Its all worth it !!

There were times when raising the 55 grand became something of a drag.

It was all worth it!

I think both Sean & Lawrence knew that Andy and I were like little boys on Christmas morning waiting to open their presents. So a trip was arranged to Los Algadones.

And there it was.

The school that we built

No the school that YOU built.

Tonight raise a glass, say a prayer, do a jig, but whatever, celebrate, because 4 classrooms 8m x 7m complete with roof and four walls has been built!
Children will get a chance to learn, and potentially escape the poverty trap. they in turn will inspire. Who's to say that you haven't helped educate the future President of Haiti who will fight corruption, or the first Haitian politician in DR, or a future scientist who discovers a miracle cure? Or, simply a child who learns to provide for their family and sustain life.

I am so happy!

los Algadones is changing. There are still the run down shacks (we didn't have time to properly walk around) the sugar cane weighing crane in the middle, but new land is built and eventually good will triumph over evil and new houses will be built on the land that has been purchased. (Not yet because the minister of tourism has complained about them spoiling her view from the hill opposite!)

There is however a soon to be finished school, a second block which consists of a kitchen, school dining room, Principles office and a store cupboard! the beginnings of a church, and, wait for it, a Medical Center!!!

They kept that last one quiet(!), but funds in the States were raised already for it and its up and running and functional, but still needs a doctor to man it. Challenge - Perhaps that's you? Perhaps through this blog, God is calling you to use your medical experience to work with the Haitian poor in Los Algadones? You wouldn't regret it!

Oh, Los Algadones has moved on. This is a settlement to which we visited 18 months ago and saw only despair, oppression (not too strong a word) and pain.

Not now! Now, I see a village with hope and a future. This week with the yanks, we should get the third and fourth classroom floor screened (hard manual labour for us and our American friends)

Physical hope - running water, a medical center
Mental Hope - a School
Spiritual hope - I won't say a church, as a church is just a building, but this has all been put together by people looking to demonstrate Gods love through actions. That's a witness!

Other things happened today. We met old friends. Pastor Joseph hugged us like a Father hugging the prodigal son. 'Why has it taken you so long to come back?' he asked Andy! He remains skinny in stature, but is spiritually musclebound.

I expect to sleep well tonight!


Have a look at a few photo's which Andy has downloaded. Copy & Paste the following link

www.flickr.com/photos/andyindr