Wednesday and Thursday

The last couple of days have gone well! We have been super busy down here in Haiti. The seminar has had it's challenges, but there has been a lot of mutual learning. We are starting to realize that we have more to learn about the Haitian school system and culture. Lunch was amazing... just like the previous two days. On Wednesday after the seminar, several of us were able to meet our sponsor children. Bubbles, marbles, stickers, and coloring were a few of the activities that we were able to enjoy with our kids. Wednesday night was an adventure... ask us later... Thursday was another great day at the seminar, but also a very sad one. We have been so blessed this week by the teachers and students even though we came with the hearts to bless them. I think we all really have the desire to come back and hope that more teachers will join the team in the future. God has really blessed this trip, but we look forward to seeing our loved ones soon. See all y'all later! :)

Today was our second day of teaching.  We felt energized even though we've had less sleep than we are used to and the temperatures are hot and humid.  The seminars went really well.  Thank you to everyone who has been praying for us. 

Before our meetings today, one of the student leaders gave a sermon on peace.  The translation went something like this..."Jesus said that he gives us peace and he is not a liar.  If you do not have peace then the devil is lying to you.  Peace does not come from the president, peace does not come from your mother or father, peace does not mean that we will not be hungry,  but we have this promise from God that we can have peace in Jesus Christ because he was crucified for us.  We may face adversity, but in our hearts we are free."  What a message, especially when you think of the one who gave it and with such power!

Shout out from Ethan to my parents if they have gotten the email(I know it takes yall a few days to check your email). I'm enjoying the trip, it's a hot like no other hot I have experienced it, but I dare say I'm getting used to it. Miss yall bunches, talk soon.

Today was our first day for the teaching training.  We began with worship and praise with the teachers as well as the chosen 12 leaders from the seven schools.  One of the students gave a message that God is faithful and He will provide.  He said that even if you do not have shoes, you do not have to worry but just trust for what the Lord has in store for you.  Other students did a drama about worldly temptations and that the word of God gives strength to rise above negative influences.  Next, we were all dismissed to teach our sessions.  The Haitian teachers were free to choose sessions that would be helpful to them as the 84 student leaders were taught not only leadership skils but also learned the relationship between the stories of the Bible and the geography.  We had a wonderful Haitian lunch of rice, bean sauce, spicy vegetables, fresh pineapple, watermelon, mango and bananas.  That gave us enough energy for one more teaching session before heading back to the mission center for a refreshing swim.   It was the first time that Anita, our Canadian friend, has been to the ocean.  And in her words it was amazing, eh? 

South Carolina team made it safe and sound to Haiti. Learning the ins and outs of life on Haiti, but we're stoked to be here!

Hi!  This is Anita.  Today we got to visit the church in St. Marc and enjoy worshipping with the people of Haiti.  We had fun getting to know our team members, and shared a lot of laughs this afternoon.
I also wanted to say hello to my family.  Mike, I saw lightning over the ocean last night.  Kids, I have pictures of different kinds of fruit growing on trees as well as gecko and lizard pictures.  Miss you!

Definitely the highlight of today was the worship service where we were able to hear the word of the Lord with power delivered in French by one of the MP Bible students.  He was encouraging us to wait upon the Lord and the Lord could do great things through us.  His translator did a great job, but when a few times the words came so fast that the translator was caught up in the Spirit and just lifted his hands in praise; true worship is a universal language.

Overall it was a great day relaxing and getting ready for our busy week. It should be an exciting week! Keep the prayers coming.

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Today our teams met up just fine at the airport in Miami.  Our flight to Port au Prince went well and going through immigration went perfectly.  We were lucky to have an airconditioned bus to travel to the Mission Center.  Pastor Herve said that since we came and it rained, that the Haitian people would consider that a blessing.  Tomorrow we are looking forward to worshipping at the church in St. Mark, making final preparations for our training sessions, and meeting up with the SC Team.

Thursday, June 28

Work begin at the work site a little late yesterday because of the rain.  Olivia got her arm caught between two rocks.  It didn't look broken but to be on the safe side she went to the emergency room with Moise and Julie.  The orthopedic surgeon diagnosed a hairline fracture and put a cast on it. She sat and talked in Spanish while we waited for the sling.
We have cleaned up holes, straightened up rows, moved rocks and carried barrel loads of dirt at the sight where the Creole church will be built.  It is hard work and very hot but we are blessed to be doing the work of the Lord in assisting them to build the church.  Some of the team returned to site yesterday afternoon to begin digging another big hole.  Others contented to paint and scrape walls for future painting.

Today is then last day at the work site.  We're going out to eat tonight instead of cooking our own food.  Kids are looking forward to it.  We finish painting in the morning and then to the waterfall in the afternoon.

Wednesday June 27

Today we woke up to lots of rain in the middle of the night. Luckily it slowed down and we were able to enjoy an awesome breakfast and continue at the work site. We all worked really hard and got a lot done. Only one slight downfall though. Olivia had a little accident and a rock fell on her arm. She went to the local clinic and has a hair line fracture, but she is doing much better now! She is just a little annoyed with the cast getting in her way. We enjoyed another awesome dominican meal cooked by Manny and his mom. Soon we are either going to back to dig more or finishing some painting. Bye for now!

Hi Parents,
Yes, as LeeAnn wrote, Olivia had an accident and Olivia and I enjoyed a morning with Dominican medicine and it is much more efficient than American medicine. She is doing well, especially after she got to talk to Angela  Casey is annoyed that she didn't get to break her arm since it's on her bucket list.  These kids have learned so much, about the culture and about doing things they never thought possible.    Living in a close community has been interesting for them.  These young adults continue to work hard at the church site and at the school.  God has blessed them with a spirit of service that is delightful.  Sam, Melissa and I continue to rejoice in their service to the Lord and in the way they are opening up to Him and to each other. Julie