Busy first week with Mom and Dad Beintema

We have been quite busy here in Haiti with Mom and Dad Beintema.  We went to the beach; had a Christmas service; had fireworks at Dr. Eds; had Christmas dinner at Uncle Randy and Aunt Karen's; went out for lunch with Julie and Gerrit VanWagenen and Heath Peters; played a lot of corn hole and many more things.

We went to the beach with the Van Dams.  There was no one else on the beach but us!  What a great day!

The scenery is amazing.  So much to enjoy and take in.

We did a lot of pier jumping...here is where Kati pretended to jump and everybody else did...can you see her laughing?

A staggered group of five jumping.

Here is proof: Mindy, Chloe and Joel trying to get rid of me.

We found a squid on the beach Micah was the bravest to touch it.

Fireworks at Dr. Ed's house.  A fun night!

Christmas dinner at the Lodder's house.  Chloe, Mindy, Mom and I sang a song. 

Chicken Fiesta: my newest favouritest restaurant in Haiti: Chicken wings and Chinese

The food

We could write a comment and our names on the wall or ceiling.

Christmas play

Today at QCC the children put on a Christmas play.  Chloe played a star.  It was a really nice performance in which there was a lot of singing and watching some good talent.  Here are some pictures of the performance and of Joel after the program with Miss Kati!

They are here!

Grandpa and Grandma are in Haiti.  After a long wait they came out of the terminal to some very excited people.  We are looking forward to three weeks of fun and excitment with them.

Are they here yet?

I don't know who is more excited: Chloe or Grandma?

After an hour of waiting for the luggage they came out of the airport.  We are glad you are here.

Concourt d'Art

Roodvens is a natural MC.  He had the audience laughing and having a good time.  Randy, Pastor Octavius and Cornelius were asked to be the judges of the competition.

One the teachers and one of the students led the singing for the program.

Each class made an Art piece that was related to Christmas some how. 
The creativity was amazing and the work was really well done.

Each class choose representatives to come to the front and talk about their projects. 
They had 5 questions that they needed to answer, this was a marked part of the competition.

Each section received a prize.  First: Elementary; Second: Secondary; Third: Special Ed; Fourth: Kindergarten

Exam time



The students are working hard on their exams this week.  Four days have been dedicated to the writing of them.  May they remember a lot of what they have learned.

 

Mindy has a tree, with lights even!

Mindy has been asking for weeks if she can have a tree.  She wanted to stop on the side of the road and buy a tree with lights.  Knowing prices in Haiti I continued to say no.  She wanted to stop by Randy and Karen's and cut off some branches but I said no because they would die and we should wait a little bit longer.  She even told Betsy, the wonderful lady that lives with us, that she didn't think that I understood the idea of decorating and getting things in the holiday spirit.  Meanwhile I had already arranged with Heath, Betsy's husband, who was coming today to bring a tree from Ohio to Port au Prince.  It has nothing to do with not decorating, not having lights or being festive, but more the idea of surprise for her.  She was surprised and even did a little squeal when she saw it.  A good present and a great surprise.

The finished products!

Our children

Craft time: Moses in a basket in the reeds.

Joel sound asleep.

 

Joel sitting up

Chloe reading her leap frog book

Chloe got her face painted at the Annual QCS Christmas bazaar.

Chloe trying to knock a teacher down in the dunk tank

Even Santa comes to Haiti.

December is Art month

Here are some pictures of the highschool students working on their Art projects.  It is fun hearing all the noise and the laughter going through the school.  It is awesome to see the students working together to create some Christmas Art. 

 

STAY TUNED FOR THE FINISHED PROJECT WHICH WILL BE DISPLAYED LATER THIS MONTH!

Where does Port au Prince fit in?

A friend showed me this article that he had found.  Shows where Port au Prince ranks in the world with other cities.

Cities in the world!

Enjoy the read!

The Prism of Poverty - The Victory of Christ

A friend of ours wrote this just the other day and I thought it was too good not to share with you all. 

The Prism of Poverty - The Victory of Christ

Enjoy the read. Thanks so much Andrea!

Life at the school

Some of our staff caught in different poses.

Learning does happen at the school on a regular basis.

Playing, studying and working students all over the place.

Recently we have been receiving donated food from Mission of Hope. 
We are thankful for the healthy food that they provide.

The bell rings, the students cheer, another day has been completed.

The DR

Joel really wanted to fly the plane.

Flying over Haiti and the DR, see if you can see the difference.

The condo, nice, open and roomie.

The beach, nice Irish pub.

Games + food + conversations = Funnerest times ever!



The view from our window, waves crashing on the beach!