September 11,2009

Subject: Guy Stuff
Dear Friends,

I thought it was about time to share some of the things Jamie has been doing around here and some of his experiences.

Jamie has been busy from day one. Before he could really even think about fixing anything the garage was a mess to the point you just can't think or if you had to find something it would be a chore. So that was first and of course he got Cory involved with that one. He said the bat guano was about an inch or more thick in there. He has created a tool room to store all his tools that the Lord brought here. Those of you who have seen our garage in the states would be very impressed with his new organization skills.

As you all know he is now working on having the 3rd and last vehicle finished. That has probably consumed most of his time but there is still oh so much more then that. He has put plumbing into the staff squat pot bathrooms so they do not have to carry a bucket of water with them anymore. Of course while he was working at that a request came through for a toilet paper holder. So Jamie right away put his creative cap on and made one out of wood and plumbers pipe.

He has plumbed water over to the TB ward. And plumbed a new sink in the new pediatric ward which use to be the old church. He also put a new sink in the garage. He made and welded IV poles on the beds for the hospital.

Jamie has also been approached by the principle of the Bere Adventist School to make desks. It sounds like a great idea but a lot of work since they need 60 of them not including the teachers desk. The desk will seat 3 children each and use about 40 foot of metal per desk to build them. They will have to be welded together the problem is the square tubing to build the desk is really thin wall metal. Which comes to a really nice project for the church or a Sabbath School class to take on. What Jamie needs here is a small mig welder to satisfy this project for our SDA school here. All they have now is just a 2 foot little wall of homemade mud bricks and a little bit of cement on top to sit on. They have no desk to write on and I know your derrière (French word for behind) would be hurting and that would make it hard to concentrate on learning.

Jamie took a trip to Mondue and picked up a lawnmower that was sent in a container from the states. It was a lot of fun to watch the people here gather around to watch the crazy "Nasara" take the grass down with a machine. For them this is cattle food so they do not understand why. But of course the hospital cannot have that so we want to present a more clean and orderly campus. I even joined in the fun and I can honestly say that it is the first time I ever mowed the lawn in a skirt and flip flops. The second time we mowed a few brave nurses wanted a try at it. We were more than happy to share the work on such a hot day. The job got done by three of them and you would think we did them the biggest favor as they came in from their turn all worn out and sweaty.

Another interesting adventure for him was that there was a very large tree that had fallen. Jamie noticed men from around spending hours just hacking away at it trying to get wood for their cooking fires. Jamie decided to show them how it was done and got out his chain saw that he had sent from the Parker garage in the states. He started up the chain saw and started cutting that tree up like butter with a butter knife. He said it was so much fun to see the amazement on their faces. But they did not understand how he was doing it because they couldn't see the chain move so they would try to grab the wood before the next guy would get it. (that is how it is here, survival) Jamie had to stop them and try to show them that he could take their arm right off and that they would have to back up.

Well I hope this gives some insight to what Jamie has been up to. He works very hard every day and never complains. The hard work here is very rewarding. His hope is to help improve the life of everyone around here and make a few things easier. He defiantly has been told what an asset he has been to the hospital and the for the living quarters for the volunteers. We just know God has had a plan for him for some time now. Jamie has just been willing to do whatever has been asked of him. I praise the Lord for putting him in my life every day. I have learned many lessons from his patience and willingness to help others.

Love, Tammy
The Parkers
Jamie, Cory and Brichelle