New Norm

Okay, just to let you know that I am working in the dark - that's literally in the dark - not figuratively.  Although some people think that the jury is still out on that one.

Update

Ok, I've changed the CD.  Promise to be good (maybe not real good though) and give you an update on the project. 

Update

Well, I am thinking that this might be an update from Haiti on the project, but then again its early am and at the best of times, I'm prone to wonder.

Updated Photo

Many of you who know me may have not seen me in several months or even over a year.  I've changed a bit in that time - I wouldn't say that I've aged - but lost a little weight coming to Haiti and the heat and sun may have had a little impact as well.

La Forteresse - staircase

Finally got a picture of two of the staircase along with the construction crew to share.  So here they are.

La Forteresse - quick progress update

Each week, there is so much progress.  I am very excited to see the project at this state - almost ready to move in.  It will be a real treat to see the building dedicated to the work of the Lord and to the needs of the people of Haiti.

Painting La Forteresse - progress!

Another week is almost gone.  Time goes very quickly.  The progress has been great at the site.  I take a couple of pictures one day and then redo them again the next because there has been so much progress.

Green Eggs and Ham

Newspaper headlines are not always what they seem.  Have you ever witnessed an event as it unfolds and then read about it in the paper - makes you wonder sometimes if you were really there.  Well perhaps my title for this entry is a little misleading as well.

Front of Building

Just had to add the following picture.

Painting La Forteresse

I promised a few pictures of the team from Fergus painting in our new building and here they are.

Painting La Forteresse - colors

Yes we have colors.  I realize that I owe you a few team photos of the excellent work that the team did on painting La Fortresse. That'll come in a subsequent post -  hopefully shortly.  This one is hot off the press - we've just received the colors today and thanks to Tami's hard work - we've got a enough painted this afternoon to show you. 

Guardian Angel

Okay, first of all let me say that this note is not intended to be theologically accurate.  I am actually pretty ignorant on this particular subject - but just look at my posts - it hasn't required knowledge for me to write on various subjects in the past.

Quick update from Haiti

I haven't issued an update in a bit so thought I'd do a quick one tonight.
 
My internet connection is down, so I am starting this entry offline.  Not sure if or when it might make it online. 
I have been up between 3 and 4 a.m. the last 3 or 4 days and gone to bed lateish at night - at least for me here in Haiti.  I am a bit tired so likely this entry will not be too long and will also wander a bit.

A few more observations

Went out today for a motorcycle ride with Dr Ed.  We went up the mountain - stopped for lunch at the Baptist Mission.

Painting La Forteresse

Yep, that is right!  We are talking about painting - and none too soon - painters are arriving next week.  Here are some pics hot off the press - colorized by my niece. 

Pics from the Site

Well tonight, I thought I'd give you a little update on the site - this one is pictorial.

Sign of the times

Sometimes I just sit down and write a new post for my blog, sometimes I need to think about it for a while.  I have had a couple of posts on the back of my mind, but they are not forthcoming.  So this one will have to do.

Windows - Part 2

This is the second installment on the windows for the new building.

Tremors

You have likely already heard that we've had new tremors here in Haiti - last night and the night before.

Windows

I am starting this entry on my blog on Sunday and will likely finish it on Monday or Tuesday.  We have had great progress at the site - we are working on the first floor doing the finishing including repairing any damage to block walls that was caused by the earthquake.  It is moving ahead very nicely.  I will issue a little more comprehensive update or progress report on my website, but not likely until the end of March.  We have a team coming mid-March and they will complete a couple of significant components that I would like to be able to report on as well. 

Balloon

Well, folks be forwarned that this article may be controversial. I have written about many different things on my blog.  I never thought that this would be one of the subjects.  But why not.  I had my balloon pricked tonight - so to speak.

House Construction

Hard to believe that its Monday evening already.  Looking back, I won't say that I had Friday off.  We didn't work at the new building, so I ended up spending the day in a much different way.

Pics

While I was out today, got a few pics that I thought I'd share.  Perhaps tomorrow, I'll get some more.

Day Off and its Friday

I have the day off today from the work site.  Today is sort of a national holiday.  I asked the men at work if they wanted to work today, but they quickly said that they wanted the day off.   However, my day hasn't been exactly my own to plan. 

Lunch

I am sometimes puzzled by the economy on a micro or personal level.  Take lunch today as an example. 

More Pics

Well, now that I got that currency lesson out of the way - guess I can give you one or two more pics.

Currency

I just finished updating our payroll and our expenses for the project.  We are coming along nicely - not planning on giving any details here in this post - but we are roughly looking at completing this phase of the project by the end of March or thereabouts. 

Update

Well, its been five days since I've written on my blog.

Update

Well, thought that I'd give you another little update on what is happening here.  Please realize that this is just my own personal view on what is happening around us.  I am not going out of my way looking for stories nor for issues to work through. 

Update

Think that it is about time to give you another little update.  Things are starting to settle for us a little bit.  A new kind of normal - really not sure what exactly that is, but it involves staying flexible and it involves change.

Today - few pics - airport

Today was full of surprises. This is not going to be a status update. Perhaps I'll write one of those in a day or so.

Quake

Yesterday morning we had another major tremor – reportedly a 6.  We have had so many aftershocks – I just know that the ground shook once again.

Update

Thought that I would give you a little update of what we have been doing over the last couple of days.

CCP Sponsored Children Status

As you may well imagine communication is very poor right now.  People are dispersed and impossible to trace where they have gone - many have left the city or are in temporary camps.  We are providing information as best we can regarding the sponsored children.  The note below has been issued to sponsors and we will provide updates as we have new information.

Relief Teams - Construction

Here is my current assessment for relief teams.  While medical needs are in great need at this moment, I feel that any teams that are considering to come to help restore structures etc are not required at this time and cannot work effectively in the current environment.  I sent the note below as a response to one team.

Medical team

A friend of mine Dr Ed finally arrived.  I have not seen him nor have I been able to contact him since the quake hit. 

The new building - minimal damage

In an earlier post, I mentioned that I had gone to the site yesterday and had a closer look at the building.  As I had anticipated the damage to the building is minor and superficial

Switching Gears

Today has been a much easier day.  Fixed a wiring issue on the generator - of course most things here seem to set off a sequence of other stuff that needs to be addressed first. 

Pics from Haiti

Here are a few pics from Haiti.  These pictures are from our area between Delmas 31 and 75.  I understand that the worst devastation (if you can compare) is more in the core part of the city of PAP.

Status

Since the earthquake – all businesses, gas stations etc have been closed. There is no hydro and our house has some damage to the main electrical panel – it has not been on my priority list yet, but will become one hopefully tomorrow, but if not the next day.