Tuesday

This morning, Ge Ge, Mrs. Hartman and I continued to teach chemistry to the students.We did an experiment where the solution turned from clear to a hot pink and I could tell that the students were thoroughly thrilled by this, having rarely had any hands on activities. Then we taught them how to use an electric balance. The class made it almost a game where they had to weigh ten milliliters of water and if they got over ten, they would sort of laugh it off. Having never used an electric balance before, nonetheless any balance, the students were intrigued with the technology. As the morning progressed, I moved down to the children's sanctuary to help with the mural which is coming along phenomenally with the help of some Haitian students who have been identified as artistically gifted. Additionally the beading project seems to be a success. The men continued to work on building the cabinets and work benches for the chemistry room. The older more skilled Haitian men helped with that project and I can truly tell their help has paid off. They are learning how to do the project so they can complete another classroom after we return home. Another group of men traveled to the clinic to put additional wiring in to connect to the solar panels. Zack, a college student from Iowa State, was working on the roof putting up a coil that would house water which would heat up in the sun during the day and in the night be used for shower water. The reason why it is important to have hot water is so that the heat will eliminate some of the illnesses carried through the water. Today was an amazing day in that all the Haitians have an eagerness to help. All the teens want to help paint, the adults want to help build and the little ones want to participate in the chemistry lessons with the young adults. Additionally, the little ones are so curious about our skin color. I will walk into the courtyard of their school area and they all shout "blanc", which means white in Kreyol French, as they rush over to touch and observe my skin tone. Interestingly, although they cannot speak much English, the children will ask if we will be attending the evening worship service. We may not speak the same language but we do worship the same God and it makes me feel a great sense of joy knowing that they know this also. What Are Our Prayer Requests? Prayers for the men working on the wiring at the maternity clinic as they experienced what they call the 'Haiti factor' today. Work progressed but plans and strategies needed to be readjusted many times over. We are hearing wonderful stories of the history of mission work done in the past in LaCroix. We ask for prayers of gratitude of the awesomeness of God to take our small projects and to continue to use them for stepping stones for more projects over time. Please also pray that we are fulfilling God's plans for this community as we continue our work this week.