Haiti "Herky Perky" Trip, October 14, 2012

Prayer Partners of the Day: Mom & Sally Block

SUTS/LWW System in Les Cayes

Happy Sunday!

I'm pretty sure a hurricane moved over Haiti last night. Okay, maybe it wasn't quite a hurricane, but the wind, rain, thunder, and lightening were at an all-time high. Combined with the tin roof overhead, it was a loud night...but a cool night!

Ancy arrived at Walls early, and off we were back on the road. Have I mentioned how much time we have spent in the truck this trip?

We picked up Bertone and Valdes in Leogane. They were thankful for a day off yesterday while we were around Port Au Prince. We made our usual stop in Mirogoane at the gas station/restaurant and the boys enjoyed their brunch. Our first evaluation of the day was at Sister Jeanne's. This was the installation I missed in January 2012, and I was so happy to visit. As with every Catholic home we visit, the sisters had drinks and snacks for us. The hospitality is so overwhelming no matter where we go. Everyone treats us as if we were family.

Creative solutions

On our way to Les Cayes, our plan was to stop by two of the Global Orphan sites for evaluations; however, despite my best attempts, we missed the turn for both La Hatte and Cherette! Instead our next stop was St. Saveur Episcopal Church, site of the June 2012 installation. Father Colbert was so happy to see us, and I walked through the house saying hello to everyone and truly feeling as if I was back at home.

While we were stoked to see the number of gallons the system in Les Cayes had been producing, we were quickly stumped by a faulty charge controller. Though they tried switching out a breaker, fixing the wiring, and every other solution they could think of, we could not get the system operating properly. My goodness, I don't know if I have ever been as frustrated in my life. Though it is hard to explain in words, once you install a system and know a community is benefitting from the gift of clean water, to then know they will be without that gift until the problem can be fixed is unbearable.

We left Les Cayes with heavy hearts, but hopeful for solutions in the morning. Our last stop of the day was at Port Salut, where a LWW system had been installed over five years ago. By the time we made it to Torbeck, we were happy to be out of the truck and amongst the hospitality of Pere Alphonse and his family. The "porch time" tonight was priceless, and only solidifies why I love Haiti and God's work so very much. Peace be with you, friends!

Though the lighting is bad...those are two very tired individuals!