Over 90 percent of the schools in Haiti are non-public schools run by religious organizations or non-government organizations. Many of the teachers only have an education up to the level they are teaching and are offered very limited resources with which to teach. Alex's House had the privilege of joining another local ministry to present the 4th Annual Teachers' Summit -- serving and ministering to 65+ teachers who the Lord drew to the Summit. Men and women made lengthy and difficult journeys to attend a teacher’s summit where they spent two and a half days learning how to use the resources they do possess to help their students learn.
 |
Pastor and Director of Schools - Pastor Morvan
Haitian Leadership for Summit 2012 |
 |
| Teachers' Summit 2012 |
Alex's House was blessed with five exceptional teachers who used their experience to show the Haitian teachers that they possess the resources and the ability to be excellent teachers! It was a celebration focused around education! Each lesson incorporated materials that can be found for free in their environments. Using sticks and rocks as math manipulatives. Using old boxes and labels to teach letter and number recognition. Taking old Coke bottles and making them into a planting pot. Using old cereal boxes or paper to make beads to sell as school fundraisers. Not only were the teachers learning how to be better teachers, they were learning how to care for their environment.
 |
| God's Team for 2012 Summit! |
Many of these ideas and methods were totally new to the Haitian teachers. And it’s never easy teaching new ideas to people. Especially when you are teaching through a translator. But God worked through these barriers, and we were able to see the teachers grasp what we taught them! Relationships were forming as we embraced them, and they embraced us!
 |
| Haitian teachers presenting to us! |
On the last day of the conference, we challenged the teachers to create a lesson using something they learned at the conference. As the teachers shared their presentations, we were so excited to see them think outside the box to find new ways to teach their students. Several teachers used recycled materials and some even found ways to incorporate Scripture into the lesson. How rewarding to see men and women apply knowledge that will aid them as educators and influence generations to come! The tears were flowing as God's faithfulness was overwhelming and obvious to all involved!
 |
Art lessons incorporating God's Word!
|
 |
A beautiful masterpiece . . .
"Grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus."
2 Peter 3:18
Teachers' Summit 2012 Theme Verse |
As you can see, the teacher’s conference was quite the success but only due to God's favor and blessings. At the beginning of the week, we weren’t so sure about how it would go! We had not seen the location. The bathroom situation was unclear—which is especially worrisome for a group of ladies! We had no set schedule, and we weren’t sure how many people would be attending. The teachers were not confident in how or what to present. And the non-teachers were not sure how to be useful. There were so many unknowns going into this conference! We entered with trembling and fear.
 |
| Making necklaces and bracelets from cereal boxes! |
But our God is so faithful! The location was gorgeous, in the shade, and included a bathroom! The schedule was never definite, but each person was flexible and prepared to jump in as needed. Each teacher presented beautifully, and the Haitian teachers listened and took in the information with great interest. The non-teachers found ways to help in preparing crafts, handing out supplies, and praying for our sisters as they presented. And almost every time we had something to give away, we had exactly the number we needed. God really showed off in arranging things for this conference!
 |
| We praised and gave thanks! |
 |
| They praised and gave thanks! |
 |
Beautiful worship transcends any existing language barriers as
we praise our Creator! |
We ended the conference with a time of praise and worship: first in Haitian, then in English. It was such a beautiful time of praising our God in two languages! Several team members were able to share their testimony, and we were able to hear a few of the teachers share. Throughout the whole conference, the teachers were encouraged to incorporate the Bible in everything they taught in the classroom. What a foreign concept to those of us educated in the U.S. public education system! But what a great opportunity for us! We can invest in Haitian schools where they are free to teach about our Creator, and as a result, enable multitudes of children to learn about Jesus! To God be the Glory!
 |
| God's Leadership Team for Summit 2012! |
Alex's House is looking forward to next year's Summit!
P.S. Huge thanks to Tricia Howell from Starr Baptist Church for submitting this wonderful write-up! What a blessing!
