News From Haiti

We have heard some news from the folks at HAFF. We got the results of the National Exams and we are kept informed of the political situation as well.

Please pray for Haiti as the political and security situation is getting worse again after having improved somewhat after the elections. Kidnappings and theft are on the rise again. All the upset makes it hard for the students to concentrate on their studies and for the missions to do the work they have been given. So far, as far as I know, all is well on the Plateau and in the Pignon area. Most of the trouble is in the capitol, Port-au-Prince. Pray for our former students in school in Port and for folks from our area who work there.

The photo above is of the 2004-2005 12th grade class. As you might remember (or maybe I didn't tell you), they had to finish the last year of high school in other schools. Several of them asked us if we could help them find a place to stay and help them with transportation for the National Exam. They wanted to stay in a different place from their new classmates who had a reputation for partying during the exams. How can you refuse a request like that! We helped and by the grace of God, the whole group we sent to the exam passed!!! Several of them will now be going on to University. Keep them in your prayers as they will be away from home and studying in a completely new way. They will also be scattered in various towns and schools and won't have each other for moral support. Pray that they make good friends who can encourage them in their studies, and even more importantly, in their walk with God.

Here are some of last years' 9th graders again. Most of them passed their National Exam and will be going on to 10th grade this coming year. Pray for them as they prepare to start school in early September. And pray for the ones who did not pass and who have to repeat the year.

These are last years 12th graders. Of the 39 of them (if I have the numbers right), 11 passed the National Exam and the other 28 are re-taking it this coming week. Today they are traveling to Grande Rivere to get ready for the test Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Please pray for them as they travel and prepare.

We are strongly considering opening the next (and last) year of high school. That would allow these students to finish their secondary education at HAFF. Please pray for us as we look at all the details and try to communicate between Haiti, Georgia, Florida and Pennsylvania!

Greetings from State College. PA

Yes, I am still in Pennsylvania. The photo is of "Happy Valley" -- the town is State College, the University is Penn State. I have been here for just over a month being a landlady. It has taken longer than I had anticipated. But I have been enjoying being back in the town and the house where I lived from the time I was 9 months old till I was 12. After that, my Father's parents moved in, so the house has been in the family for 46 years. Other than Haiti, it is home.

Visiting with friends, enjoying the cultural resources in town and the cool weather lately have been blessings. Unfortunately, there have also been problems. My intentions of traveling the mid west and south this summer have not materialized since I have had washing machine, driveway, water heater, car, computer and other household problems with which to deal. My computer is still being repaired and I am checking e-mail and blogging at the local library!

My plan right now is to fly back to Haiti with Missionary Flights International September 5, flying into Cap Haitien. The Van Schoycks and Colin and Carla Wilson should be coming in October. All that is assuming that the problems in Haiti have not gotten any worse. Please pray for them to improve and for the HAFF team to all arrive safely and to become a team that can glorify God on the Central Plateau of Haiti.

9th Grade Leaves for Exam

Here are 15 of our 26 9th graders just before they got on the truck to go to Pignon. Their National exam starts tomorrow. They will have one subject each morning and afternoon Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. They are counting on your prayers.  

RAIN!

We have finally been getting some real rainy season type rains -- what I call gully washers! The people are happy since these rains will save the corn that is already planted and will allow other corn to be planted.
With this kind of rain, it comes down so hard and so fast, it very quickly makes streams out of foot paths
and ponds out of low spots.
And sometimes the wind blows so hard, the rain is almost falling horizontally! With this rain, I was sitting at the computer, almost half way from my front to my back door and I was getting sprayed with blown rain!

Pray for a good growing season for the people of the Plateau! 

Ladies Game Day

Last Tuesday, the Pignon Area Missionary Ladies' Social Club got together once again for food, fun and fellowship. Kristie Mompremier and her girls, Betsy (visiting the Cambells),
Jennifer Campbell with Alina and Chrissie her 2 foster daughters,
Debbie Lucien, Barb Howard
Kara Emerson and I gathered at Debbie's house for a potluck lunch and a game. The lunch was wonderful, the game (Apples to Apples) very fun and the conversation refreshing and encouraging. It was a much needed break with good friends and a time to get charged back up to finish out the week. There are no photos of me since I was taking the photos. And there are no photos of Debbie and Kristie's girls since they were off playing elsewhere! They had a great time too. 

While the ladies chatted
And enjoyed their game day,
Debbie's husband Caleb and his guests and the neighborhood young men had their game day -- cheering for Brazil in the match with Croatia in the World Cup! The Luciens set up a large screen and a projector to show the game.
People not only filled the yard, but lined the steps and the ledges and the railings of the first floor of the house! 

The End of Elementary School

HAFF does not have an elementary school. But HAFF does have a large enough venue that for the last few years, BTI has hosted the National Certificate Exam. Before a student can enter secondary school they must pass this exam and earn their Certificate.
This year, the third one BTI has hosted, there were 115 students from about 5 local elementary schools who took the Certificate Exam at HAFF. Both days of the exam, Tuesday and Wednesday of this past week, the day started with prayer in the school yard.
Then there was a flag raising ceremony with the singing of the Haitian National Anthem.
The students were given their directions as to which of 4 rooms they were to enter.
And for 2 days, the students answered questions about French, Math, Social Sciences and other subjects. Some of these students will be 7th graders at BTI next year.