We're still here!

Sometimes its hard to find the time to write a blog, or just motivate yourself to do so.  However, if I found time to study the NFL scoresheets today, I suppose I should finally sit down and write again!

Life is great here and we just completed our first full week of school.  A lot of students are still missing as we have been told they trickle back from holidays, so in another week we should be at full capacity.  So far I have found I still am quite terrified of grade 2s and it has been a real treat to work with grade 6s.  They are so grown up!

The adult classes keep me on my toes as well, these Haitians are really hungry for knowledge and all of them are extremely motivated to learn English.  I have realized that there's a lot more than I remember when it comes to grammar and the specifics of writing.  I'm so used to simply writing and processing simultaneously if the words make sense or not.  For people that don't understand the language though, making sense of even beginning English is a stretch.  I don't know how far I will stretch their experience with my native tongue, but we are certainly enjoying ourselves and they call me "teacher".  I don't think that will lead me to develop a Messiah complex, but I do carry the title with much responsibility.  Did I mention I am making my own curriculum too??

So besides working out grammar with the adults, simple sentences with the higher grades and Head and Shoulders with the little kids, there hasn't been much time to work on my Creole or French.  However, my translator is very motivated to teach me and keeps offering his regular services.  That's what I love about some of these people, they take a lot of pride in what they do know and willingly extend it to others no questions asked.  Haiti would become a different place if the mindset of all these people work within their community with this sort of attitude.

One story that is close to home.  Pastor Leon is taking a trip to Calgary and consequently he received a call from a singer from there who visited Cite Soleil last year.  He told Leon that he performs benefit concerts and that he would be interested in raising money for Leon's mission here at HOM.  Leon was thrilled at this prospect but he just never heard back from this guy.  Well the singer just happened to call Leon the other day and said he'd be performing this Wednesday night in Edmonton, so Leon and his wife will be able to attend the concert while they are in Alberta!

I was getting the feeling that we would know who this person was once he told us his name, even though to Leon, this singer was just a regular dude with a guitar.  Well it turns out its Paul Brandt, so we told Leon he's very well known and always is doing amazing things for ministries like his.  Really awesome that this is in the works and I'm going to track down the details so that you Edmontonians could maybe attend!

Thanks everyone for keeping in touch as well.  We really have felt loved during our first 3 weeks here and part of that is the great communication from home!  Our love goes out to you all and we really hope you will stay in touch :)