Good news! As of 9 AM Sunday the roof for the orphanage is complete.

Tomorrow is the big day. The men are arriving at 4 AM to begin pouring the roof. Our team going to the site at 5 AM to assist in the pouring and finish working on the plumbing on the inside of the building. Things went well today with all the work on the roof finished except for laying the blocks on the roof as filler for the concrete.

Tonight we said farewell to our new friends from South Carolina, the electricians. They were great guys and we really enjoyed working with them this week even thought they are Rebs. Hopefully we will cross paths again, if God Willing.

We learned we have lost another aquaintance in Jeremie when we were told of the passing of our plumbing supplier, Walnes. He died 2 months ago of unknown causes. He was in his in his forties and has worked with us for several years. The picture above shows his shop.

This mornings trip started with a flat tire on one of the trucks and then required a stop at the local tire shop to get repaired. It is amazing with the road system here that we don't have more.

Watch tomorrow for photos of the roof pour and hopefully lots of progress.

Ok David, so I was a little optimistic about the plumbing being nearly finished. Today we spent most of the day knocking holes in the walls for the water lines. We did get the boy's bathroom finished and most of Alexandre and Sara bathroom finished. After lunch we had an emergency pump repair to make so we lost most of the afternoon to that project. Tomorrow the electicians will be finished with their part and then on Friday they head to PaP for some sightseeing. After that it's home to South Carolina.

They are still on schedule to start pouring the roof on Friday barring more rain. We have definitely had more rain than we usually have in March but it hasn't been bad.
Jennifer and Carla worked at the Clinic and got to assist with an eye surgery. The Doctor comes from PaP for one week every month to do surgeries. On Tuesday he reported doing 42 operations. Everyday the outside waiting is filled to capacity.
With a little luck we will be finished with the plumbing tomorrow and ready to assist with thee roof.

A few members of the teams went to the job site last night to see the men working the night shift. They have been working 2 shifts all week trying to get the roof ready to pour. Some of todays photos show that work. Bye for now. Please keep checking back.

The Internet is finally working! Everyone got to Haiti in fine shape and we have been hard at work on the project. We have had a little problem getting all of our luggage as usual, but today all but one of them finally came. The plywood and steel are about 75% complete and then they must form the edges of the roof before they pour. The plumbing and electical are nearly complete on the roof so the pouring can start soon.

We are not sure when the groups will come to start the roof, but some of the workers are saying Thursday. We aren't sure that will happen.

There is a big difference in heat between March when we usually come and this trip in August. All in all though it hasn't been too bad with a nice breeze when you are on the roof.

Hopefully the Internet will stay up so be sure to check back daily. See you all later.

The Hearts for Haiti team is making a second trip to Haiti this year to continue work on the orphanage at Gebeau. The team is leaving on Saturday August 1st and returning Wednesday August 12th. Please watch here for progress reports as they happen (and the Internet allows).

Well I guess its time to close out this blog.

They say the next trip begins on the plane trip home.
Well at the Port au Prince airport, plans were made to return in August.

The plan is that the form boards will be rented in mid or late July
The forms will be put into place and the steel reinforcing tied into place by the first of August.
Hearts for Haiti team will arrive about August 5 to put the plumbing in place. Another team will also arrive to do the electrical.

As soon as the plumbing and electrical is done, more teams will arrive and the "big pour will begin.

It is the plan to pour the entire roof, 6500 sq ft in one continuous pour around the clock for several days so as to not have any cold joints that might be susceptible to leaks.

The forms will remain in place for a month to allow the concrete to cure.

If you are interested in going to Haiti in August, please contact Dave at davesets@northknox.net.

Until August.........

Wednesday brought more rain so Thursday morning it was time to bail out the cistern that had about four feet of water in it.

If the afternoon is nice the team will go to the beach and more shopping.