Caroline's latest call

Caroline just called using Pere Michaud's phone at 6:30 Sunday evening.  The following is information from both parties:
* Pere Michaud and Kercia are now married and very grateful for the generous gift from the Saint Francis family.* * * Pere Michaud knows about the $1,080 sent to complete the foundation for the school.  Now that the wedding is behind him (Thursday, October 13), he will tend to the matter of securing the funds for Lucson and Salien to finish the project.
* Caroline and Georgette were dressed and waiting for the car to pick them up and carry them to the wedding.  Alas, the car never arrived and Caroline didn't participate in the ceremony.
* BUT: Pere Michaud has promised a DVD depicting the entire event.
* Caroline's mosquito bites are not quite as numerous, the swelling in her face and on her lips has diminished somewhat.
* Georgette provided Caroline with a mosquito-repellent coil that keeps some of the mosquitoes out of her room at night; the best news, however, is that an American working at the Evangelical Christian Church in Trouin has given Caroline his mosquito netting.  And, except for the fact that there are holes in the netting and she can't breathe with it on her face, she's doing much better.
* Everyone in Trouin is grateful to all the people at St. Francis for their generosity.  They are acutely aware of the enormous gift of love we have given them.
* When Caroline walks through the streets of the village, kids and adults call out her name in greeting and welcome.  She responds with "Bonjour" or "Bonsoir," as is appropriate.
* She also receives daily Creole lessons from everyone she meets.
* Each morning at the daily Mass, she is asked to perform in her adopted language and they all applaud her efforts.
* The townspeople are very proud of the new school, declaring it to be the very best one built in the area.
* Tuesday, October 18, she has been invited to tour the public school and discuss education issues with the principal.
* And Caroline deeply apologizes to Chad and Amanda for not having been at the baby shower.  She's very excited for them.
* When she is not teaching English in the classroom, Caroline has taught the children and the adults how to play Battleship and Go Fish.
* Thankfully, the hurricane possibilities seem to have abated for at least the rest of this week.  The weather is quite hot, but also gorgeous.
* Caroline still has not internet service and cannot make calls with her phone.

Caroline in Trouin

I am alive and thriving in Trouin. School starts full time next week and I have a full schedule. I think the teachers liked their bags. Teachers, students, and the community have sent thanks to St Francis for all we have done.

I have lots to tell you. Having a wonderful time. I will take part in the wedding next week. Yahoo!
Caroline

Update from Caroline

    

1. Her cell phone connection does not work in Haiti

2. No cell phone means no internet access for her computer. Alas, all her teaching plans were contingent upon using the internet.

3.  She is safely in Trouin and called from Pere Michaud's phone.

4. The 21-day sojourn has immediately evoked a different type of response from everyone. The people seem more real, authentically living their lives.

5. Cultural differences are more apparent than in the usual 4-day format of grandiose hospitality.

6.  Some of the children arrived for school at the end of September; others will arrive on the official opening date of October 6^th. Many surprises in this regard.

7. The drinking water is superb!

8. This is mosquito season and they love Caroline. Unfortunately, Caroline had never encountered mosquitoes in previous trips, so she has no repellent; and she's a mosquito magnet!

9.  It's far hotter than she has previously experienced. No air-conditioning.

10. Georgette continues to provide the fine cuisine Caroline was seeking.

11. The floor of the new school has not yet been completed; and the kids will stay in the temporary classrooms until it is ready.

12. Caroline taught her first class of ESL (English as a second language) in kindergarten the first morning she was there (Tuesday, October 4).

Caroline is on her way

Caroline is on her way for three weeks at St. Marc's in Trouin, Haiti, wehre she hopes to teach a little English to both the teachers and the students. What incredible courage!

   Boy, 4:00 is EARLY!! Please thank Preston again for the room--it made the early flight a bit more bearable. When the Spirit Airlines lady at the baggage check-in counter in Atlanta found out I was a teacher and going to Haiti she suggested I combine my computer bag into my other bags to eliminate the need to purchase the third checked bag and SAVE $100.00. My bags were packed to the gills without so much as room for a pencil but somehow after spreading things all over the airport floor I was able to make it (thankfully, she said the carry-ons didn't have to be zipped).
  With the help of Alton's rolling cart (please tell him it was a life-saver if you see him) I was able to limp onboard. The flight attendants and the folks at the gate were less than pleased with the set-up and "encouraged" me to check a bag at my next stop but I have yet to do so. I figure if I can make one more leg of the trip I'll be home free. And I SAVED $100.00!!!!!  It's a shame that flying is such a pain these days--I remember when it used to be fun!
   Lots of Haitians in Fort Lauderdale waiting for this plane with me. One guy is very animated and telling some sort of story that everyone is captivated by. I can't tell if they're laughing AT him or WITH him and I have no idea what he's saying. Well, thanks for all you have done and continue to do. I will try to stay in touch via e-mail but my phone is already dead for some reason and I am now concerned about what the plug situation is at Georgette's. Maybe I can do some charging at school.
   Have a good week. Caroline