Today is "God Day" in Haiti. In talking with Joelle I've learned that it is God Day everywhere in the world except in the United States. All the schools, churches (except the Catholic church, because I have learned that it is a Catholic and Orthodox tradition) and banks are closed today.
So, because I have pushed myself with bearing the pain of my kidney stone while two missionary teams have been here, I decided not to go to school to work today but rather stay at home and leisurely work from home. We work at school even when the kids are off from school. But today I awoke and decided to begin my day with a run. I thought, just a little run won't bother my side pain too badly. Ha - once I was out jumping so as to not slide out in the thick mud, and skipping puddles (it rained a slow steady rain last night, after a torrential downpour last evening), I was "in my zone" and on my way out to the farm and back. I was so in my zone that Met Pas (Hugues) passed me in the truck heading to town, honked the horn and waved and it took me a moment to realize it to wave back! It felt good to be out on a cool morning, smelling of fresh green and rain, to start my day. And at 7:00am the townspeople were already decorating for God Day.
The tradition is to draw BIG hearts on the road and then put flowers, or flower petals all around it. In Ouanaminthe and Desmond plastic flowers are used. People are dressed in their Sunday best and had begun gathering to walk to the Catholic church to celebrate together.
Another tradition is to lay white sheets on their cactus or cement "fences" or hang them across the road. Which struck me as I ran, wondering how Met Pas drove through the white sheets. Then I figured, it's Met Pas, they probably moved them for him to pass. Some sheets are decorated with plastic flowers or drawings. "Jesus" is written and prevalently displayed on the road, and on some of the sheets.
It is very beautiful, and I was happy that I decided to run all the way to the farm instead of a short run, as I was able to experience this Haitian tradition!
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
I can think of no more valuable asset to our country than the friendship of future world leaders who have been educated here.
— Former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell
As I was researching the Youngstown State University website I came upon this quote, and immediately thought, this is very appropriate for what I do each day - work to secure educational opportunities for our students who each have the capability to become the future leaders of Haiti. Thank you, Colin Powell, for these words.
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Tuesday, May 28, 2013
EXCITING NEWS OF OUR UNIVERS STUDENTS - Current and Graduated!
The Univers V-ball teams returned from the Port-au-Prince volleyball tournament yesterday. There were six categories: ≤14, ≤16, & ≤18 in both boys and girls. Our teams added four trophies to add to our jam-packed trophy case – 3 runners-up and 1 champion. We are so proud of them!
Frandy Cador, (class of 2009) studies at the University of Akron. He is part of a team of "lunabotics", that is to say a team that creates a robot, that would be useful on the moon. His team was in a competition of 50 universities throughout the nation. They presented their projects at NASA in Florida. The Akron team finished among the top 10 teams.
Here is the link to the news article regarding the U of Akron team:
http://www.the-news-leader.com/news%20local/2013/05/22/university-of-akron-engineering-students-travel-to-florida-for-nasa-competition?utm_source=feedly
Three "Philo" student girls await there SAT score results.
Here's a photo of us, before our trip to Port-de-Paix for exam day:
The Univers V-ball teams returned from the Port-au-Prince volleyball tournament yesterday. There were six categories: ≤14, ≤16, & ≤18 in both boys and girls. Our teams added four trophies to add to our jam-packed trophy case – 3 runners-up and 1 champion. We are so proud of them!
Frandy Cador, (class of 2009) studies at the University of Akron. He is part of a team of "lunabotics", that is to say a team that creates a robot, that would be useful on the moon. His team was in a competition of 50 universities throughout the nation. They presented their projects at NASA in Florida. The Akron team finished among the top 10 teams.
Here is the link to the news article regarding the U of Akron team:
http://www.the-news-leader.com/news%20local/2013/05/22/university-of-akron-engineering-students-travel-to-florida-for-nasa-competition?utm_source=feedly
Three "Philo" student girls await there SAT score results.
Here's a photo of us, before our trip to Port-de-Paix for exam day:
Monday, May 27, 2013
What an amazing weekend! Friday night I had a "slumber" party with the Pennsylvania HACC Nursing School team and was asked to share my story of how I got to Haiti - it's not my story, it's God's story. This group of ladies has just been a joy to my heart all week. It is truly a privilege that they have welcomed me to their mission trip.
We departed early Saturday morning on the Coaster bus to Citadelle. Click on link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citadelle_Laferrière
There's a Broadway play called, "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" Well, 'a funny thing happened on the way to the Citadelle'. The Nike tennis shoes that were given to me last summer from a friend, as "hand-me-downs" finally succumbed to the wear and tear of walking the streets in Ouanaminthe and the heat and humidity. I ended up walking up and back, approximately seven miles each way, with the sole off my right shoe! A testimony to Nike - no back pain from the disparity.
One of the highlights of the trek up the mountain was the Haitian band playing along the trail and taking a break from climbing to dance with them.
The views, oh, the views...The fellowship, the photo opportunities, the structure itself was something to behold. And, the history. WOW! Someone once said to me, if you haven't been to Citadelle, you haven't seen Haiti. I now understood what they meant. This country has such depth - deep and wide - in history.We had a fantastic guide - Patrick. If any of you ever go to the Citadelle, remember to ask for Patrick as you arrive at the former palace in Milot. After I complemented him on his excellent guidance, he told me to tell people to ask for "Patrick" when you arrive in the Milot parking lot. I promised him I would share his name, so there you go!
Yesterday was Mother's Day in Haiti. Many choirs performed at church. Two of them are my favorite - a haitian women's choir that sings in an Africian style. And a young men's choir that harmonizes like I've never heard before - those were my Haitian Mother's Day gift!
Last night, the mission team, their translators and I went to Pleziers Gourmande for dinner and the jazz band performed. Very lovely and fun evening. And some new friends of mine who own K-Sy Market where I shop (a real grocery store in Ouanaminthe but without the produce) came for dinner with their baby daughter. I was in heaven, swaying to the music, holding this little bundle who dozed off on my shoulder. It was her first time out to a restaurant so I wanted to give mom and dad a little time to enjoy their time out. Met Jac (one of our administrators and founders of Institution Univers) and his family came to the restaurant, too, so it was a special evening to visit with everyone.
I had a chance to talk with Jusbine, Met Jac's daughter, for a bit, as she's a little nervous to come to the U.S. for the ESL Experience, but excited too. She will be one of the two top ranking seventh grade students who will be in Northeast Ohio for the month of August. I still need up to three families to host one or both of these students for a week. Please email me or comment on my blog if you are interested in participating in this life changing event for these students.
We departed early Saturday morning on the Coaster bus to Citadelle. Click on link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citadelle_Laferrière
There's a Broadway play called, "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" Well, 'a funny thing happened on the way to the Citadelle'. The Nike tennis shoes that were given to me last summer from a friend, as "hand-me-downs" finally succumbed to the wear and tear of walking the streets in Ouanaminthe and the heat and humidity. I ended up walking up and back, approximately seven miles each way, with the sole off my right shoe! A testimony to Nike - no back pain from the disparity.
One of the highlights of the trek up the mountain was the Haitian band playing along the trail and taking a break from climbing to dance with them.
The views, oh, the views...The fellowship, the photo opportunities, the structure itself was something to behold. And, the history. WOW! Someone once said to me, if you haven't been to Citadelle, you haven't seen Haiti. I now understood what they meant. This country has such depth - deep and wide - in history.We had a fantastic guide - Patrick. If any of you ever go to the Citadelle, remember to ask for Patrick as you arrive at the former palace in Milot. After I complemented him on his excellent guidance, he told me to tell people to ask for "Patrick" when you arrive in the Milot parking lot. I promised him I would share his name, so there you go!
Yesterday was Mother's Day in Haiti. Many choirs performed at church. Two of them are my favorite - a haitian women's choir that sings in an Africian style. And a young men's choir that harmonizes like I've never heard before - those were my Haitian Mother's Day gift!
Last night, the mission team, their translators and I went to Pleziers Gourmande for dinner and the jazz band performed. Very lovely and fun evening. And some new friends of mine who own K-Sy Market where I shop (a real grocery store in Ouanaminthe but without the produce) came for dinner with their baby daughter. I was in heaven, swaying to the music, holding this little bundle who dozed off on my shoulder. It was her first time out to a restaurant so I wanted to give mom and dad a little time to enjoy their time out. Met Jac (one of our administrators and founders of Institution Univers) and his family came to the restaurant, too, so it was a special evening to visit with everyone.
I had a chance to talk with Jusbine, Met Jac's daughter, for a bit, as she's a little nervous to come to the U.S. for the ESL Experience, but excited too. She will be one of the two top ranking seventh grade students who will be in Northeast Ohio for the month of August. I still need up to three families to host one or both of these students for a week. Please email me or comment on my blog if you are interested in participating in this life changing event for these students.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
I have wonderful news! Thanks to a very generous woman, Starson Audate has submitted all of the admission requirements to Harrisburg Area Community College in Pennsylvania! All Praise to God!
Here's a photo of Starson:
Here's a photo of Starson:
2013
I understand there is a new system for online donating through Christ Community Chapel.
I am actively seeking your support, as it's almost been a year - wow! it's gone fast, and I'm working on my budget for next year, so please check out how to support me on the Partners tab. THANK YOU!!
Prayer Request: That we are able to move up the Embassy interviews from when they are presently scheduled. The Embassy is running very behind, and currently we are scheduled for August, which means the ESL Experience students would not be able to come to the states this year. Thank you for praying. God is in charge of that calendar!
Hugs and Love,
Marylee
Friday, May 10, 2013
It's been a challenging week, as we have been without internet during the school day, since Tuesday. I have tried to catch up in the evenings this week, but still am behind in my work. Thankfully, the internet has worked in the evenings for most of the evening at home. And, I have this weekend to catch up! So if you have emailed me and haven't heard back from me, please accept my apologies. I'm working as fast as I can!
Some of the college students from the U.S. have returned to Ouanaminthe for the summer. It was so good to spend time this afternoon with Emmanuel. Such a promising, bright light for the future of our community and for Haiti. And Pedro stopped in to see me, so good to see him, and to see Peterson last evening.
Some of you have emailed me inquiring about my kidney infection. I am on round three of anti-biotics and after this round will have another test. The pain subsides for a few days and then returns but it's nothing compared to a couple weeks ago...really! Thank you for your prayers; I really appreciate them!
The rainy season is upon us. This week we purchased tractor implements to begin preparing the farm land for plowing and sowing to plant corn and soy to grow our own chicken feed. It will be much less expensive than having to purchase it. Just about every afternoon we have rain. It smells so good when it's about to rain. Lapli! Night before last it rained slow and steady all night. As I awoke a couple times, I smiled, as this is the best way for the cisterns and wells to be filled.
Last week this time I was in Port-de-Paix with three of our Philo students. We drove some incredible terrain to get there for the girls to take the SAT exam last Saturday. We await the results. Port-de-Paix is an "interesting" city; totally cut off from the rest of Haiti, as it sits in the far Northwest section of the country. One day, when the road from Gonaives to P-de-P is paved it will make quite a difference but until then, it takes four hours to drive maybe 35 miles (56 kilometers). And the vibe is just very different. Sonlight Academy, where the girls took the exam, is definitely a solo light in the city. God is truly blessing this ministry.
The city sits literally on the Atlantic Ocean, facing Tortuga Island to the northeast. Sitting in the outdoor restaurant last Friday night, soaking in the Caribbean breeze there was only one, yes just one light on, on the entire shore of Tortuga Island. I just sat there and watched the light, almost in disbelief, that such an amazingly beautiful sight by day, could still be so remote and primitive in 2013. I'm learning so much about my naivety of how the rest of the world is, and especially my Haiti. God, please give me a bigger perspective about life.
Some of the college students from the U.S. have returned to Ouanaminthe for the summer. It was so good to spend time this afternoon with Emmanuel. Such a promising, bright light for the future of our community and for Haiti. And Pedro stopped in to see me, so good to see him, and to see Peterson last evening.
Some of you have emailed me inquiring about my kidney infection. I am on round three of anti-biotics and after this round will have another test. The pain subsides for a few days and then returns but it's nothing compared to a couple weeks ago...really! Thank you for your prayers; I really appreciate them!
The rainy season is upon us. This week we purchased tractor implements to begin preparing the farm land for plowing and sowing to plant corn and soy to grow our own chicken feed. It will be much less expensive than having to purchase it. Just about every afternoon we have rain. It smells so good when it's about to rain. Lapli! Night before last it rained slow and steady all night. As I awoke a couple times, I smiled, as this is the best way for the cisterns and wells to be filled.
Last week this time I was in Port-de-Paix with three of our Philo students. We drove some incredible terrain to get there for the girls to take the SAT exam last Saturday. We await the results. Port-de-Paix is an "interesting" city; totally cut off from the rest of Haiti, as it sits in the far Northwest section of the country. One day, when the road from Gonaives to P-de-P is paved it will make quite a difference but until then, it takes four hours to drive maybe 35 miles (56 kilometers). And the vibe is just very different. Sonlight Academy, where the girls took the exam, is definitely a solo light in the city. God is truly blessing this ministry.
The city sits literally on the Atlantic Ocean, facing Tortuga Island to the northeast. Sitting in the outdoor restaurant last Friday night, soaking in the Caribbean breeze there was only one, yes just one light on, on the entire shore of Tortuga Island. I just sat there and watched the light, almost in disbelief, that such an amazingly beautiful sight by day, could still be so remote and primitive in 2013. I'm learning so much about my naivety of how the rest of the world is, and especially my Haiti. God, please give me a bigger perspective about life.
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