NEW HOUSE/NEW PROJECTS!

I need help. Lots of help. 

It is no secret that I am largely lacking the handyman gene and I have never needed it more. Melissa and I are seeking individuals and small teams who have some expertise in electrical, plumbing and kitchen renovation who are willing to join us in Haiti in the next few weeks and months

You might have heard by now that our family is in the process of moving into a new house. When we left Haiti last week to spend the summer in Indiana, we left empty the house on OMS grounds we have called home for the last five years.

None of us were terribly sentimental about the move. I do believe, all four kids have literally doubled in size in five years, and the house had all the character and spaciousness of a shoebox.

A few weeks ago, motivated by factors too numerous and complicated for this blog post, Melissa and I started to look around for housing options outside of the OMS grounds. We found this intriguing option just down the road a mile ...

It's up the hillside at the top of a long lane off the main road to Cap Haitien in a beautiful, uncrowded and park-like setting. There is the main house - where we plan to put down roots - and several apartments, literally in our backyard - which we hope to fill with new and returning Cowman teachers in the fall. 

Here's one of the apartments. Last week it was getting a new roof...

And the best part of this whole prospect: our landlord-to-be is a trusted friend to us and to Cowman School (his mother taught there for decades while living in the house we will occupy). And he has given us a great deal on the rent. Really, it's one of those rare and awesome win/win situations: we get more space for our family and for hosting guests (hint, hint) at a great price and he gets someone to keep up the family property in Haiti and make repairs and improvements while he and his family live in the U.S.

The main house is full of character ...

The ceilings are vaulted and there are plenty of windows on both ends of the house. We've noticed this house feels a couple degrees cooler than the old one on any particular day. 

But this house has plenty of PROJECTS! 

Here's the kitchen:

The kitchen sink ...

And the current stove ...

Except for burgers, we prefer the convenience of a gas range over wood or charcoal!

Beyond the need for a kitchen remodel, the other major project is getting power for the house. We've kicked around several options - generator, solar panels, inverters with battery packs, local power company - and various combinations of all four. Each has unique drawbacks and challenges. 

But we'll definitely want to replace a couple of energy-hog electric water heaters with a single on-demand, gas-powered unit. But that will require running some PEX tubing (I'm just starting my own education!). That plumbing will need to go to four (FOUR!) different bathrooms and the kitchen sink and washing machine. (BTW, I noticed there's no drain anywhere or 220 outlet for a washing machine ... but there is, at least, physical space for one.)

The house actually has only two bedrooms, but a few years ago, this huge bonus room with its own little kitchenette was added to the side. THIS is what gets our kids excited and willing to overlook the fact that all four of their beds will be in one room:

Outside the bonus room is a little pool. We haven't tested it yet to see if it still holds water ... it's higher on the kids' project priority list than it is on mine. 

Mid-June, Melissa will be returning to Haiti for a few days via the Dominican Republic, where Hannah will get orthodontic attention and Melissa will travel to an Ikea in Santo Domingo (I know, right?) to pick out cabinets for the kitchen with the help of our friend, Matt. 

Local workers have already patched and replaced sections of leaky roofs and have repaired and added mosquito screens to windows and doors, but the other projects do not have a specific timeline yet.

If you have some experience in home improvement projects involving electricity and plumbing and a God-given prompting to visit/return to Haiti (or know someone who does!), please contact me and let's work out some dates. It would be a huge blessing to my family and other Cowman teachers. Thanks for your consideration!

Currently we are in Indiana and the best way to contact us would be:

Steve's email: steve_gross@juno.com

Melissa's email: grossm123@gmail.com

Steve's phone: 812-371-5114  (My Indiana number)

Or contact either of us through Facebook Messenger

One of our new neighbors!