Prayer Partner of the Day - Emily Ronis
We had been told last night that work would have to wait today, as today was a celebration. The earthquake completely brought down the buildings, the monastery and the school of Little Brothers of St. Therese in Palmiste Au Vin. However, Brother Olizard Pranius is completely in charge with a vision of a brighter future. With the help of the German Red Cross and the Holy Spirit Haiti Mission, they have rebuilt the monastery, rebuilt the business buildings, and rebuilt the school. Today was the dedication of the brand new, beautifully buillt school building. There were upwards of 150 people in attendance. All of the school children, many of the parents/community members, and even a few dignitaries from the town. Festivities started with an over hour-long mass led by the priest for the area. Ignace was rockin' & rollin' on the keyboard with a mixer! Thus, it was a contemporary Catholic mass the likes of which I've never seen! There was still the chanting by the priest, the singing by the people, prayers & a sermon, but Ignace jazzed up the music! The second two hours were filled with speeches by the brothers and reps from the German Red Cross and our leader, Bob McCoy.
The highlight of the morning was the school chorus singing "We Are The World" in English. It was beautiful...especially when you think back to right after the earthquake when the celebs gathered to make a new updated version to the song, featuring Wyclef Jean, a native Haitian. As Ancy & I were riding around Port-Au-Prince yesterday, I could finally see a bit of improvement, or perhaps maybe my eyes were simply accustomed to the devastation. Either way, there is hope for Haiti. Hope for the children. Hope for a better future. I cannot wait to share this video when I get home.
The celebration continued at the monastery with a feast the women had spent all night long cooking. Then...we got to work. Our team of three from March is two folks heavier, and thirty minutes into the work, we hit a stride and had the system mounted on the board in less than four hours. (Pictures will come when I return home...or check out my Facebook page, as I post there occasionally.)
With our work completed early today, we are taking the opportunity to relax and enjoy the fellowship of the brothers... And I am doing school work! Let me take the opportunity to thank EVERYONE who is holding us in prayer! I have received numerous text messages, emails, Facebook comments and Tweets, and each give us strength, encouragement, and an outstanding dose of love. Our team is not just five people... It's the five of us PLUS all of you. We truly could not accomplish any of this without you.A special shout-out to today's specific prayer partner - Emily Ronis! Emily is currently on her last mission trip as a "high schooler!" She is an amazing young women with so many talents and so much enthusiasm! We're holding you in prayer today, Emily, too! God be with you in Ohio!
The newest water system in Haiti will be mounted tomorrow in Decouze! Peace be with each of you today and everyday.
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