Signs Of Fun

Arlene's Corner

On February 19, a group of 22 left from Trinity Church, NJ traveling to Port au Prince, Haiti. We were a team of 10 going to work at a hospital and in the tent cities.
	We saw lots of devastation in the country from the earthquake.  This was a three story house at one time!
Every morning, they have devotions at Grace Hospital even before the patients are seen by the doctors.  We had the privilege of leading those devotions for three days.  It was awesome to hear the Haitian people singing praises to the Lord even when they were sick.  It was like touching heaven.
	This is the team that I traveled with.  They are truly a blessing from the Lord.
This is one of the rivers that they use to bathe, wash clothes, and drink from!
	Some of the children at the Light and Peace School.  I taught them the "I Love You" sign!
At Grace Hospital, we had the opportunity to feed some of the children that were sick.  We also were able to play and give lots of hugs, too!
	We took supplies to some of the tent cities.
I meet a girl that is deaf at Wings of Hope .  She is a worker there and was happy to communitcate with me in signs!
	This does describe the many hands that are helping Haiti get back on its feet after the earthquake.

New room on the second floor of the Center. Used for a classroom and T-shirt shop
	The cubbies built by Marita and Isabel for student backpacks
Students using new computers for their studies and learning how to use the internet
	Valeria with her new wheelchair.  She is so happy!  Thanks Matheny!
Students put on a Passion Play for the parents!
	With the wood left over from the cubbies, they made bookshelves.  Now we have to fill them with new books for the students at the Center.
A new play center at Efata.  This allows the students to have more social interactions with each other.

This is the port that we left out of everyday to travel to the villages for the medical clinics
	Traveling by boat everyday was lots of fun and sometimes wet!
Once we arrived at the village, we still had to walk about 15 minutes to the town where we had the clinic.  Sometimes the cows were not happy we were on their field!
	With six doctors and four nurses, the team was able to serve 600 villagers in two days!  God is good!
Many of the villagers were not happy with the shots that they were given, but they needed it!
	Anyone hungry for lunch???
Villagers sharing with us in song and dance.
	We bought lots of crafts made by the villagers and some towns people.
Medical team saying  good-bye at the airport.  It was an awesome experience.

On January 30, 2008, I traveled to Lima, Peru.  Once in Lima, I helped to prepare for our week at Camp Kawai with the children that are deaf.  On Sunday, 26 campers got on the bus for a 2 1/2 hour ride to a week of fun on the beach!  The days were sunny and hot while the evenings were very cool!
	We spent our days playing games on the beach and in the pool!
At the close of camp, we were all very sad to leave and return home!  However, the campers look forward to camp next year!

	On Saturday, February 9, I was able to present to about 40 parents of children that are deaf the reseach done at Gallaudet University on "Deaf Adults Reading to Deaf Children."  I was able to share a variety of strategies used to read with children that are deaf.
Every seat was taken by listening parents!
	The parents were given an opportunity to work with the adults that are deaf.  In using some of the new skills to read to their children, the deaf adults were able to teach the parents signs used to tell various stories.

On February 11, a team from Virginia left to travel to Lima, Peru.  I was able to join them on February 12, and on February 13 we took a flight to Ayacucho, high in the Andes Mountains of Peru.  During a pastor's conference, we presented a vacation Bible school for the children from the church, the pastor's children, and children from the surrounding town. God blessed us with beautiful weather and over 100 children to work with.
	We spent the four days with songs, Bible stories, games, and crafts.  Although it is their rainy season, God only allowed it to rain while we were inside having lunch!  God is good! The children were able to memorize many of the scripture verses and participated in all the activities!
On the last day, we took pictures of each of the children as a reminder of the time we had together.  It was a sad day, but we knew that we will return next year for another great vacation Bible school. Lots of hugs and kisses were shared by all.