HATS Haiti

Happy Easter

April 9, 2010

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. He
lies constantly, 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.

Easter egg candy hunt

Enjoying Easter Candy

Yesterday we celebrated birthdays for Mirlandle 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.

Leica, Tifi and Mirlande

Mirlande and Leica opening birthday gifts

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 Gordon from the US. Jane and Gordon 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 and Gordon with the 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.

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