Haiti - Feb 15-22, 2015

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Sunday a day of rest and that is what we did today. This morning the team split to go to two different churches.  One half went to St Marc Church as Lynn continued to preach on Galatian.  The other half went to Degence where the team worshiped in the building that our construction team reinforced the rafters yesterday.  The new desks were filled with Believers in Christ worshiping our one and only true God. I am humbled by the Haitians that make such attempts to communicate with us in English. I hope to be as dilegent in learning Creole as they are at English.  Working side by side has encouraged more of that exchange in teaching each other.

Tuesday

We had a Youth Conference among the Mission Possible churches today. We challenged the 120 high school youth with 1 Timothy 4:12 to be examples in their character and behavior. Thirty-four sewing ladies at Lanzac finished their quilts today.  What a joy to see their satisfaction with their finished projects! The medical team saw about 120 patients from the Chardene area. Elaine prayed with each patient after they were seen by Dr. Jeff. Some construction workers resurfaced the cement floor at St. Mark’s. Some workers reinforced rafters in the MPCA cafeteria. The remaining construction workers stayed at the Mission Center to continue working on the school desks and cabinets.  

Wednesday

Lucky is our first Haitian Welder, thanks to Stan the Man.

Dr. Jeff getting to meet his sponsored child.

This is always a highlight for all of us.

Eight new cement floors for St. Mark's School.

Mahlon and Winn teaching our friends to use the table saw.

Pam flushing ears out with a water pic.

Thursday

Saun experiences love at first sight, meeting her sweet little sponsor child. 

 

 Heather and Jeff have sponsored Mardochee for the past 5 years.

Check out the beautiful new steps done by construction crew.

More desks being constructed, sewing projects being completed in LaHatte , community medical team seeing over 100 patients at St. Marc,  Lynn and Liane teaching marriage and family seminar to Mission Possible Church women, and a blood pressure clinic for the pastors and wives done by Dr. Jeff , Christian and Pam.

Sunday

Once again the team split for Sunday worship; some members went to Chardene and the others returned to St Marc church to hear the last of a series of three sermons on Galatians by Lynn.

We said goodbye to the week 2 team and we praise God for the safe arrival of week 3.

Haiti - Feb 7-14, 2015

Sunday February 8, 2015

We all got an early start to the day and experienced a Haitian Church service in St. Marc. One of our own, Lynn preached the message on Galatians chapter one and two. After the service we enjoyed fellowship with the local people. The congregation graciously provided us with cold Coke and Pepsi after church, which was very much appreciated

Monday

What a glorious start of our week!  A team went to Chardene to provide physicals to the girls of the school. Just under 200 hundred girls were given eye screenings, physical check ups, ear washing as needed and the same with medication.

The ladies from Lanzac for sewing class are back. Thirty four in attendance, some from last year have returned and brought friends. Liane, Elaine, and Linda from our team were delighted to witness the ladies as they helped each other on their quilt projects and enjoy their time together. 

Yesterday as some of the Haitian leaders of the Mission Possible schools as well as pastors joined forces with the men of our construction crew to  begin the building of desks.  After a wonderful time of song and prayer the men from our team began instructing the leaders in the use of power tools such has a drill press, chop saw, and grinders.

Tuesday

The medical teams are flourishing with exhaustive preparation and remarkable data entry. This information is invaluable. Pam's groups are seeing the majority of students that are enrolled at each school. Today the medical team went to Degeance and examined 88 preschool through grade 6 - just girls!

The sewing team had another huge day at the Mission Center, There were 35 women working on their projects today under Liane's tutelage. The excitement from those projects is contagious. These women are so proud of what they are learning and accomplishing.

The construction projects have been truly groundbreaking this year. The mission groups have been accustomed to coming down and doing project after project without too much thought about long-term hand-offs. This has changed! Starting this year, we have been directed to start teaching certain school and church leaders how to do what we do. We are teaching wood working, welding, grinding, painting, staining....it has been such a blessing!

The final blessing to mention is the marriage class taught by Lynn and Liane. It is titled; Foundations of Stable and Happy Homes. It is heartwarming to see many of the familiar faces we interact with through the years sitting with their spouse and honoring them by being a part of something bigger and better than themselves. 

Thursday

We had another very productive day here in Haiti.  The medical team went to St. Marc school.  117 students, preschool through 9th grade were seen.  Several went to LaHatte to start up the sewing project with the women there. One of the amazing things about the sewing class today, was we had just enough sewing kits for the women attending the class.  God is truly providing!

There were several continuing to work on the student desks and cabinets today.  Progress is going very well!  It is so exciting to see the Haitians as they are hard workers and becoming more efficient in their new skills.

Lynn and Liane continued with another marriage class today.  They both are very encouraged as the couples are interacting well together.

Saturday

The Mission Center was a hub of activity today.  In the sewing class, the highlight was when a few ladies were able to use the sewing machine.  Cindy received a quick Creole lesson in how to say “slow down”.  The construction team was working like a machine.  While the finishers sang songs of praise the desk tops, seats, and desk storage cabinets were getting a coating of finish.  There was a lot being built this week but nothing tops the working relationships that were built.  

Haitian School Board and Teacher Team in Haiti

January 19 - 21, 2015

Today was a busy, but wonderful day.  We got up early and brought all our bags and teaching supplies to be packed into the van for the drive to Haiti.  We took over 150 children’s pictures at Ebenezer School in record time, with everyone doing their part. Since we didn’t have the opportunity to see Ebenezer classes last week, we were thrilled to have the opportunity to observe the opening ceremony then be able to quickly visit the preschool and elementary classes.  Ruth and the kitchen staff served us a filling Dominican breakfast for the long journey and we left around 9:30 a.m.

Crossing the border into Haiti was an unforgettable experience! To compound the activity, Monday is market day and so many retailers were there with bulk goods to sell.  There didn’t seem to be any order to this process and so many vehicles were trying to squeeze into such a small area at the same time. Pastor Herve and the Haitian School Board calmly led us through the chaotic experience and we continued into Haiti.

We arrived about 2:00 p.m. at the Mission Center and quickly dropped off our luggage, gathered teaching materials and headed to the Teachers’ Academy to begin the first day of lessons.  Ellionaire introduced us and the teachers sang a song to welcome us. The room was beautifully decorated with ribbons, balloons and flowers.  Instead of keeping the group together this year, we divided into two smaller groups of about 30 each. Bev taught a lesson on how to incorporate music and movement into their classrooms while Sharon taught a lesson on mathematics using the place value manipulatives and rulers that will be left at the schools.   Nicole and Sherry reviewed Piaget’s concepts on learning and demonstrated parachute activities.  The students at the teacher school loved trying out all these activities.  The parachutes and balls will also be left at the schools and Judy gave a lesson about the basics of public speaking.

Waking up today, it felt somewhat bittersweet knowing it was our last full day here on this island that, for the past week, has truly felt like home. However, the last day of teaching surely didn’t disappoint. We visited the school Dupin today. This school has an amazing hike through small villages, across a stream, and up a mountain. Once we arrived we got straight to teaching. I personally taught an English lesson today to fifth and sixth graders (about 42 students). Since their English knowledge is little to none, I started with a lesson on teaching them their numbers and played a counting game, and ended with a lesson on family and created family trees. The students seemed to especially enjoy hearing me try to pronounce some of their family members’ names. It was an amazing experience to interact with the children and be a part of their education. After that we finished up our day at MPCA teaching language and math classes. Reflecting back on this week I have seen God’s hand at work in so many ways. It won’t ever matter how many times He brings me back to the same island, I continue to stand in awe of His majesty.

Last night as I was preparing for my lesson, my devotional reading said this:

“Our Lord Jesus differs from all other teachers. They reach the ear, but He instructs the heart. They deal with the outward letter, but He imparts an inward taste for the truth, by which we perceive its savor and spirit. The most unlearned of individuals become ripe scholars in the school of grace.”

Haitian School Board and Teacher Team in the DR

January 14-19, 2015

Everyone arrived last night - American Teachers and Haitian School Board.  We had a wonderful meal prepared by people from Ebenezer Church and we are currently in our first meetings of the trip.  (See photos below).  We started the morning off with a tour of the school and we are now meeting with school administrators so that our Haitian leaders can learn from them and the excellent structure of our school here in Barahona.

We are in meetings this morning, will have time to spend with children this afternoon, visiting other schools outside the area tomorrow and maybe take school pictures on Monday.

24 hours in Barahona and it feels like we are home.  Our day (all 17 of us~ the Haitian school board and our ladies) was full of exactly what God planned. We were able to meet with the leadership of our Ebenezer School, followed by a meeting with the teachers of the school and wrapped up with a meeting of the parents’ association.  We were all able to share thoughts, ideas and visions for the schools both here and in Haiti. What a gift to have three countries’ school systems represented and to learn from each.  After lunch, the American crew was able to spend a few hours with a small group of students from the school playing games and even slid in a small English lesson. 

Mission Possible is in the process of building a Creole church here and it was overwhelming to pull up tonight and see a physical sanctuary where I personally had walked on a small patch of dirt several years ago.  The small tears were ones of overwhelming joy at the persistence of the followers of Christ here in the Dominican.  

Dominican, Haitian, and American Educators all together

The Creole church - almost ready to be used

We spent the last two days in the capitol city of Santo Domingo.  On the way there we stopped at two public schools to tour and let the Haitian school board men get a look at what the schools were like.  At the second school, we were able to be a part of a teacher inservice and collaborate together (Americans, Dominicans, and Haitians). It was definitely a divine appointment. We stayed the night in a hotel and then had an exciting day shopping in the market, seeing the historical sights, and riding the subway. This was a special treat for the Haitian men as most of them have never been to a big city or ridden on a subway. 

What a wonderful Lord’s Day we have had! Praise God for the Sabbath! After breakfast, we joined the Ebenezer congregation in their morning service, where we experienced worship in many different forms and languages. The praise songs were sung in Spanish, French, Creole, and yes, even some in English. We were moved by the graceful and prayerful dancing of ten Dominican young ladies. Pastor Rosemond, one of the Haitian school board members, shared the message from Galatians 3:21-29. He encouraged and reminded the congregation that nothing is too difficult for our God. The service was spirit-filled and the joy of the Lord could be felt throughout.

We spent the afternoon on preparations for our departure to Haiti tomorrow morning and the lessons we will teach tomorrow afternoon at the teachers’ school in Lanzac.  We then rested in the sunshine, visiting and looking at our view of the mountains and the blue, blue waters of the Caribbean (from the top of the mission center).

Our original plan to travel to Haiti this afternoon was changed.  Once again, God provided a better option.  This allowed us to rejoin the Ebenezer congregation for their evening worship.  What a lively celebration!  We witnessed such joy and love for God in their singing, dancing, beautiful smiles and warm hugs!  There didn’t seem to be a language barrier, even though there were four different languages being spoken and sung.  That is the work of the Holy Spirit!

Haiti Pastors Seminar - December 2, 2014

Today is the first day of the pastors seminar. See here the hundreds of pastors singing and praising God.  We are excited to see God move this week.

 

 

Day 2 of the pastors seminar.  Pastors Danny and Franklin have been doing a great job leading the seminar.

 

 

Today was the last day and the closing ceremonies for the pastors seminar.  All the pastors prayed over us and thanked us for coming.  It was truly a humbling experience.

Haiti Picture Team - November 29, 2014

On Monday we hiked up to Dupin for our first set of photos.  The school looked great and the kids were very friendly.  Later in the afternoon we took photos of high school students at Chardene Secondary.  Overall it was a very productive day. 

Today went for another hike only this time up to Degeance.  Photos went well there too.  It was fun watching the kids play and seeing their village. After lunch we drove down to MPCA to photograph their high school students.  Before we started, Joe and Tom enjoyed a quick game of soccer with the Haitian.  They both agreed the Haitians were very good for their age (Tom would like to recruit them for back in Ohio).  Teresa, Sandy, Jean, and Darren cheered them on. 

 

Today we traveled up to Chardene to take pictures of the primary students.  Also, Teresa and Jean were able to see their sponsor children.  After the photos we were able to play and sing songs with the students.

 

Today we took on MPCA Primary, our largest school with nearly 450 students.  Things went smooth though and we will be going back to MPCA tomorrow to get a few absent student pictures.

We finished up our pictures in the morning then traveled up to Lahatte, our poorest school.  It's eye opening seeing the school and village.  We all leave humbled and changed.