Worshipping in Haiti

The internet at the guesthouse was not working Sunday, so I could not post Sunday. That allowed some time for reflection. Worship at St. Joseph's is a joyous affair, full of lively music and enthusiastic preaching. The sermon is a two part affair. Just as Pere Kerwin is getting wound up, he takes a break and the congregation enthusiastically sings as the keyboard player and choir director leads the group. Maxo, our lay leader, leads the singing. The service was about 2.5 hours long, followed by a time for fellowship in which we shared our customary coconuts.

One of the greatest things on Sunday was seeing the progress on the school buldings. There are two large buildings being constucted behind the church. Each building will have three large rooms, each of which can be divided into two classrooms for a total of 12 classrooms. In addition, there will be a biofuel latrine. The resulting fuel will be used in the kitchen which is also being built. It is a miraculous to see! The 340 students at the school have been attending classes inside the church building and in the yard under tarps. Having actual school buldings, which are earthquake and hurrican proof is such a gift to these students. Thanks to the donations at Christ Church and the generosity of the Finnish Church Foundation, our students will soon have buildings which will be much more conducive to learning. The buildings are scheduled to be completed in February 2012. I really believe that none of this would have happened had the earthquake not occurred - at least not on this same time table.

Unfortuately, our students cannot attend classes at our church during the construction, so Maxo and Jean (the headmaster) are desperately seeking land they can rent to use until the buildings are complete. The plan is to erect tarps on the land and have school in a less than ideal temporary setting. School is set to start a week from today. We are to get a further report tomorrow.

One of the other great things that has come from the construction project is employment for many people in the community. There are no jobs in the remote area where our school is located, so this is truly a God send for the entire community.