8Nov12
I’m sitting in a hotel room, in Les Angleis tonight.
It took 7.5 hours of driving to get here from Jacmel.
Just before Les Angleis, I had to cross a river.
“You have come to a river, you have the following options:
(1) Attempt to Ford the River
(2) Caulk the wagon and float across (not an option here)
(3) Hire a local to help
(4) Wait”
I took option 3.
For 25 HTG, (about 63 cents US), a haitian stripped off his shoes and pants (still had underwear
on), and ran in front of my truck to make sure I stay on the shallowest parts.
The water wasn’t terribly deep (to me). It did leak into the side panels of the truck slightly.
But I had moved all water-sensitive equipment to higher shelves. I probably got a little rust on
my welding clamps, and the welding blanket got wet, but nothing important was damaged.
I was more worried I’d get stuck, especially the way the rear bumper of my truck sticks out so
far behind the wheels, I can drag easily as a steep incline levels out, and I have been stuck
like that before, but only on dry land.
But, we made it across safely.
It was the start of even more good things.
In my recent post, I talked about getting and inverter and batteries to bring with me.
Well, the Kelley family didn’t need the batteries, but I was able to install the inverter for
them. They were very excited by the time I left after dinner tonight.
For the first time since they’ve moved to Les Angleis, they have non-generator power. There is
not power grid out here. Maybe eventually they will get solar panels. But for now, they at least
can get more out of their generator, extending the useful time far beyong the run time.
They are great people, out here helping with an orphanage for Harvest Field Ministries.
Brad and Shannon have a young daughter, Lena, who was hilarious as she spent all day talking to
me and her mom while I was working.
It was great to get to know them a bit, and realize how God has allowed all of this to happen.
That He provided for their need, just as He has provided for mine.
And now I sit in a hotel room, in the dark, cause the generator has been turned off. Tomorrow I
will head to Savanette (outside Les Cayes) with Dr. Jay.
It’s been way too long since I’ve worked with Jay. I’ve been busy, and it is a long drive to get
out here. So, I am very thankful God worked out both of these trips to coincide well.
And even more, the batteries that I bought, and didn’t need for the Kelley’s, appear to be needed
for Dr. Jay and MIA now.
Guess He knows what I’m doing better than even I do. Glad to know that, cause many times I’m just
trying to figure it out as I go.
I thank you for your prayers and continued support.
Remember in your own lives to step out and do things that God is calling you to, even if they
don’t make sense. He will guide you, and He will work things out. Trust Him 🙂
And finally, I want to share these words from Stephen Mulligan, the Jacmel director for Hands and
Feet. They were quit fitting after all the facebook updates I have seen about the election and
results.
“Life in Haiti during the past year has given me a love for America like never before. In the
dawn of a re-elected president, and my defeated candidate, I still hold that America is a GREAT
nation.
Each of you will wake this morning with confidence that basic systems of life which are often
taken for granted will be there. There are police that will show up if you are being held at gun
point for over an hour; There are ambulances to care for your medical needs if you were injured;
actual roads for those ambulances to travel on; hospitals to treat your injuries with doctors and
medicines, electricity, and running water; There is someone to call in emergencies; You are
innocent until proven guilty; Government at its foundation is JUST and there to protect the
people. The basic rights and infrastructure that you have every day are not enjoyed all of the
world. They are a privilege of living in the United States of America. ” – Stephen Mulligan
