Advent, 2007

The roosters start each day well before sunrise. ~ After a shower I go to the roof of the second floor for some quiet time and listen as the town came to life. ~ About 7:30 a.m. the gates of the school open and one of the cooks arrives on her bicycle with two little girls, one in front of her and the other behind her. ~ Next comes a very small boy, slowly walking down the sidewalk, with hands in pocket, occasionally looking behind him. ~ Then come others, some holding the hand of a brother or sister; then those with bicycles, they lean them against the sidewalk or another bicycle. ~ Music is playing over the loud speaker system to greet the children. ~ As more and more chil- dren come the noise level rises higher and higher with laughter and playing voices. ~ At 8:00 a.m. the gates are closed, the children line up in front of their classrooms with their teachers. ~ The day starts with prayer, a psalm, singing the National Anthem, and the pledge of allegiance as the flag is raised. ~ Then the gate opens and those who are late came in and everyone goes to class. ~ The day is underway. ~ About 10:00 a.m. the younger children are being fed and the others are outside for recess—soccer games, swings and see- saws on the play ground, and a lot of running, hollering and laughter. ~ Then back to class. ~ The feeding continues for the others and the day ends at 1:00 p.m. ~ Parents come for the younger children and the older ones are heading home with their homework in back packs. ~ At 3:00 p.m. the adult education program starts with about 12 adults. ~ It is good to see so many participating, trying to gain an education and be able to better their situations. ~ And, OH, you should have heard them sing-class always ends with singing and prayer.

This is my third trip to Haiti. The first in 1986 saw me building a wall for a school in Trou du Nord. On the second in 2005 I helped hand out Christmas shoe boxes. In 2007 I helped to hand out food to the old and infirm.

Many changes have taken place between each of my visits to Haiti. Dreams continue to come true. The one thing that I treasure above everything is the smiling faces of the children.

God is awesome. He is working through each and every one of us - from the small beginnings many years ago to the progress taking place today in Terrier Rouge. This is possible only with the prayers and generous giving of God's people.