Caleb has been working on his guitar skills and has played at several Friday morning chapels now at Cowman.
A bit of warm-up with Frantz before the start of chapel.
The big news for junior and senior high students was the return of Chris Love to the science classroom after weeks of mystery illness. We were so glad to have her back! The paparazzi came out in full force.
By the time our staff Christmas party rolled around, she seemed to be back to her old fun-loving and energetic self.
The highlight of that party was the white elephant gift exchange. Here's Johnny sporting a lovely purse.
Miss Suzie seemed a bit interested in the contents of the purse as she decided whether or not to steal it away from Johnny.
Here's Rose anticipating what might be inside the gift she has chosen. (It was a clock ... and Melissa stole it from her!)
(But then Melissa wrapped it up and gave it back to Rose on Christmas Day.)
Our principal, Angie Bundy, showing some Christmas spirit.
Meanwhile construction continued on the second floor of Cowman High School right above my classroom. We are grateful for the progress, but tiring of the noise...
Sarah spent a lot of time working on some wall art to give as gifts to her friends Kristina and Faith.
One afternoon a gusty wind came up and Sarah and Kristina watched the trees sway while sitting atop the pickup truck.
These two are such tight friends! Can you tell?
The breeze was a bit chilly (for Haiti). And, remarkably, a tree fell on top of Mikenn's house as I was videotaping the girls, but no storm ever materialized and their was no property damage, thank goodness.
One morning I was called on to dispense with a family of rats that had made a nest in the light fixture in Melissa's office. I only managed to snag two of the youngsters as mama was moving the family to a safer location. The rest are still at large.
Among other things, December means Mr. Mikenn's birthday. Melissa baked a pan of brownies so Mikenn could celebrate with his first graders and his lead teacher Mr. Ben.
At home we do our best to make things look Christmassy - a tall order when the fans are working hard to disperse the heat as the sun streams through the mosquito screens. It's always bittersweet to hold special ornaments in our hands again, knowing another year has passed.
Sadly, this December meant saying goodbye to our friends the Mokmas, who spent the last year and a half working at nearby Children of the Promise orphanage. Their kids were our students at Cowman for the time they were here. Hard to see them go, but praying God's blessing on their journey.
Melissa's annual women's Christmas Brunch happened on Saturday the 17th and this year 17 women attended as well as ten young ladies.
The next day we drove to Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic for a few days away with the Heckmans, Ayars and Edlers from Emmaus Biblical Seminary. A truly refreshing and relaxing time.
Our three oldest doing a bit of exploring with their pal Ethan.
If you have to play basketball, this is a beautiful spot for it.
Melissa and I enjoyed a cup of coffee on the beach our last morning as we watched the sunrise. Now one of my favorite memories of 2016!
We parted ways with the others on Wednesday and drove to Santiago in order to get Hannah to her orthodontist appointment.
AND to take the family to see Rogue One. In English, with Spanish subtitles.
And to enjoy some familiar fast food at the local Burger King.
Melissa was excited to show the rest of the family the local "PriceSmart" in Santiago - a subsidiary of Sam's Club. She and Hannah had discovered it on their first trip to the orthodontist in early November. It was pretty remarkable.
Just like a Sam's Club, this place had a little bit of everything. (And yes, even free food samples!) Caleb dreamed of getting a new guitar.
I posted our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day pictures elsewhere and mentioned that our kids have started summer shopping for each other's gifts. That's how Sarah ended up with this sign that the three oldest felt was more than appropriate:
Like in the States, Christmas break affords teachers and kids alike ample opportunities to relax and enjoy the passing days. Caleb, in particular, used some of his time to further friendships with some of the local boys while also getting practice in speaking Creole.
Also over the last week in December, we have been thrilled to spend time with Kate and Storly Michel, who are not only good friends, they are also the instruments God used to get us to Haiti in the first place. Here their girls, Hannah and Esther, roast marshmallows with Sarah and Samuel in the backyard before a sudden rain shower sent them scrambling back inside for the night.
A couple of final pictures that really sum up December in Haiti:
A homemade Christmas tree at the side of a dusty, pothole-riddled road, set up for all passersby to enjoy -
And one of the flowers among the landscaping in front of the house in the late afternoon sun.
The weather here in December and January is absolutely gorgeous. Shouldn't you come visit us next Christmas??
We pray 2017 is off to an incredible start for you and that it will prove to be a year abundantly blessed by the Lord!
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