Hello one and all: A quick entry to let you know that I am "back in the saddle" once again having enjoyed my two weeks vacation to the utmost. I was spoiled by family and friends in Hamilton for a week and then came back to join Wilner for your trip to the DR for a week. I am thrilled to report he had his Cdn Visa renewed for 5 years (yahoo), all of which occurred on Monday so we had the rest of the week to just rest and relax..and that we did!

I have just been going through my email messages, doing laundry and the usual end of vacation activities...tomorrow I will head out to the school and check on things there. Otherwise, I gather all is the status quo in Haiti...still lots of talk about the election and the selection of the candidates. ..many disgruntled because Wycliffe was disqualified while others who did not meet all of the requirements either, were allowed to let their names stand.

Hope this finds everyone doing okay as well. More news to come as the week progresses.

Cheerio,
Debbie

Hello all: My oh my..hasn't the time just flown by, since my last time with you.

Let me back track a bit. Friday I bade farewell to the Iowa team...AKA "the Prestige-ous" team. It was an earlier start than usual as "they"...whoever "they" are of political persuasion were calling for a national transport strike and threatening damage to banks,, gas stations and other publice services that would remain open. Not knowing how the streets would be we left earlier than necessary and had extra eyes in the back of the truck with us.....Populaire with his trusty baton......Luckily all was calm, no road blocks, no burning tires, banks and gas stations functioning as usual so the team got to the airport in plenty of time. I don't think they minded too much being glad to have everyone checked in and settled before it got really busy.

Here is a picture of that Prestigous group and please note the handywork of Buzz who worked all day Thursday getting that little canopy ready....it is a perfect deterent to that hot sun.....at least for those who don't with to do their tannying time while sitting in the back of the truck.

Front row: Abby, Liza, Bob, Darryl, Dave, Dave aka Buzz

Back Row: Judy, Mary Anne, Katie and Pastor Keith

Once back at Hope House, I got busy straightening up my room or at least a part of it and hauled out the suitcases to see if all of my iron work will fit...it won't so I will now be wrapping a few pieces in cardboard....sound familiar to anyone?!

Saturday Wilner came with Bob and Thia and Mimim came from across town...it was family weekend at Hope House. Bob is home for vacation from his medical studies in Santiago and it was my only chance to see him as well as Mimim too. We enjoyed the afternoon by the pool at the Visa Lodge as well as the buffet lunch. It was a real treat for all. In the evening with "pizza buns" made we squished into our room (Joel included) and watched the muscial Mama Mia. I never tire of that music and enjoyed it as ever. The "kids" liked it too. Sunday mid morning saw everyone heading home. I admit to having a little siesta once everyone was gone, before I sat down at the computer. Below is a picture to introduce you to Thia, Bob and Mimim

The last couple of days have been taking care of various and sundry bits of business. I won't bore you with those details. One story though that may interest you. My last chore before heading home yesterday was to pick up some cheque books at the bank. I was about the 20th or so in line outside, just standing there watching the sites while I waited to get in. There was lots of traffic and one of the vehicles that passed by was a huge steam roller rumbling along. It has just passed by the bank when the next thing you know, everyone came fleeing out of the bank. In my mind, I was thinking there must be a bank hold up and I was waiting to start hearing gun fire or some such thing related to a hold up. Within a very short period of time, we realized that in actuality it was everyone panicking at the trembling inside the bank ,caused by the steam roller as it passed by. Earthquakes and its impact are still very much in the psyche of a lot of people. Many of the folks outside who saw the steam roller were laughing and joking at the reaction of the othes and yet they were very understanding of them as well.

The school is pretty quiet these days, now that most of the kids and staff are on vacation. The kids in rheto and philo finish their state exams this week. The admin staff will take a few days vacation at the end of the month and then all to soon we will be preparing for the new school year...set to begin Oct 4.

I too will take a little time away so please do not be surprised not to find anything on this site over the next two weeks.

Until next time...enjoy the summer, stay safe and Peace be with you!

Debbie

Greetings from Hope House! The gang is still hard at work trying to get in their last bit of work before "calling it a day". We have finished with the depot...it is in such good shape now...I am THRILLED!!! see the picture below...isnt' that a grand site!!

Now they are whipping together some more school desks. Carpenter Bob has a lot of pieces cut, so they have quite a little assembly line going. What a Blessing they are.....as are all of the teams that visit Hope House! There are now words to truly convey my appreciation for all of the work that is done and the spirit in which they work together.

Katie (with the drill) and Mary Anne even get their hand in at the desks.

Before donning our sweat rags, we did take time out this AM to absorb a little Haiti culture as we drove to downt0wn and visited a cooperative Haitian craft store. The streets were humming with life...people everywhere attending to various and sundry tasks.

Yesterday was also a full day. The morning was spent at the school, painting the bathrooms. What an improvement! It has been a chore I have been wanting to see done for a long time. Bob got the termite eaten door jamb fixed in the kitchen..another plus! On the way back to Santo 3 we passed by the Metal workers and most of the gang came away with at least one article in hand..me included (as usual).

Judy and Darryl..putting on the finishing touches...the team got 7 out of 10....I kidded them that they lost marks due to the amt of paint droppings on the floors!...they said that was the style in Bettendorf...I found that a little hard to believe so the score did not change!

I will say tira for now so that I can attend to dinner and to make a final "inspection" of all of the work done.

Cheerio,
Debbie

Hello all: I last left you as the team arrived in the pouring rain. Since then it has rained another couple of nights but the days have been sunny and warm...to say the least. Many things have been accomplished since Friday evening, one of which has been eradicating tarantula spiders and other creepy crawlers. Some folks don't appreciate the gifts of Mother Nature quite like some others.

The team has enjoyed the Sunday church service with the kids but the real highlight was attending the closing recital presented by the three kindergarden classes. What a delight it was.....I can honestly say that attending these events always brings a tear to my eye. It brings home to me how important our Mission is, in providing these kids the opportunity of an education. Monday was definately "kids" day. We proceeded from the school to Little Children of Jesus, arriving in time to help feed some of the children. Gladys was preparing for a staff meeting (before she heads out on holidays next week) so we didn't stay too long after meal time was over. We did take advantage of the visit to deliver more of the donated goods we had for her. The day ended with our visit to Marie's kids....also taking advantage of the visit there to delivery yet more donated goods....this time it was school binders to be given to the kids when school opens. Marie "escaped" for several days of R&R, so we didn't get to see her. However Gina and Fresnel took good care of the visitors.

Today was our visit to Food for the Poor. The traffic getting there was unbelievable!! We got in a traffic jam like I have never seen before. Finally some police officers with support of UN security took charge of straightening out the mess. After about 20 minutes we were finally able to make our turn up the road where we were headed. It sure was an eye opener for my guests.

In between time we have been organizing and moving boxes around in the various depots. Bob and his helper got cutting wood for desks and even better, shelving for the depot! What a blessing that is going to be. We opened up space for the shelves with our shuffling of boxes, plus another delivery of chairs, desks etc to Gladys helped out a lot.

Its time to go and join the other folks for their devotional period. I will leave you with a couple of pictures to enjoy.

Choir Practice -preparing to sing at the Sunday church service



Opening the Kindergarden recital. The K3 graduates led the way....they will move up to Primary school when school opens in Oct.
Chief carpenter Bob (with the hat), and his asst. Darryl measuring up wood to be cut for shelves and desks.

Darryl and Pastor Keith, putting the finishing touches on the depot shelves....aren't they great! (the shelves that is...and yes the two guys are great too)