Saturday, March 20, 2010 at 11:31AM Debbie Berquist, Interim Director of the Village of Hope in Haiti, is now posting updates on a dedicated blog site:
http://villageofhopeupdates.blogspot.com/
We'll keep a link to it under "Blogs We Recommend", but we invite you to add it your own blog list. Kudos to Marni Maree for setting this up on behalf of the Lazarus Project!
Sunday, March 7, 2010 at 11:19AM For the latest reports from the Village of Hope (VOH), follow the weekly reports from Debbie Berquist, VOH Director on the Lazarus Project Website.
Here is Debbie's report for Saturday, March 6, 2010:
Hello all: It has been another gray and overcast day and for some of us with tropical blood..even a little chilly. It also has been a relatively quiet one since seeing The "D" team (les disributeurs extraordinaires) off at the airport mid morning. Wilner arrived just before they were leaving so at least he got to see everyone and they him. I got last minute information from some of the gents about tools, breaker panels and even a quick lesson on power point.
The team did not let down at all the name of the church they represented.which was Joyful Spirit Lutheran Church. For the returning members of the group, they sure demonstrated their joy of returning to Haiti and the people they have come to know love. The newcomers showed it in the manner they took to everything here and especially the bonds they made with the children at Little Children of Jesus. To me it was simply a "joy" to be with them for the week.
The afternoon was spent getting the depot straightened out, watching as the two vets that came to see Hopie did their work and making sure the dump truck put his load in the right spot of the yard. A load of rocks arrived today as a beginning step to getting work started on completing the new depot which has been on standstill since November. Back to Hopie for a minute as I know so will be wondering.....she is the Hope House dog and we called my friendly vet Dr Keith to come and have a look at her as she has been coughing, off her food and lost some weight. Keith was busy so sent two lovely ladies in his stead to take care of her. Luckily it is nothing serious..a mild cold and have some medicines I have to give her over the next few days.
For the last hour and a half I have actually been stretched out on the couch getting my nose into one of the books that the team so graciously provided for me. Wilner is snoozing away and Joel in his room listening to music.
I am going to take tomorrow "off" from reporting so my next communique will come Monday evening after I pick up Pastor Ron at the airport. I look forward to my meetings and time with him. We both made up "to talk about" lists and it was pretty amazing the number of items we have in common on our lists.
Wishing you all a good weekend.
Pictures:
Hopie getting attended to
Joyful spirit group
People will do anything to get a good photo..that's Jaimie up the ladder taking a shot of his group
Blessings to one and all
Debbie
Earthquake, Haiti, VOH Saturday, February 20, 2010 at 08:51AM Catch up on the news from the Village of Hope through the daily postings from Debbie Berquist, VOH Director:
Feb 19, 6:30 pm Hi all: Hope you didn't miss too much the lack of report yesterday. I took a night off as Marni, who has been posting my reports for you, also took a night off so that she, a very proud mama could go to Carnegie Hall to attend a concert at which her soon a bassoonist (I think I got the instrument correct) was performing. Yesterday was a regular work day...filled with meeting, computer and paper work activities.
Today however has been an experience. I was up early getting last minutes items ready for the Andy Hafer team which arrived at noon time today. We headed out extra early to the airport as I had to stop and check my apt. My landlord called last night to report that my neighbours had called him letting him know one of my doors was open. Since it was late he kindly went to check things out for me. Luckily it was a door that had a chain on it and the chain was still in place. He closed and locked the door. I didn't find anything out of order when I checked today and didn't see any markings on the door to indicate someone had tried to break in. It is a complete mystery to me as I haven't been near that door in weeks. I felt quite relieved however to see all in order.
Earthquake, VOH Sunday, February 14, 2010 at 09:21AM Hi there!
I have my sous chef, Joel, busy in the kitchen cutting up meat and vegetables for a stir fry I will make for our dinner tonight...his first time trying out a Chinese style dish. It is kind of nice knowing all I have do it throw it all together and plus it leaves me this time to write to you.
[From Debbie Berquist, VOH Director, dated Friday, February 13, 2010 at 7:00 pm]
Earthquake, Haiti, VOH Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 06:20PM Another short report for you today as I took a break from "earthquake" business and got down to tackle some tasks for the day to day work. My biggest feat of the day was balancing the books (at least to my satisfaction). I was truly satisfied I came out as good as I did, considering the madhouse it was the last few weeks and trying to keep track of the money flowing every which way. My accountant brother or Darrly may raise and eyebrow a wee tad, but at least the tiny difference can be explained. So I feel good about my day's accomplishment and we are off to a good start for the next round.
[Forwarded by Debbie Berquist, VOH Director, on Monday February 8, 2010.]
Earthquake, Haiti, VOH