Our First Full Day!

Today was our first full day with the whole team, and it was a successful one! Everyone was stretched  in some way, shape, or form and had to be flexible right off the bat. We traveled to Chardene today and were greeted with very excited students.

Charlie, Trey and Ricardo jumped right in and started the Good Choices program with the students. They talked about a variety of topics: how to be a good friend, the importance of resolving problems, taking care of your body, etc. Best of all: they got to play basketball! The kids (and translators) LOVED playing and enjoyed shooting the basketball. They had a hard time waiting their turn, but who can blame them?! The afternoon was spent with the Secondary students and they also really had a good time interacting and engaging with Charlie, Trey and Ricardo.

The medical team (Belinda, Deb, Heather, Sabine and Marissa) did some follow-up with students that needed one final re-check before they head home for summer break. It went well and there weren't any huge surprises, which is always a good thing!

Rene had a few too many things on her plate today, which was totally her own fault, so Pastor Will was gracious enough to step in and take over doing the interviews with sponsored students while she went and worked on other projects. He very much enjoyed getting to speak one-on-one with the students and learn more about them personally as well as hear about their future plans.

Overall it was a very busy (and VERY hot) day, and we were all excited to share about our experiences when we met tonight at devotions. We are excited to see what tomorrow brings!

They Have Arrived

Team 2 arrived in record time today - around 4:30 PM. They all look remarkably well for having been up for almost 24 hours. 

Apparently they really enjoyed the airport. Ricardo ate a crepe with lots of whip cream in Atlanta. And walking through the Haiti airport was quite an experience. 

Belinda went right to work seeing kids about a dozen or more.. Marissa jumped right in and took vital signs and weights, helping to assess the children. 

Trey and Ricardo hit it off immediately with Mardochee, Heather's former sponsored student. They also played basketball with the kids. 

Everyone should sleep well tonight - looking forward to a new day tomrorrow.

The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.

This is the Day the Lord has Made

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:27 NLT

Even though we are miles apart and speak different languages, we are all one body in Christ.

Today we worshiped with our Haitian brothers and sisters at Lanzac. It was a time filled with much praise and singing. The children's choir sang, and several children played instruments. It was good to see the children being mentored in worship. 

The rest of the day was spent relaxing and enjoying a swim in the ocean.

We are looking forward to the arrival of Team 2 tomorrow. 

Are You All Right? Are You OK?

These words rang through the campus at Pierre Payen Conference Room as we taught CPR to our new friends! We had a captive audience and they were so much fun to teach! They asked good questions and were so eager to learn!

Dawn welcomed us at Pierre Payen

 

One of their favorite parts of the training was practicing the Heimlich maneuver with the Choking Charlie Vest.

It would not have been complete without certificates and group picture!

This afternoon, we had our last competency day! 

Tomorrow we are going to Lanzac for church. We are on our own for breakfast and lunch. Maude will return tomorrow evening. 

Your love compels me, Lord, to give as You would give,

To speak as You would speak, to live as You would live.

Your love compels me, Lord, to see as You would see, 

To serve as You would serve, to be what You would be.

That's all for now! Thank you for your prayers.

Ice Cream....Not Inventories

Proverbs 22:17a  A cheerful heart is good medicine. NIV

Today was full of "good" medicine. We started out in the cattle truck for our trek to St. Marc.

Heather and Sabine interviewed kids at St. Marc while Shari and Deb were with the Community Agents and Anite. Again, we found everything in good order. The kids were so friendly! When going with Oliese and Miline to distribute vitamins, we found ourselves in an English class. They all stood up and spoke English to us at the direction of their teacher. We spoke English back to them, because we know no Creole.

Heather and Sabine interviewed future "nurses, teachers, lawyers, masons, pastors, and cooks." Lots of potential!

Pastor Jean Michel drove us back to the Mission Center, and had a great surprise for us. He stopped at a store and sent Anite in. She came back to the car with a wonderful treat...Ice Cream for each of us in a variety of flavors. No lunch needed after that! What a kind gesture of love that was much appreciated!

This afternoon half of the Community Agents came for another set of competencies. We think they are enjoying one-on-one time with each of us. It's exciting to see them learning and they ask very insightful questions. They are a joy to teach!

After supper we prepared for our CPR class at Pierre Payen Clinic tomorrow morning. The CPR manikins are ready to go. We also perfected our Heimlich maneuver.

No worries...Deb is OK!

We started out with a cheerful heart. 

From our hearts to yours.....CHEERS!

Interviews and Competencies

Be still and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world. The Lord of Heaven's Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Psalm 46:10-11 NLT

This verse helped us get started this morning as we went to MPCA. Deb and Shari met with Anite and the Community Agent there and found things to be in good order. Heather and Sabine spent the morning interviewing and photographing students. 

 

The afternoon was spent with the other 6 Community Agents performing competencies. 

One of our favorite ways to end the day is Kitchen Karaoke with our cook and sweet friend, Maude! 

You are the one that we praise; You are the one we adore

You give the healing and grace our hearts always hunger for....

Oh, Oh our hearts always hunger for.

Ou se Bondye m’ap adore

Ou se Bondye m’ap bay louanj

Nan li jwen gerizon ak gwas

Pou tout vi mwen bezwen ou

Oh Oh Oh

Tout vi mwen bezwen ou.

Competency Day #1

Greetings from the Dream Team here is Haiti! AKA Heather, Shari, Sabine, and Deb.

There was no school today - so we had some extra time for YOU KNOW WHAT...The "I" word - not ice cream...but INVENTORY!  You bring it, we will count it! And then, we will count it AGAIN. Guess what? Just found another suitcase full of stuff.

This afternoon we had our first Competency Day with half the Community Agents coming for  check-offs in various skills. The other half of the agents will come tomorrow for the same experiences. It was nice to have one-on-one time with the agents.  Over all they are doing really well. We were pleased at what they have been able to retain. The weather was beautiful today - with a nice cool breeze. 

Tomorrow AM we are going to MPCA then back to the Mission Center for competencies again.

COMPETENCY STATIONS!

 

 

 

WORKING HARD FROM DAWN to DUSK!

 

You go before me and behind me, You place your hand of blessing on my head, Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand. Psalm 139:5-6 NIHV