Thursday, August 23, 2012

Glimpses of the Scout Group

Wrestling with the wheel I press down harder on the accelerator. Jason always did drive faster than me, and it now takes all my skill and concentration to navigate the winding, bumpy, obstacle ridden, back roads to keep up with him. We’ve just picked up the scout group from the airport, only 5 hours after scheduled arrival time, and we’re on our way home.

In the back of the pickup in front of us, Stephan and Curt steady the luggage as we jostle over rubble, bumps and potholes.

At home, the adults struggle, (and fail) to keep their eyes open. Was it 48 hours since they last slept?

Meanwhile Jayden and Justin enjoy some extra attention from new found friends.


That night, after house orientation and a spaghetti dinner, the ‘hotel’ is set up.
From 2012
“Cockroaches come out at night.” I warn the boys just as they are falling asleep. When they groan in horror and disbelief, I can’t help but remind them that boy scouts are supposed to be brave, and should show no sign of fear over some harmless, albeit disgusting, little critters that might crawl into their mouths while they sleep! Mean of me, I know.

The following morning begins dark and early. The clock is barely touching 5:00 a.m. when it’s time to get up. As the scouts and leaders get organized, I work as fast as I can to get breakfast and lunch ready for the group. When it’s time to leave I wave goodbye as they all pile into the pickup truck.

Today they will be working in the land of Canaan, a tent city that formed outside of Port au Prince after the earthquake on 'Promised Land'. Promised by the government, that is.

12 hours later they return, full of stories and pictures about Haitian pastors, Jerusalem (a part of Canaan of course), house building, food distribution, hiking Mount Moab, meeting a Haitian scout group, and making new friends.

A View of Canaan.

Mount Moab.


One of the two building sites.

First building site from above.

Second Building Site.


New friends.

 
Getting ready for a rice and pasta distribution via the local pastor.

Posing with a Haitian Scout Group.

Getting ready to drive home, and looking forward to some ice cold water and Haitan pop after a hot day in the desert like terrain.

5 comments:

  1. It's good to see them all!

    Wow Will, that's a lot of extra work for you. Thanks for all that, praying for all your safety, and strength for every new day!

    Love Jenny

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  2. Thanks so much for the update on the Scouts. All the parents at home here have been anxiously waiting for news about the boys. Looks like your 'hotel' is rather crowded. Hope it all goes well!
    And hoping Hurricane Isaac veers away from Haiti as well. We've all been watching the weather reports daily.
    Wishing you the best of luck with the extra big workload you have for the next week.
    Cheers,
    Corrie Jelier

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  3. Thanks so much for taking the time to post this blog, Will. All the parents, uncles, aunts, grandparents,etc love the news about the boys. Praying that everything will go according to plan and that you will have a blessed time with them all.
    Ruth

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  4. Thanks for posting the pictures. Greetings to all the dads & boys but give Curt a big hug and kiss from me!!! He will love it!!! God bless you for what you are doing there.
    Grandma Chico

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  5. Thinking of you scouters out there... and praying for safety for you all!
    Mrs. R.

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