Thursday, February 18, 2010

Did I mention that we were starting school again?

Well we didn't. Unfortunately, promises were not kept, and the day we were to begin, found us still with no bathrooms ready for use. The principal had to send the students back home. They say we are really going to start next Monday. And yes, this time the bathrooms are finished! 

They've made a lot of progress this week. At least that's what I've heard.  I haven't been over to see it. Instead the teachers have been coming to my house for workshops, so that that cement could be put down in the courtyard without our being in the way.

So, I believe that this time we really are going to begin...I know they are planning an inauguration of the site for Monday. We did this before, as the school began on the site, but this time it is to re-open the newly inaugurated site. There are still things to be done, but my understanding is that we will be beginning the full day session right away on Monday. Thank you Jesus!

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Moving Day

We are moving back in, to start school on Monday! I'm sorry to say that the school renovation is still not finished. But we cannot delay any longer. There have been several promised deadlines, each one arriving with an excuse for why the school is not finished. 

On the bright side, the school is very nearly finished. In fact, it could easily be finished with a week of concentrated effort. But that seems unlikely. Instead, it may drag out over several more weeks or months. 

What is lacking now are mostly the finishing touches. The walls are all up, but not painted. The electrical wiring is in, but the outlets and lights are not yet installed. The bathrooms are ready for the installation of the sinks and toilets. The septic tank has been built, but not closed. There are new floors all over, but the edges aren't yet finished, and they must be gone over with a machine that will sand them down. The courtyard hasn't been done at all. The new roofs, many of the new doors and most of the windows are in.

What we'll be doing is going back to limited classroom space, to allow them to finish off rooms, and then moving into finished rooms as they become available, so they can finish the rooms we are using.

The children are very excited, after the seemingly interminable wait. 

Once again we will be limited to mornings only, while the construction goes on, but will switch to a full day as soon as they finish.

Please pray with us, that we will stop hearing excuses and soon see the work finished up!

During this unwanted break, we spent many, many hours training our teachers. I'm confident that we have some of the best teachers of the deaf in the whole country! They are dedicated Christians, creative, enthusiastic, and excellent teachers. The school is blessed to have them.

They are all looking forward to getting back into the classroom on Monday.