January 12, 2012

The two year anniversary of the earthquake...
Haitian children are out of school, there are various observance services, and even a parade. We worked early, finishing the temporary shelter at the family tent site, while others carried large stones for the foundation of the church offices going up. I forgot to mention: Pastor Strom received money from donations during last year, which he gave Pastor Kessa, and is being used right before our eyes in the work on the church office foundation. I think this donation surprised Pastor Kessa, and answered the immediate need. A definite God moment...
I don't know what is was, but the night before the quake anniversary, a thick acrid smoke filled the town. We, of course, lay breathing it in all night. We got up feeling like our throats burned, and that we might return with an emphysema condition...just kidding. Kristin: Pastor said that he was going to apologize to you for what you've been though! Hopefully this stuff won't turn into anything of real substance, but we sound like  a sickly crew, hacking and coughing. The children came again yesterday, in droves. We sang, moved rocks, and played. Peggy entertained hoards of children who delighted in teasing and playing word games. Clarence helped our old friend (the man with no shoes) chop out a tree in the line of the foundation. Clarence used an ax, then the man would use a machete. Back and forth, they got that tree out of the way. After the end of the workday and dinner, some of us went to Barb and Dick Hammond at the Friends of the Children of Haiti clinic, which was where we stayed last year on our trip to Jacmel. Their clinic now runs 6 medical missions a year for the people here, the next one is scheduled to begin on Tuesday. Barb and Dick also run a sponsorship program for school children. Please visit their website: google the Friends of the Children of Haiti, you can read their story, see the clinic facility, and learn about their school sponsorship program. Barb told us of a particular need coming - a family out east who has sponsored 20 children is now coming to haiti themselves and working in a school. They will, in a year, begin to direct their resources to the school, and 20 of the sponsored children will need new funding. The resultant gaps in education that result when this happens can be devastating to the child. Please read about the program, and consider how you might help. $25 per month isn't too much of a burden. All costs go to the child and their family. As we sat with Dick and Barb last night, we were struck by how lovely their hearts are, and how much of a difference they have made. A story: when they were building the clinic, there was a boy who was coming around the worksite and acting as a gopher of sorts. One day Dick asked him why he was not in school. He replied that he didn't have any money. Dick told him "Well, as of today, you go to school!" That boy was their first sponsored child. He sat in the kitchen of the clinic just last week with Dick and Barb, now a senior in Engineering at a University in Port
au Prince, due to graduate the coming year. An amazing story, of how just one couple can, and has changed the world with their persistence and vision. They remain in our hearts and prayers every day.
The beauties, as I call them (the four young girls with us) are an inspiring sight to behold with the children at the worksites. They play tirelessly, as little brown hands seek theirs at every opportunity. They have made significant progress on their Creole, and they draw interested gazes from the young men. (No worries Judy, Maman Jan and DeeDee are on task!)ha. We are once again drawn to these people, their desperate situation, lovely souls and hearts. Tempered by the foul smoky air, the experience reminds how much abundance we have in our lives. Often taken for granted! We get to leave tomorrow. They stay here and make do in the very best way they can. We miss you all, and can't wait to see the snow in Illinois. Gotta go, the first roosters are calling. Love to you all -