Moving With God

Hi ho, hi ho, off to move mama into her new home! Another day full of grace, happiness, and celebration. As mama says, "God is good...all the time!" We had another early morning, we watched the young fisherman row his boat across the sea in search for his supper. Then into Dave's truck we pile, and we travel to the orphanage, sadly for our last full day with the kiddos! We again were greeted by the children, all awaiting our arrival. We were quickly put to work...Marty, Diane, Carolyn, Vicki, and myself scrubbed all the windows where mama, papa, and the rest of the caretakers will live. While the windows are far from spotless, they were cleaner than before (let me say it took a lot of elbow grease to scrape the paint and plaster off the windows and sills!). While we were scrubbing windows Ron and Denny finished the soccer goals...they turned out amazing and the kids love them...now no more cheating in the middle of the game! The guys also went and got 30 banana "baby" trees to plant at the orphanage, they plan to plant them tomorrow. The children are doing great, they are adjusting to their new life so well. We had a jump rope contest today, sadly Marty didn't win...while My Love did great, Michel (one of the helpers at the orphanage) came in first.. he even danced while jump roping! Marty handed out sweet tarts and smarties to all the children, they sure do love their candy! Sadly many of the children are sick, two of the littlest children have high fevers and are so miserable, we have been giving medicine to them and hopefully they will be healed. Speaking of sick people...we have a few ourselves, Vicki went back to the hotel early (she took a moto there...I'm so jealous! Maybe I can ride one tomorrow!), and Marty and Carolyn didn't feel very well all day. During the afternoon we started to carry all of mama's belongs to her new room. We carried the dresser, mattresses, and the very large and very heavy armoire into her room, she felt so blessed for all the help. Today Marty and I also went to a diner/supermarket and bought the children ice cream...it was a unique experience. We had to trade our US dollars in at the UNI for gourdes (Haitian money) then went and bought 7 different flavors of pint size ice cream containers. We plan to give the kiddos the sweet treat tomorrow. Carolyn and myself handed out bracelets to the girls and crosses to all the children, they loved them! Before we knew it was time to head back to the hotel. However, we just stopped at the hotel to grabb money, because Dave knew a place where we could get souvenirs for a better price. It was a short trek to the selling area, it was an amazing little community all nestled in the mist of the city, we all bought a few souvenirs to remember this amazing experience! Arriving back at the hotel we said our good byes to Dave and thanked him for his gracious help throughout the week, and wished him luck as his ministry continues to grow. We ended the day as we always do, a quick dip in the pool to find relief from the blistering hot sun, and an excellent dinner, while a few members (Vicki and Carolyn) of our group didn't eat much as they still are not feeling well. As the day ends, I ask many of you to pray for all the sick ones, Vicki, Carolyn, Marty, all the children, and anyone else who is ill. I hope they feel well tomorrow, and ask that God heals them tonight. Also please pray as we travel back to Port au Prince tomorrow afternoon, we should be back in the US before noon on Friday! Tomorrow will be a sad day for us as we have to leave these children, but I believe they have the faith and will power to achieve their highest dreams. "God is great, all the time!" Good Night and God Bless! <3

Labors of love

Today is Tuesday, how can the time be passing so quickly. We try not to think about it. We arrived early again but this morning most of the kids were lined up outside awaiting our arrival, what a heartwarming sight! I don't think my heart can hold all the love I am feeling. This morning was the unofficial first day of school at LaConcorde. It will not officially start until after the teachers arrive on Sunday. Ellisia first took the more advanced children. It was surprising to see the class was comprised of both older and younger children....it was done by aptitude not age. It was amazing to see how much they had already learned in math. They are very bright children....I must remember the promise I made to my husband when I left....no bringing a child home! But how could you even choose one, they are all so special! The remainder of the kiddos were taught next. Ellesia is very patient with them all, such a good teacher. I learned from our first group that the kids are fascinated by sunglasses so Marty, Diane and I brought them each their own pair. They looked so cool sporting their new shades. Katie and Carolyn gave them fun dinosaurs, what great fun! Late morning we started several projects that we had been assigned. We are thankful that the water issues have been repaired. So Denny and Ron worked on the soccer goal posts. Tom, Diane, Marty, Carolyn, Katie and I started clearing away a plot for the children's garden. Once cleared each child will plant their own plot. It was very hot and dirty work but it was a labor of love. Tom hacked away at the shin high weeds with a machette. The rest of us sat on our hineys in the grass. Well surprise imagine having a tarantella.crawl out from between your legs! It happened to Diane TWICE!!! and here I was looking for snakes. The few kids that were helping us came running at Dianes squeel. It was quite a sight! After we all calmed down it was time to leave for the day. Our ride home from one of the construction workers was done with country music blareing. Once again the pool felt so wonderful.

Daily routine

Today we had a full day with the kiddos. We arrive before breakfast and find the building all spic and span with Mama and the girls preparing the meal. They have a quiet efficiency to their work. The children are all slowly emerging from their beds. Breakfast is quietly served and eaten. We presented Mama with the aprons and oven mits and kitchen towels we had brought her. She was very appreciative and happy. Of course the quiet didn't last. During music time we handed out the musical instruments we brought. What a hit! Make a joyful noise unto the Lord! For almost an hour we heard they joyful music. Their jam session ended with singing praises to the Lord. What a beautiful thing to witness. Denny and Diane gave each little girl a cute handmade doll and each boy a baseball hat with LaConcorde on the front and each boys name on the back. They loved their gifts. We thought with the rain the previous night that we would not be able to go outside but we found a place for Marty and Katie to throw the football. Great fun. The children saw their first cateydid bug. The big green winged bug was very fascinating to everyone. Marty kept poking around at it until it flew up and landed on her shirt. At first she just danced around with it on her but it soon headed for her face and then it wasn't so funny for her. Young Erickson ran up and flicked it off her...everyone cheered as it flew into the tree. Some of the guys worked on the water system again which continues to be a problem. Denny planted grass in front of the school. It will be so nice when it has grown and the mud disappears. We organized the supply room and explained to Ellisia and Mama what we had done. I hope the construction guys can install shelves soon so it stays organized. We finished the day with a walk on the beach collecting shells and taking a swim. Our meal was probably the best so far, lobster with butter YUMMY!!