Winding Down

Well, we head home on Saturday. These last few days are filled with getting things cleaned up, organized and packed up. Marilyn is also lending a hand in the business office to help organized for their year-end and to help Geanne with payroll.
We had never been to the beach in the morning, so yesterday we took a stroll to spend some time at the ocean after breakfast. It was very relaxing as we were the only people there.
This morning, we took the van for a drive around town to check a couple of areas that Wade had been to before (on his first trip) and wanted to revisit. Usually, we would do walking tours of town, so it is different driving around. They have the biggest speed bumps we have ever seen.
We know we are having chicken for supper tonight because we witnessed Lucianna butchering one over the garbage can after breakfast! We can hardly wait!!
Tomorrow is the staff Christmas party. It starts with us all going to the beach in the morning and then meeting back here for a meal, program and a gift exchange. So far, there a very few signs of it being Christmas season. The church does not celebrate advent and there are no decorations. Once in a while we will hear the school children sing 'Jingle Bells'. On Christmas day, there will be a special church service and those who have the means will have a special meal, but that the is extent that it is celebrated. December 31 is a far bigger celebration for the Haitians. They throw big parties and have special church services and feasts.

Firsts and Lasts

Yesterday was the first Sunday in the new church. It is larger than the old one and has a plywood floor instead of a dirt floor and the front of the church faces the wall. The benches were quite full - a great start to a new building. These are pictures of the new church both from the front and the back and one of the old building.

Yesterday was also our last Sunday to be here as we fly home on Saturday. We feel quite sad that our time is coming to an end as we have started to make friends and relationships with many people.

We went out for goat last night and saw Kelly on Haiti Idol for one last time. He is in the top two. Of course, the finals will be this coming Sunday when we won't be here! This is a week to finish things up and pack - ending on Friday with the staff Christmas party. It begins in the morning with a trip to the beach and ends back here with a meal and gift exchange. That'll be a fun way to wind up.

Dedications

On Thursday evening, during the weekly prayer service, everyone in attendance went to the new church to pray over it and then we all walked over to the children's village property to pray over it. Both were amazing times of singing praises and prayer. Vernon (whom we've known since college days) and us, were the last ones out of the gate. We anointed it with oil and prayed over it. What a momentous time!

That evening was worth being here for for the past seven weeks. Here are a couple of photos taken by the mango trees within the wall.

Big Surprise!

This morning at the wall site, Wade was lifting up a rock and felt something clamp onto his fingers through his glove. Much to his surprise, it was this taranchula! One of the Haitian workers quickly speared it. The dark spots on Wade's glove is venom from the taranchula. Don't try this at home!!

This one is for you, Scott.

Wall is Done!

Today is the day that so many people have been working towards and praying for. The wall around the property that will house the childrens' village, school, church soccer field is completed! There is great celebration and praise here as this project that has taken a couple of years and has had quite a bit of opposition from some of the land owners in the area. That has all come to an end. The gate can be closed and locked and the property is secure. Here are some shots of the last post being erected and the last panel going in this morning.

Mangos and Cola's

The temperature and humidity is dropping slightly (29-30 degrees) and the evenings are noticeably cooler. That means that they are comfortable for us, but the security staff working the night shift are dressed in hoodies, toques, and gloves.

Some of the mangos are ripening and falling every little while. Outside the kitchen is a covered area for the school cooks and it has a tin roof. Mangos fall on it and make a large crashing sound. Shortly after that, we see someone climbing up to get the mango - either staff or one of the team. A couple of the team members are having 2 or 3 a day!

We've recently discovered various kinds of cola's. There is fruit and grape cola, but the best is banana cola. We've grown to enjoy sitting on the roof top in the cool and having a banana cola.

Wade and the team are soooo close to finishing the wall. If all goes smoothly, it will be completed by Friday. There will be great celebrating if that happens. The building of the houses for orphans and their house parents will able to get started in the new year.

I have been working with Ceres (school administrator or principal), to design a couple of new report cards for the school. One is for Kindergarten and one is for the grades (1-5). It has been an interesting job for a couple of reasons. They have to be done in French and communicating with Ceres about what he wants is a challenge. I have been honing my listening skills to try to catch all that he says. He is appreciative for the help and I have got to know one more person here which makes this experience all the richer.

Birthday in Haiti

This may be Marilyn's most memorable birthday and not because it's her 50th.....

Celebrating it in Haiti has been fun. This morning we had prayer and singing at the school yard and Lisa had the group sing 'Happy Birthday'.

Once this morning when I walked through the kitchen area, the ladies who cook for us broke out in 'happy birthday' and gave me hugs. I even got a kiss from one of them.

Lucianna and Lisa made a cake with almond icing at suppertime - yum!! We don't get dessert in Haiti, so this was a big treat for all of us. Rarely has a cake disappeared so quickly!

So far being 50 is fun!