Ceremony

On Friday we celebrated the completion of the teachers' summer institute with a day of special events. We began the morning with a breakfast buffet and some socializing time.  Then we began our graduation ceremony, complete with amazing music, encouraging speeches, and faithful prayers for the coming school year.  We ended the ceremony with the presentation of teacher certificates and gifts.  

 

The celebration continued with a special lunch out at a local sugar cane museum and park.  While we were there we ate, sang, danced, laughed, and enjoyed our last few hours together for the summer.  It was a beautiful way to celebrate the past four weeks of work.  I am very thankful for the memories we made during our celebrating together!  

Thanks again for sticking with me on this journey, it has been an honor to share what the Lord is doing in Haiti!  Love in Christ, Jessie

Knowing

Today I said goodbye to my dear teacher friends at CLS.  I am more sad than I can say to see them leave and our time together come to an end.  Never can I remember feeling so welcomed and accepted.  It has been a great honor and blessing to work with these amazing brothers and sisters this summer.  I have been inspired in my faith, challenged in my calling as teacher, and uplifted in my spirit through endless joking and laughter.  There have been all kinds of silly jokes between the teachers throughout the summer.  They are serious about their faith and driven in their work, but also thoroughly enjoy having a good time.  One joke we kept coming back to was "knowing."  Someone would say, "I know" and that would lead to "I know you know" and then "I know that you know that he knows"... You can see how the silliness would then continue to spiral out of control.  What amazing times of fun and lightheartedness we have shared together again this summer.  Below are pictures of the teachers playing various games during our "breaks" this summer.  Hopefully they will be able to incorporate some of these games into their classrooms this year to add some fun and excitement to the school day!

In all seriousness though, I do know a few things about these teachers.  I know that they are facing an incredibly challenging journey during the next school year.  I know that they each face difficulties with their families and finding ways to provide for those they love on their meager salaries.  I know that they will face hardships in the form of sickness, fatigue, frustration, discouragement, and many other struggles that come in the countless uphill battles that they are set to fight.  I know that they will have students in their classes who are abused on a daily basis, who go without food regularly, who have lived through unthinkable devastation, and who have sustained earth-shattering losses.  I know that the teachers will have to find ways to differentiate and teach students with diverse needs.  I know that they will have few resources and many needs to meet in their classrooms.  I know that there will be moments when they are discouraged and feel like giving up.  

I also know that these teachers have faith that can move mountains.  I know that they have such strong relationships with each other that they will not let each other fall.  I know that they will love each other and their students through any trials that they face.  I know that they will have attitudes of thankfulness, even in the times of want.  I know that they will choose to encourage and teach the children who are behavior problems in their classrooms.  I know that they will study their subjects carefully so that they will be prepared to teach their students.  I know that they will find ways to make each other laugh through the frustrating moments.  I know that they will encourage each other with truths from God's word.  I know that in every circumstance they will go to the Lord in prayer.  I know that they will make a positive impact on the lives of their students and little by little they will change the future of their country.  

There is much more I know about these amazing people, but this is a good list for now... Thank you for following along on this journey through Haiti!  Much love in Christ, Jessie

Grand

This week we ended our teacher training.  On Thursday we asked the teachers to share their prayer requests for the coming year.  Mr. Guitho, who is the music teacher, shared some amazing words.  He said he understood that the school may not have enough funding for music classes next year, but he said he was trusting God to give him other work so that he could continue to teach music to the children as an unpaid volunteer.  He shared his grand vision for the future of the school and how the Lord will be praised and honored through the musical talents of the students.  The other teachers thanked Mr. Guitho for his faithfulness to his calling and I couldn't help but agree, Haiti (and all the world) needs more people like Mr. Guitho who are willing to take steps of faith to see God's work done.

On Friday, to begin our teacher graduation celebration, we invited Mr. Guitho's teen choir to perform.  The musicians crowded into the room and as soon as their voices started the room of teachers fell silent and crowds of other students pushed up against the windows outside to watch.  The teens in the choir had hearts full of faithful praise to our Lord.  The music was indeed grand, both pleasing to the ear and amazingly uplifting to the spirit.  

As the students left, we saw the backs of their uniforms had the words "Les Fils Du Roi"- "Children of the King."  Through their careful practice and Mr. Guitho's faithful teaching, these children are indeed making a pleasing noise to their Savior.  They are proclaiming that His name is great and He is worthy of our worship!  

During these last few days of my time in Haiti (for now), I am thankful for your faithful friendship and support.  Love in Christ, Jessie

Supporting

I don't have much of a mind for understanding economics and business.  There are, however, some basic concepts that I think make sense.  One is the idea that it is more effective and beneficial to teach someone to fish rather than giving them a fish which will last for only one meal.  I don't think that this concept of finding ways for individuals to support themselves through work should undermine our Christian opportunities for charity and generosity, but I do think it is a worthwhile pursuit to help develop work skills and talents that can lead to economic stability. 

This week I had occasion to visit a special organization called the Apparent Project (www.apparentproject.org).  I was so inspired by the mission of the organization, which spoke to my love of artistry, creativity, and ingenuity.  The basic concept behind the Apparent Project is supporting Haitian parents who are crafters and artists.  These mothers and fathers use recycled goods to create jewelry, pottery, and many other beautiful items.

I met the woman who is the CEO of the Apparent Project at our recent visit and 

I told her that it was one of the coolest places I had been to.  She was 

very welcoming and it was a treat to be able to wander around and admire 

all the creativity and beauty in the shop.

In a country where there is so much need, it was exciting to see a way for 

individuals to use their skills and creativity to support their families 

and provide for a better future for their children.

Thank you for continuing to follow along with me during this 

last week of my time in Haiti!  Love in Christ, Jessie