after a busy 2.715 weeks in the United States visiting as many people as I could (and yes, missing far too many others, still) I have been back in Haiti for over a week (and a half... wow) and been moving pretty quickly since.
Just a short update: we've progressed on the furniture making due to JD's influence, and his wife Whitney did a lot of logistical stuff with him as well as keep the sewing program developing. The kids from the orphanage are more and more into things, mostly, but the community stuff has been more challenging as they haven't proven up to the task, as much, lately. Some of the recent and last years grads are putting more effort out, though - a great sign - and we're hoping that we can develop more Haitian management as soon as possible (which, of course, does take great time & effort: budgeting, accounting, training, leading, etc. is not quick stuff for anyone if it's new to them).
Ok, enough with the boring stuff: besides that it's been rainy, I have in fact been reading books (a discipleship book, sports magazines, and "Mountains Beyond Mountains" about Dr. Paul Farmer who has done great things in Haiti and global health, especially regarding tuberculosis) and spending less time working (so down from 70 hours to more like 40-50) and more time with friends and community. People even think I learned how to teach since getting back - not true! I knew but no one was watching me be patient in intolerable situations before (they just weren't watching! ;-)
That's it for now - I'm gonna send more things more often but in shorter pieces.
Well, I'm gonna try! :-)
Much love,
David
Just a short update: we've progressed on the furniture making due to JD's influence, and his wife Whitney did a lot of logistical stuff with him as well as keep the sewing program developing. The kids from the orphanage are more and more into things, mostly, but the community stuff has been more challenging as they haven't proven up to the task, as much, lately. Some of the recent and last years grads are putting more effort out, though - a great sign - and we're hoping that we can develop more Haitian management as soon as possible (which, of course, does take great time & effort: budgeting, accounting, training, leading, etc. is not quick stuff for anyone if it's new to them).
Ok, enough with the boring stuff: besides that it's been rainy, I have in fact been reading books (a discipleship book, sports magazines, and "Mountains Beyond Mountains" about Dr. Paul Farmer who has done great things in Haiti and global health, especially regarding tuberculosis) and spending less time working (so down from 70 hours to more like 40-50) and more time with friends and community. People even think I learned how to teach since getting back - not true! I knew but no one was watching me be patient in intolerable situations before (they just weren't watching! ;-)
That's it for now - I'm gonna send more things more often but in shorter pieces.
Well, I'm gonna try! :-)
Much love,
David
