Saturday, August 13, 2011

Our 1st California Work Team to Haiti

The first Haiti work team from our California churches just returned home this week. The team consisted of (L to R): Michael Hopper (Manteca), Pastor John Burns (Wheatland), Ryan Cooney (Manteca), Jesus Gaspar (Fallbrook), and Matthew Hulsey (Wheatland). Note: It's always a good idea to have Jesus on your missions work team!! 

Their project was to build the supporting rafters and complete the roof to an addition on one of the stone houses on the Borel compound. (Ken & Betty McIntyre from Missouri will arrive in early September and live in that house.) Despite the threat of tropical storm Emily and intense heat and humidity, the team worked diligently to complete the project. In addition, they visited church sites at Borel, Chandelle, Savane Tapion, Elim, Frecyneau, and Verettes. They also visited our medical facilities at Pierre Payen. Their interaction with Haitians and missionaries was a special blessing to the team. Pray for the group as they face the challenge of trying to communicate what they saw and experienced with their families and churches back home.

During a visit to Pierre Payen, the team saw the new composting toilet designed by missionary Peter Craig (Clean Water for Haiti Charities Organization-Canada) and funded by a grant from Kind World Foundation, thanks to CGGC contacts in Pennsylvania. The toilet will be used by patients in our maternity ward at the Pierre Payen Clinic.