Haiti VIM team arrives

On Thursday, February 16, 2012, wrote: 
By Dawn Hand 

Greetings. The Foundry VIM team arrived this evening, Feb. 16, at the Methodist Mission House in Petion-Ville, outside of Port-au-Prince. 

We had an adventurous ride from the airport through the Haitian capital on the back of a paddy wagon. Nine people and luggage bounced around on the dusty, winding roads. 

During the journey, we saw some of the effects of the 2012  earthquake that left 300,000 dead and 1.5 million homeless. Signs of rebuilding -- new housing structures rising from the ground -- stood alongside reminders of the devastation -- several tent camps. 

As soon as we arrived at the Methodist Guest House, we sat down for a dinner of fried chicken, rice and beans, yams and salad. Yum. 

Following an orientation session by a Haiti Response Plan official, the Foundry team met. We distributed devotional books and reflected on our first impressions of the country. The team will be sleeping on bunk beds tonight in the guest house. 

Early Friday morning, we will head to Mellier, about two hours outside of Port-au-Prince. I'm glad to be here and to be working with our team, which includes Ace Parsi, Becky Hein, Harold Raymond, Joe Brennan, Lauren VanEnk, Lynn Kim, Mark Schoeff Jr. and Nicole Woo. 

In Mellier, we will help with construction of a multi-purpose facility and help teach Vacation Bible School with the kids. 

Mark Schoeff Jr. contributed to this report.