Narrow is the Path

Here I compiled pictures from various parts of the hike we took today. I was intrigued by the diverse path. It changed often: limestone, grass, dirt, clay, flowers, pavement, etc. I felt it was a spiritual representation of the journeys we are all on. Here is the pictoral journey of the path I walked today as well as a few words at the end inspired by it:

Here I walk, O Soul,

Here I tread.

My feet walk the grounds set before me,

And my heart will follow if it doesn’t precede.

Each step bears resemblance to a change

In my heart,

And I see the marks of a Savior as I

Rejoice in the Way.

Joy, sweet joy,

I will walk in the path You have prepared,

Lo, though the surroundings may change,

And the path become gravel, sand, clay,

Grass.

Here I trek, here I go.

Lead on, Gracious One,

Beckon me to follow,

I am coming!

Week 1 of Teacher-Life

First week of classes! I began on Monday. I am teaching 9^th & 10^th grade English classes as well as a high school Reading/ESL class. I’m co-teaching 7^th & 8^th grade writing classes with a seasoned teacher, who also happens to be married to the director of our school. They celebrated their 24^th wedding anniversary on the first day of school. 

What is it like? It’s hard to describe what teaching at Quisqueya Christian School is like. Students almost always arrive early to school. They hang out on campus until classes begin. Students always stay late after school. Classes end at 3pm, and many students stay behind and hang out with friends, play soccer on the beautiful soccer turf, or converse with teachers. The general role of teachers post-classes, is to meander through campus, connecting with students whenever possible.

On Monday, the first official day of school, I discovered my niche. There were 4 or 5 students gathered around a table, cut out around a stately tree. They were singing and playing ukulele—making up a song based on sentences from their Chemistry books that were lying open on the table. I was so impressed. I sat down and talked for quite some time getting to know a little bit about them. The opportunities are unlike any other I’ve experienced.

Elisa and I got to help out with chapel worship Wednesday morning. All middle school and high school students congregate together once a week to worship and listen to a message. The goal this year is to get as many students involved in chapel worship as possible and to eventually turn it over to just them. I can’t wait!

A weekly Bible study for the teachers at QCS started up Wednesday night. We will be studying Galatians together for the next couple of weeks.

As I open my heart and mind, I am constantly being challenged in the way I view people and the world in general. My prayer is that the Lord would soften my heart and renew my understanding towards His creation; His people. I encountered a few situations this week that led me to see how much I have to grow in the way I see God’s children.

Today I got to hike in the mountains with some of my QCS co-worker buddies. The terrain was beautiful and diverse; the view breathtaking. We could see the national soccer field, the ocean, the airport, and many villages below. We passed mountain goats, bleating and Haitian people, singing. It was a fantastic workout and trek! 

Pictures from the Hike:

Soccer field on mountain range, newly formed. :)

Blessing to you all, and I look forward to sharing more as it comes and as I am able!! 

Arrival in Haiti

Here I am in Haiti! I arrived safely and everything is intact! At the airport in Port-au-Prince I was handed a baby stroller instead of my guitar…fortunately the mismatched belongings were straightened out and I DID get my guitar. 

Haiti is a combination of many things. I know that I have yet to experience so much! Elisa and I arrived around 1pm on Tuesday. We are staying in an apartment on campus that is directly above the high school principal and his wife and baby son. The apartment is very nice...hopefully the photo will load.  However, we discovered a large cockroach in our bathroom that we couldn’t kill! Just a few minutes ago he traveled into my bedroom and behind my closet…GROSS!

                            (Top photo: our living room & bit of kitchen. Bottom photo: my room!)

I have my own classroom! I have been spending time organizing my new room, studying materials, meeting other new teachers, settling into my apartment, shopping at the grocery store, and doing other odds-and-ends things. 

                                   (Top photo: my classroom. Bottom photo: My desk!)

I’m enjoying this nation that is filled with warm-hearted people and a lot of potential. I met one of my potential students today. There is a lot to get used to, and my heart in some ways aches for Uganda. I know there is much to be learned here, and I anticipate knowing what there is to know. The food is delicious!

I’ve picked up a little bit more Creole and am remembering some of the names of people who are working on-campus.

There will surely be more to come as I have time. 

Bon nuit! (Goodnight!)