Day 4 | Becka Campbell

Today was another hot one, but a great work day. Every day our crew has found a new gear and worked very hard in the heat. Juanita and her family need a lot of work done on their home; so many different areas that are broken or destroyed. It is very difficult to only work on parts of a home that I know I wouldn't want to walk into let alone live in. I can't imagine the difficulty that the staff here with Samaritans Purse have to handle when deciding how much work will get done at each home. I ask you to continue to pray for the staff here that are working tirelessly to return people to their homes. There is a large staff here (I think about 20) that work in a variety of roles including replacing manufactured homes and home repairs. It is so neat to watch God at work here.

Day 3 | Becka Campbell

I’ve had a good week so far. Today we started at a new home. Juanita is a sweet lady who lives with her daughter, son in law, two sons and a granddaughter Katie. Katie is a young girl with autism and I thought that was a really neat site for us to be at. I was able to meet Katie and talk to Juanita some about what I do. For those who don’t know, I work with young children with autism spectrum disorders. By profession, I am a behavior analyst focused on early intervention services for children. At work, I focus on helping kids learn to talk. Katie did not talk to us, she did share a few high fives though and then spent most of the day at her aunt’s house. She doesn’t deal well with change (which is very typical for children on the spectrum) so pray for her that she handles the changes we are making. Our goal is to replace siding on the back side of the home and to replace a back covered porch that also functioned as a laundry room. I’m not sure exactly what the next two days have in store for us in terms of rebuilding or replacing but I know that God has a unique plan for our team and I look forward to watching Him work. It has been a really neat week working with Kalyn, Emily, Casey, Matthias, Tracy, Bill and Eric.

Day 2 | Becka Campbell

Today we returned to the Garcia home to continue our work from yesterday. It’s a slow process to complete the punch out list. I resumed my work inside detailing the baseboards and scraping paint off the vinyl flooring. I also swept out the kitchen cabinets, realigned cabinet doors, wiped down cabinets and windows. It was a lot of tedious work, inside of a home that does not have electric. It got pretty hot in there. The team outside worked very hard to move sand around the house and complete a flower bed. I know many of them are working outside of what is normal for them and they’ve handled it really well. The heat and humidity have been a little bit of a challenge for all of us. In the evening most of us have a hard time putting sentences together because we are so worn out. Please say a prayer for Thelma - she hasn’t been feeling well since about Sunday evening. She stayed back at the church today to rest. Thank you all for the prayers and encouragement, I’m looking forward to another day of work tomorrow.

Day 1 | Becka Campbell

Thanks for taking the time to read our blog, this has been such a wonderful time so far. I’m thankful for the opportunity to serve God in way. I’m already missing my boys though! The van ride was very long; a few close calls but we made it safely! Today our first work day went well, we spent the day at the Garcia’s home. Their home is almost ready for them to move back in, so our task was the ‘punch list’. Lots of touch-ups, sweeping, painting, and cleaning up. I’m praying that their home will be finished soon so that they can come home. They are currently staying in Corpus Christi, about 30 minutes away, and the wife is disabled. She had a severe stroke five years ago and is unable to speak. She is able to sing! She is able to sing “hallelujah”. We have not had the chance to meet them, but I pray we will be able to this week. They sound like a really sweet couple. Mr. Garcia spends much of his time caring for his wife, their home is now equipped with wheelchair ramps. I’m looking forward to a good nights rest tonight! More adventures tomorrow!

Day 14 | Becka

The ark is finished! So exciting! Praise God for all the blessings he poured down on us these last two weeks. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to serve him here in Haiti. I’m excited to share our adventures when we get back home and continue God’s mission for Eric and I in Braxton County. We are both looking forward to coming home, not only for the hot showers but also to get ready for VBS. I’m the mission chair for the VBS planning committee this year and am excited to share some ministry opportunities that I have found here in Haiti. Today was a bitter sweet day. We were able to see the playground full of children and youth again. I’m quite sad to leave here. I’ve made a few friends with the missionary families here. Monica and Scott have two children Kylie and Josiah; they were our test children for most of the week. Chelsea and Trey are another missionary couple here. They are a young married couple like Eric and I. I have enjoyed chatting with them these last two weeks. We will continue to be in contact with them when we go home and keep them in our prayers. Thanks again to everyone who has prayed for us. Keep us in your prayers tomorrow (Thursday) as we travel home. Love you all!!

Day 13 | Becka

Went back to the market today. I have to be honest, I was not looking forward to going. It is rather gross there, people everywhere, dirty animals in the streets. I wish we could take better pictures to show everyone. The smell is awful. I’m so thankful that I have grocery stores back home that I can shop at. I think it was a real eye opening experience for everyone though. We went on the truck ride out in the hills of Haiti. Roger showed us where some of the people who sell fruit at the market have to walk from. It is a completely different way of life here in Haiti. We got back to the worksite and continued work on the Ark. We are happy to say that it is open for business. There are a few things we are going to work on tomorrow morning but for all intensive purposes it is finished. It was so exciting to watch 30+ children and teenagers run through the ark, learn to swing, learn to teeter-totter and climb a cargo net. I’m so excited for the ministry opportunity we have been able to provide. Many people we talk to do not know the story of Noah and we are able to share Jesus with them. I am so thankful for this experience and the missionaries here who will be able to continue this ministry long after we leave. Looking forward to tomorrow’s dedication service and some shopping. I’m excited to buy some of the necklaces that the ladies here make from cereal boxes. Love you mom, dad, Courtney, Joe, Sammi, James, Jacob, Tiffany, Cody, Rick and Susie. Can’t wait to catch up with you when we get back. Miss you tons!

Day 12 | Becka

Another great work day. I'm sore from digging in the dirt. Darlene, Jerri and I spent a lot of time digging some 'flower beds' that were mostly clay and rock. We are transplanting some flowers so that there will be more colors around the ark. Its looking better by the hour. We cleaned up some of the leaves and sticks that had been laying around. This morning there was a father and daughter standing nearby the ark watching us. I went over and introduced myself. I was excited to find out that the father spoke some english. His name is Johnny and his daughter Ginny. I talked with them a little bit and then invited them Ginny to come try our little slide out. We constructed it on Saturday but haven't had any children around to test the little cargo net. Ginny jumped right on the cargo net but didn't know how to use it. She just put her feet in it not her hands and almost fell backwards. So I jumped on it and showed her how to climb and go do the little double slide. She was quite scared, I think because she had never been on anything like it before. She gripped the sides of the slide pretty hard. Once she let go, her eyes became very big and she was excited. It was awesome to see a little girl who had never been on a slide before enjoy our hard work. I then showed her how to climb up the bigger yellow slide. Oh my goodness, her eyes were so big! She loved it. I let her go a few times and then took her to the biggest red curly slide. There's video of that on the Day 12 video (not posted yet). She was adorable. Her dad had to go the hospital to get checked out. It was hard to tell what was wrong but I'm going to pray for him. He said he will bring her back tomorrow to play when it is all done, I can't wait! Thanks Jake and Courtney for comments. Jake I'm working hard to make Haiti more Lovie :) Cheryl - I hope you and Courtney are doing well. I really enjoyed spending the week getting to know you. You both are such a blessing.

Day 11 | Becka

What a beautiful Lord ’s Day. We enjoyed an early morning service at the Haitian church here at Baptist Haiti Missions. The service was much longer than normal for us. Although we could not understand much of the sermon or songs, I really enjoyed participating in worship with them. To see the Haitian people get dressed up in their Sunday best was wonderful and convicting. So many times I wake up and throw on an outfit for church. Other days I spend so much time putting together outfits and fixing my hair. I need to spend time on Sunday mornings putting my best on for God like they do here. After church, Tiara shared with us a short devotional. She is a very smart young lady; I’m excited to see where God takes her. I’ve enjoyed getting to know the youth this week. I knew most of the youth who were here the first week but the ones this week I didn’t know as well. They are all great kids and are working/playing so well together (and without technology distracting them – that’s awesome!). I did end up going on the hike today and I’m glad I did. It was an adventure and not what I was expecting. We hiked down the hillside (the easy way I’m told) and then walked through the ravine to see some waterfalls. They were gorgeous. The water was very dirty due to the locals bathing and using the restroom in it. We rock climbed up waterfalls to see more waterfalls. I ended up busting my shoe open so now my cute pink tennis shoes are completely ruined. Only two more days of work so I think they will be able to manage that. Well I would love to continue writing but I’m really tired and it’s only 8:20. I’m heading to bed here soon as soon as Eric and I go post these blogs. Thanks Dad and Jacob for the comments on my blog – I love and miss you bunches!!

Day 10 | Becka

Another awesome work day on the Ark. I’m loving it more and more here in Haiti. I love the relaxed style of life and the happiness of the people here. We spent the day working on the Ark, its really starting to look like a playground now. We have 3 functional slides, a swinging bridge, and two climbing apparatus up and working. I spent the majority of the day painting the bible verses that Logan and Kelsie have been working on most the week. Thanks Logan for all your hard work. The bible verses look great! We translated a few verses and Logan cut them out on deck boards, so the Haitian visitors will be able to read bible verses on the Ark. I’m so excited for all the children that will be able to play on the Ark and hear a bible story. Everyone kept talking about that today – how great of an outreach this project is going to be. This is going to bring hundreds of visitors to the mission simply because they are curious about what it is. Thank you everyone for the continued support. We are going to church tomorrow morning and then going on a hike. I’ve been debating all week whether or not to go on the hike. Last week, Johnny (our translator) took everyone on a really intense hike up and down the ravine. I’m not in great shape so I’m a little nervous, but I’m only in Haiti once I don’t want to have any regrets! Pray for me!! ☺ Everyone please read Shawn Hunter’s blog post. Love you Mom, Dad, Court, Joe, Sammi, James, Jake, Tiffany, Cody, Susie and Rick.

Day 9 | Becka

Today was a busy day. Last night I had the best night’s sleep since I’ve been here and better yet, my ear is finally feeling better – no Motrin today! YAY! We got to work on the playground some more. It’s exciting to see it all come together. We put together more decking boards on the second level of the Ark, worked on the curly slide and dug more post holes. That was my first time digging some post holes – wow! What a work out. I’m blogging early today (5:02 PM) as I may not stay up real late. I’m tired! The second group worked really hard today and it was hotter than it has been. I’m so thankful I’m able to stay here the second week and watch this project be completed. I keep thinking of everyone who went home yesterday and how badly they wanted to stay. I know they are here in spirit and praying for us. We miss you all so much already! Sammi – thanks for the message! I miss you tons and we’ll catch up when I get home. I love you!!

Day 8 | Becka

What an eventful day. We woke up early this morning to pack up the first group. It was really hard to send them, to speak on their behalf, none of them wanted to leave the project half done. We sent them off and promised to continue blogging and work hard for them. After we got them on the road, we continued to clean up our dorm room. We made the beds for the second group and began the waiting game. We spent our day relaxing in anticipation of a long day tomorrow. We all look forward to continue work on the Ark tomorrow. Those of us who have stayed the second week are anxious to see our friends at the morning bible study tomorrow. We got word that the first group landed safely in Florida around 5ish and the second group pulled into the camp around 6:30. It rained ALL afternoon. Eric was upset because he wasn’t able to finish editing the video because the rain was so loud. It is now 9:18 and he finished Wednesdays video, should be online sometime tomorrow. We are so excited that so many people are following our blog. We are able to see that the videos have been viewed over 200 times per day. Thank you for the support and encouragement. We love and miss our family.

Day 7 | Becka

Today was an interesting day. It’s strange that most the people are packing up to go home and we are staying. There are 8 of us staying for the second week. I’m so thankful that I have the opportunity to stay the second week; I’m finally feeling better and hoping to be able to help a lot more this next week. I’m really enjoying it here in Haiti. I love not having the distractions of life. I have not had the desire to check my facebook, look at twitter, and scroll through pinterest. God is doing some amazing things here in Haiti. Hopefully a lot of the youth will blog about the children they have decided to sponsor. Two of the permanent missionaries invited all of us to sponsor a child to go to school. Some of the people in our group made that choice and are sacrificing their money to help provide a meal a day for a child, schooling, a food box for their family. It was amazing to watch 15-year-old teenagers make that choice on their own and commit to that. Today they had the opportunity to meet the child that they will be sponsoring. I’ve been helping Eric video so I was right there next to each of them as they met the child. Each one was so excited to have a little goodie bag given to them. Most were quite young and didn’t quite understand the opportunity that is provided for them, but I know they will appreciate it later. The missionaries told us that some of the children that have gone through the sponsorship program have gone on to build clinics here in Haiti, become pastors, become engineers to help improve the water systems here. What an awesome opportunity to reach out to people who really need help. Baptist Haiti Missions is a great organization and I believe God is doing great things here. I’m excited to continue to learn about the outreach they do here. The other activity we did today was go shopping. There is a little gift shop called Mountain Maid. They employ Haitian people to allow them to support their families. One thing they make is jewelry. I know Bill has brought bracelets back for Bronlynn before. They make jewelry from cereal boxes and it is beautiful. Mom if you are reading this, do you want a bracelet, earrings or a necklace? That’s all for tonight, pray for safe travels for our groups tomorrow. Thanks everyone for reading these posts and keeping up with us, it is so comforting to know that people are supporting us back home.

Day 6 | Becka

Today was a great day. I have felt the healthiest so far. My ear infection is finally going away and I can hear people talk ☺ Every morning we have a bible study by our ark. We invite the Haitians to join us in bible time and songs. After we finish, we greet each other. This usually involves us saying “bonjour” and shaking hands, as this is all we know how to say. Today I was able to talk with a few gentlemen who know some English. Leo and Eddy were very nice and could speak almost fluent English even though they said their English was very bad. I enjoyed talking to them. They asked how many words I knew in French Creole, so I counted: Bonjour (good morning), bonsouis (good afternoon), merci (thank you), wi (yes). Basically I know 4 words. Leo is convinced learning Creole would be easy for me. I laughed pretty hard at that. It is a very pretty language but sounds very difficult to catch onto. I am hoping after two weeks that I can learn a few more words! Thank you all for the continued prayers. We are having a great time and making awesome progress towards our Ark. The team is working so well together and enjoying each others company. I’m sad to see some of them go home on Thursday and anticipating the next group to come down. Pray for safe travels for Wed/Thur/Fri as there are various people driving to and from West Virginia.

Day 4 | Becka

Today is Sunday and I stayed home from church as I developed a cough along with my ear infection. I’m happy to say that it is the evening time now and I am feeling MUCH better. My ear pain is significantly less than it was and I’m hoping to be on the work site tomorrow. Eric and I spent most of the day working on video editing. The first video was posted today and hopefully we will be able to load some more, I know everyone is looking forward to seeing them. We are having a great time here. Eric took me on a walk around the compound today (I missed the tour on the first day). Haiti is a very beautiful place, I feel so blessed to be here. There is something so peaceful about being here. There are a few gardens we walked through and saw tomatoes, lettuce and peppers growing. He also walked me by a workshop where they build infant coffins. That was really quite sad to see those little coffins. I have to say the highlight of my trip so far was yesterday (Saturday); I sat at the worksite and wasn’t working due to my ear infection. A little girl came over to me and started talking to me in French Creole. She was about 6 years old; I have no idea what she was saying. The only thing I could do was invite her to sit with me and watch them build. I really enjoyed her sitting with me. She wanted to take some pictures with my iPhone and look at the pictures after we took them. It broke my heart when she saw my water bottle and wanted a drink from it. We are not allowed to share with them because we don’t have enough to share with everyone. She tried quite a few times to take my water and I continued to tell her no. She did not get mad or upset, just continued to play with me and watch them work. I pray that she will be able to come back when the playground is completed and enjoy it. Thanks everyone for the prayers!

Day 3 | Becka

I haven't blogged yet, I have been recovering from an ear infection. Unfortunately I developed an ear infection on Wednesday during the drive to Florida. I'm blessed to be married to a very prepared pharmacist who takes very good care of me. I've had to rely on him for a majority of the trip so far. I debated about staying home on Thursday due to the ear pain I would encounter during the flight. I know God has a plan for me, so I toughed it out. I have to say that was the worst plane ride ever. The flight was fine, the pain brought me to tears. We made it safely to Haiti and I spent the majority of the time in my bunk resting and recovering. I have enjoyed hearing everyone tell me about their experiences so far. They are all having a great time. We are so blessed to have this experience and thankful for those of you who are praying for us back home. They are making such great progress on the playground, you all should be very proud of your children and spouses. They are working as a team!
Please continue to pray for healing on my ear, it is still blocked up and I cannot hear. I very much want to work and help where I can.

Happy Fathers day Dad, I love you very much (and mom too!)