Worldly Issues

Leave for La Gonave in 3 days and I'm 3 weeks behind with preparations. Have been totally engrossed with grandchildren and parents who create a wonderful distraction from "worldly" issues. Not sure it is intended to be that way but think my mind needed to NOT think cholera, homelessness in pouring rain, dirty water and no food.

Now, increased calls about cholera on south la gonave with water treatment being distributed on the North side of the island, come pounding back to attention. The excuse we always were given for oversight of people on the south was "that is Methodist territory" and we aren't allowed. Of course, Father Roosevelt gets to carry the load, with help from Catholic Charities. The Methodist church closed their compound and projects years ago.

We will be investigating some transitional housing possibilities for the many still homeless since January. Louis and Enicson said today many are going to the island to stay away from cholera but now people on the south and west are dying. Transportation from the south side is an all day journey or a grueling and dangerous ride on a motorcycle that most can't afford.

We took a road trip to Colorado several years ago and I returned with a good case of good poinsoning. Not "cool" on a big bike in the mountains with..umm

..a rebelling inner constitution. Probably not more than a half dozen latrines for 20,000 people so "it" all washes into the sea, eventually. Fortunately cholera only infects shell fish BUT chonch and lobster are sold at market on the mainland.

Spent the afternoon preparing a new brochure related to water issues and our project on LGN. Hoping to find Concern WW and others successfully fixing broken wells. Generally, activity is limited to the north and east because it is less challenging. Hope to have new information on industry and education before we leave. Stay tuned.

We are excited that one church in Kansas West has an Advent project to raise money to drill one well on La gonave. Another church in KC District just partnered with a civil engineering student in PaP to pay his tuition for the next four years. We will get to give him photos and notes from them and see the relief in his eyes.

Perhaps it doesn't seem like much for 100,000 plus people, but with what other NGO's are doing it all adds up. The exciting thing, is nearly all projects are focused on Haitian sustainability. The students are excited about gaining skills to address issues that make life miserable for their families and communities. If forced to work in the US they can only send money from time to time which changes nothing.

Joe says the soup is ready and other work awaits. An auction at our church tomorrow to raise funds for an intergenerational mission trip this spring and the return of our Colorado Kids will curtail what little shopping we managed.

Jesus told the people, in my morning devotion, that saying "Lord, Lord," plus some pious living was no guarantee they would encounter kingdom living. Guess, that means I don't have much to say in the matter so I'll just go do what I can, and enjoy the kingdom as I find it with friends who care about those things that are pounding in my soul.