Last Day in Pignon

As I write this update(Tuesday)  we're just finishing up our last day at the seniors home. 

Lots of good work has been done and much more will be completed in the near future with the goal of opening the home in the very near future. Plumbing in the washroom, tiles on the floors, painting the rooms, making and varnishing the beds, sealing off the depot where food is stored, parging the dining/office/kitchen area; all this and more is on the go as we prepare to leave the site. 

Tomorrow we fly out of Pignon early in the morning and will then spend a night at the medical clinic in the north near the Haiti/Dominican border. 

Thursday we'll head over the border in preparation for our trip home. 

Mattresses Arrive!  Good time for a break!

What a rich blessing it is to come and work alongside our Haitian brothers and sisters. There is great excitement at the church here in Pignon to see the home up and running. On a daily basis we had pastors and leadership of the AEM (the Haitian church) come to see the work and everytime they shared their joy and thanks about the project.

Our good friend Acner is enjoying them too.

Thank you to everyone for your prayers and donations to this work. This is clearly something God has asked us, Highview and Trinity, to share of our time and resources. 

We are blessed. 

Brian, For the Team

Bad Roads and Good Spirits

Haitian Countryside

Supplies Run (Truck not pictured!)

More Country!!

From Ruth Anne:

Here's an interesting technological tidbit.  I'm in Thailand, receiving info and pictures from Brian who's in Haiti, and together we are sending these reports back to Canada.  Love how 'small' our world is.  Love how BIG our God is!  Thanks for your patience while we work with the time differences and internet connections to keep us all working and serving together....from all parts of the world!

From Brian:

Yesterday (Sunday) was a day of worship and adventure. 

First was the Sunday service with our friends at the church in Pignon. Starts at 7:00. We arrived at 8:00. Then it was off to visit another church in the mountains of the north. Eric's church in Saskatchewan raised funds to help pay for the roof.

Such beautiful country!!!! What terrible roads!!!! Today we get to work. Bosses are here to start work on the washroom, finish beds, paint rooms, varnish beds and more. Busy day.

Love It When A Plan Comes Together, Landings and Luggage Notwithstanding

Brian

Brian and team have arrived safe in Dominican but not without adventure of course.  We're looking forward to hearing the story of how they landed, apparently a little of the 'fun-to-tell-later' variety.    

As well, he checked his carry-on while in Toronto and it did NOT arrive in Dominican.  West Jet said it went on the plane.  All but one item in it was replaceable.  His Haitian journal which he has taken on all his trips was in there.  

West Jet did not have it.  Best guess was that it had been stolen.  Prayers all around.  And then...West Jet called that a driver was on his way with the bag!!!!  Clearly someone had rifled through everything, but as far as  Brian can tell, everything is there.  Now he will have his ankle brace, battery charger, sandals, prescription sunglasses, t-shirts to give away.  Thank You God!!

The Seniors' home is taking good shape, with the plumbing for the bathrooms next up.

Getting ready to fly north with Eric (from Saskatchewan) and Michelle (from Trinity EMC).

The Haitian Connection

As Haiti marks the grim anniversary of the devastating earthquake ten years ago (January 12, 2010) I am all the more excited that Highview has followed the call of God in forging important partnerships of love and reciprocity with our beautiful friends there. 

I asked Brian Ogilvie, who is travelling with a combined team this month, to share some of what is on his mind and heart for this current visit.

First, Brian, what are the dates of your trip?

January 13 to 24, 2020

What do you feel is the general goal of this particular trip?

This year it’s our hope to complete the structural work of the seniors’ residence in Pignon. This will mean painting, building wheelchair ramps, and most importantly, completing the work on the washroom facility in preparation for the seniors moving in. This has been a long time coming (5 years) but the excitement is now growing as we realize the final steps in getting this facility up and running.

Can you tell us what you’re excited about?

Always excited to see our friends in Pignon, Hinche and Sapate. One of our goals when God led us to this work was to build relationships with the people of these communities and I’m happy to say that’s been accomplished. It is always a joy to walk onto the sites and see our friends smiles again. Since its inception this has been a project shared with our friends at Trinity Evangelical Missionary church in Waterloo. What a blessing to lock arms with other Christian communities to do the work of meeting the needs of the poorest in this world.

How can we be praying for you?

Certainly, this year, prayers for protection would be appreciated. The country of Haiti has been in turmoil for what seems forever but the political temperature is a bit hotter this year compared to others. And as always, that we can bless the people of the communities in which we work and the country as a whole.

We will be praying for you and the team, Brian!

God speed.

We’ll look forward to updates as internet allows.

Ruth Anne Breithaupt

Missionary In Residence

Highview Community Church