory.
  Cholera has touch some on this compound too.  One was a doctor from NC that used to be Nicky's doctor in Hendersonville.  The team here will leave on Wednesday.  The Haitian workers will be off until Jan. 3rd, this will give us sometime to slowdown and fix things used everyday like the well machine that needs servicing.