Easter Weekend and Birthdays

Hello again from Karen and gang at HATS,

I wrote a short blog to go up on Monday but obviously my computer did not send it properly.  Another attempt here.

Saturday of Easter weekend saw me rushing to the hospital with Mirlande.  Most of you know that Mirlande has vision in only one eye.  On Saturday, JJ, who was supposed to be washing a pot decided to rub Mirlande's one good eye with dirty wet steel wool.  Her eye felt like there were still bits in it for a few days and the light caused it to hurt. It was covered for two days.  Not easy to get around with no vision in one eye and the other one covered.  Thank God now the eye has recovered.  Going to the hospital means a long wait always, but going on Easter Saturday meant a longer wait.  Not fun.  Please pray for JJ.  He is always in trouble and likes to hurt people, especially Mirlande.  Even if you see him do something he will stand before you and swear that he did not do it.  When a confession eventually comes he has no remorse.  It seems to mean nothing to him.  He just does something else shortly after.

Mirlande with her good eye covered

Easter Sunday saw us have a short service in our room at the school.  All who attended left with a sandwich and bag of goodies.  Sunday afternoon I introduced my kids to the idea of an Easter Egg hunt but due to the heat, no chocolate in the yard. That had to be kept in the fridge until after.  I hid candy of many various types around the compound - between the children's home and mine.  The kids had a blast.  Vladimy took Ti Luc around to find some and at the same time Vladimy found some for Judel who was sleeping.  If Judel had been awake Mama Karen would have needed to help Ti Luc hunt, because Judel would not have been willing to share Vladimy, who he adores, with Ti Luc.  Vladimy is great with Judel which is a big help to Antoinette, the house mother.

Holding the results of the candy hunt

Enjoying the Easter candy

Yesterday we celebrated birthdays for Mirlande and Leica.  We had a fun party that started in the yard but moved into the house at dark.  I am including a photo of the birthday girls with TiFi. Those of you who know TiFi take a look at her.  She is doing very well since Antoinette took over as housemother.  She has gained a lot of necessary weight.  She is moving around much easier.  She is starting to say a few words.  She is starting to let us know when she needs the toilet.  And best of all she is happy all the time.  She is relaxed because she knows she is loved, accepted and treated well all the time.  Thank you, Lord, for what is happening there.

Gift opening

Two birthday girls with TiFi

Ti Luc continues to move around on his feet quite well.  Yesterday I saw him walking around and kicking the soccer ball four times without falling.  Too, I am happy to report he is starting to use his hands a lot.  His newest thing is taking his clean clothes, one item at a time, carrying them into the laundry room, lifting his hand and throwing the clothing into the washing machine.  Seeing this is thrilling to this mama.

Today I had a visit from Jane Hogan from Steady Brook, Newfoundland and a gentleman named David from the US.  Jane and David are in Haiti, with some others, to do some assessment work on how they might be able to help with some reconstruction so badly needed here.  Their time in Haiti is short so I did not think Jane would be able to come my way.  But come she did.  She and David actually were driven from Port au Prince to this mission site in a hired TapTap.  It was good to be able to show them around and to share with them what HATS is trying to do in this area, and for them to see the present and proposed construction work.   I had explaineld to Ti Luc that Jane was coming and we would come see him and the other kids at the school.  We walked into the preschool class and I heard a yell of excitement from Ti Luc.  He stood up from his school desk, and walked directly to Jane and hugged her in welcome.   It was precious.  Sorry no cameras were on at that time.  Jane and David enjoyed some time with the kids while here.  Then began the long drive back to Pap.  Thank you, Jane, for working it out to come and see me.  Thank you, David, for coming with her.

Jane, David & kids

Work continues on the water tower.  The construction crew had a couple of needed days off over Easter weekend, but have been diligently at it again since Tuesday.  The days off were good for them and actually also good for me.  Now they are in the painstaking stage of preparation work for pouring the roof.  Luckner wants to see the roof poured this weekend.  We will see.

Jane, David & Water Tower work