They were supposed to fly into Port au Prince Thursday night, stay the night and take the bus to Cayes on Friday. Due to a mechanical error, they were late for a connecting flight from Miami to Port au Prince and missed the flight. The airline had no flights out of Miami that day or the next, so they transferred their flight to the Ft Lauderdale airport for Friday. They would now be overnighting in Florida. Due to the late arrival of their flight, they would then stay Friday night in Port and head towards Cayes on Saturday morning.
As of Thursday night the new plan was that RMI team would meet the team at the Retreat Center in Zanglais, because its closer to Cote de Fer, we’d eat lunch and then head to Cote de Fer. In the mean time, late Thursday night, in Haiti, a thunderstorm rolled in and dumped torrential rain in Cote de Fer. Due to the recent rains from Tropical Storm Isaac, an already soggy town was soaked; and this time the rains brought with them mud. The entire town was filled with sticky, wet mud. The church yard as well as the rooms at the school were the team was to stay were also covered in mud. Rob and Benson drove out to access the damage. There was no way we could stay in Cote de Fer.
The church yard filled with dry, cracked mud (on Wednesday).
A new plan was needed.
The plan all along was for the team to build two houses in Cote de Fer. Where the houses were to be built was on ‘this side of the river’ where there was no mud. The problem was now where the team would stay. It was decided the team would stay at the RMI Retreat Center in Zanglais and commute the 1 1/2 hours back and forth every day. It wasn’t ideal, but it made the visit possible so that became the plan. But it also meant making a new plan for meals; making a menu, planning for lunches to take with the team, early breakfasts, gathering the supplies, etc. It was a big job but after three hours, some 25 phone calls back and forth, and a few emails, a plan was in place. RMI staff held our breaths hoping that this time, this plan would stick.
And for the most part it did.
We went to Cote de Fer on Sunday for the service, and then set to work right away on house number one. The team worked hard and got a lot accomplished on day one!
Benson and Jordan working on the roof.
Wilrid and Tony measuring pieces for the porch roof.
Day two was just as productive. House number one was finished and it was presented to the new owners, a faithful deacon of the church and his family. The team handed them the keys and prayed over them.
Presenting the house to the Deacon and his family.
The Deacon and his family.
The team then headed off to location number two and got to work. By the end of day two, the house was well under way.
Putting in the first two walls.
Putting in the support beams. All hands on deck!
Wilfrid and David installing the window.
Day three brought with it new energy and the completion of the second house. It was also presented to its new owner, a single mother of two and a faithful member of the Cote de Fer church. The team handed her her keys and prayed over her and her family before leaving.
Praying for the new owner of house number two.
Wednesday morning, the team headed back to the church and spent some time sharing with and praying with the Deacons. They then split up into two teams and visited the homes of some of the church members and delivered boxes of food and prayed for each family.
The team and the Deacons.
While the week didn’t turn out how originally expected and a lot of adjustments on everyone’s part had to be made we rejoiced in the kingdom work that was accomplished despite the enemies best efforts to hamper God’s plans. Two families now have safe dry places to call home. Six families don’t have to think about where their next meal is coming from for a few weeks. The relationship between the Summit Church and the Cote de Fer Baptist Church is strengthened as they can both see how committed to the relationship one another are. And despite all the changes, and all the adjustments, and all the twists and turns the week threw at us, God has been honored. And we pray that above all, His heart was pleased.
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