computer class

When I was asked in November by a team member whose family owns an office supply store if there was anything we needed, I replied, "well we've started this computer class with our kids homes so there may be some things needed for that at some point. 
When another member of the same family planned to come to Haiti this month, they again asked, "is there anything you need, can you use some more laptops?"  I humbly said we could use a few more so we can teach a few more kids computer skills.  Never did I imagine what this family had in mind was something so much more!
14 new laptops were sent down for our ministry!  I can't begin to express how much of a blessing this is!  We now can teach all the upper middle school and high school girls together instead of in 3 groups and because I will be spending that much less time teaching, I will be able to add a class for the younger girls to start this summer!  AND...we will have enough computers to begin a computer lab at the school in Canaan next fall!!!!
We are so excited about the addition of this ministry!  Thank you for such a meaningful donation!

Building a Kindergarten!!!

check out the new project in Canaan!
http://awakenhaitiawarenessactionhope.blogspot.com/2012/04/building-kindergarten.html

Lead me to the Cross -- The Passion of the Christ

Happy Easter and Resurrection Day to all of our family and friends!!!  We love you and miss you!

Innovation at it's best!

I should really carry a camera at all times while driving the streets of Haiti, you never know what you will see.  Last Wednesday morning driving to Canaan proved that not only should I have the camera in the front seat with me, but have it out and ready.  Wish I had. 
The night before it had rained for several hours.  Not the kind of steady rain we see in Pennyslvania, but downpour for hours for about the 3rd night in a row.  What does this mean?  It means the main intersection on the way to Canaan is full of water.  While there are many reasons rain like this is frustrating and bittersweet, on this particular day it provided a bit of entertainment for those of us who laugh easily.  Like when people fall, you all know who you are, I'm one of them.  No one fell on this particular day (at least that I saw), but the picture of this young man is still very vivid in my mind.  Just the way someone falling would be.  I have a snap shot that I can replay over and over, but unfortunately can't share with others. 
We often refer to Haitians as very innovative people.  People who just are used to fending for themselves because the government doesn't.  People who are resilient because they have to be. 
So on this particular morning amidst the hussle and bussle of the busy intersection/gas station/tap-tap station, one young man found a way to be just that...innovative in earning money for the day.  This creative dude in cutoff capris and beat up flip flops was making money by carrying people on his back across the water/mud covered sidewalk.
 People traveling to work or school dressed for their occasion, not for what they would find in trying to get a tap-tap.  The only way was across the 10ft section of sidewalk and road  was taken over by the muck that ran down the hill and settled there. 
As we sat through 2 or 3 red lights, we watched women and men alike hop on the guy's back(similar to what you would see Brooke do when her little legs get tired on a walk), get carried the mucky 10ft distance, set down, reach in their pocket for a coin, hand it over, then continue on their journey.  Back and forth he went. He must have made 40 gourdes just in the time we looked on.  Wonder how much he made before the water finally settled enough to drain off...
Wish I had my camera ready, next time I will.