Hope for Haiti .... one child at a time

2012-03-18T08:03:00.002-04:00

The grades 6 and 7's had a 'Math Bowl' this past Wednesday on pi day. They were divided into 5 teams and had to answer 20 math questions - timed of course. I also tried the same questions in my Geometry class.

The construction of out side washrooms continues. This way the buildings do not need to be open when people are using the soccer field or the basketball court.

The work continues on the field - leveling and sifting sand which is also put in with the crushed stone. A compactor has been busy all this past week.

Progress - what a transformation. Once again it is a level playing field. Excitement. Work in progress. Anticipation.

2012-03-11T08:13:00.003-04:00

Market day. Mary went to the opening of a new market with Jennifer, who also works in the school office. The produce was fresh from the mountains and the cost was great - much cheaper than the grocery stores. A real find.

I didn't go along but the ladies had a good time - drinking from the coconut. Mary did bring me the leftovers :-) The insides of the coconut was soft and not too sweet. A delicious treat.

School kids always enjoy getting their picture taken.

The work on the field continues to progress. The topsoil disappeared quickly. Hopefully the container arrives in port this week. Stay tuned for the latest developments.

Our church service last week. It is always a challenge to find the hymns - Creole, French, the white pages, the pink pages and . . . let's just say, I need help :-)

This Is Haiti

2012-03-06T04:58:00.004-05:00

2012-03-04T07:15:00.002-05:00

This week we had a Korean team from LA present the gospel to the ES students in our weekly Thursday chapel. We have a Korean missionary who sends his daughter to school here and this was a team to help him for 10 days. They did an excellent presentation.

Yes, they do have larger equipment here in Haiti when you know the right people. The top soil is being removed from the soccer field in preparation of the artificial turf to be installed during the next few months.

Washrooms are being installed close to the HS building so that when the buildings are locked these will be available to those still on campus for sports.

Some of the top soil was added to our front garden. Looks a lot better and now we can plant more plants such as banana, bamboo along the wall and . . . I;ll have to give that some more thought. Cacti? I do not want the flowering plants to die during the dry season, nor do I want to water these plants during that time.

An air conditioned ride :-)

2012-02-26T10:23:00.000-05:00

An impressive tree in the colonial city.

A historic snapshot :-)

The Japanese section of the Botanical Gardens.

Roots galore and unique.

Visiting some ruins of a church in a park and just enjoying the 'breakaway.'

A Mormon church with the angel Gabriel sounding the trumpet?

Ready? Take aim. Fire! When did this crier come?

Our walk in the park.

The border crossing :-)

A charcoal boat coming from the island to the mainland at the border.

2012-02-19T07:40:00.000-05:00

The director and the HS principal in the kitchen getting the frittatas ready for the staff breakfast. Ummmhhh good.

The staff eagerly participating in the breakfast

Circle time - caught you:-)

Special olympics in PE class this past week. The students had fun and with the rain, the field wasn't dusty this past week. God is good.

2012-02-12T07:19:00.001-05:00

A tribute to the Haitians in the DR since many of them worked the sugar cane plantations.

There were two barges like this on the river in Santo Domingo - they produce electricity for the city. They have electric power all the time in the DR.

This is a memorial to Christopher Columbus - there is a torch burning on the roof of this massive building. It has been said that you can see the light in space beacuse there are no other buildings in this place.

Yes there are trains. Sorry the pic is dark but the trains here are for the sugar cane industry and there were two trains and three tracks side by side. Not your every day event or scenery and so the quick snapshot.

2012-02-05T18:03:00.001-05:00

Loading a truck with shovels along the border road. Hope it doesn't all cave in.

Rowing across the lake at the border to the other side and making slow progress.

The border road - being raised since the lake water is slowing rising - at least 20 feet since we first crossed 5 years ago.

This is one of three sulpher water pools - free entry and cold water. I did not try it.

There are many uses of the small motorcycles in the DR. They are very numerous there and break all kinds of 'rules of the road.' No lights, no limit what you carry, lotsa noise, age limit - I couldn't tell. Interesting mode of transport.

2012-01-22T08:10:00.003-05:00

Here the PE class is enjoying a new activity on the sidewalk rather than running/playing on a dusty field.

Artwork displaying 'My Dream' for Haiti.

Vendors along the roadside selling fresh fruit. One needs to bargin and also try to deal with one lady rather than four, each trying for the sale.

Our meat tenderizer - A Stanley :-)

2012-01-15T07:58:00.005-05:00

A new slide which the kids seem to enjoy. It is a gathering place.

Reading time is an important time each day. And what could be better than to read outside in God's beautiful creation?

We are focused on the lesson :-)

Basketball season is on once again - a favorite activity of the team of-course. This was a good game. To watch one must pay and so I watched from the second storey classroom since I had given my ticket to someone :-)

A Time to Remember

2012-01-12T09:07:00.001-05:00

2012-01-08T08:08:00.002-05:00

Stay in touch during the new year 2012!

Be a blessing

2011-12-23T05:09:00.002-05:00

2011-12-18T07:59:00.001-05:00

Singing joyfully at HS chapel led by Josiah and Katie - teachers.

Girl's volleyball game on the basketball court. Our girls did well.

Finally, the old donated turf is gone. Some donations are really not. Plans are underway to have artifical turf on the soccer field during the second semester.

An oma moment at our staff Christmas sing-a-long and fellowshipping and feasting on food. It was good.

During the fellowshipping, a powerpoint presentation of school happenings during the last month or so while Christmas music played in the background.

From our house to yours,

Have a blessed Christmas time with family and friends

and

a joy-filled New Year.

Make every day a Christmas Day - Emmanuel - God with us

today and all of our tomorrows.

2011-12-11T07:25:00.004-05:00

Our bulletin boards in our school hallway in the elementary school. Displaying the children's work is important. This decor was also the student's input for the school bazaar.

Door decorations with a message. This door really stood out. In our giving during this season - where is God in our giving? What do I give Him? My life, my service, my all in all. He is King!

This is the International Chorus in Haiti - singing the Messiah for approximately 30 years. Some of the members are the original members. It was good. Who would have thought I would have to go to Haiti to hear a live performance?

This crowd of men are loading one roll of the artificial turf onto the truck. The rolls were donated to the school but were 20 years old! We are exploring options to have a dirtless soccer field :-) Now one sees a cloud of dust when the field is being used - no grass.

2011-12-04T06:53:00.001-05:00

The elementary children sang some Christmas songs outside and the parents enjoyed this photo opportunity. We need to do more of this at future events - proclaiming His good news via the children because the parents will come for these events.

The biggest hit at the bazaar was the jumping castle. There was a line there throughout the day. A good money maker for the grade 10 class. Each class had a 'booth' at the bazaar - their experience in doing business and making monies for their senior class trip.

Some of the vendors during the day under the tent. There were two large tents to protect the vendors from the sun. We had approximately 40 vendors.

Last week was Spirit Week and no one does it better than our Mr. Chabot - our librarian. The students had great fun dressing up as twins, wacky day, hero day and . . . but it does change the dynamics of learning through the week.

2011-11-27T07:03:00.006-05:00

This is our Thanksgiving lunch this past Wednesday that the kitchen staff gave the teaching staff. A real surprise. Hmmmm good. Thank you.

This is a repost since somehow the pics didn't appear last time. Our garden has improved and someday we might even get some soil so that other plants will grow.

Early morning soccer practice - the members getting instructions in the little shade that we do have on the field. It is dry here and there are only a few patches of grass along the sides of the field. Games are a dusty affair.

Not my line of work - a new communications tower was put on the roof of a government building a few blocks of the school. Interesting to see how they put the next piece in place.

2011-11-20T07:13:00.001-05:00

Art work from our students - the many pieces make the whole. Neato!

Two grade three students sharing their work with me :-)

The many guests celebrating God's goodness at the St. Thomas Community Christian School - Ebenezer - hereto the Lord has brought us. It was good to participate in His goodness. 50 years of Christian Education! WoW!

I was asked to share a few memories. In all that we do we need to praise God, proclaim God and please God. May He always be the wind beneath our wings.

2011-10-30T14:01:00.001-04:00

Wednesday afternoon in the chapel where the accreditation team gave a report to the membership. The four visitors were at school for three days.

At the elementary school chapel, the students were shown a Torchlighters video about William Tyndale. The focus was reformation day - the Bible in the people's own language.

Volleyball practice after school.

The chapel is used for table tennis on Tuesdays and Thursdays and then also on Saturday mornings. The club painted the chapel floor with a non - skid paint and it looks great.

This is the road behind the school. It usually had one lane of traffic because of the ruts. However, a new parent to the school who owns a construction company spent two days at regrading the road. Neat! Scarey moments however. The HS building vibrated during the grading of the road and I wanted to run out - a reminder of the earthquake.

2011-10-23T13:23:00.002-04:00

Caught you reading! This is the grade 6 class with reading buddies from other students in the elementary classes. This happens each week - reading aloud to one another.

Sent to the principal's office to show off her Bible work. The student project was on a Bible character and they had to answer questions about a Bible character and write up a summary of their lives - an epitath - therfore the tomb stone :-) A proud student sharing.

The grade three class at times uses the netbooks. The ES does not have a computer lab but we do have a class set of netbooks which are internet accessible through the wireless. Composition may be either the pen and paper way or the challenge to do it on the computer - a grade three student.

Yes, the car did go a little rough. I did hear a thump, thump but I continued to drive slowly to the school. I don't think I damaged the rim. A flat tire the school office worker certainly did have.

Just clowning around. Oh sir, please take our picture and voila - here it is published. And yes, I do teach these students in my geometry class.

2011-10-16T13:38:00.001-04:00

After the rains some female teachers thought they would try to play football.

There was a table tennis tournament being held at the school throughout the weekend. There were 8 players from the DR playing the best 8 in Haiti. Then there are 40 players scheduled to play on Monday. Boy, these players are good.

Off to the wedding banquet . . . almost. Waiting for their ride. Still in touch with the world.

Art and Miquette lighting the unity candle.

Live entertainment while we ate outside and the pool at our feet. It was the same place where Toni and George lived when they were doing relief work while they were in Haiti. We enjoyed their fellowship poolside many a 'Sonday.'

2011-10-09T13:44:00.001-04:00

This past week, Randall, our librarian, led the SS students singing hymns a cappella at our chapel service held each Wednesdy morning. A nice change :-)

A home made car made from a plastic bottle and bottle caps. Ingenuity at work.

I try to take photos of 'Caught you Reading' and then this one is 'Just Caught You! Jonathan - a senior was just being nice to this ES student. Neat to see this interaction among the students.

Got caught reading - an ES students was sharing the play she wrote with me during class time. I encourage teachers to send kids to me to share their work. I just don't want to be the person doing the discipline all the time:-)

The roof above the director's office received some new sheet metal because the rains were not good for his desk and computer equipment. This building had the original roof and had sprung several leaks. May the replacement solve the problem or the whole roof needs replacement. The new sheet metal certainly isn't the same quality as what was replaced.

The Ravine Walk

2011-10-01T20:48:00.001-04:00

These are the batteries beside the administration building which caught fire this morning. Glad it was while there were people on campus this morning. God is good.

The children love to have their picture taken.

Kez taking 'inventory' of a young patient.

Friday was also wash day using the pail method and drying the clothes on the vehicles 'parked' along the roadway.

A water boy - learning early how to carry the water needed for the family. At times the people find a PVC pipe broken where the city provides water to the houses and they help themselves - the bucket method and waiting patiently to fill their container.

2011-09-25T08:51:00.001-04:00

Picture taking day for some of the students by our staff member in charge of the year book. These photos will also update the students profile on the school grading program.

Ping pong in the chapel. A better picture next time. I took my camera from the office and the temperature change - well it isn't the greatest for the camera.

Side view of my Apple - the plastic bottom has expanded and is no longer snug as a bug to the computer bottom. This picture was taken to send to a computer friend in the US who will be coming to the school this semester to see if he can get the part to take along. At least the computer works. I better back it up on a regular basis!

Get caught reading - is a weekly caption in the school newsletter. Just reading in the class during silent reading time and enjoying the quiet time.

Our guest 'librarian' for the week - our Mr. Potts - who was librarian at the school for the school year 1980-1981. He contacted the school this past week while on a mission trip and asked if he could visit the school. While here, he asked if we could use his expertise. We agreed and he extended his visit. Mr. Potts just retired this past year. The kids just loved his story telling and sign language skills.

2011-09-18T18:33:00.001-04:00

A snapshot while walking the ravine this past Friday morning Mary and Kez, looking after the medical needs of the children brought to them.

Parent teacher conferences were held this past Friday morning from 7 AM - noon. This is the chapel where the parents could see the HS teachers. The ES teachers met the parents in their classrooms. I had a table set up in the hallway of the ES and walked to the HS many a time to meet with my Geometry parents.

Friday night volleyball by the staff. We started with one net and soon had to use both nets since some of the staffers also brought their friends. Good fellowship. Good fun.

Caught you reading! Book buddies in the ES.

ES students getting their exercise by doing some laps as a warm up before their PE activity. Talk about being warm - running/jogging in the hot sun.

2011-09-11T09:14:00.003-04:00

This is 'our canopy' left at our place after some 'quake volunteers' asked us to store it for them. It provides great shade for the refreshment booth at the Family BBQ held yesterday.

Finally the field was dry enough for the volleyball games to begin. The torrential rains on Friday didn't deter the people coming for the free lunch on Saturday - hot dogs, burgers, fries and pop.

Tether ball is a favourite among the kids. Would you believe that the rope for the ball has to be replaced each week? We use a nylon rope because the rope that came with the ball doesn't even last the week :-)

Food line at the BBQ. A good time to talk to those in the line and get acquainted. The line started shortly after 12:30 and finally disappeared by 2ish. And yes, the kitchen ladies did well serving with the help of students - getting in some of their service hours (HS students need 30 service hours per year in order to graduate).

2011-09-04T09:01:00.000-04:00

Get caught reading. Reading buddies.

Soccer is the sport - the after school soccer games have started for the elementary students and the interest is great.

Altogether now! Lift!

The kitchen received a new stove. There were also renovations made in the kitchen which improved the work space for the ladies.

Open House for the parents - the address given by the director before they visited the classes.

Talk about a traffic jam!!!! And the people have patience and wait until the the owner who is blocking all comes and moves his vehicle.

2011-08-21T08:05:00.003-04:00

New parents signing in at the New Parent Breakfast. 'Orange' you glad you came today :-) About 3/4 of the new parents attended the breakfast and school tours.

School opening assembly on the first day with the grades 1 - 12. Rise and shine and sing praises. The students were led in songs of praise by two staffers during the opening assembly.

Meeting and greeting and sitting on the wall, waiting for school to start. Reminds me of 'Humpty Dumpty'. This is the favourite activity each morning of the SS students.

The staff was invited to rest and relaxation and fellowship and food at this hotel up the mountain about 20 minutes from the school this past Saturday. It was a great breakaway after the first week of school. Good food, good fellowship, great relaxation, good fun, great view of the city . . . count your many blessings. See what the Lord is doing each and every day.

2011-08-14T08:52:00.003-04:00

Getting ready for our staff meetings. As the days progressed the number of staff increased to about 30 members. God provided and filled all our needs. PTL!!

Getting ready for inservice professional development by our Director.

Each day we started with devotions and here is Rod, our SS principal leading us in song.

Here are the topics of our PD Days - lectures and interesting discussions.

Left overs again! We had coffee at our morning meetings and I found these last two containers of instant coffee. Rather than store them for another time, I decided to use them. Left overs from the US army after the quake. There are about 20 cups of coffee and cups and sugar and creamers and all ready in 30 m9nutes. WoW! Yes, I did also prepare the regular coffee for the staff :-)

2011-08-07T08:58:00.001-04:00

I'm back. The following are some random shots around the campus which is still in the state of preparation of receiving the 300 students a week from this coming Tuesday! WoW!

It's a jungle out there - just outside our front door. My banana trees are doing well.

The kitchen/school cafeteria is being renovated and so the ladies had to cook outside. Now I know how they cook their chicken - boil in water first and then fry them :-)

A beautiful display infront of the main office, in our cafeteria area, where the children/staff eat.

Along the pathway to the ES.

This is the prek and K playground infront of a staff's residence.

The soccer field has no grass, but see the rolls of carpet there? Used 'artificial turf' may become a reality. We will see.

Our textbook storage room and new school supplies which will become emptier when the staff come and take their student texts.

Our computer lab with numbered computers and chairs. All students will be assigned their personal pass to log on. Our IT guys are being kept busy.

As we stand on the threshold of the new school year, we stand in His presence and go forward in His power. He continues to supply all our needs. PTL!

2011-07-30T14:07:00.000-04:00

That was a good elephant joke, opa!

Canada Day is every day eh.

Roughing it smoothly in the city - Chatham, ON on our son's driveway.

Free hydro :-)

What were they thinking when they did this brickwork?

Look very, very close.

2011-07-09T13:22:00.000-04:00

My butterfly collection :-)

2011-07-09T13:03:00.002-04:00

2011-07-09T12:57:00.000-04:00

How many butterflies can you find?

We went to the Butterfly Conservatory today.

2011-07-08T19:55:00.001-04:00

Lilies along the parkway in Niagara Falls.

We are enjoying the bikes. We biked from Queenston Park to the Falls. I did get both bike frames into the trunk of the car :-) minius the front tires. Now the bikes go with us wherever we go :-)

We biked along the Welland Canal and we waited for the boat to come out of lock three. The Canadian geese walked to us expecting food but alas, none to be found. The white water is at the front of the lock gates, equalizing the water level so the ship from Germany can continue its journey.

The US Coast guard vessel is dwarfed by the size of the lock.

This is the ship from Germany - filling the whole lock with just inches to spare.

Where do we go from here?

2011-07-05T15:33:00.001-04:00

Canada Day celebrations with family and friends. God is good :-) Enjoying my freedoms.

Mary and I biked to Niagara on the Lake and this was but one view across to the American side. We are looking at the map and planning a bike ride along the Welland Canal. Great bike paths!

A photo opportunity in Niagara on the Lake.

On the bike path enjoying His creation.

Roughing it smoothly :-)

We are parked between Niagara Falls and Niagara on the Lake only a stone's throw from the bike paths.

2011-06-29T17:00:00.002-04:00

God's creatures 'shot' with our new camera. Practice makes perfect with a lot of patience. Enjoying His presence in His SonShine :-)

2011-06-21T07:30:00.002-04:00

Roughing it smoothly :-)

Our home at my sister's place in Newago, Michigan, enjoying God's creation in the beauty all around me.

The banner at our grandson's baptism in the church in Holland Michigan. Our God is an awesome God!

2011-05-29T07:41:00.002-04:00

This is our graduation class of 2011 A.D. Only two of these students were present in Quisqueya after the quake last year. They also attended the school for 14 years. Great is Your faithfulness, O God.

The staff gathered for their last staff meeting of this school year.

A photo opportunity of the grade six step up program held this past Tuesday. Some parents decorated the chapel with balloons to celebrate. And we did - celebrate - God's goodness and faithfulness throughout this past school year. Thank You Lord.

Here the grade six class is lining up to enter the ceremonies in the chapel. After the program, they were dismissed. Refreshments were served however before they left. Good community time. Fellowship time. Connecting time of the parents. God is good.

2011-05-22T15:19:00.004-04:00

This is a snapshot of the deBlaeij's farewell party at Vervloets. Many people came to encourage them on the new chapter of their lives. Of course there was food with the fellowship!

A snapshot of a school play by the drama class this past Friday. A Job well done and a first since I have been here. The kids, even the parents enjoyed the presentation :-)

Our K teacher also gives piano lessons and this past Thursday there was a piano recital by here students - all four of them. Some had progressed well since the last time they presented their music. Well done!

A picture of a school parade on Flag Day this past Wednesday. Somehow my movie would not upload :-) Ugh!

2011-05-22T11:55:00.002-04:00

2011-05-15T06:53:00.002-04:00

This week was our last basketball game. Two years ago QCS won the league title. Last year there was no basketball due to the quake. We are rebuilding not only the basketball team which had all rookies this past year but also our contacts in Haiti. Next year we will have the experience onboard.

A snapshot of the staff board dinner - saying thanks for the services rendered. Goodbyes to those leaving and encouragement to those staying. The devotional I presented had the focus of God's rest and exiting to new adventures in kingdom .

Good food. Good fellowship. Good fun. All in His presence. Thank You Lord.

Wherever you go, you have reminders of the happenings last year. Some tent cities are getting smaller. Rebuilding is taking place. But with all this newness, are we also rebuilding our relationship to the Lord. He is in control. Him we must serve. God is the Ruler yet, even though Haiti has just installed a new president. May his faith also drive this nation to serve God, the King of all peoples.

2011-05-08T07:27:00.002-04:00

This is on the way to the airport. The tent cities are still there 18 months after the quake. Some are disappearing, but it is a slow process.

This past week the students of TeacHaiti were at school at QCS for a field day - an afternoon of fun and games. They really enjoyed themselves. It was put on by the National Honor Society of our school -the students.

The metal works - the proud creator. This is where we go to obtain the metal works that Mary sells at the 'church sales'. We have been here many a time and he is always glad to see us.

Here is a sampling of the products at the 'store.' Some have vodo on them or images that are not appropriate. We hand pick the items we desire. Mary had a good sale in Chatham this past weekend.

2011-05-01T07:01:00.002-04:00

While we were in Petionville buying some DVD's we went to 'The View' restaurant to have some lunch, but unfortunately they were not serving yet. The view was super as you can see the concrete houses built into the hillside. One can also see where the side of the mountain came down.

A concrete jungle. In some places the tent cities are getting smaller. The people are being moved into housing. CRWRM has increased the number of homes being built and also are helping the people with micro-loans to start small businesses. They are making a difference.

The metal works along the street side - wall mart. This is along a busy street and the prices are pricey.

2011-04-24T13:45:00.002-04:00

Easter morning at the 'Sonrise' service. Still a little misty down below but a great view on the mount with the lookout.

Here is pastor John McHoul of the church which meets in the school chapel on 'Sondays' giving the Easter message. Christ is risen indeed! Prayers were said for the city as the people faced the city, since we do serve the God of the city.

Our banana 'tree' just before our guard Pierre came and harvested the crop. He was truly thankful for the bunch which he could eat with his family or sell on the street. Bananas are very expensive and a speciality for the local people.

Last 'Sonday' there were the children from four orphanages who used the school grounds for fellowship, food and fun, which included an Easter egg hunt. They were sponsored by a group which paid for this event. The school grounds is a haven for many - students, sport events, individuals using the place to exercise, soccer clubs, and basketball teams for practice. We do have an impact upon the community.

2011-04-17T07:54:00.006-04:00

Lunch time at our Family Sports Day yesterday. More than 300 'yellow jackets' participated in the events during the day. A great day of fellowship, fun and of course food! And God provided His Sonshine throughout the day.

How strong are you? The tug of war provided many challenges and it was great seeing, kids against kids, boys vs girls, moms and dads vs their children. This was but one of the many activities.

The basketball court was also a busy place - playing bump in this snapshot.

2011-04-10T08:12:00.002-04:00

Mr. Bataille speaking to the kids after a chapel message - a follow up, wanting to know more. Visible fruits.

The story of Adam and Eve retold - a second chance? Not so. The same result. These students shared the Gospel at the secondary chapel.

Chess. Before school. During lunch time, and even after school. We have been invited to send four students to a chess tournament to be held here in Port-au- Prince.

Going to the airport, we still see the effects of the earthquake, although many place we also see reconstruction happening. Yes, still with concrete roofs.

It is the dry season here. Day time temperatures are in the 90's and the dust - it is everywhere. We did have a good shower last night. It is good I didn't wash the car to pick up Mary from the airport on Tuesday.

2011-04-03T09:15:00.005-04:00

This was at the baptism of Randy and Karen's baby at the Eglise Presbytererienne Reformee De Delmas church which meets each Sonday at their school.

When pastor Ben Hopp is there, the sermon is in English and translated by the Haitian

pastor. Great teamwork!

A quick snap shot of two of the classrooms of the school which is run where the church is held.

2011-03-27T17:00:00.002-04:00

Mary is in Louisville KY helping our youngest daughter Janis with their first child. Alexander David Persenaire came three weeks early and all is well with mother and child and father too - Dave :-)

The arrangement was for Mary to leave here in April, but then God had different plans. God's timing is always right. We praise Him for this gift of new life - another miracle. PTL.

2011-03-27T16:45:00.003-04:00

Two on an extension ladder against a round pole? Not me.

The national workers received their 'food baskets' this past week. Here is boss Vivian thanking the students for their generous donations. It was so much that they will receive the extra rice an

d spaghetti and . . . just before the school year is out. The Lord is good opening the hearts of the people to donate.

Here is Pierre, our friendliest guard with a partial delivery and he was happy. He was happier still when I printed this photo of him on the colour printer and gave him a copy. Missing was the large bag of rice - a 50 lb bag.

2011-03-20T09:51:00.002-04:00

2011-03-20T09:36:00.001-04:00

This is the better part of my rock garden beside the school wall and our apartment. I have four banana plants growing there. I am trying to spread the debris and then put the topsoil ontop - the topsoil will come from the side of the hill which I will hoe down :-)

This was part of our chapel exercise this past Tuesday - learning memory work with 'Barb and Friends.' A great way to learn to recite memory work.

The students did really get involved with one of the action songs. It is nice to have visitors lead and teach the children God's message through song, though puppets and even Kevin's story about the forgiveness of sins through his 'sciencey' magic - making the black cloth whiter than snow.

2011-03-13T12:04:00.006-04:00

Some of the students came in during the March Break to divide the food for the National workers which was donated during our Annual Food Drive. There was an over abundance donated this year that the food will be given at this time and the rest during May. Thank You Lord.

This is our personal ravine, which was created after the school wall was moved. The top soil is limited and in some places, it is all rocks and building blocks. The blocks need to be crushed and the limited dirt spread out so that more hardy plants will grow there such as the banana plant. I have three visible plants and two that were just transplanted. With some TLC, they may take root and also grow.

This 'tree' is very close to our apartment and I needed to tie the plant because of its leaning - I didn't want it to fall before the harvesting. The workers will enjoy the fruit of this tree:-)

2011-03-06T13:46:00.001-05:00

This past week was Dr. Seuss' birthday and so the Director read the book 'Green Eggs and Ham' while I turned the pages of a larger edition. Steve was the excellent reader and the kids enjoyed this introduction to chapel this past Wednesday.

This is a snapshot of the elementary chapel taken from the sound booth.

Mary went with some other visitors to TeacHaiti on Saturday where the students were making necklaces from paper and cardboard. The project here is starting to grow while the 'Apparent Project' of another former teacher we know is doing very well. They travel to the DR to buy some of their beads to place between their paper created beads. These beaders are trying to become independent.

The Elementary school went 'batty. this past week - as you can see this bat on a limb on a branch jutting into the outside hallway.

2011-02-27T07:12:00.002-05:00

This is Randall, our SS librarian who got into the spirit of things during the ES Read-a-Thon. This was wannabe day - a jazz player eh. Randall has been serving in Haiti 20 years plus as pastor, teacher, librarian, friend, servant of God, and more - a real blessing. Oh, Randall is a Canadian - and white :-)

Tae Kwon Do classes happen every Tuesday and Thursday at school. The kids really enjoy this especially since this room has air :-) They do have to pay for this service. They are enjoting themselves with the excellent instructor.

Our soccer game this past Friday - a tough fought game - very physical. You can see the dryness here. Lack of grass due to the lack of rain and the over use of the field. Can you see the dust?

The opposing team spent the day painting the lines on the field which quickly disappeared.

A high wire act. I just saw this yesterday. This tower is for ????? I asked Pierre the guard who saw it being constructed but did not know what it will be used for. This is across the road from our apartment. I need to be more observant :-)

2011-02-20T12:26:00.002-05:00

This past week was our teacher appreciation week - thanking the staff fo serving at QCS. This was the ice cream social put on by the board after school this past Wednesday. All the toppings were also provided. The teachers did not need a second reminder to come to the classroom. The first time I had ice cream this year in Haiti. Blue Bunny - the best from Iowa :-)

This was our self serve this past Friday put on by the administration team. Coming to school and being served with juice and coffee and all sorts of tea and croissants and pates and great fellowship - what better way to start the day. Yes we did start the meal with devotions by yours truly, thanking the staff for serving,

This was our omelet station - using the propane burner left by the army after the Quake. The staffers could choose the ingredients and the cooks got better doing the omelets as the morning progressed - including me :-)

Here are some of the staff enough this special staff meeting - the breakfast served by the Parent Action Committee of which I am the administrative representative.

2011-02-13T17:01:00.001-05:00

Our Librarian, Randall Chabot, who is a Canadian and has been in Haiti forever :-) was bringing these goats to a family in the country. They spent a day at school making friends with the ES children and even me. The mother was tied up and her kids did not wander far from her.

The kindergarten students celebrated Chinese New Year and tried their hand at chop sticks. I didn't stick around because I can't do chop sticks and the food they served was not my favourite :-)

This is the Pre -K class getting a lesson on dental hygiene from their teacher, using bottled water at the sink. They may not drink the tap water at school, but at all ties need to drink bottled water. Each classroom in the ES has their own five gallon water cooler which the students use to fill up their water bottles.

Almost and not yet. The men were splicing the fibre optic cable and we were hoping that it would be connected for the weekend. But no :-( This is a Japanese firm using an existing Haitian company and putting the fibre optic wire everywhere in the city and also the country side. The school will also serve as a relay station methinks since they are installing a lot more than what was to happen - and not at our cost. That's the good part. Now it just needs the final touch and voila! I will let you know when that happens and if it is a reliable service :-)

2011-02-06T17:53:00.001-05:00

Mary's purchases after she went to the market. Fresh fruit to eat and also to make juice. The tomatoes are also used for my breakfast in the mornings - home made bread and tomatoes and eggs. Hmmmm good. DeKoter's special - at what time did you say?

This was the location of the retreat - Moulin Sur Mer. We were also there last year, but we had the retreat in the Fall time. A parent of the school owns the resort and he does help out with the cost. A beautiful paradise just an hour from PAP once you get out of the city. And the roads, beautiful pavement most of the way.

Our speaker for the weekend was Gareth Evans, a former physics teacher, and now preacher. He also pastered churches in Ontario and taught in a Jewish college in Toronto and now lives in B.C. when he is traveling. If you go to Gareth Evans Ministries, he has a few sermons posted. Interesting. Challenging. Refreshing. Renewing. Revitalizing.

This is the old mill turned into a museum. The resort was a sugar plantation once upon a time. Although it is run down, the resort is making reparations to the museum since the resort's family owned the plantation.

It was a most excellent breakaway.

Gareth will be speaking to the secondary students each school day this week, challenging them to be who God wants them to be.

2011-01-30T13:33:00.002-05:00

This is our new mobile cart for our netbooks for the Elementary school. It holds a total of 24 netbooks and are plugged in for recharging while in the cart. The best part is that all these netbooks are also 'plugged-in' to the wireless for the Elementary School. A real boost - keyboarding and more :-)

Our first basketball game of the season against a rival school. Some of the spectators and players were students at QCS once upon a time.

How dry is it? It has been very dry as you can see from the soceer field. The kids play in the dust and during their play, it is a 'dust bowl.'

God is good. Even during the dry spell, the fruit still continues to grow. These banana plants are found behind the Elementary building where the workers planted the banana plants. Then one day, I will find the fruit gone and the banana tree cut down. These plants shot up new plants which are growing even before the harvest.

2011-01-24T13:55:00.001-05:00

A girls' soccer game after school. A great way to finish the school week. It has been dry here as you can see with the lack of grass on the field.

Look closely through the branches and you can see the snapped pole just hanging by the wires. This created great excitement last Thursday when the wires crossed and lit up the sky. You should have heard the commotion of the people on the street.

There are the two trucks which came on Saturday. A pole was replaced and the snapped pole was unrighted and a wire attached from it to another pole. Vola! It is upright again. You are right - they did not replace the snapped pole :-(

This was our place of worship this past Sonday - a Haitian church - Orthodox Presbyterian - where pastor Ben will preach every other week in English with the pastor beside him translating it into Creole. This is also the Haitian school- Adoration Christian Center. Check out the site cdiacanada.com

2011-01-16T18:20:00.002-05:00

These are the children being fed at Pastor Genada's feeding program. Mary and Barbara visited his bakery and feeding program this past week. About 100 children are fed lunch six days a week at this site in one of the poorest parts of Gonaives.

Lunch for the children - rice and beans with sauce.

Enjoying a fresh bun at the pastor's bakery which is operated by deaf Haitians. The manager is a hearing person, but all the rest are deaf and this supports their livelihood. Not only do they make the 3,000 buns a day but they also sell them. Hmmmmm. Good!

Fresh from the oven in the cooling stage. Ready for sale. What a minstry for these people who are not accepted by their society because of their disability.

These are the children being fed at the pastor's daily feed program - in this shelter he built on the land that is rented.

2011-01-16T13:43:00.003-05:00

2011-01-16T13:31:00.002-05:00

Here is Julie White holding up the book that I read at the elementary chapel this past Thursday, remember the quake and God's presence in our lives. Our hope is in Him.

This pictures the number of people at the church across the road on January 12th - a day to remember. They started at 6 AM and were still going strong 12 hours later. Each time I thought there was a calm in the 'noise', they would start once again. I could understand their 'Hallelujahs.'

Jump-starting the Economy While Cleaning the Town- Christian Reformed Church

2011-01-13T04:59:00.000-05:00

Jump-starting the Economy While Cleaning the Town- Christian Reformed Church

2011-01-09T13:02:00.003-05:00

Flying back to Haiti, I love to have a window seat. In the creation, His handiwork I see. Flying at 30,000 feet, what beautiful designs He created and I sit in awe and amazement!

Coming in for a landing, I am once again reminded of the reality in Haiti. This Wednesday it will be a year since the Quake. Here I see the tent cities which are still there - the organized tent cities and the ones dispersed over the country side. Recovery is slow, but it is happening.

Christmas in January. Due to the political unrest, school was cancelled a week earlier than scheduled for the elementary grades. The grade 6 class could not do their Christmas program for which they had diligently practised. Since we live in Christ our Saviour, every day is a Christ day and so we had our Christmas program this past Thursday at our elementary chapel. About thirty parents were also present.

Just one of the activities I enjoy doing with our 'grand kids.'

2010-12-11T13:38:00.000-05:00

Here you can see the fires burning just over the school wall. Today whatever you touch, your hands are black. Ugh! The air quality outside was bad, but in the apartment, it was stiil good. Although the day times were noisy, the night times were quiet.

The people here are trying to get past the barricade. Among them were those who kept adding fuel - gasoline - to the fire.

Our vantage point. High and dry and PTL - safe.

Not only the UN made their rounds, but also the police. Although the fires were burning, there was no violence around this immediate area.

The Crowds

2010-12-11T13:04:00.002-05:00

2010-12-05T08:58:00.002-05:00

The vendors of the Christmas Bazaar were under these two tents to make sure that they had shade. These tents were 40 x 60 feet each - which provided the shade and the room for the people to move freely.

The decoration committee created this manger scene. The theme of the bazaar was Rejoice and Rebuild. This scene was beside the DJ area where Christmas music was played and special announcements throughout the day. The sound system was courtesy of a local Christian radio station :-)

The wise men three were in the 'cafeteria' area where the people gathered to eat. The grade 12 class was in charge of the food and they ran out of food by the end of the day. More people came than expected during this time of Cholera and political unrest.

A look what was in the tents. Christmas shopping in Haiti for the school community and more. It was really a great time of fellowshipping and fun and food and shopping. Many spent the seven hours joyfully among friends - a safe haven provided by God.

2010-11-21T07:01:00.000-05:00

This past week was spirit week for the elementary school. The teachers got into the spirit of things also as you can see by the third grade teacher. This was clash day and she did an excellent job!

This week we also had our girls soccer team play against Union school. It was a great game, going into sudden overtime when the Union school did score the only goal of the game. Good sportwomanship displayed throughout the game.

A student working in the 'hallway.' Can you see the colour of his hair? He certainly is getting into the school spirit :-)

2010-11-14T07:10:00.002-05:00

Eager listeners! Each Thursday we have elementary school chapel and this time I was in charge once again. This is half on my captive audience and each class recites their memory work each week. My focus was on 'tudes' like attitudes - feud tude, mood tude, etc. I pray that they too may develop attitudes of gratitude with altitude.

The grade six class had a jog-a-thon this past Friday to raise monies to plant trees at an orphanage. They did exceedingly well. they ran for one hour having sponsors for each lap and/or a donation. Some ran 30 laps in the hour. WoW! That became expensive.

The cravers continue to do their work for the bazaar. Once completed with the carving they are stored in the office. Did you know that they are coloured with shoe polish? I would also like to see some natural. They are made from the mahogany wood left by the storm last October.

This is the road behind the school that the parents use to drop off and pick up their children. We have been in contact with the roads department in Haiti and maybe we are getting somewhere. Hopefully in the near future, it will be better than this. You need an all terrain vehicle - four wheel drive for sure.

2010-11-07T13:05:00.002-05:00

On the road to church on the main Delmas road going uphill we find many mounds of debris of the slow reconstruction going on. These hills of debris grow until one day you are surprised that all gone.

A very mixed scene - the empty roads on a Sonday morning which will not be true a few hours later, the tents along the roadside which once upon a time was a public park, and the merchants across the road selling his artworks, business as usual.

The saturated soccer field after the rains. Maybe the grass will grow, but I think not due to the overuse of the field.

A real fire truck - just beyond the motorcycles. The firemen came to cut down the tree which was uprooted by the rains on Thursday and Friday and blocked the road. I heard the machete knives early in the morning hacking the tree. The fallen tree did not break the wires. At least now the trucks will no longer hit the overhanging branches.

2010-10-31T07:53:00.001-04:00

Remember the storm a few weeks ago? After all was cleaned up . . .

. . . a few wood carvers were hired and they have been busy at their creations for the Christmas bazaar to be held on December 4th. From the 'ashes' rises the 'beauty.' From destruction to a beautiful re=creation. It is fitting that the theme for the bazaar is REJOICE and REBUILD.

Here are their creations from the 'rumble.' What think ye?

2010-10-24T09:12:00.002-04:00

It is a jungle out there. You can see my two banana plants and the vine which is flowering from our compost pile. No fruit on the vine :-(

The school has hired two carvers to use the wood from the storm to create carvings for our up and coming bazaar. These are their creations and after drying them, they will be stained and polished. Neat to see them in action each day. They agreed upon a price and they eat with the workers each day.

More in the workings of the carvers. They hope to have about two dozen carvings ready by the time of the bazaar, maybe three - dozen that is.

This is the road behind the school. One lane traffic and the rains just keep on messing the road up. You do need four wheel drive in Haiti. We are in talks with the city officials to see what can be done to improve the road. Water has ben diverted from the cross street and is doing great damage after each rainfall.

2010-10-17T16:07:00.001-04:00

Profession of faith and baptism at church today. About 20 Haitians were baptized and four children of the VanDam family did publically profess their faith. A great day of celebration. God is good.

The rains have come once again and I am trying to uplug the small drain pipe from the landing of the bottom of our steps before the waters enter our enclosed porch area. According to Barbara, a Haitian girl we know, the rains are doing great devastion downtown and the rains have killed people with flash floods.

TeacHaiti started school last week. Our school nurse is the director of this school and all the children are sponsored. Here Miquette is telling some of the students how to use the washroom, a new experience for many of the students.

Mary found this spray painted on a wall during one of her travels. A good representation of what we will look like in years to come. The is a well known artist here in Haiti who continue to 'adorn' the city walls with his pictures.

2010-10-10T07:55:00.002-04:00

Oops. We made a wrong turn. This is the market we drove through this past Saturday while looking for a specific store. The street vendors we courteous in moving their wares so that we could get through. Behind us was a state truck. He also got through.

This is the remains of the building posted before. There was a huge backhoe that brought the building down. Now the people are scavenging for the rebar to be used again.

The rains do a lot of damage to roads, especially to the roads that are not paved. This is the road behind the school making it difficult to bring the kids to school. The city does nothing to maintain this road. Here some of the workers are filling the ruts with rocks to make the road passable.

In our travels this past weekend we passed this tent city - one of many. These cities are not disappearing.

2010-10-03T11:44:00.001-04:00

This building is being torn down. You can see the rumble at the back and side of the building and the traffic continues. I'd rather not take this street since there are no barriers to protect the street traffic - both man and cars alike. The vendors are still on the other side of the street making way for one way traffic at times.

If you look closely, you can see the men at the top of the picture using hand tools to demolish the building, one storey at a time. This building is at a busy intersection of Delmas 75 and Delmas 60 and presently the street lights do not work there. Hmmmm. Interesting.

We went to a restaurant called the View with some people from Samaritan's Purse. We did certianly see the view from the restaurant. One could even see the airport and the harbour from the restaurant. Wow! Only afterwards did I find out that the family who operates the restaurant has a child in grade one. I have to know the family names better and be able to put names and faces together. Next time I will know.

This is one of the two Bible classes I teach. Our focus this year is on Jesus from a book entitled 'God Man.' The range of knowledge is across the board and keeping them all interested and involved is a real challenge. It is my prayer that they too will experience the living Word in my class and that His Spirit will work mightily in their hearts.

2010-09-26T15:48:00.001-04:00

Yes, there is a car under the branches! The aftermath of the storm we had on Friday after school.

Here I am multi-tasking - doing some cleanup with an electric chain saw and answering my cell phone.

See - all the branches are gone. Someone had a chain saw and let us use it and after a busy Saturday, all the major branches were clered away. God is good - providing both the man power and the equipment and the people to make the school ready for Monday. Yes, the large branch also is cut up and it didn't fall on the generator.

See you at the pole! Students gathering together to pray for one another, for the school and for the land. PTL!

2010-09-12T15:36:00.001-04:00

This is the Haitian National Amputee Soccer Team

pictured at QCS. A photo opportunity.

2010-09-12T15:20:00.001-04:00

Reconstruction. On the way to the airport, we pass by this building which is being repaired after the quake. The scaffolding is wooden and the cracks are enlarged before closing the gap.

This is a tent city on the back roads we took to the airport. TPrins from Sous Espwa drove because he knows how to avoid all the traffic jams. To the airport and back again took only 40 minutes. WoW!

This is the Haitian National Amputee team playing before our students this past Friday. The students were impressed by their skill level and their endurance and determination. They are going to the World Cup for amputees in Argentina next month.

This was our refreshment booth during the fall picnic for the school parents. We had a most excellent turnout with at least 400 people who came to play soccer games and/or just socialize. We all enjoyed the lunch of hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, french fries and a pop. The best part was that all of this was free.

2010-09-11T21:23:00.000-04:00

Getting acquainted again at a Sous Espwa gathering as we enter the new year serving our Lord in Haiti.

This is our new art teacher who also volunteered to teach music to the grade one class. A welcomed addition and the ES staff really appreciate Mrs. Edgerton because they have some time to spend on other schoolish activities like preparation time.

Nice lines on the soccer field eh? These lines were painted on the grass with a roller and paint :-)

Fellowshipping after church.

2010-08-29T15:15:00.002-04:00

Tae Kwon Do classes have resumed this past week with interested students and parents who took advantage of the free lesson. This week the lessons will no longer be free. A great time for parents to catch up on the latest.

The soccer season is on once again, but then in Haiti, it is always soccer season. This week the Elementary students will have their chance at the game from games 1 - 4 and 5 - 6 in an organized 'league' system, each team having their own colour shirts :-)

Almost finished. This area was usually a junky area for garbage and more but . . . under Wilner's careful eye and work, the area will be transformed to the place where the students will take auto mechanics working on real cars. Wilner will also do work for the staff cars since he is an excellent mechanic who kept all the vehicles running during our relief efforts. God continues to supply our daily needs.

Friday night basketball has once again started - playing under the lights The campus continues to be a busy place with soccer teams, basketball teams, etc. May our light continue to shine in all that we say and do.

2010-08-22T08:52:00.001-04:00

A special song during the church service last week - the pianist's sister with two nieces singing praise to the Lord. Neat!

On the first day of school, sitting in His SonShine, listening to the director for final instructions before heading to class. The first day was only a half day so that the HS students could select their 'electives.'

I had a helper on the first day of school, a student in grade three who didn't want to stay. He was my side kick and took class photos as I travelled from class to class to see who was there. He had fun and went willing to class after an hour :-) I made a friend.

The paraplegic athletes still are practising at school each Saturday for their up and coming games in Texas and Argentina. We are in the process of inviting them to school and give witness what the Lord has done in their lives - from depression, worthlessness, unwanted to hopeful, purposeful, joyfilled living! They are purpose driven athletes.

2010-08-15T08:36:00.002-04:00

First day for the staff starting with the morning breakfast with items from Epi-Dor, the bakery everyone visits breads and some fast food service :-)

Freshly painted chairs waiting patiently for their placement in the pre-k class and their students. School starts on Tuesday. The school theme is worship. We desire to have life long learners and life long worshippers of the true God.

There are sidewalks there, but they have been taken over by the merchants selling their produce and products. This is a Sonday morning view - they are there before 7 A.M. selling their wares.

It is a jungle out there. I need to do some work controlling the greenery here. I transplanted two banana plants yesterday and will water them each day until I see some growth. Once growing I may have banana plants all along the block wall and the workers will love the produce :-)

2010-08-08T08:32:00.002-04:00

Getting final instructions from my daughter :-)

Oh the joy of flying :-) I do enjoy seeing the sights.

The first Saturday back, soccer practice was happening at 7 A.M. by three teams. Most soccer fields are still tent cities so finding a place to play is difficult. This team practiced with great intensity for the day! They are getting ready for their paraplegic games starting this September in Central America. Their determination, drive was an inspiration for me.

2010-07-26T07:55:00.002-04:00

The family :-)

The family again:-)

God be with you till we meet again.

2010-07-18T07:37:00.000-04:00

Roughing it smoothly - enjoying His creation.

Now, that's a bat!

Where do we go from here?

This is the reason why we teach spelling in school :-)

Canadian eh?

2010-07-01T18:31:00.001-04:00

2010-06-30T07:26:00.001-04:00

Enjoying the summer time. Roughing it smoothly.

Thank You Lord for the relaxing time with friends and family and ALL in Your presence.

2010-05-30T14:52:00.002-04:00

This past Tuesday afternoon we had a field day with the school 'families.' Each team had students from the various grades and it was a great way to close off the school year. Great team work was displayed - the families encouraging one another.

Wednesday morning from 10:30 - 11:30 we had the school closing exercises with the k graduation, grade six step-up into middle school and grade eight graduation. Refreshments were served aftrewards. The students were happy that this was certainly a day which the Lord created.

Saturday afternoon we had te graduation program of the grade 12 students - all ten of them. What a day to celebrate God's goodness! What a journey it has been. What a story we can tell of His goodness and faithfulness.

Clean up phase. It is warm and dusty and a lot of work needs to be done before school can start once again. I do work once in awhile - physical labour that is. It has been hot, humid this past week - a three shirt day and even a two pants day. After this weekend the ES is ours again and all the classrooms will be available to set up for the new school year.

2010-05-23T08:59:00.000-04:00

This is our new and improved elementary and high school library. We are putting the resources of both together. Walls were broken down and the new ceiling tiles installed - free labout from the company. It will be an inviting and exciting resource place.

This is our pharmacy - the third location Mary worked from and now it is all empty. It is returning back to a classroom and the remaining drugs, medicines were donated to various locations.

On flag day this past Tuesday, about 1/2 of the students went and painted the exterior of three houses that were donated to some families of CSI an organization which has been working in Haiti for some time and we have staff member onboard whose husband works for this organization as does the chairman of the board.

This was a note I found on the chalkboar in the grade five classroom. It says it all.

2010-05-15T15:17:00.002-04:00

This was at our staff/Board annual get together saying thanks to the staffers who are leaving. It was also very mych a praise and thanksgiving evening where we sang songs of praise remembering what the Lord our God had brought us through. We have certainly seen and experienced His presence as we have never experienced before. Wow! PTL!

Tuesday is Flag Day. These students are raising monies to but paint to paint three new Haitian homes. On this national holiday the students and teachers and parents will go and paint the outside of the three houses.

This is my new water filtration system. It is a Sawyer and works well. The pail holds the contents of the five gallon plastic bottle and so I filter a whole bottle at a time and put the water pump on the filtered bottle.

Preparations are underway to move the ES/HS libraries to the upstairs of the administration building. Both libraries will be housed in the same room. Walls were removed and moved to create the maximum space for the library. No more new teams on campus and by the end of this month, the relief effort from this campus will be finished.

2010-05-02T07:11:00.001-04:00

The 'boxes' Mary put together for a doctor in Gonaives. Second shipment :-) Emery from Gonaives comes to PAP weekly/bi-weekly to pick up teams or bring them back to the airport and he will swing by to pick up te delivery.

Are they ready yet?

Enjoying the fellowship of Toni and George who are here doing disaster relief for the CRC close to the epicenter of the Quake. A great couple working for the Lord - their second time to Haiti. They were here also last year doing a program of helping communities replant their crops. They also know Ron Koster :-)

God's presence is all around if we but have the eyes to see. Open my eyes Lord.

2010-04-25T08:27:00.003-04:00

Morning breakfast time. Coffee and buns, croissants from Epi Dor
a store not far from the school. The volunteers at night visit the 'restaurant' for a snack or hamburger or . . . a good get a way.

This is the schedule board in the command center - where the various teams go and when they leave and the time for the pick up.

This is the grade two classroom where the German team resides. They have been at school since the first week of the Quake. The leaders stay 3/4 months at a time while the group of volunteers have three weeks of service. Very well organized. Their 'captain' of Humedica is committed for three years.

The grades 5/6 class led chapel devotions this past Thursday, with the focus on Earth Day. They did a good job using also the help of two sophomore students. The haze around the photo is because the office where the camera is stored is a lot colder than the chapel and so condensation.

2010-04-18T07:14:00.001-04:00

Our director talking to the staff - relief workers and the teachers - thanking them, thanking the Lord of the work we were able to do. Praise and thanksgiving and by June 1st we need to be a school again so that we will be ready by August 17th.

For my science class, putting learning into practice - seeing if we can find the web life in a small part of the school campus. Draw and explain in words what was found was their assignment.

After rains we always find these creatures - snails. We need to be careful not to step on them and one certainly hears when one does. I need to be careful when I go to the office early in the mornings - watch my step. But then I need o watch my step always :-)

Yesterday the road was blocked off so that the graders and dump trucks could remove the debris along the road - fallen walls. Once again the people have more room to walk - or do they. The vendors will be there very quick!

2010-04-11T07:00:00.002-04:00

This banana plant is growing just outside our kitchen window. It was the only plant that survived the rebuilding of the wall.

I thought I did hear some gnawing. It was more than termites you think? I think that the mouse was a little anxious of being in a confined space. Now I just have to catch him/her because she/he is no longer confined.

A lighter moment in the command center - giving an encouraging word and of course trying to outdo eachother. These guys are good.

Our parking lot - the mode of transpotation used to bring the teams and the translators to their places each day. The van was a donation to the QCR center. Thank You Lord that You continue to provide that we are able to serve and make

a difference.

Just thought to include a pic of the helicopter Mary had a ride in last week - a clear picture :-)

2010-04-04T09:34:00.003-04:00

This is Mary walking from the helicopter. The previous upload picture couldn't be enlarged and so the new post :-)

2010-04-04T07:52:00.000-04:00

The school from the air.

2010-04-04T07:24:00.007-04:00

Mary, enjoying her ride in the helicopter, seeing Haiti from a different perspective.

Tent cities are everywhere. Even where the homes are safe, people sleep in the tents beside their houses.

The approach to the school grounds for a landing. I tried to water the dust after I heard that they were landing on the field, but . . .

Do you see the helicopter? It once again was a dustbowl :-)

2010-03-28T13:34:00.002-04:00

When I do not know what to do with my time, I help sort the medical supplies - those which need to be placed in the pharmacy and those which need to go to the overflow rooms.

Teams, those which have come for the second time, know what to bring and help resupply the pharmacy room. The work continues both on campus and in the hospitals and clinics.

The grades 2 - 4 were in charge of chapel this past Thursday. They did an excellent job telling the story of the faithful, forgiving servant.

This map was left by the army in one of the classrooms. It was a neat map and I just added a piece to the puzzle. Can you see what I added to the map?

2010-03-21T08:52:00.002-04:00

A team of pharmacy students with Mike did an amazing job of organizing the overflow donations in the high school building. The team of 12 or more did use their expertise and put it all in an organized fashion. Wow! And thank you for donating your sight seeing time to work at Quisqueya.

Many schools are communicating with our students with cards and even skyping. The cards received are read and with our limited number of students, we try to answer the best way we can. At times it is a student made card or other times it is by a letter from a student.

This is our Doctor Carter from BC eating with the grades pre-k - 1. Usually we can eat outside but this past week it did rain during our linch time :-) This is his third time serving the school and community. His four week window of time was well utilised by talking to students, parents, pastors, radio talk show three times, parent meeting and testing students ability.

A volunteer speaking at chapel - a teacher from the 80's sharing his message and his experience at QCS when he taught here. Presently he is CEO of a mission stationed here in Port-au-Prince. This week we will have one of the first principals of the school address both staff and students about the start of QCS.