Today was our last day.  It was a busy day and emotional.  My friend Suse, whom I sat by on the flight out, warned me that it'd be emotional.  President Carter and Rosalynn came around in the early afternoon to present a bible to each homeowner and take a picture with two work crews and the homeowners.  The picture was taken in front of Hones' home since it was the furthest along. Yes Mom, I will have an opportunity to order this picture. Then we held a dedication ceremony later in the afternoon which was informal but nice.  Katorsky read psalm 23 out of his bible and then both he and Hones said a few words.  Translated, they told us how much they appreciated our help, enjoyed working with us, learned a lot, and will pray for us.  They also hope to see us again some day.  That would be nice.  They are really great guys.  We met Katorsky's wife and baby today - through the security fence.  We met Hones' mother the other day, who will living in Hones' home.

Here's the end result of our homes.  We didn't quite finish, but were so, so close. I so wanted to stay just another 30 minutes even.  Leaving on the buses, all of the homeowners from last year were out with their children waving goodbye.

 

I better get to bed now.  Our wake-up call tomorrow is at 3am and I have to board the buses at 3:45am.  I leave Haiti tomorrow a bit (or a lot) altered for the better.

Today was the last full, extra long day. We got almost all of the siding completed,most doors hung, both houses primed, back door overhangs up, and started painting.  Pictures of our houmes are below.

 

 

The week has definitely been hard.  I'm feeling sore, tired, and am really looking forward to a good shower.  But it's been very rewarding and enlightening.  The Haitians are amazing.  Their children go to school looking better than a lot of American children, and somehow, they look proper coming out of a tent each morning. We're all amazed by it.

 



Today was another hot one, but productive.  Both roofs are complete as well as the porch roofing.  Most of the siding is up.  Tomorrow should be doors and the shutters for the windows.  Hopefully, we'll completely finish with a painted house on Friday afternoon.

When leaving today, one little girl in front of her home built last year at the Carter Work Project, was blowing us kisses.  It was adorable.  The picture below is of the backed up traffic awaiting our convoy of I believe 12 buses to make a turn.  We have security escorts with our caravan every day.  There are also security guards at the campsite and the worksite.  So don't worry Mom.

Tonight we got a special treat (I think it happens at every Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project) of hearing from Jimmy and Rosalynn and having the opportunity to ask some questions.  It was educational and entertaining.

Here's most of our work crew.  Onus is in the green shirt on the left and Katorsky is in the green shirt in the middle.  Our leader, Jonathan is between them.

Here I am on the roof today. A lot of the Carter Work Project homes are in the background.

What an excellent day!  We made good progress on our two homes.  Roofing done on one and on one side of the second.  I was on the roof almost all day, so my legs are feeling it.  We put up siding, framed the porches and put the inside walls up.  We also had access to an interpreter today so found out more about our homeowners, Katorsky and Onus.  Katorsky's family includes his wife and young daughter.  Onus' family includes his wife, one child, and a brother. I've heard that some Haitian families have to sleep in shifts since there's physically not enough room in their homes for everyone to sleep at the same time.  Katorsky and Onus are so thankful that we're here to help them build their homes.  They are great guys and good workers!

At dinner, I realized that Jimmy and Rosalynn were in the dining hall.  I plotted with my construction team leader how to get President Carter's autograph.  I then camped out outside the dining hall and was able to get his autograph and have a very short conversation on middle east peace.  Wow!  I'm on cloud nine.  Time to go celebrate now and watch the talent show.

Today was hot and long.  We left camp at 7am and returned around 5pm.  Made good progress, and yes Jim, I was on the roof.  Our Haitian families helped out - two homeowners and a friend.  They were great! 

No pics on my blog today.  I need to get some PC help to download a few from my iPhone. 

The homes built last year have additions (porches, extra rooms, storage) and lots of greenery.  Found out yesterday that this is the way poor people build - incremental improvements.  The children wave as we come and go on the buses.

I saw Jimmy and Rosalynn at dinner tonight.  Yes, they eat with us - at their own table with a couple of their sons who are here and the secret service.  They are really amazing!

I can feel the long day, but our progress is good.  We should finish both roofs tomorrow.

President Jimmy Carter's Sunday School lesson was something else.  He talked for about 30 minutes (without notes Pastor Bruce) about the life of Paul and tied it into building in Haiti and life lessons.  He is quite an amazing person!  Three take-away lessons from Sunday School.  (1) Accomodate changing times, while clinging to unchanging principles. (from one of his school teachers)  (2) Love Jesus Christ and the person in front of you.  (3) We are saved by grace.  Jimmy also invited all of us to his church in Plains, GA any Sunday, where he still gives the Sunday school lessons.  The last take-away lesson was timely as I was having a discussion with a friend (a tentmate)about faith and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.

The workday went well, but was pretty hot.  I did not faint! Everyone in my crew had to take a break at least once to grab some shade and more water.  Tomorrow our Haitian families join us.  I can't wait to meet them.  Each crew actually builds two homes.  Tomorrow we leave camp at 7am.  Perhaps to make up for the late start today since we want to complete the homes by the end of the week.  The homes built last year are amazing with flowers, gardens, and greenery.  It's amazing how fast plants grow here.

I'll try to upload a picture or two tomorrow.