Here the grade eight boys are playing four square - at least a format of it. They try to get a person in the square out by hitting the ball so that he is unable to return it. both the hands and the feet are used to move the ball around. The guys dominate the square before and after school and during their breaks.


A snapshot through the monkey bars seeing the guys playing four square after school In the distance, other children are playing soccer on the gravel since the field is too wet after the rains. At least twice a week, activities for student games are planned by the student council such as soccer, volleyball, hip hop, soccer baseball. They look forward to these 'games'.

The rains have ended. The flowers here received a good soaking. All the waters from the mountains need to go somewhere. The coastline and the lowlands were hit hard with flooding. The staff retreat is to be at the end of September, but presently, you can't get there from here.

This the second day we have no school due to the tropical storm Gustav. The rains have come steadily throughout yesterday and today saturating the earth. The water has no place to go but run off, causing the problems of erosion, mud slides, homes sliding into the swollen rivers, making bridges impassible. With the dampness, it is no wonder that the Haitian dislikes getting wet because where will they get dry clothes? I am truly blessed with my living accommodations.

The darker pictures were taken at about 8 AM yesterday without a flash, giving an idea about the darkness in the morning due to the storm.

This picture is taken toward the mountain, but the mountain is nowhere to be seen since it is totally in the clouds. PAP is surrounded by mountains. This is a real blessing since those mountains take the edge off the storm winds. They protect PAP by provider a buffer against the winds. Yesterday there were some gusts, but nothing note worthy. Today the sky is lighter than yesterday.

Yes the landscape here too is being saturated. Since the grass has been planted, there is no run off as in years past but the land soaks up most of the waters. The waters also fill the school cisterns. In all of my activities today, where did I see God, His power and majesty, His answer to prayers? In the rains He is there. In the winds He is there. Lord, give me eyes that see You always and ears to hear You speaking.

This past Tuesday was the first day of school. The grades 1 - 12 met on the basketball court for opening devotions. The Director welcomed the students to the new school. I led the devotions for this diverse group. The school theme for this year is the most excellent way. The ES was dismissed while the MS/HS were given some more instructions regarding their elective courses. This year we have 100 students in the HS. People were still coming to school trying to register after the first day of classes. Most Haitian schools will start in about three weeks time. Then the roads will be congested once again.

This past Friday was the new parent breakfast at the school 'cafeteria'. There were more than 50 parents there to meet and greet one another and get to know more about the school their children attend. They were served a continental breakfast of bagels, crescents, cinnamon buns, watermelon, apple slices with carmel, juices and of course coffee. After the breakfast Parent Action Committee gave group tours of the school in action, which the parents really appreciated.

This is the back yard of the Quisqueya Chapel, the church Mary and I attend. Just to confuse people, this chapel is not the chapel at the school but approximately 10 minutes drive from the school. It is situated on a nice piece of land with grass for these grazing cows and also for the children to play on the playground on Sondays and during the week. More than 200 children from the surrounding orphanages/schools use the grounds during the week.

Today was the first Sonday that our pastor, Carl Olson was back from the States. The church was still empty with some of the missionaries still being on the mainland. Each Sonday the visitors are asked to stand and tell where they are from and what they are doing in Haiti. Today there were approximately a dozen people visiting the church. They were working with one of the Christian organizations or in the process of adopting.

A snapshot on the way home from church. The streets were empty today. Many puddles were on the 'gravel' roads due to the rains we have had Thursday and Friday night. One travels slow on these roads,not knowing how deep the puddles are and not to splash the pedestrians.

Here are the Sonday sounds outside our apartment on a Sonday morning :-)

Even though the weather has been extremely dry, there are still blooming flowers decorating His creation, telling me of His majesty and creative powers. The school secretaries this past Thursday did also plant some 'native' ferns and other plants with the help of the Haitian workers to help beautify the school campus. Even top soil was ordered. Unfortunately after the dump truck dumped his load, the driver got the raised box stuck under a tree limb so that they had to cut the branch off the tree to free the truck.

We did have a few rains as can be seen by the lush green grass. Although the camera does zoom 12X it is not enough to get close to the guinea fowl that is feeding in the grass each morning and evening when there are only a few people moving about the campus. And the times I do get close enough to snack a picture, my camera is . . . . The grass is not only a blessing for the children but also increasing the bird life at school as well as the insects they feed upon. The campus has a lot of trees which is not natural for this part in Haiti. My banana plants are not doing all that well. This is the second year and still no bananas.

I was in charge for opening devotions and so I took a snapshot of all those present to take attendance. Not. We have approximately 25 staffers - full and part time for this coming year. This past week was a week of staff development and divisional meetings. Tuesday we start the first day of school. We plan to welcome about 260 students, but since the hurricane is approaching Florida, some families will be joining us later during the week or the week following because of cancelled flights.

I am back in Haiti. Mary will join me in September:-) It was a great summer experiencing God's goodness in our daily lives. There were too many happenings of His presence and daily workings that only a few are shown here. Mary and I enjoyed the time spent with my brother-in-law and sister in Michigan. We joined His church members cleaning the debris beside the highway - enjoying the presence of His people also in Michigan. Lunch was served for all who participated. His servants at work in His creation.

I attended the Christian School International convention in St. Louis, Missouri. This was the St. Louis RV Park - we did just that, park the RV. It was hot and humid and with no grass, nor trees. We spent the time in the pool and in the RV. The convention was good since it reminded me once again that my heart, head and hands all need to work together to serve Him. At times the head leads,or sometimes the heart or other times the hands - but the others soon catch up and are in sync with one another serving the Master.

After our visit to the Port Perry church for our show and tell to the congregation, we spent some time in the Niagara area. We used to live in St. Catharines which was about 30 minutes from the Falls. At the Falls, our Lord showed His promise to us once again that He is our God and He is our Guide each and every day. His promises never fail. He is my Redeemer King and I will continue to work in His presence each and every day. He is faithful. Help us to be living witnesses Lord each and every day wherever we are planted.

Family is important - the family of God and our family. The nurturing of one's children and grandchildren never end. I need to be a more faithful story teller, telling the next generation how the Lord has worked in our lives. Here are family members and their friends sharing the celebrations of July 1st, or Canada Day. Thank You Lord for all the opportunities You give to serve in freedom in this nation. Help us to never take all those freedoms for granted, especially the freedom to serve You.

Together we could celebrate God's faithfulness as a family celebrating Mary's 60th birthday together before I left for Haiti once again. I left the day after her birthday. We had our children, grandchildren and brothers and sisters come together to celebrate. Be careful of the shunk crossing. See the signs? Mary was totally surprised when we arrived for the party in Chatham. The kids did a super job in preparing the party centered on an Oriental theme. What a blessing to be able to come together and celebrate!