Here's some photos from Saturday...my amazing Saturday! Oh, and I also worked on my speech on Saturday evening, with my translator Starson Audate, for the Career Enrichment day the Philo students at I.U. hosted for the community. I'll post those photos when I am able. 

Check out those plantains cooking. I've decided to make my family a haitian meal while I'm in the states! Get ready family!!

What an amazing Saturday! Began with fellowship with Randy and Janella Brown, short term missionaries who I had the pleasure to host in my home last night. Made them a breakfast with farm fresh eggs, just laid yesterday! And fresh haitian vegetables and egg bread.
After they departed I drove out to Mon Cukoo to take photos of our tractor, that needs some missing parts and damaged parts replaced. I think 50 photos were taken by the time I was finished. Thank you World Concern et al for your collaboration and support to farmers in Haiti.
After the tractor photo session(!!), I met Marie-Clare, and went to bon marche (Ouanaminthe market) to shop for our haitian cooking lesson. Came back to my apartment and I learned to cook a macaroni and haitian vegetable with shrimp bouillon sauce dish, with fried plantains. it was SO good, I must say!
We then went to the manners/courtesy class together at the school and taught the students about appropriate manners for a college interview, with adaptation for job interviews and business appointments. One of the students commented to someone that he listens to everything I teach and say -when I heard this I stopped in my tracks as this is a very humbling and responsible position he has placed me in. Please pray I am worthy of this honor to serve these students. May God be glorified and keep me accountable.
After our class, I went to the volleyball game - Ouanaminthe vs. Cap Haitien, of which we "beat the socks off" CAP! Chedeline played and I got some additional footage to send to colleges.
This evening I planned a Thanksgiving dinner, with the help of Hugues. No turkey, as he prefers chicken! He loves stuffing therefore we will get the ingredients for stuffing and a chicken as well as the ingredients for sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, corn casserole this week when we go for a supply run, and then I will attempt to find and invite any ex-pats and "haitian-americans" I find for our very own Thanksgiving dinner!
I just got the internet for the first time in a week at home, so I am catching up on emails and research, and...bed soon!
I will post some photos from today, the next time I blog. Good night, all!

Here's an update "by photos" of the bakery being built for economic development, vocational education at UTEC, and enhancement to our student meal program at the school. These photos are from a few days ago and are already out-of-date, as I walked by today and the walls that you see in the top photo are already double the height. The UTEC building is in the background (the building with the red roof).

I am so blessed to have the Philo class (grade 13) welcome me into their world. This past Saturday we started a "social graces" class, which I have named, "Common Courtesy Accepted Throughout the World". A few students expressed interest in learning about how to do things that are socially acceptable, so I picked it up from there and have written curriculum for us to follow. I am also blessed that Marie-Clare Charles, a 2009 graduate, who is currently in Ouanaminthe for a couple more weeks before returning to Pennsylvania to continue her studies, accepted my request to help me with this project while she is still here. She is one of the most gracious women I have ever met. And I've met a lot of women in my life! At the first session, the students learned about walking on a public street where the female should be walking when a male is walking beside her (on the inside, away from the street, for all those wondering!). They also learned the importance of being on time for an appointment. I am giving them the reasons why each "social grace" is important, so the students understand that the "social grace" is not just an acceptable practice without reason. Also, related to the subject of appointments, I taught them the importance of making sure they know where the appointment is located. By locating and going to the destination prior to the set appointment they are not spending time looking for their destination the day of the appointment, therefore causing themselves unnecessary stress trying to find their destination. As well, they are then able to expend their energy mentally preparing for the meeting rather than looking for where they are going. We have role playing, which the students enjoy very much! A lot of laughter is heard during the role playing. That was all we got through in the first session, as we started late due to student no-shows or students arriving after 4:00pm. Hence, a lengthy discussion on the importance of arriving on time! After the class, the students and I walked home together and what fun we had, as they were reminding each other where to place their female friends as we walked. It's an interesting challenge in Ouanaminthe and throughout Haiti, as one has to switch back and forth on a typical street due to mud, puddles, trash, lack of sidewalks and other impassible conditions. They caught on very quickly; adapting what they learned in the class to their environment! It has once again been confirmed to me that we have brilliant students among the English proficient students. Speaking of which, the only students who showed up for the class on Saturday were those who speak English proficiently - what's that tell you? It had nothing to do with the fact I speak very little creole so some may think they won't understand me (I told those students who don't speak proficient English the day I announced the class, that there would be a translator so that was not an "excuse" to not attend). It told me that those who attended are the students who are serious about making something big happen with their lives. It told me they "think outside the box" of Haiti and want to make changes for the better, for their own lives, their families, and their nation. Please, please seriously consider hosting and/or sponsoring one of these students. I have 15 students who really want to be educated in the English speaking countries, and they are proving it by working very hard to make such a goal happen.

Does anyone have any contacts at Samsung? We are in need of 100 flat screen computer monitors (our CRT's have finally "bit the dust" or rather the dust has finally bit them) and we found some in the DR by Samsung for a fair price. Even though they are more than in the U.S. they overall would be less expensive than sending them from the U.S. or Korea, after I did the number crunching. I want to inquire with Samsung how we may be able accomplish securing them for our school at a more favorable cost from the DR, or possibly be gifted to the school. Please contact me, if you have a contact. Thank you! 

I awoke praying for America today. If the candidate you vote for isn't elected, for whatever position in which they are running, is your hope and trust shattered? May it not be. God lifts leaders and lowers leaders - not men, media, or ourselves. 

"He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning." - Daniel 2:21

We are to exercise the system He has put in place, which is the establishment of a free system with the privilege to vote. There is no need to fret, there is the need to trust and obey, for there truly is no other way, to have joy in your life.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6

"Every person should obey the government in power. No government would exist if it hadn't been established by God. The governments which exist have been put in place by God." - Romans 13:1

It is the duty and responsibility of every American to vote. God is most certainly in control, but that does not mean we should do nothing to further His will. We are commanded to pray for our leaders. 

"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people, for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all Godliness and holiness.This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." - I Timothy 2:1-4

In terms of politics and leadership, there is evidence in Scripture that God has been displeased with our choices of leadership at times. 

"They set up kings without my consent;
    they choose princes without my approval.
With their silver and gold
    they make idols for themselves
    to their own destruction." - Hosea 8:4

The evidence of sin’s grip on this world is everywhere. Much of the suffering on earth is because of godless leadership throughout the world.

“I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;
    I possess knowledge and discretion.
¹³ To fear the Lord is to hate evil;
    I hate pride and arrogance,
    evil behavior and perverse speech." - Proverbs 8:12-13

Scripture gives us instructions to obey legitimate authority unless it contradicts the Lord’s commands. We ought to strive to choose leaders who will be themselves led by our Creator. 

"And now behold the king whom you have chosen, for whom you have asked; behold, the Lord has set a king over you. If you will fear the Lord and serve him and obey his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God, it will be well. But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then the hand of the Lord will be against you and your king. Now therefore stand still and see this great thing that the Lord will do before your eyes. Is it not wheat harvest today? I will call upon the Lord, that he may send thunder and rain. And you shall know and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of the Lord, in asking for yourselves a king." So Samuel called upon the Lord, and the Lord sent thunder and rain. "And you shall know and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of the Lord, in asking for yourselves a king." So Samuel called upon the Lord, and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day, and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel.

And all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the Lord your God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for ourselves a king.” And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself. Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.” - I Samuel 12:13-25 (personal note: I love this little Scripture Truth!)

Candidates or proposals that violate the Bible’s commands for life, family, marriage, or faith should never be supported. 

"Righteousness exalts a nation,
    but sin condemns any people." - Proverbs 14:34

Vote as you are led through prayer and the study of both God’s Word, which provides wisdom and discernment, and the realities of the choices on the ballot.

And please remember, there are many in this world who are oppressed and persecuted. They suffer under governments they are powerless to change, and their governments desire to silence their voices. To stand up for what they believe they risk their own lives. In America, we have been blessed with the right to speak about and choose our leaders without fearing for ourselves or our families. 

Thoughts on Voting - Parkside Church

Thoughts on Voting - Parkside Church

My son just emailed this to me, and after watching it, decided it is a "must share".

From Haitians point of view, the people here would love to have an election that is so organized as the United States. Make sure you exercise your privilege and schedule yourself in your agenda to go vote tomorrow.