Claudia one of our nannies has fallen in love with JJ and has actually asked Dorothy if she could take hime home and raise him when he starts walking. JJ has a family, but if i understand it his parents aren't alive anymore and his aunt is the one that gave persmission for him to go to Dorothy's.We still have to talk to the aunt to see if this would be alright, but Dorothy is confident that it would be. And Claudia is very sweet sometimes her 10yr old daughter comes with her to school and see is so well behaved and helpful with the children. now i am sure that claudia is by no means rich and probably struggles to provide everything, but she has great support and a good job with Dorothy. its amazing to see people who dont have much still have such a huge heart and willing to give SO much.
I think its so beautiful see the nannies fall in love with the children. The way Sir Lucien sits by Frantzo when he is crying at night and the way she sings with all of them before they go to bed, the way marie carmelle plays with Poutchino, the way Rosmanie wants to be Emarie's Mama too, the way Sir Jesula helps the kids with their alphabet.
Now i know sometimes they really lack the education on certain things. sometimes i ask myself why they are doing things this way or that, but despite all that the moments of seeing them love on the children always make my heart so happy.
keep them in your prayers as they work so hard everyday. Pray for their patience with kids, education and willingness to learn when they are lacking, their health and spirits as they spend much more than a 40 hour week with these children.
Blessings, T
Monday, March 31, 2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008
A story from Kevs
So today before I left for the beach Kevs and I where talking outside on the roof (which I love btw). I got my times mixed up and for a minute thought Mary had forgotten me and Kev was excited. I’m paraphrasing, but it went something like this…
“If you go to the beach I won’t have anyone to play games with all day.” –Kev
“oh, you’ll be fine. You have lots of History to work on and if you do your best and are good you can watch a movie, right?!” –Tash
“Yeah, but you are just going to be having fun in the sun and getting boyfriends!” -Kev
(LAUGHING) “ um yea, probably not.” –Tash
“Well you will someday. And I’ll give you three hints, he’s going to be sweet, nice and generous” –Kev
“Really and you know him?” –Tash
“Yes, its my brother Taylor in Georgia!” –Kev
(Smirking a bit) “He’s a bit young for me?!” -Tash
(Crumbling flowers, jumping up and down, and throwing them on Tash) “Yeah you are marrying my brother! You’re my sister!” (repeat 3x) –Kev
Then off to the beach Tash went, with no boyfriends or husbands (thank God), and Kev to his history homework. The End.
I GOT SUCH A KICK OUT OF THIS CONVO I HAD TO SHARE!
Kids really do say the darnedest things! I love it!!! :)
“If you go to the beach I won’t have anyone to play games with all day.” –Kev
“oh, you’ll be fine. You have lots of History to work on and if you do your best and are good you can watch a movie, right?!” –Tash
“Yeah, but you are just going to be having fun in the sun and getting boyfriends!” -Kev
(LAUGHING) “ um yea, probably not.” –Tash
“Well you will someday. And I’ll give you three hints, he’s going to be sweet, nice and generous” –Kev
“Really and you know him?” –Tash
“Yes, its my brother Taylor in Georgia!” –Kev
(Smirking a bit) “He’s a bit young for me?!” -Tash
(Crumbling flowers, jumping up and down, and throwing them on Tash) “Yeah you are marrying my brother! You’re my sister!” (repeat 3x) –Kev
Then off to the beach Tash went, with no boyfriends or husbands (thank God), and Kev to his history homework. The End.
I GOT SUCH A KICK OUT OF THIS CONVO I HAD TO SHARE!
Kids really do say the darnedest things! I love it!!! :)
Must make a living March 29, 2008
For the last 4 days we have been hearing two precious little children crying and screaming for their mom and dad. It breaks my heart. Its astounding to then see Kev be remind of similar things that have happened in his own life and see him hurting for these children. This morning I found out that the little ones parents leave and lock them inside the gate. They have no one to watch the children, no income to do so. Therefore, they must leave the home to put even one meal on the table each day more than likely. I do not know what the story is down to the exact detail, but I do know that there are tons of families like this here in Haiti and even more all around the world. So, if this week or maybe even today, you could just say a prayer for my neighbors and for the rest of the children that often are abandoned throughout the day while their parents try to provide some food, literally to have their daily bread I think it would be significant. I am praying for this too and I think it can be a remarkable thing to remind us of our blessings and to fight for those that do not always receive the literal daily bread.
Thanks. GOD BLESS YOU. Tash
Thanks. GOD BLESS YOU. Tash
Saturday, March 29, 2008
The beach & more
so today i got a day off and went to the beach, with some fellow missionaries. the Van Dam family were the pack leaders you could say, but all in all, there were about 20 maybe. anyway it was so pretty, i honestly thought i had gone to jamaica or something. i mean in all my times in haiti i am mainly experiencing the poverty, the insides of the islands and the beach we take the kids to out in bercy is just so run down. this was truly beautiful. speaking of bercy though the beach that we went to was called wahoo bay and it literally was off the same highway as bercy. therefore we past bercy on the way, which was killer not stopping to say hello to all those beautiful faces that i've known over the years. perhaps i'll get to go back and visit before i leave though. at the beach we chated lots, played with star fish and did beach things as you know. i got back around 6.
my voice is officially in a whisper. the past week i have been waking up, well really since going out to the countryside with Jenny, i wake up in the moring feeling like i spent the night before in a horribly smoke filled bar. today my throat has been horrible. the only thing i can think of is that i have been having an allergy to the burning trash, desel fumes, and chunck that hangs in the air often in PAP, and now its turning into a cold. who knows really though. Cha Cha, Chino, Frantzo, and Emarie have all had fevers on and off lately so Dorothy thinks maybe i got something from them. who knows. but i feel like i have been getting sick here lots, but what do you do living in a house full of 19 children, right?! Yesterday we gave Cha Cha a malaria test but he was negative and we arent going to treat him because he isnt having any symptoms besides the fever in the afternoon and its seeming to no longer occur so praise God.
What other exciting things going on...Dannae my roommate has a team from her home church here for 2 weeks so shes been crazy busy and having tons of fun with them. they are doing a VBS at the school she teaces and are thinking about coming to Dorothys for one day. We are getting another team of physical therapist from healing hands this coming week so that will be good, but those days are always really busy. i also cant lie...a little part of me get sad i dont get my quality one on one time with my little man Poutchino. it truly is a wonderful thing though that dorothy's home as become a little out bound center for healing hands. it allows our kids here to get extra attention!! :) Frantzo has been wearing this bar thing (sorry i dont know official term)at night to help align his legs more so he can walk better, he cries constently...it makes us so sad at night. we have been told to only have him wear it for 3 hours now, thank God. But pray for him to get more use to it, i know it has to be so uncomfortable for him. oh but you should know this the night nannies which btw truly are some of my favs are so great with him. Sir(sister- we call them this before their names usually) Lucien will jus sit with him and comfort him until he falls asleep. its really precious to see and be a part of.
oh goodness...what else...i love studying at night with Sir Lucien, Sir Monese, and Marie Carmelle. It is so fun, often times i have to tell them we NEED to go to bed. its fun. so with their help, Kevs, and Emanuel my creole is getting better. but SLOWLY SLOWLY SLOWLY.
okay this post is long, but there are two more things i must say...so read the next two ok! LOVE YOU! t
my voice is officially in a whisper. the past week i have been waking up, well really since going out to the countryside with Jenny, i wake up in the moring feeling like i spent the night before in a horribly smoke filled bar. today my throat has been horrible. the only thing i can think of is that i have been having an allergy to the burning trash, desel fumes, and chunck that hangs in the air often in PAP, and now its turning into a cold. who knows really though. Cha Cha, Chino, Frantzo, and Emarie have all had fevers on and off lately so Dorothy thinks maybe i got something from them. who knows. but i feel like i have been getting sick here lots, but what do you do living in a house full of 19 children, right?! Yesterday we gave Cha Cha a malaria test but he was negative and we arent going to treat him because he isnt having any symptoms besides the fever in the afternoon and its seeming to no longer occur so praise God.
What other exciting things going on...Dannae my roommate has a team from her home church here for 2 weeks so shes been crazy busy and having tons of fun with them. they are doing a VBS at the school she teaces and are thinking about coming to Dorothys for one day. We are getting another team of physical therapist from healing hands this coming week so that will be good, but those days are always really busy. i also cant lie...a little part of me get sad i dont get my quality one on one time with my little man Poutchino. it truly is a wonderful thing though that dorothy's home as become a little out bound center for healing hands. it allows our kids here to get extra attention!! :) Frantzo has been wearing this bar thing (sorry i dont know official term)at night to help align his legs more so he can walk better, he cries constently...it makes us so sad at night. we have been told to only have him wear it for 3 hours now, thank God. But pray for him to get more use to it, i know it has to be so uncomfortable for him. oh but you should know this the night nannies which btw truly are some of my favs are so great with him. Sir(sister- we call them this before their names usually) Lucien will jus sit with him and comfort him until he falls asleep. its really precious to see and be a part of.
oh goodness...what else...i love studying at night with Sir Lucien, Sir Monese, and Marie Carmelle. It is so fun, often times i have to tell them we NEED to go to bed. its fun. so with their help, Kevs, and Emanuel my creole is getting better. but SLOWLY SLOWLY SLOWLY.
okay this post is long, but there are two more things i must say...so read the next two ok! LOVE YOU! t
Dorothy's latest update
March 2008
"Wow, I haven't written since the end of January! Where does time go!? Caring for 18children makes time disappear! And yesterday we added the 19th child. Izaola, who left in November to live with her grandmother, came back yesterday. Her grandmother is extremely poor and can't give Izaola all that she needs. We will try to get Izaola back to good health.
All of our children are doing well. Jessica (almost 1 year) has started AIDS medicines. Emmanuel, Jessica and Claudine are walking. Richardson and Nerlande are responding well to long-term oral antifungal medication. Frantzo, Poutchino and Jovani are doing well in physical therapy at Healing Hands for Haiti. [Frantzo hates therapy but has learned to crawl in spite of himself.] Natasha (here until July to help us out) works with Poutchino everyday. She works with Frantzo when I cannot. Jovani's mother, who has lived here with Jovani since January, works with him every day.
Jovani's mother did something recently that reminded me of the widow who was praised by Jesus when she put two very small copper coins into the temple treasury (Luke 21:1-4). Jovani is 18 months old and handicapped. He and his mother live with us because she cannot work and care for him. They have virtually nothing of their own. One day when she took Jovani to the doctor, someone gave her an envelope containing 40 Haitian dollars. The next day she gave the envelope, still containing all of the money, to me to use for the children who don't have a mother. She said God had shown her that giving to others was the right thing to do. We all felt blessed to just be in her presence.
Our relationship with Healing Hands has blossomed. About every other week they send us a medical team. Some teams do community clinics, some work with handicapped children in our house and from the surrounding area, and some just come to see what we do and how they can help Haiti. We hope we affect their lives as positively as they affect ours.
Natasha Taylor continues to be a blessing as she lives and works with us. She designed the school corner and works with the older children almost every day. She helps Kervens stay on track with his chores and homework, does physical therapy, plays games with the kids and generally adds lots of laughter and love to our household. Today she is enjoying a well-earned day off at the beach.
A port strike is preventing supplies from entering the country. As a result we see dramatic price increases every time we go shopping. People who were barely staying alive are getting increasingly desperate. Gasoline is around 6 USD per gallon. Taptap drivers (semi-public transportation) plan a strike this coming Monday to protest the rising costs. We pray for a break in the economic conditions driving the inflation rate."
"Wow, I haven't written since the end of January! Where does time go!? Caring for 18children makes time disappear! And yesterday we added the 19th child. Izaola, who left in November to live with her grandmother, came back yesterday. Her grandmother is extremely poor and can't give Izaola all that she needs. We will try to get Izaola back to good health.
All of our children are doing well. Jessica (almost 1 year) has started AIDS medicines. Emmanuel, Jessica and Claudine are walking. Richardson and Nerlande are responding well to long-term oral antifungal medication. Frantzo, Poutchino and Jovani are doing well in physical therapy at Healing Hands for Haiti. [Frantzo hates therapy but has learned to crawl in spite of himself.] Natasha (here until July to help us out) works with Poutchino everyday. She works with Frantzo when I cannot. Jovani's mother, who has lived here with Jovani since January, works with him every day.
Jovani's mother did something recently that reminded me of the widow who was praised by Jesus when she put two very small copper coins into the temple treasury (Luke 21:1-4). Jovani is 18 months old and handicapped. He and his mother live with us because she cannot work and care for him. They have virtually nothing of their own. One day when she took Jovani to the doctor, someone gave her an envelope containing 40 Haitian dollars. The next day she gave the envelope, still containing all of the money, to me to use for the children who don't have a mother. She said God had shown her that giving to others was the right thing to do. We all felt blessed to just be in her presence.
Our relationship with Healing Hands has blossomed. About every other week they send us a medical team. Some teams do community clinics, some work with handicapped children in our house and from the surrounding area, and some just come to see what we do and how they can help Haiti. We hope we affect their lives as positively as they affect ours.
Natasha Taylor continues to be a blessing as she lives and works with us. She designed the school corner and works with the older children almost every day. She helps Kervens stay on track with his chores and homework, does physical therapy, plays games with the kids and generally adds lots of laughter and love to our household. Today she is enjoying a well-earned day off at the beach.
A port strike is preventing supplies from entering the country. As a result we see dramatic price increases every time we go shopping. People who were barely staying alive are getting increasingly desperate. Gasoline is around 6 USD per gallon. Taptap drivers (semi-public transportation) plan a strike this coming Monday to protest the rising costs. We pray for a break in the economic conditions driving the inflation rate."
Monday, March 24, 2008
i'm back
I'm back from the country. i got back last night a little before dark. it was really great, but i wont lie when there was down time i often was missing my home back in PAP. but it was so good. i love going out into the country. the people there are always so affectionate, hospitable, caring, full of joy, and so much more. we stayed with the pastor of the village. he and his wife have 8 children + some...i mean it often felt as thou they the own village was eating at their house. it was fun. i have realized to that things just don't shock me anymore, and Dorothy says that there will always be things, but its like i have seen extreme poverty, malnourished children, sick people, horrible sanitation, bad drinking water, trash everywhere and much more. this still breaks my heart, but it just doesn't shock me. i mean seriously people the majority of the world lives in these conditions and although i am always still broken in my heart and outraged by the fact that it is true I'm plain and simply not shocked by it anymore. it is reality. anyway...i don't know if this is a bad thing with my spirit or a good thing. it just simply is. I'm going to try to post some pictures soon.
hope you all had a fabulous Easter weekend. He is risen. He is risen indeed. <3 <3 <3
hope you all had a fabulous Easter weekend. He is risen. He is risen indeed. <3 <3 <3
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
a bit of travel
this weekend i am going to get an opportunity to see more of Haiti. a woman named jenny who is 29 and going on her 5th year here in haiti does ministry out to some rural parts as much as see can. her first two years where in the Peace Corp and now she does just about anything you can imagine, i'm sure i will learn more as i am going to spend the weekend with her. she asked me if i wanted to go up to this small village about 3 hours away and close to the dominican border. we will be staying with the pastor in the village, having some workshops, showing the jesus film, and who all knows what. jenny said it will be a lot of just encouraging the pastor.
i asked dorothy if i could go and she is excited for me as it will allow me to see other forms of ministry going on in Haiti. it will also allow me to make more connections and build relationships with people like Jenny who are fluent in creole, been here awhile, around my age and passionate about haiti. so i am really excited.
marie carmelle is going to do therapy with chino while i'm away...she's so great have i mentioned that!? so long stroy short gonna do some traveling this weekend out into the country side. pray for safe travels.
lots of love. blessings. t.rae
i asked dorothy if i could go and she is excited for me as it will allow me to see other forms of ministry going on in Haiti. it will also allow me to make more connections and build relationships with people like Jenny who are fluent in creole, been here awhile, around my age and passionate about haiti. so i am really excited.
marie carmelle is going to do therapy with chino while i'm away...she's so great have i mentioned that!? so long stroy short gonna do some traveling this weekend out into the country side. pray for safe travels.
lots of love. blessings. t.rae
Monday, March 17, 2008
KC Star
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! This past Saturday I got packages from my parents and lots of letters from friends! I truly appreciate it. it feel so wonderful to know that people are thinking about you and taking time out of their busy days to write you a letter, send a gift, or just even a few words of encouragement. God always gives us support when we need it and the force that is behind me back home is so strong and big. God has given me all of you to truly remind me of one of my favorite quotes. ‘The task before you is never as big as the power behind you.’ Thank you for this…its so encouraging.
Theresa Maly sent me something that I wanted to notify you all about so that you can educate yourself more and make a difference at home in KC or wherever you are, by spreading the word. She sent me an article in the world news section of the Kansas City Star. i was going to find you the link so that you could just click on it, but not working out so well. It’s called Haiti’s Poor Eating Dirt, its true and absolutely ridiculous. In the ravines, they are everywhere. I have seen them on my trips with Nancy and Mary, two nurses that help out the ravine by Sherry Fausey’s ministry. If you can you should check it out. And please inform your friends and family so that they might act in some way or be prayer warriors for the Haiti.
Thanks again. God Bless. Tasha Rae
Theresa Maly sent me something that I wanted to notify you all about so that you can educate yourself more and make a difference at home in KC or wherever you are, by spreading the word. She sent me an article in the world news section of the Kansas City Star. i was going to find you the link so that you could just click on it, but not working out so well. It’s called Haiti’s Poor Eating Dirt, its true and absolutely ridiculous. In the ravines, they are everywhere. I have seen them on my trips with Nancy and Mary, two nurses that help out the ravine by Sherry Fausey’s ministry. If you can you should check it out. And please inform your friends and family so that they might act in some way or be prayer warriors for the Haiti.
Thanks again. God Bless. Tasha Rae
Russia
One day last week, Dorothy and I were out running errands. I was driving and we were talking on our way to One Stop, which is run by a Middle Eastern family who are truly great. Dorothy gets a discount because of the work she is doing with children and it’s also where we cash checks. Anyway, this is beside the point. We were talking about my life and where God is going to take me. Our subjects were ranging all over the place from grad school, to boys, to Haiti, to Kansas City, to family, to Emarie and so on. Then unexpectedly, and out of the blue she says… “When you learn to drive in Russia, you’ll have to let me know how it goes.” I laughed and have been laughing about it ever since. Russia, are you serious? We talked about it for a little while. She says its not prophecy or anything, nor does it have to do with the fact my name is Russia. She just has a feeling that I will be there one day, not necessarily for an extended stay or to live, she just think I am going to travel and serve people with my love for Jesus. Its great because I do want to travel and serve people in need and do it whole heartily as though I am serving my Lord, but Russia I cant stop laughing. I mean it is no where near the things I am interested in…I want to go to Africa, India, the islands, places that are warm, places that have African roots, beautiful dark skinned people that dance and praise like none I have ever seen. All my interests have always been in mainly these places. Now I know if God wants me to go to Russia it will happen, but it was just so random, and I’m still laughing about it that I thought you needed to know. I know some of you would just get such a kick out of it as I am still thinking… “so random…” that’s all on the Russia note.
Love love love. T
Love love love. T
Sunday, March 16, 2008
It’s been a minute, eh?
you need an update...the generator got fixed today. PRAISE GOD!!! Now Dorothy or myself don’t have to stay up in the wee hours of the morning using the electricity from EDH. We are both very excited about this. What else, Poutchino hasn’t had any seizures lately, but I definitely feel like he’s a bit weaker since the grandma one he had not too long ago. So keep praying for him. Emarie is doing well as always, everyone loves her because she has such a great personality, oh and she is sitting up pretty much on her own now!!! I don’t know if I told you all this, but healing hands got Frantzo resituated so he is going to therapy in Wednesday and Fridays with us. Therefore, 3 kids are going again, Poutchino, Jovani, and Frantzo. You all know how JJ was sick for awhile, well he is still doing well, but somehow he got bit by something, or pocked something and his pointer finger got swallowen and all infected. We have been soaking it and cleaning it everyday to get the infection out and today its looking much better. Frantzo always has a runny nose so we got him on allergy medicine and he is doing better. Gosh, you should see this cork board in the kitchen, so many of the babies and toddlers are on medicines. Its just hard to keep them really healthy when they come from a background of such malnourishment and sickness. Nevertheless, as always God is still good, still providing and still taking care of them all. It’s amazing how we always seem to have the resources when we REALLY need them. When we stop worrying and put our faith in God’s abilities, we see how He really is our provider. Goodness, you can pray that I’m not getting sick again, I feel so weak today, but I’m hoping it is jus from staying up late. I’m sure there is much more to say, but I cant think of anything off of the top of my head right now.
Hope you had a great Palm Sunday!!! By the way, here Palm Sunday is so amazing because its not just a leaf from the branch it’s a huge full palm branch with lots of leaves. You just don’t get that being in Kansas City…so that was fun!
Lots of love and blessings as we start holy week in anticipation for Easter!!!
YEAH GOD!!!!tasha
Hope you had a great Palm Sunday!!! By the way, here Palm Sunday is so amazing because its not just a leaf from the branch it’s a huge full palm branch with lots of leaves. You just don’t get that being in Kansas City…so that was fun!
Lots of love and blessings as we start holy week in anticipation for Easter!!!
YEAH GOD!!!!tasha
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
crazy day
so this morning another team came from healing hands. turns out we are going to be a sort of satellite station for groups here and there. this week it was a group of nurses, one doctor and a pharmacist. we had between 35 to 40 children see, some of Dorothy's, some from His Home (an orphanage in the neighborhood), and then sweet Emanuel ran out into the neighborhood to get whoever was out and about and wanted to come. the clinic went from 9am to 1pm. it was great, but very chaotic. the most chaotic part was the day as a whole. the generator wouldn't work and even pastor Karl checked it out later in the day. its not looking so good. then the mop broke and Emanuel couldn't clean. we felt very unorganized and prepared because only last night didn't we even learn that they wanted lots of people and it was a clinic. we thought it was just going to be a few physical therapist like last time. all to say we started out a little frustrated and under attack, but we prayed and it worked out fine.
however later in the day we realized we were out of water, bread, and the pump had no more water in it for baths, cleaning dishes and laundry...so Dorothy rushed with Emanuel to the gas station to get what was needed. some how in the process of water gallons, Emanuel's finger was cut REAL bad. they got home...and i have never been so grossed out by a cut....i had to sit down. anyway he probably needs stitches, but refused to be taken to the hospital. so Dorothy has banned him from mopping and doing dishes bc we want it to heal well. what else...oh we took him home and got to see his house, meet his 2 kids and wife. it was so good to meet his family and see where he lives and comes to and from everyday. he has a great family and spirit. i have been saying that voodoo is not as visible in PAP as in the rural areas, but there was a voodoo church right in Emanuel's neighborhood. so evil, with pictures of the devil, snakes, spiders. anyway i think that i just don't necessarily see it because I'm so in a bubble per say. i mean we don't go out much, unless its for good reason, church, errands, hospital runs, etc. and the drums are not next door, but they are still there.
2 things to pray for:
1. the generator working- without it, we have to stay up late at night doing loads (usually do 4 loads per day)of laundry on EDH. which is no fun and makes the next day harder on little sleep.
2. pray against Satan and freedom from voodoo and being attacked with his sceems. we know the victory is won, but the battle still goes on.
thanks for everything, from prayers, to packages, to encouraging words, and much more. GOD BLESS, Tasha Rae
however later in the day we realized we were out of water, bread, and the pump had no more water in it for baths, cleaning dishes and laundry...so Dorothy rushed with Emanuel to the gas station to get what was needed. some how in the process of water gallons, Emanuel's finger was cut REAL bad. they got home...and i have never been so grossed out by a cut....i had to sit down. anyway he probably needs stitches, but refused to be taken to the hospital. so Dorothy has banned him from mopping and doing dishes bc we want it to heal well. what else...oh we took him home and got to see his house, meet his 2 kids and wife. it was so good to meet his family and see where he lives and comes to and from everyday. he has a great family and spirit. i have been saying that voodoo is not as visible in PAP as in the rural areas, but there was a voodoo church right in Emanuel's neighborhood. so evil, with pictures of the devil, snakes, spiders. anyway i think that i just don't necessarily see it because I'm so in a bubble per say. i mean we don't go out much, unless its for good reason, church, errands, hospital runs, etc. and the drums are not next door, but they are still there.
2 things to pray for:
1. the generator working- without it, we have to stay up late at night doing loads (usually do 4 loads per day)of laundry on EDH. which is no fun and makes the next day harder on little sleep.
2. pray against Satan and freedom from voodoo and being attacked with his sceems. we know the victory is won, but the battle still goes on.
thanks for everything, from prayers, to packages, to encouraging words, and much more. GOD BLESS, Tasha Rae
Saturday, March 8, 2008
so...
i changed my template...not that you care, but i was trying to make it a bit more haitian and the flag has these colors. anyway not really feelin it, but we'll try it out for awhile! lol...oh and packages/mail i hear of many things coming! yeah...heads up though takes a few weeks to get here. just so you know.
thas all for tonight.
bon nwit
thas all for tonight.
bon nwit
MY BRITH
so tomorrow i am 26 crazy. but ya know i really like this birthday. i love being where i am at. i love that each year God is teaching me so many things and i am always on my way to having a little more wisdom (hopefully). it has been great...i mean its not even the day and emanuel wrote me a sweet note, made a great lunch with pasta salad, plantains, and hot dogs in the rice sauce (always nice to get meat), also Dorothy made me cookies and a special dinner BLT's! So exciting...and tomorrow we are going to church and then going to make tacos and then going to drive down town and see the palace. Dannae has never seen it and i havent seen it since 2002, so i thought it would be a neat little drive. anyway i wanted to say thanks for some of the birthday wishes i have already recieved and thanks for being with me here in spirit. i feel so blessed everyday. blessed that i have amazing people behind me at home and amazing people to serve and serve with here in haiti.
God bless you all.
kevs prayer tonight...'thanks that we have mouths to laugh, books to read, cookies to eat, and rain to give the cool breeze...' i jus simply love this place that i have been so blessed to journey to...
LOVEx3
God bless you all.
kevs prayer tonight...'thanks that we have mouths to laugh, books to read, cookies to eat, and rain to give the cool breeze...' i jus simply love this place that i have been so blessed to journey to...
LOVEx3
goodness...
where to start...
Kev came back Thursday afternoon, and i was so excited for my bud to be home, but it was so hard to see him so sad. he truly loves his adoptive family and it was hard to see them leave. after meeting them i truly cannot thank God for a better one for Kev's to be apart of. Kathy really amazes me, i love everything about her. from the way she sees Keven's to the way she talks to the street children to her interests in life. she is plain and simple, the real deal, cool beyond words and her heart is so big. Kev and i had a great talk when he got home on the roof while we watched a beautiful sunset, then we gave him a special treat of staying up late and watching a movie (Kathy don't worry he is doing well). he is really excited about having his own folder on the computer to write emails/letters to family.
what else... oh pray for Poutchino! in the last week he has had 3 seizures. today was a grandma one, we were out running errands and the nannies called to say he was having a bad one. we rushed home and ended up having to give him 10mg of Valium to get it to stop and even then he was still twitching in his eyes a bit here and there. i layed with him for most of the afternoon. he would throw up and soil his diaper, so lethargic because of the drugs. Dorothy has been emailing back and forth with Dr. mike, who comes to Haiti frequently (was with Kathy's team) and is a huge help with Dorothy's kids and the medicine supplies that only doctors can get (such as Valium). so we might go take chino for blood tests next week. i don't know if all the stimulus he is getting in therapy is causing more of the episodes or if there is another problem. just keep Poutchino in your prayers.
thanks again. God bless.
Kev came back Thursday afternoon, and i was so excited for my bud to be home, but it was so hard to see him so sad. he truly loves his adoptive family and it was hard to see them leave. after meeting them i truly cannot thank God for a better one for Kev's to be apart of. Kathy really amazes me, i love everything about her. from the way she sees Keven's to the way she talks to the street children to her interests in life. she is plain and simple, the real deal, cool beyond words and her heart is so big. Kev and i had a great talk when he got home on the roof while we watched a beautiful sunset, then we gave him a special treat of staying up late and watching a movie (Kathy don't worry he is doing well). he is really excited about having his own folder on the computer to write emails/letters to family.
what else... oh pray for Poutchino! in the last week he has had 3 seizures. today was a grandma one, we were out running errands and the nannies called to say he was having a bad one. we rushed home and ended up having to give him 10mg of Valium to get it to stop and even then he was still twitching in his eyes a bit here and there. i layed with him for most of the afternoon. he would throw up and soil his diaper, so lethargic because of the drugs. Dorothy has been emailing back and forth with Dr. mike, who comes to Haiti frequently (was with Kathy's team) and is a huge help with Dorothy's kids and the medicine supplies that only doctors can get (such as Valium). so we might go take chino for blood tests next week. i don't know if all the stimulus he is getting in therapy is causing more of the episodes or if there is another problem. just keep Poutchino in your prayers.
thanks again. God bless.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Many visits March 3, 2008
Today I felt so productive, and on top of that, we had a lot going on. Kervens left this morning to go stay with Sherry Fausey because his adoptive mom (Kathy) and sister (Rebecca) are in with a group. I was a bit sad to see my bud be gone. I mean we spend a lot of time together, playing games, reading, studying, movies, saying prayers at night, I really am with him so much. I can say I am excited to get a break from disciplining him, but he is my bud. However later he came back with Kathy and Rebecca so I was able to meet them. They are so great for him and so sweet. Pray that the adoption process goes smoothly and quickly. Kathy is a painter and has been very involved in serving here. In fact, one summer she was out in Bercy for 1 month. Kev will be their 7th child, they have 5 biological. He will be the second youngest, but Rebecca is only a few months younger. Two 9 year olds…wow! Their family lives in a rural area of Georgia on 5 acres. Kathy apparently has a picture of me on her myspace and we just met today! I’m really grateful for her heart to go through the process of adoption. Watching Nancy I get overwhelmed with all the details and mountains to cross. Yet to give Kev a family that loves him and the Lord I know is so worth it all and I praise God for that!
What else…oh being productive, Emanuel and I moved furniture around so I could make a little school corner for the toddlers. I am very excited. If I will say so myself it is looking quite well! I will probably jus being doing things like days of week, shapes, months, colors and alphabet with them. Nancy is leaving Dorothy some education DVD’s that she has used with Christelle, which will be nice. What else, we’ll probably read stories and do lots of puzzles. I will probably only do it Monday mornings though because I need to start doing therapy with Frantzo in the morning since we aren’t taking him to healing hands anymore. Then I usually start working with Chino between 2- 3:30pm. Furthermore…in Haiti even if there is a schedule things are always tentative because you never know what may come up; emergency hospital run, necessary errands, car problems, guests, no water, etc. you just cant be too anal about your schedule. As you all know I enjoy this. I love planning as long as everything is up for change if necessary! Tentative is good, leaves the feeling of go with the flow, flexibility, I like that!
Oh and visits…not only did we have Kathy and Rebecca visit, but the Merritt’s came with Wilfred, Nick and Michlin. It’s always so good to see people from Bercy. They stayed for about an hour. I brought Emarie up in one of my favorite new outfits that were donated. Its very thrift store, vintage looking and it’s not too pink. I’m a fan of it. Rusty keeps saying things like have you replaced her because it’s not the same baby she looks so different and healthy! He’s like ‘were did that sick baby go.’ I don’t know if ya’ll know this but I’ve never really wanted girls. Not that Emarie is mine, but I like to think she we have a special bond. I used to say I wouldn’t put my girls in pink. I once was told I was going to have 8 kids, 1 girl and 7 boys. Long story short…again God is funny. He brings this little baby girl into my life that I simply adore and that I put in more often than not pink! LOL…right.
That is about it for today. Hope all is well in Kansas City, and anywhere else, from which you are reading this. Love x3, tash
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.” (Philemon 1:25, NASB)
What else…oh being productive, Emanuel and I moved furniture around so I could make a little school corner for the toddlers. I am very excited. If I will say so myself it is looking quite well! I will probably jus being doing things like days of week, shapes, months, colors and alphabet with them. Nancy is leaving Dorothy some education DVD’s that she has used with Christelle, which will be nice. What else, we’ll probably read stories and do lots of puzzles. I will probably only do it Monday mornings though because I need to start doing therapy with Frantzo in the morning since we aren’t taking him to healing hands anymore. Then I usually start working with Chino between 2- 3:30pm. Furthermore…in Haiti even if there is a schedule things are always tentative because you never know what may come up; emergency hospital run, necessary errands, car problems, guests, no water, etc. you just cant be too anal about your schedule. As you all know I enjoy this. I love planning as long as everything is up for change if necessary! Tentative is good, leaves the feeling of go with the flow, flexibility, I like that!
Oh and visits…not only did we have Kathy and Rebecca visit, but the Merritt’s came with Wilfred, Nick and Michlin. It’s always so good to see people from Bercy. They stayed for about an hour. I brought Emarie up in one of my favorite new outfits that were donated. Its very thrift store, vintage looking and it’s not too pink. I’m a fan of it. Rusty keeps saying things like have you replaced her because it’s not the same baby she looks so different and healthy! He’s like ‘were did that sick baby go.’ I don’t know if ya’ll know this but I’ve never really wanted girls. Not that Emarie is mine, but I like to think she we have a special bond. I used to say I wouldn’t put my girls in pink. I once was told I was going to have 8 kids, 1 girl and 7 boys. Long story short…again God is funny. He brings this little baby girl into my life that I simply adore and that I put in more often than not pink! LOL…right.
That is about it for today. Hope all is well in Kansas City, and anywhere else, from which you are reading this. Love x3, tash
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.” (Philemon 1:25, NASB)
Sunday, March 2, 2008
quick overview
Dorothy was sick...much better now. on her way up.
jj diarrha gone. getting strength back.
emarie as always doing well. cries if i walk by and dont pay attention to her. she knows her mama.
poutchino had a siezure yesterday and the nannies didnt tell us. very scary, but he is doing alright. upped his medicine to keep him from having those, but makes him more lathargic, so therapy he gets tired quickly.
phone...now 8 digits i know different but true. 011.509.3.900.1910
miss and love. nrt
jj diarrha gone. getting strength back.
emarie as always doing well. cries if i walk by and dont pay attention to her. she knows her mama.
poutchino had a siezure yesterday and the nannies didnt tell us. very scary, but he is doing alright. upped his medicine to keep him from having those, but makes him more lathargic, so therapy he gets tired quickly.
phone...now 8 digits i know different but true. 011.509.3.900.1910
miss and love. nrt
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Inverters and Miracles February 28, 2008
Today the inverter was finally the put in. its pretty exciting because it means that we wont always have to use lanterns at night before EDH comes on (between 8pm or not at…its pretty inconsistent). The thing with the inverter is that one it’s a bit hard to understand. I am nowhere close to being an electrician; let us put it that way. In addition, we cannot run big things by it that take a lot of juice, like the fans, the washing machine, the iron, we have to be smarter about what we leave on. Be more minimal because with the generator it doesn’t really matter, you can leave the lights on, fans and all because its not sucking juice its just wasting gasoline. The inverter is using eight car batteries that will recharge by the generator and when EDH does come on at night. Anyway, we are in the process of figuring out the best system of how it will work out. As a result, we should have electricity more often.
I have to admit the only thing that really makes me excited about the inverter is the access to internet more. Having the light is not that big of a deal to me. In fact, I love living by lanterns and candle light. I think there is just truly something so simple, peaceful, symbolic, and beautiful about it. I really enjoy it.
The other great thing I should mention is the fact that Dorothy didn’t have to pay for the inverter. The woman that owns the home (our landlady) agreed that if Dorothy paid to get half the batteries than she would do the rest. Therefore, Dorothy has been saving for a long time to make it possible. This reminds of the fact that Dorothy’s home in itself is a miracle home.
Dorothy’s last home was about 1,600 square feet and there really was no room to have guests over, to have a space to separate the babies that where really sick, no room for parents to visit with their children, and no backyard. Long story short it was just not that much space for her ministry. Now she is in an old guesthouse that is probably 3,000 square feet. The Haitian woman that owns it is a strong woman of God with a few orphanages herself that she looks after. She has done well for herself here in Haiti. However, she has not forgotten the poor around her. From what Dorothy has spoken of her, she is an amazing woman and example to her country. When Dorothy interviewed for the house and was explaining that it wasn’t an orphanage, but a rescue mission to help families and then send the children back when they are well the woman really was touched. She told Dorothy something to the fact of ‘I really feel God is telling me to give you this home, I’ll give it to you for the same price as your last home.’ Dorothy calls it her miracle house because she is literally only paying (if I get this right) $700 US a month for 3,000square feet. It truly is a HUGE blessing for her ministry to have the added space. Just thought you should know!
Yeah for inverters and miracles!!!
I have to admit the only thing that really makes me excited about the inverter is the access to internet more. Having the light is not that big of a deal to me. In fact, I love living by lanterns and candle light. I think there is just truly something so simple, peaceful, symbolic, and beautiful about it. I really enjoy it.
The other great thing I should mention is the fact that Dorothy didn’t have to pay for the inverter. The woman that owns the home (our landlady) agreed that if Dorothy paid to get half the batteries than she would do the rest. Therefore, Dorothy has been saving for a long time to make it possible. This reminds of the fact that Dorothy’s home in itself is a miracle home.
Dorothy’s last home was about 1,600 square feet and there really was no room to have guests over, to have a space to separate the babies that where really sick, no room for parents to visit with their children, and no backyard. Long story short it was just not that much space for her ministry. Now she is in an old guesthouse that is probably 3,000 square feet. The Haitian woman that owns it is a strong woman of God with a few orphanages herself that she looks after. She has done well for herself here in Haiti. However, she has not forgotten the poor around her. From what Dorothy has spoken of her, she is an amazing woman and example to her country. When Dorothy interviewed for the house and was explaining that it wasn’t an orphanage, but a rescue mission to help families and then send the children back when they are well the woman really was touched. She told Dorothy something to the fact of ‘I really feel God is telling me to give you this home, I’ll give it to you for the same price as your last home.’ Dorothy calls it her miracle house because she is literally only paying (if I get this right) $700 US a month for 3,000square feet. It truly is a HUGE blessing for her ministry to have the added space. Just thought you should know!
Yeah for inverters and miracles!!!
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