Thursday, April 3rd: Day 5!! Already????

I started this trip with few expectations.  God moves in great ways.  It has been hot and humid and on the third day Connor, Craig (who got the worst) and I got something of a stomach aliment.  But, God is the great healer and after some sleep and no work for Connor and Craig, I somehow was able to get through the afternoon (God’s hand).  We have been on this construction crew detail building a roof for a kindergarten school.  We met up with a gentlemen from Witchita, KS., Bob, who has spent a lot of time organizing, planning and providing materials for this project.  Through Thursday, we currently have the roof on, metal covering the front corner and a valley made ready for our final day.  It has been busy, hot and even frustrating.  The language barrier has been the big problem, the Haitian men who work with us have been great but on Wednesday, we had our first big issue.  Half of our decking was off.  This only causes other items and materials that have been pre measured and ready for install to be “off”.  As Americans, we come with our plans, drawings, “mission” guns drawn to “get things done”, do great things and often God throws in a wrench.  A foundation that is WAAAYY off, language barrier, hot sun, everything that Satan could through at us, and does, to derail us from our plans, seemed to happen and I have realized that we simply need to slow down, assess the issues and pray.  Funny how Great God is, I have learned to adjust how I try and communicate with our Haitian workers, simple words, drawing it out, showing them an example have seemed to help close the language gap.  Adjustments have been made and simply realizing that God has total control of everything, helps put things into perspective and has made today much better and productive.  We have accomplished as much as possible with the time we have.  God is good!!  We hope to get the project to a point where the Haitians can finish it and get the school into use.  Perhaps that is all God wanted us to do.  We have met many people, who are actually a very happy people amongst all the poverty, trash, etc.  I have truly enjoyed the time I have been here as well as watching my son interact with locals in English.  Talking and trying to explain his schooling, getting the week off, where we live, seeing him up on a roof totally laughing with Korlyn over doing their part twice to get it right and have having Craig “yell” at them.  It is my prayer that he can see how God has blessed us as Americans and even our family, to simply trust in God and let Him take control when we “think” we need to control and learn to serve others.  I have learned that and more.  I am thankful that God allowed us to make this trip together.  I am looking forward to getting home to share this experience with others, to see Brandi, Cole and Julian and possibly plan on our next trip.  I know that Brandi will be rolling her eyes when she reads this.  I love you girl…

Travis Flint