Today, Jessica and I went with Pastor Paulo to visit two schools.  The first school is just a couple of minutes from our base.  We arrived in time for devotions at 8 am.  All the children were in a church/meeting room, led by the principal in worship music.  Pastor Paulo introduced us and then the principal started devotions.  He was using The Greatest Journey Curriculum.    They were on lesson 3, which is on the birth of Jesus and how Joseph was told by the angel that Mary was to give birth to the Savior of the world.  He read Matthew 1:18-25 to the children and then explained the importance of the scripture.  Jessica and I were given the opportunity to speak to the kids.  I reminded them how important they are to God and Jessica prayed over the kids.

 After devotions, they were dismissed to their classrooms.  There were three classrooms and we visited with each one for about 10 minutes.  In each room, we were given a piece of chalk and asked to teach how to start a conversation in English.  Jessica did a great job.  She started writing: Hello.  How are you?  I am fine thank you, and you?  What is your name?  My name is.  Nice to meet you.  Pastor Paulo helped us to write the Creole equivalent beside the English.  So Jessica and I repeated the conversation in front of the class several times.  At first we went too fast and had to repeat it slowly.  Each time after that we made sure to go slowly, so they understood what we were saying.  We then walked around the classroom and talked with individual students one at a time.  Then one girl came to the front and had the conversation with Jessica.  The same girl then had the conversation with a boy in the class.  We did this in every class and slowly had the kids repeat the words back to us.  Jessica reminded them to practice English and that it was okay if they made mistakes.  That we were trying to learn Creole and we made mistakes, but with the help of others we will be able to learn Creole.  I quite enjoyed teaching English conversation, even though it was so basic.

(Each time we went to a classroom they would just look at us and said go ahead and talk.  We did not know what they wanted us to do.  I am thankful for my recent trip to South Africa.  We learned how to rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us, when we had no idea what to do.  That experience helped prepare you for the unexpected.  Thanks Scott and Becky!)   

                At the second school, we arrived as the students were on a short break.  They were excited to see two white girls.  A small group started asking us questions and we got them to say a few things in English.  Then the break was over and they all went back to their classrooms.  The first classroom we visited was for older students and they were studying algebra.  Our driver Kno (sp?) went to the front of the class and told them we were here to speak with the class.  So we introduced ourselves with our broken Creole.  I am sure that everyone has meet someone trying to learn English.  They mix words up, use the wrong form of a verb, or wrong words, but for the most part are able to get the point across.  I told them my name, age, where I am from, that I am married; I have no kids, that I love Haiti.  That may not seem like a lot, but when you have to think about every phrase, it takes a while.   Then one student came up and talked to us in English.  She knew several things to carry on a basic conversation.  The next student came up and spoke with us in Creole.  We taught them and they taught us.  I feel like this was a lesson more for us than for them.  Next, we visited two classrooms that were studying The Greatest Journey.  They were also learning lesson 3 about the birth of Jesus.  We just sat and observed.  They teacher would say a few things and then have the students repeat the story.  They all learned John 3:16 in a matter of minutes and repeated it several times throughout the lesson. 

                We left before the lesson was over to head back to base for lunch.  Today was an interesting day.  I am glad that I was able to go with Jessica.  It always makes it easier to do these things with a friend.  I wait expectantly on what the Lord has in store next.  I praise Him for all He does and is.  Thank you Jesus for allowing us to be a part of Your work in Haiti.  I pray blessings in the name of the Lord over the people of Haiti.  Special blessings over the children!  Amen.