Summer is going to be here very soon. For us here in Canada that means schools will soon be out and our children will have a few months off. In Haiti, things will be different this year. Due to the interruption of school caused by the earthquake on January 12, the government has ruled that all schools will run through the summer until the end of August. This will allow schools, at least those which are open, to finish the curriculum for this current year the best they can. Unfortunately, schools in Haiti are not allowed to be inside due to concern for building structure safety. Therefore, all classes are held outside under tents, tarps or shade trees. One can understand that the quality of education is a real concern.

Thankfully Adoration Christian School (ACS) could open its doors again on May 31 with the help and support of many. Classes could resume with a full complement of staff. This is a huge blessing. Nevertheless, we are once again reminded of the two staff members, Samuel, our Grade 2 teacher and Guerdson, our gatekeeper, who lost their lives during the earthquake. We miss then dearly but are comforted to know they are with the Lord.

ACS will also continue until the end of August for this school year. Therefore, this summer our directors will take turns coming home for a break. Randy and Karen (Maia) will be coming back to Canada for the month of July and Kim Gringhuis for the month of August.

Except for the fact there is still no power available at the school, the facilities at ACS are actually quite good. What a blessing! All classrooms have shelter from the sun and rain. They are equipped with new tables and benches, books and school supplies. There is an office for the school director and one for the pastors. Within a few days, the port-o-potties will be replaced with proper toilet facilities that are currently being constructed.

There is some concern about the quality of education our sponsored secondary students are receiving at the Guigal Christian School. A lot of students are not happy with the class arrangements as school is outside under tarps with very little room and lots of noise. As well, not all of the teachers are showing up and the directors are not always there either. If things do not improve, we may need to find a new school come the new school year.

A special medical clinic was held again for the first time at Adoration Christian Centre (ACC) this past week. Over 200 medical and 25 dental cases were taken care of. The plan is to have the regular weekly clinics start again in July.

The container that was sent from last March has arrived. The tents and other supplies are needed very much. The staff is looking forward to having the large coverall tent erected on the property. This will provide additional shelter during the rainy season and hot summer months for the children. It will also provide a bigger shelter area for larger assemblies, the Presbyterian Church worship services and bible studies.

Planning for Disaster Relief Phase III – Restoration and Rebuilding is now underway. The ACC staff is researching how help can best be provided to those families of the school and church who are currently living in tents and who have homes which need to be repaired or replaced. As yet, we do not have a long term solution for the ACC. We pray that a permanent property for ACC and the church will soon be found.

In a recent more detailed report, the Adoration Team concludes as follows:

"God has been very gracious to us and has been blessing us. We are so thankful for so many blessings, and for how He has kept us safe and in good health. We are thankful that we can be a part of His Kingdom work here in Haiti, and that we can share of the blessings He has given us as a community. We pray that He will continue to bless us with strength, health, safety, wisdom, patience, and the resources we need. And as we continue our Discovery Journey in learning more about when “Helping Hurts” may we continue to put into practice what we are learning and strive to not take the easy road, but the road that really truly shows love to our neighbour, and wants our neighbour be truly helped and blessed. It's in prayer that we move forward, humbly asking for His guidance and His Hand upon this work. After all, all this is for Him, from Him, and in His strength. To God be the glory, and on Him the reliance.

Randy, Karen and Kim"