The end of Haitian construction

We spent all of last week under the hot Haitian summer sun preparing the cement pad that will receive the 16x32 steel building we'll call the ASAPH Teaching Center.  I did as much as I could myself (which wasn't much) to help lower labor costs a bit.  It turned out pretty well, but not as well as the first pad.  The mason will have to come back and redo a couple of places where the cement has 'lifted'.  Oops. 

So now I pretty much end the 'Haitian' part of the construction.  What's left is waiting for the steel buildings and then erecting them on the cement pads.  No real ideas yet as to when that might actually happen.  :( 

I'm closing up operations here this week.  On Saturday I'll assist the graduation from university studies of Pierre-Louis Esprenord.  He lived with me for a year or two before moving to Cayes where he has been studying.  It's a big deal to get this far in Haiti.  I'm proud of the work he's done and the things he has endured to make this far.  Hopefully, he'll be gainfully employed in the fall.  Gainfully employed in Haiti.  It's like finding that needle in the haystack. 

Next week then I'll fly home to PA for about one month or so.  Looking forward to seeing all of my pale, long-nosed family members and friends.  If you or your group would like to receive a visit from me with an ASAPH presentation, please contact me.  I'm delighted to have the chance to share what goes on here in this ministry.