THE FOLLOWING ARE THE UPDATES WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM MARK, KATHY AND KRISTY.
#1
Dear all. We went to the school this morning for their opening ceremony. They
sing a song (tune of Be Still My Soul ), say the Lords Prayer and sing their
national anthem then marched off to class.
Went to the headquarters of Food for the Poor Haiti. Very impressive! Huge need
but they do a lot. Then went to Little Children of Jesus a home for disabled
children. They have about 100 kids and also do great work.
Now we are back at Marie's cooling off a bit.
Thanks for all the prayers. We are doing fine. Kathy will try to write more
later. Mark and Kathy and Kristy
#3
Today we took the books for the school library down to them. It was great to
see the Spanish teacher's face
light up when he learned we had some books in Spanish. It was fun to see the
teachers with some more books later. Sophie a kindergarten teacher I met last
night we saw today and we all sang "Head & Shoulders Knees and Toes " together
in French. (we had sung it last night and she already taught it to her kids!)
This afternoon we brought all the orphanage girls here to the house and gave
them the toiletries care packages a book shoes a backpack and some clothes plus
took a photo of each one. Took a while but great fun! Then we shared a few of
the extras with a family across the street and the family of Rosette Marie's
niece.
Tomorrow we get to help teach English at school.
Greetings to all. Mark Kathy and Kristy
It rained for the first time in a
month last night. Got cooler immediately and settled the dust!
We gave the packets of seeds to the kindergarten class today. May 1 is Festival
of Agriculture so it was great timing.
Took a tour through the city. Destruction was worse than pictures can say! Tent
cities for over a year and no end in sight.
Very crowded city. So many people! Amazing that there is still a spirit of hope
and optimism.
Love to all. Mark Kathy and Kristy
Day 4
Crazy People - Johnson, Stevenson, Karen, Pat, Linda, Sherrie, Odie, Dellette and Megan (front) arose an hour before the rooster (4:30) to watch the "Royal Wedding"!!!! I took this around 6:30 an hour after the rooster crowed! On the right the Kindergarten teacher, Sophia, helps the children plant a corn seed. They are studying Agriculture because it is National Agriculture Week.
Kristy and Mark went with a group to tour the town...and go shopping at an enclosed marketplace. They will share their adventures at a later time but it included a fender bender, an altercation and a repair shop!
I stayed behind and we held a "Board Meeting" with Marie's daughter, Dellette, Marie, Pat, Sherri and myself. We have a better understanding of the work here and a plan of action to put into action.
The Internet has been less than cooperative but if it is ever available I will send these photos. We are glad Mark activated his phone so you would have an idea what we are doing.
Tomorrows plan is to take the girls and head to the beach! This will be a welcome break again from the heat. Thank-you, again, for your prayers and support. Kathy, Mark & Kristy
#5
Dear all. This morning we went to the orphanage to take photos
of the girls admiring the quilt. Great to see their faces. Went to the beach
today. Long drive but super time and the girls were terrific. They pretty much
hung on us all the time if they could but that was ok. Tomorrow is church and to
the mountains later. Church will be two hours long. Pray for us!
Mark Kathy Kristy
#6
We had a lovely church service preached by Marie's son in law
while her daughter interpreted in English. All took communion. Great lesson on
universal faith.
To the mountains this afternoon. Beautiful! Marie has new retreat home there
and new church to support. Great place for the kids to taste the countryside and
run free in safety.
It's mango season so mangoes everywhere. Brought many back for the kids
Hot as usual. Stay tuned for tomorrow!
Karen Mark Kathy and Kristy
#7
Dear all. We went to the grocery store today. Fun to see what
they have but wonderful to be in air conditioning for a few minutes! Now we
miss it more!
The kids ages 9 to 11 made pictures for us with the supplies we brought. They
are wonderful just what we
had hoped. Got lots of photos of kids teacher and us.
Home soon. We leave for the airport at six
Mark Kathy Kristy