Haiti - Day 2

After the events of Day 1 we were eager to get to work building shelters for the people of Haiti.  We left around 7:30 a.m for a village about 10 minutes from where we're staying.  It was heartbreaking to see all the destruction caused by the earthquake, and at the same time encouraging to see all the shelters that had already been built by teams that have come before.  We're here with the North Carolina Baptist Men and they have committed to send a team every week at least through the end of the year.  If you want to get involved just send me an email.

The shelters are pre-fabricated in pieces at the compound.  It's just four walls, a roof, and bunk beds.  People who are in need submit their names to someone who schedules the construction, and then they are required to prepare a flat piece of property that they must own, or have the right to build on, which can fit the 12'x12' structure.  Then our team comes in with the pieces to put it together.  We start by finishing off any excavation they may need help with.  Then the four walls get nailed together, leveled, squared, and plumbed.  The bunk beds get installed, the rafters go on, and the house is a ready to be wrapped and covered.

A team of two unfolds the blue tarp which is about eight feet wide and 48 feet long.  It gets wrapped all the way around the shelter and button-head nails are used to hold it tightly in place.  A hole gets cut for the door, and sometimes a window in the back.  At the same time, the roofing crew is laying tin across the rafters.  The one in this picture is very nearly finished.

The best part of the day, and what we're all looking forward to for the rest of the week, is meeting and speaking with the locals.  Rick pointed out that none of them seemed angry, or depressed, and by no means did they appear hopeless.  They were happy, smiling and mostly eager to help.  Rick and I played with the kids who loved seeing themselves on my camera in pictures and video.  We came close to finishing seven shelters the first day.  As each one was completed, we would pray with the families, in many cases telling them about Jesus if they didn't already know who he was.  We provided Creole translations of the New Testament to several families and spent whatever time was available getting to know the people we're here to serve.

To see all the photos from our first trip to village of Titanyen, check out the entire album HERE.