Yesterday was a very productive day, with having the internet most of the day! We are told we will be losing power soon, so I wanted to get an update out as well as a couple photos for your enjoyment.
Last night was the first night I didn't need the fan on full blast in order to sleep, and the disco quieted down earlier than usual, therefore I got a very deep sleep rest. It felt good!

our "futbol" (soccer) field at back of the school, with the school truck.

Sunset in Ouanaminthe. Those are the mountains I get to view everyday from my veranda. This photo is taken from the roof of our medical clinic. I live on the edge of town so my view is not as densely populated, but rather is all wilderness.

I had the privilege to speak to an english enrichment "Philo" (what the senior class is called) class this morning about my position at the school and how I will serve the students and school. When I left the room I felt like I was not touching the ground. They welcomed me so willingly. I am so blessed to be here!
I now have a creole tutor, Manakelle, who will work with me in addition to doing my sentences with Robenson. I will learn this language, with the help of God and my tutors!
No rain yesterday. We were so hopeful.Please pray for rain.
Some have inquired about making donations for my support, as I am 100% self-supported. Please check out the tabs in this blog and look at previous posts, until I am able to put a little package together in one place on the blog. Thank you so much!
Thank you for your love, prayers and support. Hugs to all!

International student's drowning stuns friends at JSU

International student's drowning stuns friends at JSU: Maucler Charles, a Haitian student in JSU’s International House, drowned Saturday when a canoe he and three other students were paddling across a pond at Horn’s Creek Resort in Polk County, Tenn. f...

It's been a very challenging day with regards to the internet. Literally, one minute it's up then it's down. One person has it, the other doesn't. Like my friend Pam says, "If you have water, electricity, and the internet it's a good day". I so agree!
One week today, in Ouanaminthe. Today we have an amazing breeze, very tropical with the mango trees and the palm trees swaying. I sat under the mango tree near the mission house this afternoon and read some of my research reading, as I needed to take a breather from the computer delays. Hard for me to only get a few tasks done in a day, and they really aren't completely done.
I had my first creole lesson paper graded my Robenson today, and he marked it, "very good". I laughed - At the humor in it being graded, but more so that he graded it in english!!

If anyone has some strong ties for possible scholarship at 2 or 4 year colleges in the most southern part of Texas, please contact me, as soon as possible.

America has been in my prayers throughout all of today, as we remember 9-11. My heart is turned toward you, those of you who are still and will forever mourn the loss of a loved one.

It was a very sad day yesterday for the Institution Univers family. A student, who is studying at a university in the U.S., died during a canoe outing on a lake. The canoe capsized and he drowned. My heart is very heavy for his family and friends. It's in these times that we must trust in God with a faith that we don't even understand. He is trustworthy. He knows His purposes, His thoughts are not our thoughts. I sometimes will lightly say, thank goodness my thoughts are not His, yet in a time like this, it is somber to know His thoughts are not out thoughts. I don't understand why this had to happen, but I do know His ways are only good, and we can trust that He knows best.

To recap other events of the weekend, went to the market in Ouanaminthe with Pam Mann on Saturday morning. Got lots of wonderful fruits and vegetables. Avocados are in season and they are huge; three times the size of those we get in Ohio. And, so delicious. I ate one with salt and hot sauce for lunch and then made an avocado puree and used some as a salad dressing. So glad I brought my blender!

Saturday afternoon I cleaned my ceramic floors for the first time. I didn't do such a good job. I'll have to perfect that with time! I am now all unpacked except the guest room/home office. That I plan to do tonight. Yesterday, I attended church with Pam and then visited at their home before heading back home. Justine, Joubert, Joubens and Jusbine came for a visit and brought me a proper pail (to make my floor cleaning easier!). I am enjoying getting to know Jaccin's family. They all are so precious!

I'm so excited for the MacMillan's to arrive this week. We will be just across the road from one another. Our apartments face each other. Coffee on the veranda, Chris!

Just an update on technology, I have no capacity on my computer to have wireless nor skype, I have come to find out after a few others have looked at my computer. Therefore, unable to communicate via skype, nor use my computer at home, as The Village is wireless. As well, the cursor pad works intermittently. So I need to look into obtaining another computer when I come to the states, as the computer is also incapable to download the software I need for my job. It is an older computer, and from others input here, looks to be on borrowed time!

My prayer request for this week: Please pray that the pending host families opportunities will confirm so that we can move forward with preparing to secure the immigration for the students who are still able to be placed in Second semester from the 2012 graduating class. As well, please pray for my creole language skills. One word at a time, I keep reminding myself, yet I so much want to converse more quickly than I am. Patience grasshopper (that was for you, Hannah and Mark!)
Let me know what I can be praying for you, too, by posting a comment, or contacting me directly through email.

"For we walk by faith, not by sight" - 2 Corinthians5:7

This post will be short as we are losing our electricity at 12noon due to the generator needing work. It's another beautiful day in Haiti. I now have a fan in my office, so I am very content!
Please be praying for the churches I am in the process of contacting in SW Florida, to speak on behalf of our program, in October. I am trying to get four churches scheduled, as I have two universities who would like our students to attend their university.
If anyone reading this has any "in's" at universities, techincal schools, or colleges near their church and are willing to have me speak to your congregation, small groups, or sunday school classes, please contact me, as I am very interested in speaking to you. Please check out more information on this blog under the various tabs. my email is marylee.lewis@gmail.com
got to go, i'm racing the clock!

Good morning from Ouanaminthe! Photos and skype will need to be uploaded at a later time, as I am trying to figure out how to do all this on my own now...I miss you Mark! For so many more reasons than tech support - really!!!!
Monday, Hugues, Angelot, Lugee, Rose-Dania, Marline and I departed in the wee hours for Miami, then onto Port-au-Prince. We stayed overnight and flew to Ouanaminthe via Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) Tuesday morning. Movina flew with us (from 2009 I.U. graduating class). So good to see her. She is a nursing student in P-a-P. I loved flying onto the "field", of which we had to first "fly by" to shoo the cows and goats off the field.
Blessings encountered: no charge for our 14 bags or their overweight of 52 lbs, as the airline had booked us in business class. Then I thought I left my computer charger in the Columbus hotel room and just when I realized it while waiting in Miami, across the gate area was a computer accessory store of which they had a charger that fit my laptop. Then, one of our bags stayed in Miami in error, and it made it to P-a-P before we departed for Ouanaminthe. That is amazing!
It is so good to be here! The school looks beautiful - ready for a new school year to begin. My apartment is wonderful. No electricity currently as the generator is broken, but there is water for showering and propane for cooking, so all is well! I had fun cooking my first real meal by candlelight last evening. I had been living on protein bars, and rolls and laughing cow cheese until last night! Jaccin, Justine, and Joubert took me to the D.R. on Tuesday afternoon to buy supplies and food. I hope the haitians don't mind the garlic smell coming from my kitchen as I cook with it in almost everything, especially the rice and beans! Although last night I made a potato "bowl" with potatoes, onions, garlic and tomatoes, and of course hot sauce!
This is for my mom: 1st thing I did on tuesday, clean the stove and kitchen! You taught me well!
A couple of funny things: I have a "neighbor" donkey, who let's out these crazy sounds about every hour on the hour, day and night. I guess he thinks he's a cukoo clock. He's cukoo alright! I live next to a discoteque that plays music REALLY loud; a haitian custom! Jan Iannetta, that's a memory for  you!
Yesterday, I moved into my office at the school. Immediately, some students came by and helped me unpack. So willing to help, such precious spirits. I'm so happy to be here!
I have been overwhelmed with joy these past few days, and asked the Lord how can I ever thank Him enough for this opportunity, and He's reminded me of His Word, to be faithful and serve Him, no matter what, with all my mind, with all my heart, and with all my strength.

My bags are packed I'm ready to go, I'm standing here...in Columbus!
Tonight is our first annual Haiti COCINA www.haiticocina.org Fundraising Gala. The tables are set, the auction items are displayed and I have a few minutes to catch my breath, as I anticipate in less than 48 hours from now I'll be... leaving on jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again...well, I do know it will be sometime in December! Just a little take away from the Peter, Paul and Mary song that I love so much.
Next time I blog I expect it will be from an internet cafe, as I've already been informed that the generator at the apartment building is broken and there is no set date it will be working again.

It's a great day to praise the Lord!