....can I follow Keith's blog of
Monday "Nar bit ah blog today bye"? I had the best laugh ever
yesterday morning when I read it. I laughed throughout the
morning at the school but did not know how to explain to others
what I was laughing at. I reread it at noon and laughed
again. I am still laughing today. "Laughter is good - like needed
medicine". I feel very well medicated right now. I have also been
greatly enjoying the comments people put on the blog. I have gone
back and reread those a few times as well.
Keith is a 'comical nut'. He is 'nuttier than a fruitcake' as we
would say in Newfoundland when we were growing up. I have to
admit that my siblings and I all fell from the 'nut' tree too. Not
only my siblings though - Sandra married a 'nut'. Being together
means a lot of laughter- which means a lot of medicine for us.
One example of the 'nut' that Keith is can be see below..
When I wanted to take the four day break with friends, Maxi and
Laurie in Florida, Keith was quite willing to cover for me here on
the mission. He nicely informed me that it would be 'a piece of
cake or some thing like that' as he was going to take all the kids
to the beach resort 'Club Indigo' for a week, returning to the
mission on Saturday - even though he knew I would be returning on
Thursday.
See the emails and responses from Keith while away with this photo
from him.
On 2014-01-21, at 5:56 AM, Keith
wrote:
Karen,
Glad you are having a good time.
Keith
 |
| The Gang |
Date: Tue, 21 Jan 2014 10:08:45 -0600
To:
Keith
Good Morning Keith,
I have been enjoying myself in Panama
City Beach with Laurie and Maxi, relaxing and walking on the
beach, eating, laughing, chatting, etc. which is exactly what I
needed. I see that, while I am doing this, you, true to your
word, are taking care of my kids and also enjoying yourself - at
the Indigo beach resort. At least that is what I first thought.
Upon closer inspection of the photo,
however, I saw that I need to return home immediately. Obviously
you have already lost two of my precious ones - maybe in the
ocean?? I was greatly appreciating your help for awhile but no
longer feel that way. I see that I am needed there asap so you
cannot lose any more of the children. My return ticket is being
changed at this time by Maxi and she wants you to know that she
is not a happy camper about this. She and 'One of We - Laurie,'
do not want me to leave early. I, however, am heading home!
Karen
On 2014-01-21, at 1:16 PM, Keith
wrote:
Karen,
Relax, everything is under control.
When the photo was taken the "missing 2" were taking their turn
at the bar -distributing warcrys and tracts and sharing the Word
- evangelization in Haiti!!
K
Good Morning Keith,
Okay then, I will see you on Saturday
when you and the children return from Club Indigo. I trust by
then everyone there will have heard the gospel. Since this good
work is going ahead, by Ti Fi and Jonathan, I will force myself
to stay and return on my original ticket.
K
Mama Karen being on the war path Monday was well rewarded yesterday,
Tuesday. I am now trying to figure out if I need to be on the war
path every day or if just every few days will do. On Monday, I, the
school administrator and director of the mission that runs the
school, was approached by several teachers advising me that recently
my children were greatly negligent in doing their homework and
knowing their lessons. Oh boy! Was this mama a little embarrassed
and a tad upset with her monkey doodle kids? You got it!!
Yesterday, after my war path stint of Monday, all my children knew
all their lessons, and all of them had done all their homework and
had done it extremely well. The compound was extremely quiet at an
early hour Monday night, as shortly after homework was done the
children were sent to bed by the housemothers. Yesterday was
affirmation day. They heard Bravo, thank you, and received lots of
hugs. Safe to say the kids will 'toe the line' for a couple of days
at least now. Hopefully until the weekend anyway.
The war path against EDH was done by "THE MAN" of HATS and
beautifully handled on Monday. When Luckner was leaving to handle
it he told me he might end up in jail that day. He wanted me to be
prepared. He was going in fighting and was coming out with proper
results no matter what! He did and he got results!!
The war path against the lawyer for me to receive Ti Luc's passport
in his proper name continues. I will continue to wage war there
until I get the passport so I can get a visa for my boy.
The war path against the cockroaches will need to be tread
constantly I am afraid. They want both of these missionary houses
and I declare they will not get them. I have been here a very long
time and I still "do not do cockroaches". Safe to say I never
will. I will always be on that war path.
Yesterday a trip to Sogebank in St. Marc was necessary. Seeing as
how Vladimy is not in school right now Mama Karen decided this would
be a good time to take him with us. Needless to say Vladimy was
thrilled to come and very interested in how banking was done. He
has always been in school during trips to the bank.
 |
| Vladimy in St. Marc with Mama Karen & Keith -taking the photo |
 |
| Our little mango eating welcome back from St. Marc committee |
Mango season has started at HATS. Monday was the first day the
children all sat around happily filling their tummies with mangoes
from our yard. Positive side - Kids love the mangoes and less food
will be required as more and more mangoes become ripe. Negative
side - A lot more time needed in the bathroom and more accidents
for the little ones who don't make it to the bathroom in time, due
to eating mangoes. Fun and games!!
 |
| Mango time again |
Keith gets a lot of work done around here. Actually he does not
know when to stop. He was sitting just outside the compound and
painting the main gate. The gate was opened for me to drive out so
he sat there and continued to paint. As I said "nuttier than a
fruitcake".
 |
| Keith was painting the gate. It opened for me drive out so he just sat there and kept on painting |
An early morning walk with five of my kids recently was very
enjoyable. It is always a good time for mama and kids to chat
about lots of things and a good time for them to ask questions. I
do love these times with the children.
 |
| Early morning scene of a young boy in our school |
 |
| Looking at huge frogs at the end of the canal |
 |
| Get your butt up there Moise. I can't hold you any longer. |
 |
| Our Sat morning walk |
I have been here almost 19 years - for
children. The children in my immediate care; The children in
our school IMKH; The children throughout the Artibonite Valley
and beyond. Children are in need of our help.
IT IS ALL
ABOUT THE CHILDREN
Blessings. Karen
