the ayars affairs

We made it down to the OMS compound today and frantically did all the things with their internet that we have been unable to do the past week! Here's some photos to catch you up on these fantastic past days...

Director Bryan and Dean Lucner (translating) sharing a welcome message to all the returning students.
Staff retreat on Saturday at the Christophe was a huge success, with everyone from the night watchman to the Rector hanging out over lunch and swimming. Dean Paul's fantastic bellyflop might go down in EBS history.
Bryan, this time with Matt translating, was the first chapel speaker of the 2010 school year, sharing a powerful message of servant leadership with the EBS community.
These first days have been full of a lot of, "Wait...what do we do about THIS?" moments, which Bryan has been helping everyone work through. It has been so good to have extra and wise help during this potentially stressful time.
The first days of class have started well, though a few of the visiting professors were too sick today to teach, with the same stomach bug that Matt, Lily, Bryan and I had this past weekend.
Pastor Jerry Poff and Belony, translating, are teaching Intro to the New Testament to the first year class....
...while Pastor/Comedian Doug and Joab, translating, are teaching Evangelism to the third year class. Bob Petruccio, Gueson, Matt, Paul, Luke, Fan Fan and I are also all teaching other Bible courses or language courses.

Tuesday was a special day in the life of Emmaus and the Saccanville community, as we began the year with a Convocation ceremony and the installation of Bryan as Director. Reverend Harold Brown, long time missionary with OMS and chairman of the Seminary Board, and his wife Mary (whom I have grown to love this past week) came to spend a few days with us and to help instate Bryan as "Rector." (Rector is the Haitian term for a president in a theological setting).

Pastor Elizay, who will be serving as a type of assistant Bryan, Matt and Lucner this year, Matt Ayars and Pastor Paul Vilmer
One of the most intimate portions of the service allowed the faculty and administration to come around Bryan and pray for his life and service at Emmaus.
Two different choirs joined us, as well as many members from various churches, and lots of friends from the Saccanville community...maybe future students at EBS???
Bryan's convocation address focused on the road to Emmaus experience shared in Luke 24 and Emmaus' calling to be an atmosphere where students can meet face-to-face with Jesus, be therefore transformed, and go into the all the world bearing the truth of the Gospel.

The first year class then committed to leading lives of holiness and service, and the congregation committed to lifting them up in prayer and helping them as they serve the Lord in Haiti.

These young men share a special Wesley Biblical Seminary connection. This group of professors and senior administration have all earned, or will soon earn, their Master's degree from Wesley Biblical Seminary, the place where Paul, Guenson, Matt and Luke met Bryan as a professor and Coordinator of Online Education. This is a special group of young men, all of whom feel deeply called and committed to making Christ known in Haiti and around the world! (and yeah, Bryan IS really tall :)