Just wanted to let you all know we made it here safely yesterday sans Mark. He is sick and now he cannot find a seat on a later flight. We left behind two bags of stuff thinking he would bring them in a day or two but that is not looking promising.
Customs gave us no problems with any of the tools, supplies, generator, etc that we brought so that was a huge answered prayer.
We are sleeping in tents at Wall's Guest House where we have always stayed. So far it is actually quite enjoyable as long as the rains hold off. But it is tough looking at the pile of rubble where we always stayed, laughed and worshipped and also knowing 5 people died there.
Lots of tent cities everywhere. The damage seems very random from what we have seen so far. But we only drove from airport to here yesterday.
Today we will see much more. Headed to the school shortly.
From Alysia Wood …Wednesday, March 3…
Today was a big day and God showed us much favor yet again.
Mark found flights and will arrive here tomorrow morning after
spending the night in the Miami airport tonight. I know how anxious he the really cool part. While we were discussing this plan with
chedrick, his biggest concern was that the government inspector on
charge of all the schools since the earthquake would either not allow
us to do this or would just tell Chedrick to keep waiting for the
government. We decided we would drive to the government office to try
to have a face to face to make our case. So we drove over and then
right before we all got out, Chedrick called him and explained it and
he said DO IT! Another God-thing for sure!
So we went to the hardware store and bought all the supplies for about
$3000 (about 3 times more than what Erik said it should cost at home)
and they have already been delivered to the school. So we will be
building for the next two days!!!
I think this alone is more than any of us could have hoped for this
trip but God's hand is clearly all over it.
There is so much more to tell, but I will leave it at that for now.
Please pray that the weather will continue to be good and that the
building will go smoothly. Also pray that this will indeed get classes
restarted for all these kids who need some normalcy to return to their
lives.
Love you all,
Alysia (and Julie)
Sent from my iPhone
is to get here but also that God clearly had a reason he was to wait a
couple of days.
We spent all morning at the school touring and assessing the damage as
well as possibilities in light of the damage. Erik has proven
invaluable with his knowledge. We left there early afternoon with a
plan and drawings of how to take what is left of the church and frame
walls to make 7 classrooms with a temporary tarp roof. We think we can
finish this with the help of the Young Life guys while we are here.
This will give Chedrick the ability to restart school immediately with
probably two shifts of kids. With the feeding program already going
again this will in essence begin the full operation of Good shepherd
School by temporary means while the more permanent plans are laid.
Here's
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