World Cup

Sorry for the silence, my internet is still not working and I`ve fallen out of the routine of updated every couple of days. I`ll try to get back into the routine, since I`ve had a few complaints!!
Along with most of the world, Haiti has gone crazy for football (AKA soccer) and the world cup. Now I`m not much of a sports fan but even I have joined in the hype. Football fans in Haiti are divided over two teams, Brazil and Argentine. Stats vary from person to person, but Brazil has considerably more fans than Argentine. (maybe 70 - 30) When either team is playing, the streets are eerily empty, so we`ve begun to plan our trips for during these times, it cuts your travelling time in half, if not more!! The first time I drove on the streets during one of these games I became alarmed by a large group of people crowded together on the `sidewalk`, upon closer inspection I realized there was nothing to be concerned about, they were all crowded around one TV trying to watch the game.
In the spirit of the world cup, I`ve decided to become a diehard Argentine fan. I put a lot of thought into this decision, I didn`t want to cheer for Brazil because it was just too popular and I didn`t want to follow the crowd, on the other hand I didn`t want to cheer for a team that no one else was cheering for. (boring) That being said, my idea of being a die-hard fan may be different than most people`s; I have an Argentine jersey which I wear every time they play, I bought a flag to hang on the outside of the office and I`ve watched one entire game. For someone who NEVER follows sports this is a big deal. The teachers find my enthusiasm quite amusing, since I rarely know the score of the games, they say that I`m faking my love for Argentine. One of my friends gave me a keychain with an Argentine flag on it. The other day I was in a hardware store and I had the keychain in my hand, the guy working behind the counter became quite excited to find a fellow fan (remember we are the minority) and wanted to sit and discuss the teams prospects. I smiled and nodded for a while but I really just wanted to purchase what I came for. After assuring him several times that I too think they will be the champions he let me go. Now when I go into hardware stores I hid my keychain! When either Brazil or Argentine wins there is usually a celebratory parade in the streets. If Brazil and Argentine play each other I think I`ll make myself scarce when the game is finished, either way they`ll be some pretty unhappy people around here.

Memorial Service

Yesterday morning was a pretty special one for me.  Every since the school re-opened we've wanted to have a memorial service to commemorate those we as a school community lost in the earthquake.  But up until now we haven't had a place to have the ceremony, the classrooms are too small and the yard is just too sunny!  As much as I love the sun, even I can't sit in the sunny yard for more than a few minutes at a time without feeling quite uncomfortable.  So this past weekend, a large tent was set up on the temporary property.  A group of men worked VERY hard Friday and Saturday to put it up and cover the ground with gravel.

On Monday morning we were able to have the memorial service.  It was a time of grieving, healing, and a time to reflect on all that God has done for us.  Randy spoke about Job and how he was able to say "God gives and God takes away".  A lot of tears were shed but it was a beautiful time of remembering those who we loved, celebrating their lives here on earth and rejoicing that they are now in heaven with their heavenly Father.  We were also very thankful to have Jim and John here, they are the two board members who were here at the time of the earthquake.

Samuel, Guerdson, and Mackson we miss you.

An update finally....

No internet or electricity has really cramped my blogging style.  I have new batteries at my house and I have to admit that I got a bit cocky... I was running the fridge off them and loving having a cold drink at the end of the day, until I realized I wasn't getting any electricity, so I put a quick stop to that and turned everything off!  back to fans only and only when we're sleeping, but alas it wasn't enough.  The batteries lost all their power and we went a few sleepless nights without any fans.  Fans are interesting really, they simply blow the same hot air that is all around you but somehow it manages to cool you off considerably, so much in fact that I REALLY  noticed the difference when I didn't have one. 
So things are really falling into a routine once again, no exciting teams coming to visit and giving me lots to write about.  The school property is almost complete, the toilets are almost ready to use and hopefully sometime this week we will set up a large tent to house the waiting room for the medical clinic, the church and any other large events we hope to hold.
We have visitors this week, the same two board members that were here during the earthquake.  They were evacuated with us and now they are back to see Haiti post-quake and see all the exciting events at Adoration.

New pictures!

The new toilets are almost done!  No more port- o-potties.Lunch:  rice with our new vegetable sauce courtesy of Ontario Christian Gleaners.

The new playing field.  The offices are at the end and the classrooms are on the right.

The First week

The first week of school is complete!  It went quite well all things considered, most of the students showed up and the teachers put them right to work.  The students apear happy to be back in school and they are already up to their usual trouble making. The floors of the classrooms are covered in small rocks which keeps them nice and dry but it also provides the students with a lot of ammunition to throw at each other! The toilets are half built and the land is mostly leveled. We are glad to be "back in business". 
I have a temporary roommate right now and my social life has improved greatly.  She is working with CRWM (Christian Reformed World Missions) and their staff has invited us to several dinners and today we were even invited to go swimming.  I might try to convince her to stay longer than her planned month.
The internet is barely working these days which is SUPER frustrating.  I can't upload pictures unless I visit someone with better internet.  I'm feeling quite uninspired to write right now but I can't miss out on the opportunity to use the internet. It's been a good weekend and now it's time to have a good nights sleep and prepare for another busy week.

First Day of School!

I have three very valid reasons for not posting earlier this week.  1.  My internet is not working for longer than five minutes at a time and therefore won't upload pictures.  2.  I've been very busy with the re-opening of the school.  3.  I've been feeling quite under the weather and when I get home I go straight to bed.
Now that I'm done defending myself, let me tell you about the first day of school!  It went off with only a few small hitches. The students are very eager to be back at school and arrived on time.  Most arrived with their uniforms and much excitement.  The classrooms work beautifully and the yard is a great size for the kids. 

Here are the students and their parents waiting outside for the gate to open and let them in.