Whew! What a month! Three host families and/or scholarships thus far for 2015 - more details to follow as soon as I can catch my breath!

In the meantime - It's Christmas time! Amen - our Saviour has been born and now will return for us someday - what HOPE is ours to know Him and follow Him!
My prayer for each and everyone of you is to walk more closely with the Saviour of and for the World in 2015.
Merry Christmas!

Update from the Rockies

I arrived in the states in the middle of October to help move my folks permanently to Florida. Sadly, Dad ended up in the hospital for a couple of those days. I was SO glad I was there and not in Haiti when this happened. The family was able to be a support system and surround he and my mom that week. And now they have been handed to their support system in Naples, which is overwhelmingly strong for them. They had someone to receive mom's car, someone to meet the moving truck, someone to meet them at the airport, and on and on! Dad is on the mends in Florida now... such a better place to recover for him!
Once he was given the green light to fly to Florida, I moved on too, over to Colorado for a week and a half, and then I'll move on to Washington. To visit colleges and help my daughter move!
Since arriving in Denver, I've spoken at church meetings and small groups every night, manned a table on Sunday with a short term missionary who is leading a team to Univers in 2015, and last night spoke at the "Wonderful Wednesday's" dinner featuring the Water Filtration Project that this team will be working on in and around Ouanaminthe, and they had me as the speaker at the dinner.
I've had successful, welcoming meetings with three colleges here in the Denver area and one more tomorrow... so far. I am still trying to meet with three more colleges before I depart Denver. I have been able to have telephone meetings with some potential financial sources so I feel God is sowing the ground for Denver to receive a few of our 2015 graduates, therefore there will be those reaping the blessings of having a student in their lives. It's all up to Him! I just ask Him to lead me to those with open hearts, minds and "pocketbooks"!
Thank you to the Neill's, the Eason's and the Rowley's for your most gracious and generous hospitality this week!
Love,
Marylee

You know you are in Haiti when...

You know you are in Haiti when...you use bug spray to clean your furniture instead of furniture cleaner! 
Yesterday, I opened my laptop to find tiny ants crawling everywhere on the keyboard and screen. My deduction - I must have left a crumb (that's all it takes is one crumb!) from when I was working at the kitchen table Saturday evening and enjoying a snack.
Anyhow, after carefully cleaning the laptop of all bugs, I removed it to clean the table it had been sitting on. With that, I reached for the can of bug spray instead of Pledge and dampened my cloth and wiped down the table. That's when I thought how fun it would be to tell you this little story.
Greetings from Haiti and have a splendid Monday.
Love,
Marylee

A wonderfully interesting Saturday

After an wonderfully amazing week with the Kentucky mission team, it was a Saturday to catch up!

After three months of not being able to run because of the residual effects of Chikungunya in the arches of my feet, this past week I awoke three mornings with hardly any pain. The first thing I decided I would do this Saturday was attempt to run out to the farm, as it is one of my favorite, rare  "down time" activities! This morning was perfect! Cool breeze and the sun was just coming up when I set out. I didn't make it all the way to the farm but I did end up completing a walk-run of four miles - my feet started aching so I cut it short. But it invigorated me to do it again tomorrow morning.
The other activity that I wanted to complete this morning was to go to the garden "nursery" in Dosmond with Renel, the Village Univers custodian, to purchase bushes for Village. We went to the nursery we've purchased from previously - plants growing in any container available, to include a hallowed out television set, and  discovered they were growing "Chris-pee" ( a very tall Caribbean pine tree that the gardner and Renel referred to as 'Chris-pee' which informally translates to "Christmas tree").

The Chris-pee was so pretty I purchased a sapling!
In order to purchase "fleur" (flowering bushes) as they called them, we had to drive to another nursery (Haitian-style!) about a mile off road to a very neatly kept house and property. The bushes leading to the front of the concrete block one room house were very neatly trimmed. To one side of the hedge was a small circular arrangement of small fleur bushes and young palm trees. I was able to 'pick out' what I wanted to purchase then the gardner took Renel to the other side of the property, under some very large bushes (large enough to walk under) and he came back out form under the bushes with the fleur in little containers! Then the gardner proceeded to dig out two other bushes with his machete as he didn't have that particular fleur in containers! No shovel needed when you have a machete.
As I waited I looked over to the other side of the bush-lined path and there was a grave. The rock and pebble mound was freshly made. That caught me by surprise! It saddened me to think the gardner has just recently buried someone.

This afternoon was our first Bible study since I returned and although there were fewer than usual in attendance it was a joy to see those who came. And Wislin came! He is one of the 2014 Univers graduates who still needs a host family and financial sponsor to attend college. He is proficient in English (he was in the TOEFL class). I would love to see him in the U.S. in college next Fall! He is available to work as a translator for mission teams so some of you will meet him when you come to visit with us!
Cleaned the apartment, completed some computer work and started a new book tonight (just finished 'The Rescue' by Nicholas Sparks last night - I recommend it!) so off to bed so I can run again in the morning before church!

I've returned to Haiti...safe and sound! I thank the Lord for a taxi driver named Jose who got me to the Dajabon/Ouanaminthe border before the D.R. border closed so I could cross after traveling for 14 hours at that point. Ah - but Haiti decided to close early for no apparent reason other than it's Haiti, therefore across the border by foot I went, after seeing the familiar faces of Jerry and Jean-Gardy - a very welcome sight! We walked across with two haitian young men carrying my two bags each weighing 50 pounds. They carried them on their heads as if they were carrying something much, much lighter - like a feather - amazing!

The school year has begun! Tomorrow is the cut off for students to arrive and we still have 75 students MIA (missing in action - registered but haven't yet decided to come to school). We will see who comes "drifting in" tomorrow. The administration and our returned graduates surely are excited for the new school year. I have a new office with Emmanuel and Marie-Claire and we are having a blast together!
All for now - it's been a very busy two days since returning Good night, and God bless you all!
Love,
Marylee

Tomorrow night is almost here!

Purses & Pastries & Praise 

Fundraising Event for:

Marylee Lewis
Director of High School Graduate Placement Program
Institution Univers, Ouanaminthe, Haiti
WHERE?
Christ Community Chapel, 750 W. Streetsboro St., Hudson, Ohio 44236
www.ccchapel.com
WHEN?
Wednesday, August 20, 2014 from 7-9 p.m.

Tickets are $5.00

We are having a silent auction of donated purses that will have all kinds of great surprises inside, donated by the women of Christ Community Chapel as well as baskets donated by business and individuals.


If you would be interested in donating a purse, basket or gift certificate, please contact:
Jan Iannetta 330.962.7962
Kelly Gluntz 330.714.8203
Chris MacMillan 330.414.1617
Kim Spontarelli 330.256.0945

Marylee’s responsibilities include securing educational opportunities at colleges and universities in Haiti as well as other countries; securing vocational education opportunities and apprenticeships, continual career assessment and counseling; and coordinating the ESL English Immersion Summer Experience opportunities for Institution Univers Secondary school scholars. Marylee also secures for the college students, host families for at least the first year of residence in countries outside of Haiti, as well as immigration coordination for the students.
www.haiticocina.org
http://www.calledbacktohaiti.blogspot.com/ - to see more information and to donate (Partners tab on the home page) if you cannot attend!
Thank you so, so much for your support!

Summer Update

Enjoying family time and working from our family cottage for a couple weeks in Muskoka Canada. Refreshment and rejuvenation at "Fairhaven North", as our family has named it many years ago. Named after Fair Havens in the book of Acts.

Please keep Junior Filsto in your prayers, as he was one of the first students I worked with when I arrived at Institution Univers as High School Graduate Placement Program director in September 2012. Junior had just graduated that previous June, and had been a shining example of leadership all through his secondary school career at Univers. His leadership and tenacity didn't waiver as he didn't find opportunity immediately to attend college in the U.S.
Rather, he applied and was admitted to the university in Limonade, in the North of Haiti. Even though after one semester the funding proved futile from the Haitian government to continue funding the university's programs once the Dominican Republic funding was departing (the D.R. gave a gift to Haiti after the earthquake, to build a university in the North and fund it for one year and then it was up to Haiti to take over the expenses to run the university - seems likes a responsible request for a limited gifting). Well, the professors saw "the writing on the wall" and began seeking jobs elsewhere. Junior went from having nine classes to four in his first year of university. The 2013-2014 school year fared worse with constant opening and closing of the campus during the school year. He was able to receive his credits eventually; to request and receive the transcripts is another whole story that I won't go into detail here, but let me just say this one thing to give you an idea: It took a year for us to obtain an official transcript from Limonade - Enough said.
Junior re-took the TOEFL test this past year and received a high enough score to catch the interest of Bunker Hill Community College in Boston, Massachusetts. He went through the application process, sought and obtained the funding from the generosity of donors to go to get his U.S. Visa in Port au Prince. Emmanuel and I worked diligently to get Junior to appointment day. Then...
This past Thursday was the appointment. He was denied the Visa. I have requested the college to intervene in any way they may be able to, and now we wait for their response. In the meantime, Junior, Emmanuel and I are trusting God in the decision from the U.S. Embassy, but will pursue whatever avenue God leads us to pursue. I request that you please keep this dedicated young man in your prayers; to remain strong in his faith and trust as he goes through this crucible.

Marylee

Here's Junior cutting my hair in 2012, after teaching himself how to cut  hair through YouTube videos so he could be employed at the Univers Barber Shop

Some have asked how to add COCINA (www.haiticocina.org) as their preferred charity on AMAZON: Go to smile.amazon.com and sign in with your amazon password. Search for Coalition of Children In Need Association or COCINA and select it from the list. I then personally added it as a Bookmark (Favorite) so in one easy click I can order and donate to COCINA!

Blessed be your day!
Marylee

Our lunch program receives a wonderful blessing!

The Million Dollar Round Table has awarded COCINA with a $5,000 grant through their Worldwide Grant Program to assist with our school lunch program.

We are so grateful for their commitment to us!

ABOUT THE FOUNDATION

The mission of the Million Dollar Round Table Foundation is to increase member and industry participation and to give funds to worthwhile charitable organizations throughout the world.

View the short clip about MDRT Foundation's history

Here's a photo of Hugues Bastien, Executive Director and Founder, and Tony Iannetta, Board President accepting the award at COCINA's 2014 Board Meeting:

Our students enjoying the lunch time meal:

Thank you so much, MDRT!

God's timing is...awesome!

What an awesome God we serve! Received Wonderful news today - Willens, the 10th grade student will head to Kentucky for the ESL Experience for the entire month in the USA!! Yahoo!
That leaves us with the following dates and students to place in host homes. Will you consider hosting and sponsoring an ESL student?  Please message or email me if you can host or donate!

We need Rose Mica and Roberson hosted for July 23 - August 2 (a little more than a week)
We need Roberson hosted for August 2 - August 10
We need Roberson hosted for August 10 - August 17
We need Roberson hosted for August 17 - August 22 (a little less than a week).
It's a $700 per student, per week monetary cost in addition to the host providing food and clothing . If you are unable to host, but want to donate, any amount is appreciated. This will help offset costs that the host family needs to meet. Donate to COCINA. P.O. Box 12695, Columbus, OH  43212 - Memo line: 2014 ESL Scholarship Fund.
You will love this experience - I promise!
Love,
Marylee

Roberson

 Rose Mica

Congratulations Starson!

Starson, a finishing freshman at Harrisburg Area Community College, has set a commendable pace for his college career - awarded for his accomplishment of the Dean's List!
Congratulations Starson, and to all the students studying diligently at their respective colleges!

Ah...I can breathe again!

All praise to our Great God! Thirteen of the Fifteen U.S. Visas were issued. The only reason two were not is due to glitches that can be remedied. In one case, it's a matter of working with the college involved and it's a Visa renewal - Pray that MATC and SEVIS work through quickly on behalf of Clarel. The other is for one of our ESL students who's parents will have action to accomplish what needs to be done. All others have received approval for Visas - AMEN! Thank YOU for your prayers!

ESL Experience Host Families Needed - For your consideration

Hello my dear ones!

We still need to secure host families for our precious top scholars from Institution Univers for their U.S. adventure! We have a few families committed to host students but still need more.

I am attaching information for you to share with you and please share with others in your church.  

Click on the link for the ESL Experience promotion video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-ecXm5ZxlY

You are welcome to share this with others! 

The cost is $2,800 per student for the entire time. The cost per student per week is $700. 

An estimate of dates of arrival is July 25 through August 22 in Ohio.  

Please let me know as soon as you can if you can host a student and please give me a first choice week and a second choice week, based on give or take a few days, July 25 through August 22 (8/22/14 most likely is the date for me to get them to NY to meet up with Hugues Bastien, as has been the tradition) with transfer from home to home, to take place on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon/evening each week.

Please contact me with any questions and THANK YOU for your prayerful consideration!

Much Love,

Marylee

Wilnese

Today my little friend Wilnese will be sitting for her entrance exam to attend Institution Univers, to return to IU, entering in Grade 7. Please keep her in your prayers as she is excited yet nervous to take the exam.
Here's Wilnese visiting me in my office at school:

Girls for the World Workshop Week coming to Institution Univers

We are very excited to welcome Karen Hanson from Girls for the World who has chosen Institution Univers as the place to introduce Girls for the World to the country of Haiti!
Karen will join us during our third week of Summer Camp 2014, to work with our Grade 12 girls. Karen has been very generous with her time and travel. We need to raise $750 to cover lunch and dinner for the girls, Karen and her translator, for the week.
If you could help with the raising of these funds please send your donation to:
COCINA
P.O. Box 12695
Columbus, OH 43212
and write on the memo line "IU Summer Camp-Girls for the World Workshop"
Every amount counts!

Here's the objectives for the week:

We strive to accomplish these objectives during each five-day workshop:

Heighten Self-Awareness
Promote Healthy Body Image
Understand Health and Hygiene
Promote Nutrition and Fitness
Spark Imagination
Build Confidence
Boost Action
Embody Compassion
Develop Leadership Skills
Introduce Business-Related Competencies
Strengthen Relationships and Community Building
Build Resilience

Please click on their website for further information: www.girlsfortheworld.org

Thank you so much for helping us help our young women!
Marylee

Please be praying for all those affected...

CIDRAP News Scan for May 23, 2014

63,000 Caribbean chikungunya cases

;

Caribbean chikungunya outbreak tops 63,000 cases

The Caribbean chikungunya outbreak grew by 6,303 cases in the past week to reach 63,489 suspected, probable, or confirmed cases, according to an update today from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). The count is up from 57,186 cases a week ago.
Martinique continues to report the largest numbers by far, with 26,670 suspected (up from 24,180) and 1,515 confirmed or probable cases, the ECDC said. Cases on Guadeloupe continued to soar over the past couple of weeks; the island now has 18,000 suspected (up from 13,000) and 1,328 confirmed or probable cases.
Suspected and confirmed cases in the Dominican Republic held steady at 8,017 and 17, respectively. The French side of St. Martin reported 3,280 suspected and 793 confirmed or probable cases.
Also reporting chikungunya are Dominica, with 1,578 suspected and 121 confirmed cases; St. Barthelemy, 510 suspected and 135 confirmed or probable cases; Haiti, 632 confirmed cases; the Dutch side of St. Martin, 325 suspected and 301 confirmed cases; French Guiana, 176 confirmed or probable cases; Anguilla, 33 confirmed cases; St. Vincent and the Grenadines, 24 suspected and 3 confirmed cases; British Virgin Islands, 20 confirmed cases; St. Lucia, 5 confirmed cases; Antigua and Barbuda, 4 cases; and Aruba and St. Kitts and Nevis with 1 confirmed case each.
Haiti's count rose from only 14 confirmed cases last week to 632.
Also this week, Florida reported its fourth chikungunya case, in a man who had traveled to the Caribbean, according to a May 21 press release from Palm Beach County's health department. The man is recovering, the agency said. Media reports said he is 66. The first US cases were reported in Florida 1 week ago.
The chikungunya outbreak is the first known in the Americas and began in December on the French side of St. Martin. Seven deaths have been reported.
May 23 ECDC update
May 21 Palm Beach County health department news release

Updates from Univers...

 News from Ouanaminthe:

• Hugues returned from a trip outside the country quite sick, spending a week under the weather, but is back in form again. 
•  We have about 14 students scheduled for visa interviews in early June – for the August ESL experience, first-time college student visas and renewals. 
• At the national Genie Royal (a.k.a. It’s Academic), Univers lost out to a rival school from Ouanaminthe – grrr!  However, at a first-time-ever similar local academic knowledge competition, Univers easily topped that same school.  Sweet!
• Univers sent four qualifying teams to the national volleyball championship tournament in Port-au-Prince.  However, the organization of the host committee was sadly lacking, causing our delegation to spend their first night sleeping on the gymnasium bleachers! 
• And we have two more grads who have returned with Bachelor degrees from the U.S. to join the I.U. staff – Marie-Claire Charles and Emmanuel Joseph.

Some of our "Philo" (Grade 13) in front of the school:

Marie Claire and her precious family at graduation from Millersville University:

 Our Genie Royal Team:

 Wesley at graduation from Gloucester County College, now onto Berea College for his Bachelors degree (see post from May 16, 2014):

Follow up to my May 15 blog - we have a partial sponsor, now we need the other half PLEASE!!!

The prospective host family for this student has just pledged $6,000 a year toward this student! Is there anyone out there willing to pledge another $6,000?
PLEASE contact me as soon as you can if you want more information or are willing to be a benefactor for this student, even partially! 
You may feel you are benefiting the student when you will be the one to receive the benefit and the blessing! You are investing in changing a life, a family's life, a nation - that is HUGE!
Thank you so much for your consideration and if you are not able to, can pass this on to others who are able to?
Thank you!

Happy Haiti - Pharrell Williams Version Haitienne - This makes me so HAPPY to see! Thank you Pharrell!

Congratulations to "Our" Wesley

Wesley, who on the 13^th grade – “Baccalaureate II” graduate exam, earned the rank of 1^st   place in all of Haiti, graduates from his college tonight. Wesley is receiving the 2014 President's Award for A.S. Biology. This award is given to the student with the highest GPA per major. And to top it off he will be sitting on stage during graduation (he told me made the president's list all four semesters and is graduating with an A average). 
If you know Wesley on Facebook or elsewhere, be sure to congratulate him!
Wesley now goes on to Berea College where he will major in Biology/Pre-Med. 
We are So proud of him and thankful that he gives all the glory to God!

Here is Wesley at the awards ceremony for earning the President's List Award in 2013:

A generous offer that still needs generous help!

Good afternoon from Rainy Season Haiti! I just love the fact that at about 3:00pm each day the blue, sunny skies turn to big white cumulus clouds and within minutes dark grey appears and the clouds turn on their faucets - Full steam! Today was especially torrential, as Pastor Dave came to my doorway and asked if it was leaking through my windows because it was "sure leaking through mine", he said. It smelled so good and clean. And now it's turned to a light, soft steady rain and cooled to about 82 degrees - lovely!

Here's why the title of today's blog is what it is:

We have a family who would like to host a student in their home in the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania area, but needs someone to pay the tuition (minus any scholarship dollars they/we may be able to secure), and living expenses of clothing, books, fees, and insurance. There is a two year community college that runs about $10,000 annually (no scholarship is available) and a four year university that I'm in the process of seeing if and what scholarship may be able to be secured. In other words, we have the host we need the benefactor!
We have four "Philo students" remaining who are proficient enough to attend a U.S. college.
If you would like to participate in a young man's life, for an opportunity of a lifetime, or know of someone who may be interested in participating, we would really love to see one more student heading to the Embassy in June or July with the rest of the students who are going, of which there are eight (so far)! Consider getting your church or company involved, is an idea, too.
Please contact me immediately for more discussion and information.
And THANK YOU for your consideration.
Love and Hugs,
Marylee

"My" PHILO Students (listening intently to the speaker, as they should be!)

This made my Monday!

I am so touched. Pastor Dave just peeked his head around the corner at my office door and said "It is so good to have you back here; so good to have another voice, a smile, and joy." I said thank you and how much that meant to hear that. 

I am blessed beyond words!

xxoo

Time to return to Haiti - Tasks accomplished!

My time in Ohio is winding down, heading to Naples, Florida, on Sunday to spend a few days with Mom and Dad and then meeting up with a medical team in Miami on May 10 to head on to Haiti. 

A huge answer to prayer while I've been here is the securing of a financial sponsor for a student to attend Lindsey Wilson College in the Fall. Amen!

Also, while here, I have received five Form I-20's and awaiting three more. The  two current U.S. college students who need to renew their Visas will hand-deliver theirs to me upon arrival when they return to Haiti for their Embassy interview. We will have eight students beginning their college career in the Fall 2014 in the U.S. and we will have thus far, two students attending nursing school in Port-au-Prince beginning in the Fall 2014. Will you consider supporting students to attend university in Haiti or the Dominican Republic? Please contact me by email for more information: marylee.lewis@gmail.com

To update you, there has been a change with the online giving system at Christ Community Chapel, where you are able to support me through online giving. Effective IMMEDIATELY, please follow these instructions from the church:

Go to ccchapel.com

In upper right hand corner click on GIVE

Login:  the first time they go on, they’ll need to create an account; after that they’ll login using phone number and the password they create

Choose “one time donation” or “recurring donation”

In the drop down menu, choose “designated giving”

Under “COCINA Haiti – Lewis”, type in an amount

Follow instructions to input payment information

**Please keep in mind that the church charges me the credit card fee therefore if you would like to cover that fee so that I may receive your intended support amount, please add 3% to your donation amount. 

Thank you so, so much for your dedication to these amazing students!
Love,

Marylee 

Urgent Prayer Request and to please keep praying in the future

Rachel Petterson and her husband, Joe, are the daughter and son of my mom and dad's pastor in Naples, FL. Baby Mae is the Petterson's daughter:

From the Covenant Church Visitation Coordinator -

 Dear Prayer Team,
Please continue in fervent prayer for Baby Mae, Rachael, and Joe.  Joyce sent us this email from Rachael who is desperately in need of our love and prayers for God’s comfort and peace tonight.  She asked me to print it as it was written:

From: Rachael Petterson <rachaelpetterson@hotmail.com>
Date: March 20, 2014 at 7:10:05 PM 

“Hi everyone,

Just wanted to give another update.  They extubated Mae today - meaning they pulled out the breathing tube that is making her lungs breathe.  This did not go well.  She was working really hard to breathe, but her heart rate started going down and it was bad.  There were about 15 people in the room, alarms going off - they made us leave.  They got her re-intubated and had to put another IV in, but because her veins are all blown, they had to do it in a vein on her scalp.  She is resting okay now - sleeping.  They think that her throat was swollen from the tube and that is why she could not breathe on her own.  Next time they will give her steroids beforehand to reduce the swelling.  

She has been having some blood clots in her diaper.  The nephrologist is working on this.  They are doing another ultrasound tonight.

I didn't really think it could get worse then yesterday -and it did.  Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.  Please keep them coming.  It is all just really, really scary.  I feel a bit assuming sending these emails to you all, and I know you have other things going on in your lives, but for some reason it makes me feel better.  Will update soon.  Love, Rachael”

Thank you for your precious and powerful prayers tonight.

In Christ alone,

Judy

Judy Caldwell

Assistant to Visitation Ministry

Covenant Church

And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.

1 John 5:14-15

Saturday morning

Woke up to a cool breeze with patters of rain. It smelled so good! Decided it was a perfect time for a good, long run. And it was. The rain stopped by the time I reached the main road. Lots going on in my head right now, so it was an especially welcome run.

On the road to the farm, a motorcycle driver yelled in creole "Poukisa ou kouri blan?" Why do you run white woman? The women walking across the road from me began laughing. I turned around to them, smiled,  and gave a thumbs up. What is now embossed in my mind is the one woman's toothless grin with such joy in her eyes. Joy that is priceless!

Heading to run errands now - to Yamine, my vegetable vendor, the water store, gas station, and grocery store. Oh and if Jerry isn't bringing me folding chairs, to the school to pick up more chairs. We ran out of chairs at Bible study last week. That is good! 

We had 12 and more are expected today as the word is spreading that 'the American lady has a Bible study in English so you can come and practice your English.' Someone brought this up last Saturday seemingly offended that people would attend for this reason. They were surprised I was not offended, but rather delighted. I explained to the group, "I take it one step further and think, yes they can practice their english BUT they are being fed the Word of God at the same time!" Amen!

Enjoy your Saturday!

Worth sharing!

This is my co-worker at the school (and in Christ!), Pam Mann's newsletter that is totally worth sharing with you today. Such wonderful kids we get to work with! Such a privilege!

Wednesday morning, March 12, 2014
I have begun oral English exams with my primary students this morning. Today it's been those cute third graders, struggling to pronounce thirteen when their front teeth haven't come in yet or wrinkling up their noses and staring at the ceiling to recall all the days of the week. One boy was golden, at first, "Sunday, Monday, Tuesday— " Then he stalled, seeming sick, until he brightened, finishing with, "How, are, you!" With such enthusiasm, he'll get it eventually.
When the third graders went to lunch, I had time to finished correcting rough drafts of eleventh grade pen pal letters. These letters to their friends in Pennsylvania contain such an account of what's happening lately that I decided to ask the students permission to share them with you.
Hi, Trent,
Last week my school celebrated its 20th anniversary. It was a beautiful celebration. We took three days to celebrate with our school. On the first day, we paraded in the street with the school's band. There were many Americans who came to celebrate with us. On the second day, there was a big concert in the school. The concert was full of activities. There was a magician who did magic tricks for us. On the third day, we were in the sports park at Manquette to watch the
performance of the school choir which sang many beautiful songs for us. It was the best celebration of my life because we were all in the same place, at the same time, enjoying ourselves.
Last week was also very important for all Haitians because it was Carnival in our country. There were many Mardi Gras revelers who wore masks. Some had whips which they cracked in the street. Sometimes they carried a box with a frog or a snake in it. They frightened people, with the snake to make them give money. There were other young men who had black oil on their bodies. We call them "siray" in Haiti. They would soil people who didn't give them money.
The president of the country was in Gonaïves, the city of our independence. The biggest celebration of the Carnival was there. People all around the country went to Gonaïves for dancing and drinking. There were many floats which were ridden by musicians playing their music. My favorite musical float was BC. It's a Creole rap band. There were a lot of people around that float. There were many people who got hurt during the celebration but no one died. It was the first time that many people didn't die during the Carnival in Haiti. It was a success. After the Carnival, people who didn't live in Gonaïves returned to their cities.
My older brother and his wife were in Gonaïves too but I have never had the chance to attend the Carnival. I watched it on TV. What is your favorite celebration? Have you already traveled to another country? I hope to hear back from you soon.

Here is an interesting sociological excerpt from Coldweene Saintilnord's letter:
Dear Francesca,

Hi! I'm doing well, thanks to Jesus. How are you? Your activities? Your school? I'm so happy to learn from you about dating in the USA. In Haiti, it's different. There are several reasons why a parent doesn't allow his child to date at our age. Haiti is a poor country. Parents must work very hard to educate their kids. Dating at our age is dangerous because many high school students don't

Your friend, Caleb Delva

understand the word "love". They think it's a sexual thing at their age. They understand love in a bad way. That's why a good parent in Haiti won't ever allow his child to date at a young age.

Here's a newsy excerpt from Samuel Alcius:
During Easter vacation week, I will participate with my school in the national knowledge competition. There are six players on the team. It will be organized in Cap-Haitian with the best schools in the country. Our objective is to win the competition this year and we are very motivated to do that!

Christophe Metellus has been having an inter-faith dialogue by
correspondence with his Jewish pen pal. His last letter was so biting I nearly censored it and then decided to apologize to our Jewish friend for Christophe's lack of tack.
There simply aren't Jews in Ouanaminthe to broaden our students' experience. Christophe's pen pal and her mother spent some time together explaining what motivates someone to be Jewish. She then asked him why he was Catholic. He wrote:
My religion is Catholic. I practice Catholicism for many reasons. First of all, my mother is Catholic so Catholicism is our matrilineal [Ed. Note: I did not teach that vocabulary word.] religion. Another reason that I am Catholic is that I like following the laws in the Ten Commandments. I believe in Jesus. He triumphed over the cross for us. I can never forget that!
After secondary school, I want to be an engineer because I would like to build many buildings. Then I will have much money in my pocket to build an orphanage. What do you think?
My favorite sport is basketball. And you, do you have a favorite sport?
Tell me about your Easter celebration. [Ed. Note: The opportunity for inter-faith dialogue continues.]

I close with the conclusion of Franck Junior's letter:
I think going to church is very important. So you must read your Bible a lot and if there is some sentence you don't understand, you may ask someone to explain it. For that, I encourage you to go to church.
It is not a problem that you didn't come to Carnival Camp in March. But I hope one day you will come to visit Haiti and I can hang out with you.
Your Friend for Life, Franck Junior

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!…
For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life evermore.
Psalm 133:1. 3

Spread the word, please...

On February 27 I made a request...actually I'll call it a plea, for someone to be the benefactor for Fritz.
Please prayerfully consider who, how, what in order to get the word out to have someone financially support Fritz. It doesn't have to be one person. It can be a church, company, or a combination. The sponsored amount for room and board, and insurance can run through a foundation and be tax deductible to the donor. The books and ancillary expenses will be considered a "gift".

Please spread the word, please...

Here are a few of our PHILO students (trying out the bread from the Micah 6:8 UNIVERS Bakery:

HOLD the PRESSES!!! URGENT!

Good Morning from Ouanaminthe!

I was informed by the church of a change in the way to get to the ONLINE donation website so you may specifically donate to me. This is a change that I was not made aware of, so if you have already gone into the website I gave you instructions from in my "partners" tab or from my support letter, you have given to the general fund I understand, and it wasn't allocated to my account.
Here is what you need to do:
1. Click on this link:https://communitychapel.ccbchurch.com/trx_submit.php?type=public_gift
2. Choose "Hudson", then choose "Haiti-Lewis" in drop down menu

Please note, the 3% credit card and bank fee is passed onto me by the church if you use a credit card to donate online, therefore if you want me to receive the amount you intend you will need to add the 3%. I am not charged a fee if you use a check and mail in a donation.


I am very sorry for any inconvenience this has caused you.

Thank you so much for your financial and prayer support
Love,
Marylee

Good morning from Ouanaminthe!
Here is my "needs" list today:
1. We have a full four year tuition scholarship available for one of our students to attend Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, Kentucky. www.lindsey.edu

We need someone, or a church, or a company, or a foundation to step up and cover the room & board, medical insurance, books, travel, U.S. Visa and living expenses for the student, for four years. The expected total cost for the first year is: $15,260.00 (which includes the one-time set-up costs of dorm room and clothing, U.S. Visa, and Travel to get the U.S. Visa). Year two through four is expected to be: $12,000 each year. PLEASE contact me as soon as possible for more information. We do not want to lose this generous scholarship offer for one of our students.

2. If you or anyone you know is a Rotarian in the Northeast Ohio area, and the meetings are conducted on a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, Hugues Bastien (in-coming Rotary president in Ouanaminthe) will be in Northeast Ohio April 9, 10 and 11, and would like to speak at Rotary meetings. Please contact me if you are able to accommodate this request.

Thank you so much for your consideration and dedication to me, and to us!

Here's Evelyne last year when we presented her with her Lindsey Wilson T-shirt! Look at that smile!!

A beautiful "winter" day in Ouanaminthe

It is just glorious today! Very low humidity, perfectly blue sky and sun, sun, sun. Here's our forecast:

(click on the link)

http://www.weather.com/weather/today/Ouanaminthe+HAXX4733:1:HA

I'm especially hoping the "rain" in the forecast is true, as we have had only a few drops since I've returned and according to Met Pas, we hadn't had any since I had left Ouanaminthe for the states. I told him, when we felt the few drops last week, that I brought it with me. But then when it only lasted a few minutes, I decided I wasn't going to take any more credit for bringing rain! Please pray for rain though, all our crops and citrus need the nourishment.

Here's a photo of the citrus groves at the Farm:

I am currently in the throws of college applications, securing financial sponsors for U.S. Visas and travel, and ancillary college expenses. If you are led, we surely would love for you to partner with us to get students to the states. Please contact me.

Also, I am VERY actively in the "fund-raising mode for 2014". If you would like to partner with me or renew your commitment to me, please click on the "Partners" tab at the top of the blog. Just to note, there is a 3% credit card fee which is passed onto me by the church if you use credit card to donate online, therefore if you want me to receive the amount you intend, you will need to add 3% to the donation amount. Thank you so much for your partnership!

ALL for Him,
Marylee

A day trip to the D.R. today...

Just returned from Santiago; drove my niece, Emily and a short term missionary, Carol Groves, to the airport today and then did supply shopping. Over an hour to enter the D.R. - Customs agents didn't like my D.R. auto insurance paperwork. Then thankfully the flight was scheduled one hour later than the gals thought. We discovered this AFTER we hustled and I actually had to emphasize to the guards and agents that there was a plane to catch. The guards didn't care. I must say though, one of the guards pleased me as he took it upon himself to run up the street to where I purchased the insurance last Spring and get the correct card completed and then had it laminated!!! AND didn't ask for any money - just handed it to me and walked away! That was the best surprise…besides the flight actually being an hour later than we originally thought.
After dropping off the gals (which was emotional saying farewell to Emily, my niece, who I think of as a daughter) I proceeded to make the first supply stop. The shop was closed for their two hour lunch. All the businesses were closed in a two block radius. I can't help but think Americans would be less stressed if they had such a custom.
Spent over an hour at Ochoa (the equivalent of Lowe's) trying to exchange something. Upon finishing all my errands (yes, Hannah and Mom I do errands even here!!) I drove as quick as possible to make it to the border before it closed and was happy that I ended up having enough time to stop at the Monte Cristi market for real cheese - extra sharp cheddar! I love cheese and I haven't yet found it in Ouanaminthe; I've only found Laughing Cow which isn't real cheese in case you didn't know! As I drove across this beautiful island I couldn't stop thinking how beautiful it is and how blessed I am to be here. One thing I learned from Emily this week, among many things I learned from her, is to be grateful and thankful for how beautiful the earth is. She said more than once: when looking at the clouds or looking at the mountains or the sunrise or the moon, "The earth is so beautiful". Thank you Emily for helping me to stop and realize that from now on. 
I couldn't get back across to Haiti without paying a guard "a little something" so he could buy a coca cola. am just Glad to be on this side of the border. I wonder if I will ever return from the D.R. and not feel "glad to be home". I hope not because they may mean I'm taking it for granted.



We have a full group here this week doing construction (re-plumbing the girls bathroom, re-tiling, putting in new toilets and sinks) so we eat with them every night they've been here and hearing about the progress they've made is very encouraging. There are Haitian men working alongside them - Haitians learning new skills! Yeah!
As well, there is an architect on this team who has been having a class to teach students what architecture is and what an architect does. The class made amazing replicas of the U-Tech (Vo-tech) building. I'm excited to hear the students mental horizons are expanding.
It's time to head to dinner. Farewell for now.