January 24, 2013: We left the safe house at 4:30 a.m. and the bus ride to Gonaives was as adventurous as always! Traffic in this little country is atrocious! We arrived at Sainsuin's house at 8:15am and got things unpacked and settled in and ready to work by 12:00pm. When we arrived at the job site we immediately roped off the area and started digging. The ground is exceptionally hard in the desert like mountain area of Achin, so this seemed to be a slow process as we picked and chipped and dug with shovels all afternoon to have more than half of the footer dug when we finished. Many of the local residents of the village gathered to watch this exciting construction going on to build the church building with big eyes, and big, big friendly smiles to encourage us all day long. We finished the day at the job site with all of us, (local residents included) in a big prayer circle to ask God's blessing on our endeavors. As we have said before, "with God all things are possible" and we are watching every moment to see His plans unfold for this group of believers who simply desire to accomplish big things for Him! 

 

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January 25, 2013: I wish everyday could be like today! Everybody was more than eager to get the day started as we loaded up the trucks with people and supplies. It is a beautiful drive along the mountain range to get out to Achin and this morning was exceptionally beautiful. Clear skies and cool air encompassed us as we rode in the back of the pick up trucks to get to the job site. The warm friendly faces of the local residents of Achin welcomed us again. Piles of big rock had already been delivered and we started digging right away to finish the perimeter of the building. The big rock had to be placed in the footers to begin the foundation. This took a very long time, as we had to carry each one by hand. The minister's wife was more than kind to us as she had given us a big basket of fresh banana's to show her gratitude for what we were doing there. The large crowd of children entertained us with a couple of songs they had learned in church. "Lord I lift your name on high" has never sounded more beautiful than when I heard those children sing it in Creole this afternoon. When we looked at the property at the end of the day, we were all astounded at how much has been accomplished already.

 

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January 26, 2013: Day 3 of our mission trip has been a difficult day. We left at sunrise and returned at sunset. We have moved a LOT of rock today! It was a sunny day here and quite hot while working. More fill rock, mortar, and rebar was delivered. The rock for the footer was completed and six columns were set. (The 4 corners and two middle ones.) The work team is exhausted tonight as the mixing of concrete started today. At about 2:00 this afternoon most of us felt like we had no more to give but.....It is truly amazing how much more you can do when you feel like you can do no more. With worn out bodies, sore muscles, and sunburns, we are all thankful for such a good hard day of work today. As always, we are looking forward to worshiping with the Haitian Christians tomorrow. Please continue to hold us up in prayer, we really need it.    

 

    

 

  

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January 27, 2013: Halleluiah! Worshipping with the Gonaives Christian Church was a wonderful experience. Jason Moore made us proud as he did the preaching with Sainsurin translating and did a wonderful job. It was good to see some of our Haitian friends in church this morning. This afternoon some of us took a ride to Ennery and the views in the mountains was breathtaking! We took some measurements of the church site to know how many blocks to order for the Haitian work team to start the walls. We also visited the Jesus loves me orphanage, Sonlight Christian Church (the church where Melio preaches) and the Kay George Christian Church. The day of rest was much needed today and tomorrow we will be back out to the job site to start construction again. 

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January 28,2013: Today, we finished constructing and setting the columns. We completed some of the back fill for the concrete slab to be poured. A Haitian block laying crew is ready to put the rock cap on the foundation walls tomorrow. Two huge pile of large rock had to be moved today and we were pleasantly surprised when the people of the congregation (people from age 4 to 75 years old) helped us. It was a very special "moment in time" for most of us. They were very energetic and eager to help us with bright sunny smiles that lifted our spirits so much! What a blessing it was to work side by side with the church here in Haiti. It was a short day compared to most, as we were unable to get the supplies we needed to proceed, so we took a walk through the village and was able to see where everyone lives. This walk proved to be an absolutely wonderful experience. The children proudly escorted us past their mud huts that they call "home" and it somehow gave us more of a family connection with them. Thank you God for the special bond you give to us, Your children. 

 

 

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January 29, 2013: We went to the sight with the hired Haitian rock layers, and finished laying the rock on the foundation. We again had help from the Achin Church members to move more rock for the floor fill. We mixed mortar for the rock layers and ran the wheel barrels for them. The women worked at the house today, sorting the form boards, 2x4's, scaffolding, angle iron and square tubing so it's available for the construction of the pews. We got the jigs ready to start building the roof trusses. Various other small, but very important jobs were accomplished to keep everything flowing smoothly. Each evening is spent around the table with different ones offering our devotions. This is a very special time of sharing thoughts of the day and studying God's word. Cheryl Jennings shared tonight about a conversation she had with Sainsurin today. We were telling him how sweet the people of Achin are, and he shared the same thoughts about them. He said it was kind of sad that some people tease them about the sad condition of their building. (I guess some things are the same all over the world!) He is so happy we are building them a nice place to worship. God has heard their cries and has supplied their needs. Praise God for answering their prayer. 

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January 30, 2013: Things are progressing nicely out at the job site. This morning we completed pouring concrete around the columns for the foundation. We also completed filling and leveling stone, as well as the forming in the first half of the floor. Plastic was laid and the steel is in place, ready to pour concrete in the morning. The Achin church congregation very enthusiastically helped us move three big truck loads of very large B&C stone and two big piles of gravel, all the while as they laughed, danced and sang the whole time. Their contagious joy really lifted our spirits this afternoon! Everyone seems to be thoroughly exhausted tonight, but we came home to clean clothes and a delicious home cooked meal prepared by our house matron Carol. She works so hard to take care of all of us and we love and appreciate her so much! God has truly blessed CMF with this Proverbs 31 woman! 

 

 

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January 31, 2013: "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded." Luke 12:48

We started the day at sunrise, (again). It was important to start early because it was the first day of mixing and pouring concrete for the floor. All members shoveled gravel and sand, carried water in 5 gallon buckets, pushed the wheel barrels full of mix, and used shovels to mix the concrete. Half of the floor, (40'x30') was completed today. We will start the other 40'x30' half tomorrow. Mixing and pouring the concrete is probably the most physical challenge we have on this job. Scottie started welding the trusses today, while a couple of the team members cut and bent the rebar for him. It has been a tough day and we are TIRED, but so thankful to be here giving everything we can to serve our great and awesome God.

 

 

 

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February 1, 2013: Today we made adjustments to the construction of the trusses. We now have trusses ready to go into production for the Achin project. While Scottie was finishing this job, the rebar crew finished bending the filler bars that support the cords for the truss. We finished pouring the 60'x40' floor and the front porch was filled and poured. After traveling ourselves over a mile one way to see the spring fed well that the women have been traveling all week with the 5 gallon buckets full of water on their heads, we started a more conservative mixing operation. (No carelessness with the water!) This was truly a blessing for the team to watch these women work so hard in the construction of their church building. We also started making preparations to go to the Kay George Christian Church to start the construction of the outdoor restroom facility tomorrow.

 

    

 

 

 

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February 2, 2013: Today started out on a little slower pace, as the floor was finished yesterday and all is well. This morning work schedules were discussed, and then a small group went to Achin and took concrete forms off and loaded 2x4's and form boards for a project we were going to do at the K George Christian Church. This work should be completed by Tuesday of next week, the good Lord willing. Scottie and his crew were building trusses and drilling the screw holes for the 2x4's to be attached in the trusses. Also our project for the down stairs bathroom at Sainsurin's house came along nicely today, as did the wiring project for the bathroom. Wiring should be complete early next week with the plumbing shortly there after. Work was a little lighter today in preparation for the laying of the blocks early Monday morning at the Achin Church building. The CMF group has been invited to participate in the ten year anniversary celebration at the Living Waters Christian Ministry tomorrow. We will be picked up at 6:45 to go to the morning service. This is a privilege and honor to be invited to such a wonderful event here in Gonaives Haiti. 

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February 3, 2013: James 2:5 "Listen my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?" 

Worshipping with the Living Waters Christian Church to celebrate their 10 year anniversary was wonderful this morning! Partaking in the communion service with approximately 2,000 Haitian brothers and sisters in Christ was particularly moving. The choirs that sang were outstanding, but when the whole church sang in the outdoor arena, it was as if somehow God was nearer. The special guest speaker for the event was none other than Bob Stacey (founder of CIY) from Middletown Ohio. We all enjoyed a nice meal cooked especially for us and it was nice to relax for the day after a very hard week of work. This evening we were honored by Mary who cooked all day to prepare our delicious supper. We then attended church with Sainsurin at the Gonaives Christian Church and was blessed to have been there. His congregation is so energetic and "alive" when they worship the Lord in song, it almost makes me feel ashamed that we do not share the same enthusiasm in our own church services back home. We have a full week ahead of us with a lot of work to get finished. Please remember to pray for us. God bless you all! 

 

 

 

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February 4, 2013: Today, with plans for our group splitting up and working in different places, we had our morning prayer at Sainsurin's house. Scottie and Jim worked on the welding of the trusses while Cathy, Donna and Nancy (Moore) drilled holes for them. A large group of us went out to Achin to help the block layers start laying the walls to the building. Just as the morning started we noticed two young women walking down the road holding a newborn baby that was only hours old. One of the ladies was the baby's mother, the other was the midwife, (I think). They all three hopped on a motor scooter and drove away. Later in the day I did see them again and the baby was just as precious as I had seen her earlier. At quitting time this evening one third of the walls were complete, and all the trusses were welded, along with all 780 holes drilled. Lloyd, Bill and Rodney worked again on the down stairs bathroom at Sainsurin's house and it is coming along nicely. While at Achin this afternoon, I witnessed a beautiful sight as I noticed a woman crying and carrying a young boy about 6 years old. I could tell the boy was in some kind of trouble as he was not moving. Right behind her was the WHOLE VILLAGE following her and was very concerned for his well being. The boy had apparently fell and had a head injury. I pray he found the help he needed and that he will be alright. The beautiful image of all the neighbors gathered together to help this child will forever be burned in my mind. What a shining example of Mark 12:31 ". . .Love your neighbor as yourself"

 

 

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February 5, 2013: Today we started out building the transport cart to haul all the trusses up the alley. Since these trusses are 20 feet long, it was decided a cart would be needed for this project and many others. We will use it Wednesday morning to haul them to the truck. This truck will also be hauling material to Achin which will consist of 50 more bags of cement, sixteen 1x12 form boards for pouring the corners and also will be used to pour the top bond beam. With the floor being poured last Saturday for the K George Christian Church restroom facility, and with the time required for the curing of the floor, work went very well today. The front door assembly, the roof, cement, cement blocks and necessary work related tools were taken for the team to start laying blocks. If all goes well, the blocks will be finished Wednesday or Thursday. Necessary repairs were made to the crane winches and boom so it will be ready for the next truss lift. More of the walls went up today at Achin, as well as the first layer of block for the baptistry, and the pulpit area filled and formed, ready for the concrete pour tomorrow. As I stood back and looked at the progress made in the last week on this building, I was amazed! 12 days ago I looked at an empty field, and today I saw a place of worship half way finished. "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs." Psalm 100:1-2

 

 

 

 

 

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February 6, 2013: Well, things are starting to wind down here in Gonaives Haiti for CMF. A small group went to K George this morning to work again on the restroom facility and it is almost finished. More of the block walls were completed at the Achin Christian Church. Five of the windows were completed, all four corners and five columns were poured. The pulpit stage concrete was poured also. All of us have found ourselves caring deeply and growing closer to the people of Achin. We have had so much fun getting to know them and seeing more of who they really are. It is hard to fathom their overflowing joy, seeing the poverty they live in. Ed told me early on this trip, "you never miss what you never had" and I believe he is right! God has truly blessed each one of us in bringing us here to meet these extraordinary people. My prayer is we will never forget the strong faith of these brother's and sister's we have here in Haiti.

 

 

 

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February 7, 2013: We are finished for now! All the concrete for the columns was poured today and the footer was prepared for the baptistery. All the windows were put in too! The men finished the restroom facility at K George as well. Inventory and clean up was done here at Sainsurin's house. This afternoon we all went to Achin for our group picture, to say good-bye, and have a small party for the Haitian helpers we had all week. Word must have gotten out in the village because so many people showed up (in their finest clothing) that we barely had enough supplies to accommodate them. It got a little crazy to say the least! Knowing we were leaving, it was hard to look into the beautiful faces of these dear people we have grown to love over these past two weeks. Working along side of them with their friendly smiles and infectious laughter was by far one of the biggest blessings we've had. We thank God for His divine appointment He shared with us here in Achin, Haiti. 

 

 

 

 

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Front row L-R: Bill Kohus, Steve Johnson, Scott Mays, John Hendrix, Dennis Forsythe, Lloyd Dunn, Josh Souder

Middle row L-R: Nancy Mays, Sue Johnson, Carol Thatcher, Donna Young, Nancy Moore, Kathy Waits, Rodney Hoskins,     Mark St Clair
Back row L-R: Ed Lykins, Karey Hall, Jason Moore, Joe Moore, Cheryl Jennings, Jim Tutt

 

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2013 HAITI WORK TEAM

1 Week Trip   (01/30 – 02/08)

1.     Bill Christman - Owensville Church of Christ

2.     Josh Souder - Bethlehem Church of Christ

3.     Karey Hall - Mt.Orab Church of Christ

 

 2 Week Trip  (01/23-02/08)

    

1.  Ed Lykins - Peebles Church of Christ

2.     Carol Thatcher - Peebles Church of Christ

3.     Sue Johnson - Peebles Church of Christ

4.     Steve Johnson - Peebles Church of Christ

5.     Scott Mays - Sardinia Church of Christ

6.     Nancy Mays - Sardinia Church of Christ

7.     Donna Young - Sardinia Church of Christ

8.     Joe Moore - Mt.Orab Church of Christ

9.     Nancy Moore - Mt.Orab Church of Christ

10. Kathy Waits - Union Church of Christ

11. Lloyd Dunn - Mt.Orab Church of Christ

12. Bill Kohus - Union Church of Christ

13. Cheryl Jennings - Mowrystown Church of Christ

14. Jim Tutt - Sardinia Church of Christ

15. Rodney Hoskins - Mt.Orab Church of Christ

16. Dennis Forsythe - Bethlehem Church of Christ

17. Mark St.Clair - Mowrystown Church of Christ

18. John Hendrix - West Union Church of Christ

19. Jason Moore - Mowrystown Church of Christ

20. Doug Ford - Colfax Christian Church, Indiana