To read the previous blog, click here. 

Today was our last full day here and we accomplished quite a bit. In the morning we drove over to a school to take heights and weights of some students. We took measurements for about 120 students in Savanette. It didn’t take us too long to finish the large amount of information we collected. 

The truck picked us up and we traveled back to the compound after playing for a while with the kids. Getting back we played with the preschoolers, had lunch and did a few other things. In honor of Sharon’s husband Ron who passed 5 years ago, we planted two avocado trees for him here on campus. Sharon has came to Haiti for 19 trips including this one so it will be great for her to watch their growth as she continues to visit in the future. 

Another memorial project that will begin soon is for a new school for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders here on campus. We toured the area in the back of campus that plots out the start of the building. A classroom in this school will actually be a dedication to my great grandma who passed almost a year ago in March 2018. The school will be a needed addition to campus for the students here at Many Hands and I am so grateful that my family is able to be a part of that. The school should be finished by fall this year.

After planting the two trees and touring the new school area we drove over to Maliarette to paint the pillars there. If you don’t remember, Maliarette is where the other Many Hands campus is located. When we arrived, everything was painted a boring beige color, but when we left, all 16 pillars were painted a beautiful eggplant color. I have included before and after pictures to show you the difference. This took all afternoon as we painted two coats onto each pillar and painted all of the edges by hand with brushes. 

While we were gone, Kent spent his time putting outlets in at the wood shop and Lon and Todd helped plant raised garden beds using weed barrier and mulch to plant cabbage. I have added a picture of what they look like. They are sod and mulch packed into a large black barrier. 

I would like to share one more bible verse. This one I happened to find on my bible app today and it has given me the peace to leave Haiti knowing that I will come back soon. Romans 12:1-2 says,

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and adaptable and perfect”.

Again, thank you for taking the time to read my blog updates and for your prayers. Please continue to pray for our safe travel home in the next two days. If I can summarize one thing that I was reminded on this trip was that “Lanmou Bondye fo gran e manifeste”: God’s love is strong and mighty. 

Christina Mueggenberg