The teaching groove.

...from the rapidly changing community of Passe-bois-d'ormes, Haiti - - where dust is going to be a health issue.  The roadwork has been sending dust up into the air all day for the last several weeks.  I'm guessing 100 dump trucks and other equipment go through our town somedays.  The road they are building is really going to be a road...not the 'path' we have had.  The president is scheduled to come and visit the work this weekend...while on his way to a party in his hometown further out the road.   

I've been working with a young man who never had a chance to go to school...not even one day in his life.  I'm trying to teach him to read.  It's been a learning experience for me.  He can quickly distinguish between written images (letters, words...) but he really struggles to connect the letter with a sound.  Sounds, for him, seem to be all mixed up and all the same.  We're going slowly and trying to keep him encouraged.  Pray for a breakthrough.  I remember another case like this years ago where a boy struggled and struggled and then showed up one Monday morning able to read.  It all clicked.   

I've been teaching English to Jean-Luke and Wayens...two young men.  I've never really invested much in teaching people English.  I've done some classes, but never really got very far with anyone.  I was able to tell them the old joke about the hunter and the sign the says BARE LEFT.  With a bit of explanation, they got the joke...in English.  Progress.  One of my goals with Asaph Teaching Ministry is to make future English teachers.  Our community has had Americans living here since before I came, and the schools are still forced to hire people from out of town to teach English.  That embarrasses me now.  I want to work to improve that so that our town can export English teachers...who teach with correct pronunciation!  

Our worship team has really been a blessing.  They 'jell-ed' while I was away.  Now I almost feel like an extra wheel.  The two biggest errors in our services last week and this week were both mine.  Ew!  I'm going to keep teaching them new things on Wednesday nights, but allow them to lead rehearsals and do all of the weekend 'stuff'.  I'll just be there as 'the guy playing trumpet'.   I spoke to a neighboring pastor about working with his musicians.  No reply yet.    I really like teaching here.  I've been so encouraged lately.  Wayens (mentioned above) is learning guitar and trumpet.  He really listens when I say something to help him.  Some people only stop playing enough to let me finish, and then they go on making noise.  It's great finding real students.  Those are the folks that make fast progress.    I set up a bank account in US dollars that will allow me to transfer money here.  I got my 'residence permit'.  We're working on setting up ASAPH Teaching Ministry as a tax-exempt 501c3 corporation.  AND, we're clearing the land where I plan to build. 

So much happening.  All good.   God bless all of you 'back there' in the USA.   Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.  His love endures forever...and ever...and ever...and ever...and...