David and Father Abraham

Kijan ou ye? (how are you)

First, let me say thank you (merci!!) After I sent out the prayer request regarding our tenants lack of payment, they paid within two days. We were flooded with prayers and feel so fortunate to have such mighty prayer partners on our team. It’s a new month and we pray that they will continue to catch up

It’s been a pleasure to see a few familiar faces from Zambia teams on the last two Haiti teams. We laugh and joke that people are following us  but we know who they are following... We all seem to agree it’s a lot hotter than the last time we met. A church in Michigan sent down a work team to help David on constructing the wall around the Wesleyan compound in Petit Goave. They worked so hard and it was so hot! Working together with the Haitian crew they got so much accomplished. Creating forms for the pillars and columns with rebar, using pliers and a hacksaw. As was the case in Zambia, there are few tools available and most of the work is done by hand. Thanks to our dear friends from Georgia who supplied David with so many tools, you’d of thought it was Christmas. A few weeks ago Global Partners sent a small team down to finish putting a roof on a dormitory in the campground. Lucky David, he was able to spend 5 days with people from our district, including our own pastor. I was disappointed I couldn’t see him but was with a team on the other side of the mountain. It was wonderful, he delivered letters to us from our friends at church, lots of encouragement and lots of goodies!

I’ve never experienced heat like this. Waking up in the morning by the time your feet hit the ground, you are sweating! The amount of water that one has to consume is unreal. Think of it as each person drinking the equivalent of 4-5 days’ intake of water in the states, EVERY day! I am lovingly referred to as “the water nazi”. It doesn’t take long to get dehydrated or suffer heat stroke. The humidity is so thick it seems you could cut it. We had a youth (20 somethings) team here last week and 5 out of 6 of them got overheated and sick . I was able to practice my mothering skills and laughingly told them... Ha you thought you left your mother at home We currently have a childrens’ ministry team here from South Dakota and are having such fun with them. We’ve been visiting orphanages each day and sharing bible stories, songs and crafts with the kids. We have also been able to provide and serve a small meal for the children each day. We are attempting to learn creole and obviously have a ways to go… each time we speak it’s received with laughter

David got his first haircut here, we found a “barbershop” and into the chair he went... No scissors to be found but lots of electric clippers. For those who know David, he doesn’t have tons of hair but it took almost an hour to cut his hair. The gentlemen then turned to me with clippers in hand and tried to motion me to the chair. Smiling and nodding, I backed out of the shop. I do need a haircut BUT…

David has been very busy overseeing the rebuilding of the wall at the Wesleyan compound. It’s a huge project and building supplies are hard to obtain. They are currently waiting for blocks, as the company they have been buying from had a mechanical failure. Can you imagine being a 60 something man and shoveling sand and stone with mortar all day long in 110-115 degree heat? We’ve nicknamed him Iron Man. The groundskeeper for the campground is affectionately called “Father Abraham”, he is in his 60s with a disarming toothless grin, a young wife and many sons (couple of daughters too).

In addition, Regino, Dodsie and Johno the three young men that meet and greet each team. The boys are best friends and about 8-10 years of age. They have all recently gotten the opportunity to go to school and are so happy. They are so sweet and to see the occasional smile that has begun to form on Johnos’ face is priceless. They wait for the team each afternoon as we return from the field, anxious to play.

As usual, everyone in Petit Goave and on the campground now knows David. He makes friends so easily and everyone knows the “blanc” (white person) Watters. A few ladies have adopted him and feed him when teams aren’t here. They are spoiling him rotten. Of course he has more than a few children that follow him around. My new name is Madam David.. sound familiar?? Mrs. David???

The month of August will be hopping with teams, we have teacher mentoring, medical and day camps going on. Never a dull moment, it’s great meeting new friends and reconnecting with others. It’s a pleasure (no matter how sweaty) to assist in guiding people in their experiences in Haiti. Thank you to all the churches and pastors that continue to speak of Haiti to their congregations and organize mission trips. It’s been six months, most of the charitable agencies have gone but the people here need help more than ever. Many of us may wonder what can one person or a team of six or seven do that will really help?? A LOT!!!!!! Your obedience to Gods’ call and your love is all that is necessary. You come, I can guarantee God will be here. We can’t change anything overnight but we can help one person at a time. If each person that has visited since January (just through World Hope) has touched only one person, that’s close to a thousand people that have been encouraged and lifted up.

Rebuilding IS happening, just since I was last in PuP (two weeks ago) I have noticed a number of sites where rubble is being moved and cleaned up. Praise God! Please continue to lift up the needs of Haiti in prayer. Thank you for your faithfulness and your continued support of us during this journey. We love you and pray for you daily. Till next time…

Bondye beni w (God bless you)

David and Madam David


PS Did you know the way to a missionaries heart? Oreos and Poptarts!

PPS NEVER sit down without looking first, I almost sat on a gigantic tarantula the other night, my heart was pounding for more than a few minutes