Worksite Day 02

Had some technical difficulties with the Internet in Haiti, but we will get everyone updated on our daily progress shortly.  Day Two started out with our first lesson in mixing concrete.  On the ground...in Haiti.  Unfortunately, our hired local mason was not able to be there.  His mother was very ill and he needed to be with her in the hospital.  Did our HDMen crew throw their hands up and call it a day?  No, we jumped right in and with the assistance of our amazing driver, started mixing.

Lots of discussions around the proper ratio of sand to concrete to aggregate rock.  Did I mention we also did not have a translator?  Another bump to start the week, but we pushed through and started pouring columns!

This house is being built to the new post-earthquake standards in Haiti which includes a rebar-reinforced footer, midline and header as well as vertical columns in each corner and along adjacent walls.  When we arrived, the family had been able to get the footer and midline completed along with the block walls.  It was our task to pour all of the concrete for the 14 columns and headers.  We partially filled (as much as we could lift) 5 gallon buckets with concrete and lifted them to the top of the 8' forms and dumped.  Try that over and over a day and you'll see why our guys arms and backs were tired at the end of the day.

Once the full weight of the concrete was loaded into the forms, we had to settle it down with hammer taps and rebar.  This was a carefully monitored process, because if a form blew out no one wanted to start over!

Over lunch, we took the opportunity to talk with some of the neighbor kids.  Jacob pulled out his bag of magic tricks and got their attention quickly!  After a few mesmerizing slight of hand tricks, Jacob transitioned into a presentation of the gospel.  One boy asked us to help him accept Jesus into his heart and we were able to connect him with the Pastor for further discipling!

Headed back to Bethel House for the evening and enjoyed some play time with the orphans before dinner and devotionals.  Later in the evening, Chris taught all the guys a game of cards called Burn.  This became our Olympic medal quest each evening as we wound down before bed.  Who will have the most wins by week's end?  We'll have to wait and see...