Thank you all for your prayers! The first flight in or out in over a week is planning on flying in tomorrow before more storms hit on Monday/Tuesday, and today we successfully (though down 2 States-stranded professors) began class!
Unfortunately, the storms have meant that our director/professor Dr. Cooper will be unable to come for another 2 weeks, and that three of our fellow professors who had appointments in Port-au-Prince yesterday to work on their visa's have never made it to Port-au-Prince. These men are supposed to travel with Matt in three weeks to Wesley Biblical Seminary for the two week "in class" part of their Master's this semester, but are still awaiting visa approval. They have also meant that our September newsletter is not going to make it to you before September 1st :)
However, we have been fine, and Cap-Haitien has gone through a lot less than many other cities in Haiti. Please keep praying for the Haitian people as they struggle to cope with high winds, high waters and all of the economic issues we are currently having.
We have seen the economic issues affecting our school year already. Six of the students that came for orientation left right after orientation because they not only don't have the entrance fees, but they didn't have any of the money for any of the classes. They came for orientation so that if they have funding available later, they can come for a class or two, but were unable to stay. It's hard to be losing students already, but many of them have shared heartfelt burdens for caring for their families, which right now, means not being able to do ANYTHING extra, like going to Seminary. Please keep praying for our students!
Matt's first day of Hebrew class went really well. Several of the dropped students were supposed to be in Matt's class, so he started today with 8 students, two of which are also professors here, but have never had the opportunity to learn Hebrew. They all had a great time, and Matt is thrilled to be back in the classroom. He's teaching all morning and then working on his masters all afternoon and part of the evening.
My first day of English was less eventful, as that my 15 students all had to take placement exams to ensure that they are indeed in English One. Tomorrow we will dig in!
It's a joy to be back with our students and to be back in the classroom. We have SO many opportunities every day to be a part of these student's lives and ministries, and we are SO thankful for that! Thank you for all of your support and prayers while we work on making disciples for His kingdom in Haiti!
What a blessing to hear you speak so passionately and positively about starting school. I teach myself and know that so many teachers and students dread coming back each fall. While it is a job that requires much patience, dedication, and hard work, it is also rewarding. To know that I am in a building with heating/air conditioning, two working copiers, unlimited paper supply, and free meals for my students while you are working in the midst of a passing hurricane without any of the creature comforts I have come to take for granted, I am humbled. Please know that you are not only touching the lives of the Haitian people, but also making a mark on those of us back home. What a blessing that God can work this way and that you have follwed his call. God bless you all!
ReplyDelete