June 16. Team Day Two.

Team Day Two.

First let me tell you about last night. After a spaghetti explained supper and completing the dishes our kids played with their cousins while the rest of us went down to the House of Hope for devotions. Different members shared about their day...check out the team blog to hear about the trip in their own words. One special moment of the day that I shared about occurred when we returned to the airport for the luggage. The kids and women stayed with the truck while the men went for the bags. A small Haitian boy, maybe about 12-13 years of age started a conversation with me by asking if I knew the Lord. When I responded yes he proceeded to ask about the rest of the visitors noting that it is important for each person to receive salvation. We then talked about the color of God, the color of Jesus and where Jesus had lived when here on earth. Despite the heat I kind of wish we'd of had more time to talk. A special kid who told me his ministry is to find out if folks know the Lord. A highly refreshing change to folks asking for things at the airport.

Because my first trip to Haiti occurred while I attended kindergarden my first impressions of Haiti are hazy. Hearing first time visitors trying to put into words experiencing Haiti for the first time always gives me food for thought. I often end up reflecting on the lessons I've learned and continue to learn from living in Haiti. I am blessed.

After breakfast this morning the team visited the school on campus and we disrupted most of the classes. Some of the projects we hope to complete during the next two weeks concern the school. This will be the first time that teams will work on school related projects. The highest priority project will be to roof to classrooms. Fauche Wesleyan school students range in age from 3 to 23. The total student body contains more than 500 students. Jean Pierre explained to the team that some of the classes met in the cafeteria because the just is not enough class room space. In the smaller classes like the 3 and 4 year olds one teacher teaches 40-45 students. A second large project will be an attempt to make the light weight 'walls' that separate a large room into different class rooms safer and more easy to move when needed. The third school related project would be to make additional school desk/benches.

The supplies currently on the compound dictated today's projects. I'll not promise you that I listed every project but here are some of the items accomplished today:

• Door repairs [and a new one made]
• Screen repairs
• Lots of laundry
• Sorting of curtain tops.
• Marking of videos with an large F for French, and FS for French subtitles
• Cleaning off of the clinic laboratory roof in preparation of sealing leaks
• Starting to scrap paint in hospital rooms to prepare for painting
• Digging to find water pipe-so that a valve can be added
• Playing with the local kids
• Encouraging seminary students
• Gazebo benches

A mix up in the scheduled delivery of supplies may make tomorrow's to-do list interesting. The major truck of supplies will be coming on Saturday. We will be celebrating Ty's 8th birthday! I'm looking forward to tonight's devotion and listening to the thoughts and feelings about their first full day. Watching my children play and interact with their cousins already makes this team special. I think back to how Todd and I enjoyed trips to the north with our grandparents and parents. Now I have many more special memories of family interactions here in Haiti. Thank you Lord.

March 2

The Thede Connection blog will be returning to a more random schedule now that the team departed and many day's don't include enough exciting 'news' to blog.

My folks made it home to Michigan yesterday.

In addition to settling back to their normal routine they will be helping to prepare and advise a team from my brother Todd's church who plan to visit us in June.

Gazebo: The floor of the gazebo came together in the last couple of days.

Eli and Anna need to educate their friends about the dangers of running around the gazebo so we can avoid accidents of splitting foreheads and chins on the upper edge.

Nazareth Visit:

Today the school children of the Nazareth Wesleyan school received education on growing banana plants along with a free plant.

Additional plants went home with a few of the church members who came for the distribution.

Cory estimates that close to 150 plants will now bless the community.

The children listened attentively to John Pierre's instructions on proper plant care.

As the school day needed to continue following the distribution many wrote their names on their plant to assure they could pick it up after school.

We pray that the education and plants will benefit many families in the area for generations to come.

Thank you Cory for the great pictures.

Feb. 28 Last day of the month...adjustments.

Well as you may of noticed yesterday a lot remained unsaid and my guest blogger-Mom did not blog.

Saturday Morning Gene had a painful eye and discharge after a night of restless sleep. Because of wearing safety goggles when cutting the tin we all thought it was saw dust. Thankfully the pain and discharge diminished with time. Saturday filled with small jobs including starting to put away tools and thinking about packing.

Sunday morning the news that Gene couldn't see clearly out of that eye as well as noting a now visible rust ring prompted a flurry of phone calls. Sunday morning calls result in listening to a lot of answering machines or continued ringing but finally we thought to call the doctor on call at the office who did Gene's cataract surgery last fall.

A phone consultation confirmed what I already knew..the sooner the tiny bit of metal could be removed the better. But we have none of the tools or medications needed for this delicate procedure.

So how to get them to a doctor who could do it. Many phone calls later and the travel plans arranged. A flurry of activity as bags needed to be packed and weighted. With a 1.5 hour trip to the Cap Haitian airport the good-byes had to be short.

Arrangements were in place for our cook on LaGonave to travel to Port-au-Prince with her adult daughter on Tuesday to have lunch with the folks. Good friends but with them now traveling to see us in the North they hadn't visited for 4 years. This dear lady lost 3 adult children in the quake. Well the Lord arranged for her to call Cory's phone to confirm the trip while the team traveled to the airport. So they at least talked to her on the phone.

Good news came at 11:30 p.m. Gene reported from a hotel that the metal piece had been successfully removed and in 2-3 days his vision should clear. Today the folks will be working on new travel plans to arrive home. We thankfully rejoice that everything came together and that Gene will be OK.

Thank you for your prayers. The floor of the gazebo will be worked on today. We will do a bit of school-doubtful that we will get a whole day done as the combination of being tired and emotional does not equal a highly productive day in our house. Tools will be put away. Sheets, towels and clothes washed. Leftovers eaten. As we sadly [selfishly] mourn the talks, hugs, Uno games and more.....that didn't happen.

The kids and I talked about how we may never know the whys but we know that God loves each of us. He knew we all would of prefurred Gene not to get hurt. How we wanted the last couple of days to make more memories with the folks. But we need to trust in God-period. We don't see the big picture like God can so all we can do is trust Him.

Looking forward to a life with no more hard good-byes. No more tears. No more hurts.

Feb.26

Only a few days left of our stay here.

Today we said good-bye to the three gals from Samaritan's purse. It was neat to get to know them a bit..they were well traveled and interesting. Samaritan's Purse has around 80 ex-pats and 1000 Haitian working for them in Haiti.

One of them was a former ECHO intern, and she and Cory talked, talked about plants;

another was an MK and gave us some unique insights into her background and the third was from Canada and had spent time in Pakistan and Jorden. I have often thought that one has an opportunity here to meet some really special people. There is so often just a very special kind of unity that comes when you meet a fellow child of God. We were blessed by their visit.

Gene and Larry wrapped up some of their work. Larry hauled some more gravel for the cement work that still needs to be done on the gazebo. Gene tackled replacing some of the door frame on the Thede house that had termit

e damage.

Larry also replaced a shelf in the guest unit that some unwelcomed four-legged visitors had damaged. Lots of small jobs that need to be done and it is neat to see them being taken care of by the fellows.

Gene received a special cookie today..that had eyes, nose and a smile. Gene LOVES cookies.

Feb. 25

Today was just of "those" days for the Gene. First he put together the cabinet and desk that were made for the church office. WELL...let's just say it didn't go like it was suppose to and a job that should have take 5 minutes, took a half hour or more.

Then the pastor, who is in charge of the church office came by with some last minute requests and also there were some changes for the cabinet. SO..the desk and cabinet are still sitting in the shop and haven't been delivered.

Then it was time to put the trim on the steel roof. Since the type of steel on the roof is different from the kind used for trim...it is a challenge.

When Gene started to explain that he was seeing different "faces" in his cookie at lunch, we figured he had gone over the edge! He saw a happy face and a worried one. Guess it was a trying day.

Gerda is doing some sewing and I taught Anna again today. We are still waiting for our overnight visitors to come. A pretty day with lots of sunshine. Carol.

Feb.24

Another dry, beautiful day and the roof of the gazebo is on..only some trim work left.

The mason is working on the walls and later the floor. It looks great and I am sure it will be well used.

Gerda cooked and I taught Anna.

In the afternoon, there was some repairing of screens of the guest unit and some general cleaning done. We are having three visitors tomorrow sometime until Saturday morning, two of them are with Samaritan's Purse.

This afternoon we had some folks come on the compound, and the one lady with them spoke excellent English. She had been in New York for 40 years and now has come back to Haiti "where it is warm." One just never knows who you will run into here.

Feb.22

Another beautiful day, sunny with a wonderful breeze.

A day for more varnishing and helping Anna, a day for Gene and Larry to work on the gazebo roof. It has been a challenging day for the fellows, but the results are great!

Tomorrow some roofing board and tin, and perhaps the Haitian mason will begin to work on the caps of the stone walls.(..so people can sit on them) and/or the floor.

We are begining to be short timers here and again today learned some lessons in patience. The internet has been off for most of the day...funny how one get used to having news from home and being able to send things off when you want to do it. But again, things are usually a challenge here..from cooking, when Gerda can't find all the necessary ingredients (she does a great job with what she can find.)

A note from Gene..the long boards for the roof were to long..but the only ones that they could buy..so they had to cut them off. We thought, perhaps, that they could use the extra for some benches! Carol

Kris-So great enjoying visitors and watching them work. Cory spent most of the day working with his plants! The kids and I worked on school most of the day.

Feb. 21 Happy 10th Birthday Anna !

Today is Anna's birthday. We have frosted the cupcakes and put on the birthday candles.

The birthday present from Grandpa and Grandma Ter Avest was the renting of a horse for Anna to ride. The horse came and first Anna was lead around by one of Cory's workers, but then Anna rode him by herself. The horse had a Haitian saddle and just a lead rope..but he responded well to Anna and she was happy!

Later today we need to frost some brownies for supper and there will be presents. My job today is to take care of Anna.

Kris is teaching Eli, the fellows are starting the roofing for the gazebo and Gerda has been cooking. We praise the Lord that Gerda's foot is feeling better, she has been up on it for a few hours without to much problem and her sore throat is gone.

The sun is shining, we are getting pubic electricity and it is a wonderful day. Carol

Kris-Gener asked Anna last week when he should bring the horse by so the surprise aspect did not happen. The bonus-Anna worked on her school work last week so she could enjoy her day.

Anna brings music, joy and laughter to our home. Happy Birthday Hummer.

Sunday

Our plans to go to the Port Margot church were changed this morning. When Gene came up the hill for breakfast, he explained that Gerda had fallen last night on their way to their little house. The rains have made the ground slick and right at the door, her foot up on the cement step, Gerda fell. Just hearing about the fall made us all shutter!

Gene said the only injury was to Gerda's right foot. When we went to check her out, we found that Gerda had some bruising on her foot, and pain. We went with an air splint and tensor and soon Gerda was coming up the hill with Gene and Larry's assistance. SO..Gene stayed home with Gerda who had her foot elevated and the rest of us went to church here on the compound.

We have so much to be thankful for..Gerda's body could have hit the cement step and caused serious injury and we all feel that God protected her. The church service was neat..the singing great. The day is cool and cloudy. We are in need of a few nice days, but know that God is in charge of all of our time here.

Photo's from yesterday. Giving out banana plants and the gazebo.

Feb. 19

Today we enjoyed a beautiful sunny, breezy day!

Last night we had family night, watched a movie called "The Climb'" and ate popcorn. When Gene and Gerda got up to leave, Gene looked outside and said "I think it is going to be a good evening!" They had to go about 200 feet to their "house" and by the time they arrived, the rain had come again! So we learned Gene isn't much of a weatherman.

But after a night with showers...we now are at 25 inches, we have had a day that we could wash and dry the clothes and just enjoy the great weather. Today, again was a varnishing day, the fellows worked on their wood projects and Gerda made doughnuts and doughnut holes for everyone.

Cory, Larry and Gene drove a truck load of banana plants down the road about 1/2 mile to give one to each house in the area. It did not take long to empty the truck. These plants were mostly cooking bananas and a few red bananas that are new to us.

We had the lumber and the roofing material for the gazebo delivered last night...and so we need a nice week to complete the gazebo roof.

The fellows also hung two large shelves in Eli's bedroom for his completed Lego projects. Just a wonderful day to "rejoice and be glad!"

P.S. it is now 15 minutes later, 4:15 p.m. the rain is falling.

Feb. 18

Another rainy day..everything is just damp at this point. We are closing in on 23+inches.

BUT, we are carrying on..although we are praying for some nicer weather.

Today the fellow worked on a cupboard unit for the hospital administrator and I put the first coat of varnish on the desk unit and did some school with Anna.

Gerda is still cooking..today some coconut bread and candy! She is also sewing some new curtains for Eli's bedroom.

The hospital administrator was here yesterday and talked about the clinic, which is seeing more new patients and about his small church..it is so full that many stand on the outside of the windows to hear. Pastor Rigo is a busy pastor with a full time church and the responsibilities of the hospital and I always marvel at how gentle, smiling and pleasant he is, a truly special person.

Right now, it has stopped raining and there is a cool breeze and EVERYTHING is green!

Raining again

It is another rainy day...we are now over 20 inches! I was varnishing this morning..it hadn't been raining when I started, when the deluge hit.

It is a pretty remarkable thing to be standing under a tin roof, watching sheets of water coming down.

Later, I talked with Jean Pierre and he told me that it was raining in Port au Prince..I just cannot imagine what it must be for the hundreds, thousands of the people still living under canvas or plastic tarps.

We are thankful for a dry house to be in..but today I am not just taking it for granted. The guys went to put up the shelving in the churches district office this morning, work on the gazebo has been suspended because of the rain. I don't know if the Haitian children had school this morning...they have already had two rain days. So, if you have a dry, warm home today...be thankful.

Feb. 16

We woke up this morning and saw Cory walking down to the clinic area, to pump water into the cistern for the homes, school and clinic. Since we have had no public electricity, our batteries had gone down and now we all were without water.

It made me think of how difficult living here can be. One waits for a sunny day to do the wash, only to have some of the laundry soiled by the local bird population. Gene just brushed it off..and said he could wear it anyway!

Grubs have invaded the soil here, making the growing of some plants impossible. We have had here, currently, over 15 inches of rain! This is the first that the Internet was on today..storms or clouds had us without Internet for most of the day.

Situation normal for the Thedes.

We did accomplish some things today. I varnished the 1st coat on the mailboxes, "cubies", for the district office, more cement work was done on the gazebo and Gene finished a desk (also for the district church office). Gerda did some sewing and is currently making cookies with Anna.

Learning occurred in the school subjects. Cory completed more office work.

Altogether a good day.

Feb 15

Last night we had more rain. In a little more than 24 hours, we have had 11 inches of rain!

The work on the gazebo progressed today...the plastic supports for the roof are in place. Larry helped the Haitian workmen, Gene is building a desk and I spent the morning varnishing.

Gerda helped the cooks. This morning it was 88 degrees and humid.

We are pleased with the progress of the work.

Yesterday, the wife of the pastor who lives next door to us was ill and Kris went to talk with her and pray. Not a big thing, but something that all of us can do.

The life of a missionary, I often think, is filled with doing ordinary things in some pretty extra ordinary places!

A new tree project, Operation Starfruit, was started this week. Starfruit seeds are planted in small bags.

When grown to a small tree, these will be donated to the Port Margot Church poor people. The hope is that they will be able to sell these trees at market for a small income.

Today, Larry, Kris and Eli planted some of the tree seeds.

Eli with his new drafting table.

Feb.14

Today is Valentines Day and the ladies received chocolate hearts and Anna (Gerda) also make heart cookies for all. Anna also enjoyed giving bags of candy to the close neighbors here.

When I went our this afternoon to varnish some more...two little boys asked me if I had chocolate. They liked what Anna had given them. Then they wanted to know what we eat in America. Sugar Cane?..No Goat...No, Rice and Beans..Not really. Then they smiled and said..cookies..Yes!

We had rain and some thunder and lighting during the night and it was raining this morning when we started to work. But then the sun came out and it has been another sunny day. The fellows are working on a unit with individual cubes...they are making things quicker than I can finish varnishing them.

Cory went to the bank in Limbe was only number 18th in line! He said that was about normal and he also shopped for more veggies. Gerda continues to make great food for us and is enjoying the cooks who work for the Thedes.

Carol

Sunday

It is Sunday, a peaceful, quiet day here.

The things that impressed me today was the almost constant sound of children's voices. Sunday school had around 80 kids...learning lessons from God's word and singing joyfully. This afternoon, the Kid's Club met and again the campus rang with the sound of children laughing and playing.

The thought came to me of what a young country this is...just so many kids. How wonderful that they have programs for them here on the Fauche campus. Those who attend church enjoyed the wonderful experience of worshiping and singing with the Haitian congregation.

God's word was preached, His love experienced here today. I hope that wherever you where today that you experienced the same.

Tomorrow, there are plans for more construction of bookcases, desk, etc. and for more varnishing. Anna is excited that tomorrow is Valentines Day. She has plans!

Feb. 12

Today I was looking at the "Welcome Home" banner that is hung on one of the windows of our bedroom (really Eli's bedroom). It was a gift from Anna for us when we arrived. So I have been thinking about "home." Now I know where my home in Allegan is, I can picture it in my mind, walk through each room. It is a place, where after a long trip, I sigh with contentment and express the thought that it is good to be home.

Anna's message to us was that we have a home here as well and we feel that when we come. After countless trips to this country since 1974, there is a familiarity, a sign of relief when we arrive..we are where, for the time being, we are suppose to be and it becomes home for us.

Then, of course, there is our heavenly home. I tired to imagine sometimes what that will be.

When I fly in an airplane, sometimes I wonder if I am closer to heaven than when my feet on firmly planted on the earth. I think that when we arrive at our final home, we will breathe that wonderful sigh of contentment, of peace, of joy..that we are at last and eternally home.

Today the Gene and Larry started the bookcases, etc. for the church's direct office that is here on campus. I varnished Eli's shelves, drafting table and also a couple of new bedside stands for the "Dearest House" where Gene and Gerda are staying. What a neat thing to be able to help fix up our home here.

Gerda continues to work with the cooks and keeps us all full of good food.

The gazebo footer is almost complete, the Haitian mason doing a great job. Cory, Kris and family are doing some of their normal Saturday chores. Eli planted 50 containers with star fruit seeds today. Anna helped clean the house. And both of the children worked some on their school work also.

Carol

Feb 10

Our second full day is here. Yesterday a storage box received its first coat of paint, a drafting table was made for Eli..which Gene used to make gazebo plans, Gerda was in the kitchen helping the cooks and some plans were made for team.

Today the local pastor is coming to talk with Gene and Larry about some bookcases, etc., for the church's district office which is here on campus. The saw soon will be buzzing and the sawdust flying.

The footer for the gazebo was also dug yesterday. This is a memorial project for Mom, Betty, Ter Avest and we just haven't been able to build it until this year. I think she would be so pleases that her memorial is a social, teaching place.

I am always amazed at the different pace of life here. We are busy, as are the Thedes, yet there are not some of the more normal things here that fill our lives at home. At night, we have a time of thanksgiving, sharing and prayer together and is always a very special time of the day.

A quiet time to reflect and so often at home life just pushes in the way. This morning at 5am I woke and the sky was just filled with sparkling stars...and again my thoughts were of our great Creator..great way to start the day.

Carol for the team.

First day

Our flight to Haiti was good...landing at the main airport in Port right on time. A couple of things really impressed my mind.

The first, as we were in our final approach looked out at the land of Haiti and thought of the power that the earthquake must have generated to move the earth and destroy so much. The main buildings of the airport still are unused, cracks in the walls, windows broken. And then I thought how powerful our God must be...to be able to control it all. I was and am just overwhelmed by the thought.

Later, we fly the small MAF plane over the mountains to Cape Haitian. Some areas looked like a patchwork quilt of fields..browns and greens. And everywhere we looked...small, isolated houses. We wondered how these people lived, how they had water, how the grew any food. How often they even saw other people. We saw few churches..and wondered if they had ever had even heard the gospel message.

Second thought...there are so many people in our world, almost "lost" to the mainstream of living and God LOVES them and wants them to know Him. My vision of Haiti has changed after 30 plus years of coming here! What lessons for our first days!

Carol-Kris's mom