Contract

I don't understand how contracts work.  I know that for teachers in my public school contracts can be a complicated thing.  We have rounds of talks between the teachers' union and the schoolboard and tax payers.  It's often a drawn-out process that goes beyond my understanding in its complexity.  So when I found out that the teachers would be negotiating their contracts during our first day of teacher institute, I was more than a little bit anxious.  I envisioned shouting and people walking out, or maybe even the uncomfortable stall that comes when people stop talking and an agreement seems unattainable.  

Instead of my negative predictions, the contract discussions were done and settled by mid-morning.  When I asked with a shocked expression about how they had managed to come to the agreement so easily, one of the teachers simply said, "Well, we are Christians."  

And that's the consistent message I get from working with these Haitian teachers.  Over and over again for the past five summers, I have seen the love of Christ shining through the teachers at Christian Light School.  As they face unimaginable hardships in a country with political instability, increasing economic uncertainty, and so many hurdles that are foreign to me, they still come to work and pour out love and kindness on their students.

Today we started our day of teacher training with a school-wide prayer session.  Each of the teachers recorded prayer requests for their class in the coming school year.  Each teacher then took one of the cards of their colleagues and went to the room to pray.  Requests included increased patience, wisdom in knowing how to teach their students, and strength for the coming year.  After the prayer session ended, the teachers carefully tucked away their notecards to keep each other in their prayers during the school year.

What an amazing gift it is to be a part of this community of Christian educators, even if it is just for a few short weeks in the summer.  I love hearing their stories of success and problem-solving together for new ways to approach problems in the coming school year.  I love when one of us starts to share an anecdote about our experience as teachers and we all start nodding in approval.  And most of all, I love the unique unity that I find being in a place where I am with brothers and sisters in Christ who are also dedicated educators.  Despite the many cultural differences and contrasts of life experiences, there is something uniquely home-like in sharing moments with these amazing teachers.  

For the coming school year, I would welcome you to take some time in your prayers to think of the teachers at Christian Light School in Port au Prince, Haiti.  The task at hand is impossible without the Lord's blessing.

Many thanks for following along with these summer adventures!  Much love in Christ, Jessie