Just one week until he's off for JAPAN!

 Things have been busy and Will is winding things up for his break to Korea & Japan next week. On Monday he will be on a plane travelling to represent his great-great-great Grandfather, William Grainger, to the Seventh-day Adventist church in Japan.  William Grainger was the first Adventist missionary to Japan so he's highly revered there.  Will will be traveling with the orchestra from Weimar University, a small independent university in northern California.  He will even be giving some inspirational talks via a translator to the churches in Japan. 

But until then... He's been a busy guy!  He survived quite well while the other Americans were out of the country.  

The demolition on patient rooms has started as you'll see in the following pictures.  There has been a real need for updating these areas so he's busy getting that started.

Examples of the rooms undergoing renovation.

The hallway ready to be transformed

He's been fixing lots of random items.  He says the upkeep is constant! And they have power failures galore.  Two of the three generators for the campus failed on Friday but one got some TLC over the weekend and it's running for now.  He says that as long as they have one that's functional that they're good to go. Here's one of the generators below. 

He's also been fixing medical machinery.  He was troubleshooting an ECG machine and fixed it! (We're not surprised, are we?) 

He patched up a partially broken ultrasound cable as well as fixing up one of the patient health monitors with a new blood pressure cuff.

Will worked with a crew who dug a new trench for a sewer pipe that had been buried too deep. 

He's been instrumental in getting all the electrical boxes correctly labeled. They shut off each main circuit one by one to confirm what each breaker controlled. He says he's got a much clearer picture of the electrical map now. 

He and a crew built a new box underground to connect wires to a cable to covert a 2-phase supply to a 3-phase. He says it took a while to get the necessary wire but it's all been completed now!

There's a new sidewalk going in.

It's not all work - he had his blood tested in the lab! His rare blood type of O+ is confirmed. Eric, a volunteer from the Philippines, has been working in the lab for 6 months. He and Will are pictured below with the vials of blood.

There has been an increase in gunfire in the surrounding area.  He's heard that a gang leader was shot as police were clearing an active gang area. It's a country that's in strife.  It's a country that really needs our prayers as only God has the answers and the ability to fix the problems there.

Personally, he's explored a bit more, but not outside the compound. He found the spring on the University campus where all their compound water comes from.

 He also found a spot in the same area that feels secluded and peaceful. He says he's looking forward to going back to to soak up the peace there.

He's visited the main University church and it's HUGE !  He just popped in and snapped this picture. He chose not to stay for the services since they're all offered in French.  

He's enjoyed fellowship with some small groups like this one pictured. 

They enjoyed a Sabbath lunch and Bible study with Eric (the blood lab guy,) Patrick (a Haitian student who lives on the campus and helps in a multitude of ways and takes Will to the market) and another Haitian student.

He went out shopping for more supplies and went into the store pictured below. 

 He says, "Interesting store. Products are tied to the walls and displayed to show what is available but everything is in the back of the store. You go to a counter to tell them what you want and they make a list with prices. Then you go to a second counter to pay the amount on the list. You then proceed to a third counter to pickup the stuff they collected for you in the back." Not the easiest method but he was able to accomplish his tasks!

The "bread guy" comes every Friday. 

 Here's a picture of that and the loaf Will purchased.  It cost him one dollar. 

He says there are SO MANY lizards there! He sees a dozen inside his dwelling each day.  

He also says there is a big spider. And a mouse. And termites. He's managed to kill most of the ants. 

So, he's definitely got company. 

He escaped to his roof to read and overlook the pool and beautiful mango tree by the pool. 

 He says the mangos often drop and can do some damage if you're hit by one! 

Here's a picture of Will climbing the big tree.  He says, "mango trees are good for climbing!"

He looks good, don't you think? He says he is in desperate need of a haircut (lol) but when you look at the Will in these pictures and compare them to the Will in the first blog he looks like a different guy. The same - but different.  More confident.  More relaxed. Going where he's been called and serving.  It looks good on him.

He says that some have expressed an interest in helping to support him.  He's not asking for financial support but if anyone would like to help him financially at any time he's been able to partner with another  missionary  who has a 501(c)(3) that is set up and able to receive donations.  If you are interested here is the link:  https:/amistadinternational.org/donate.  This takes your directly to the donation page. But here's the trick:  You must enter the name, SCOTT & MARNI NELSON FUND, in the section asking where you want your donation to go.  Scott will see the donation come in and forward the funds to Will.  

That's his update for now! He's winding things down and packing to leave this weekend. We can support him through our prayers for a safe trip to the airport in Port au Prince and safe flights and good connections as he travels to meet the Weimar group in Japan. After his return he will be spending a few days in California then he's planning a visit with his mom in South Dakota.