During our spring break, our director, two parents and two students went for a bike trip around a lake and into the DR. The school truck brought them about an hour from the DR border. The lake is a salt water lake which once upon a time was connected to the sea. The lake is 40% saltier than sea water and is also about 40 metres below sea level. Ad de Blaeij was the co-ordinator of this trip and this was his second time for the three day journey.

During our PD Days this past Thursday and Friday, Steve led us in songs of praise and worship. Here he is accompaniedv byRod Meadth, our teacher from Australia. We have great musical talent among the staff and we call upon their talents many a time. It is just great that we can start our PD Days with a time of worship, setting the tone for the two days. Approximately 25 staff members were present for these inservice days. I had the responsibility of leading the staff on the Thursday morning, focussing on the characteristics of a Christian school teacher and how that is also shown in concrete ways in the job description.

Our key note speaker on Friday was Gloria Stronks, who is known by many via her books, her teaching days at Dordt and Calvin and/or the various schools. She is presently involved with World Wide Christian Schools. WWCS is partnered with CRECH: Consortium for Christian Curriculum for the schools in Haiti. She spoke to more than 2oo Haitian educators on Thursday via a translator. These people were neatly dressed for the ocassion, skipping meals so that they could buy the proper clothes to come and hear Gloria. Pictured here with Gloria is Denny Day, a staff member, having a question or two about her presentation.

Aren't I photogenic? This picture was taken during a meal last Sunday at Jenny LeMahieu's house where she was serving supper to the Sous Espwa partners and three Americans who had come on a work project for the Sous Espwa Ministry Centre. They came to help build the second floor of the ministry centre of the CRC in Haiti. This work team came from Howard Van Dam's brother's church in the US. Their skills were appreciated. Howard is the link with various partner organizations such as CRECH, MDK(Ministry for Christian Development) and the CRCH (Christian Reformed Church in Haiti). He wears many hats since he also serves on the board of Quisqueya Christian School.

This past week was Teacher Appreciation Week. This week was organized by the Parent Action Committee. I am the secretary for this group and also the administrative representative and therefore involved. The week started with a staff breakfast on the Monday at 7 AM, with a parent/PAC member doing the the devotional for the staff. It was a most excellent way to start the week.

Tuesday, the parents expressed their appreciation for the staff of the school with gifts and cards and words of appreciation. Dear Mr. DeKoter, Thank you very much for helping our daughter Annie, be the child of God, God called her to be. Keep up the good work at QCS because of Christ. Wednesday was Valentine's Day and a staff member put on a great spread for the approximate 35 staffers we have at QCS. That day the board treated us to home made ice cream at the end of the school day. That was a real treat!

Thursday the administration treated the staff to juice, coffee, tea, bagels, croissants and fellowship instead of the usual Thursday morning staff meeting:-) It is great to have the fellowship together, setting the time aside to just to slow down and share with one another. All too often we are too busy doing God's work that we do not realize the people He has placed in our path, including fellow staffers.

Friday, the PACers put on a luncheon. The students were dismissed at noon that day:-) This is the start of the Carnival in Haiti - holiday and celebration time. I have been taking pictures of the staff and so the staff were treated to a PowerPoint presentation, which included a wise word from a student. All in all, it was a great week. Yes, we did teach :-) May God continue to bless the works of our hands. This picture shows two staffers enjoying themselves.

These grade eight girls are working on their gliders. This is a unit from the World in Motion unit on flight. I used this unit at Scugog Christian School and this organization shipped all the units I requested to Haiti free if charge, for which I praise God. Presently, all the science classes I teach have hands on units which makes learning more enjoyable for them and a lot easier for me. It helps to make their journey of learning a joy indeed. The SAE Foundation provides one free set of materials at each grade level to each middle school establishing a partnership with an organization that will provide volunteer support for the program

Our Director, Mr. Hersey, is sharing his background knowledge with a small group of students in the Home Economics class. Mr. Hersey attended school in Japan and is showing these students proper etiquette eating rice with chop sticks. Once again, having this hands on experience makes learning a joy for the students.

Our learning never ends. Mary has become a secretary for the time being, since one of the school secretaries resigned. She is filling the gap until the proper arrangements are made to fill the void. One never knows where the Lord calls you:-) He uses His people His purposes to fulfill in places and tasks that you never dreamed of. Once again God is preparing us in ways that we can give answers to everyone who asks us to give reasons for the hope we have .

Thursday was the kick-off to our Read-a-thon with a character parade by the elementary students, while the Middle School and High Shool students watched. The children and teachers dressed as book characters marched around the soccer field twice. Pictures here is Mrs. de Blaeij, the Junior Kindergarten teacher, leading the parade. A great way to start the morning:-)

Pictured here are representatives from an organization called Fondasyon Limye Lavi, speaking to the students about literacy. There are many people in Haiti, both adults and children, who can not read. About 1/2 of the children go to school in Haiti, since many are not able to afford the $100 for tuition and books for the year. There are also 300,000 restaveks in Haiti, children sold to others for a better life, but in reality sold into slavery. The life of a restavek is menial chores, but rarely ever schooling. We are blessed. Check out the web site www//BeyondBorders.net

This past Sunday, at the end of the service, the congregration experienced God at work among His people. We were witnesses to the baptism of 7 young people. What a blessing that these people were able to say before the people, I believe in Jesus Christ, my Saviour, my Lord and my King! The Lord continues to work in and through and among the peoples. Praise God.