We arrived back to Port-au-Prince yesterday at approximately 12:55pm. We managed to find all of our luggage and greeted our favorite "red cap" airport helpers before finding Dad, Charly, and Joseph. When we arrived at HOPE House we were welcomed with cheering staff and children with arms wide open. We were home!
It was a joyous afternoon as we expressed our gratitude for our amazing staff. Myslene and the ladies made a delicious feast, and Joseph and his men gathered for a meal and gifts! Thanks to the Home Depot of Midland, MI these dedicated workers all received new hard hats! We also purchased each man a set of new work boots (which they want to wear as church shoes because they are so excited to have something brand new) and matching T-shirts. All of Joseph's crew(including Keith Veldheer) received a HOPE House T-shirt with "I work for Joseph" written on the back. Joseph received one that said, "I am Joseph." And Dad, of course, has one that says, "I am Joseph's brother." The men were doubled over laughing. We are truly thankful for these men and all of the sweat and labor they put into to making HOPE House a safe place for our children, staff, and guests.
After the work crew party was done Frentz and I got out our gifts for HOPE House staff and children. It was like Christmas! Naika was so upset when we left for MIchigan that we had to console her by telling her we would bring her a pink jacket and sunglasses when we returned. (Which she had been asking for for months!) There were jackets, sunglasses, and toys for everyone! I enjoyed the afternoon just hugging on the kids. Pierreline had her arms around my neck for hours. Mika is saying many new words! At dinner time she told me she needed to wash her hands. Caleb of course added, "Yes! Wash your hands!" The kid just cracks me up all the time.
Unfortunately we have a few sick kids. Pierreline work up this morning with an eye infection and Caleb is complaining about stomach pain and threw up after breakfast. Jivenson is still very sick. We are working to get him a medical visa so he can come to the states for testing. Please pray for his paperwork to happen quickly and easily, and for him to gain enough strength to be able to make the trip. His life is in God's hands. He loves him even more than we do....which at times is hard to believe!
This afternoon I have am going to the airport to pick up Morgan and Kelli, two girls that will be helping me out for the next 4 weeks. They will be assisting with our teams and HOPE House kids. It will be great to have some extra hands around here! We have a lot planned for the month of June including; major construction projects, clinic week, teacher training, two week of VBS (one in Les Bours and one in Cite Jeremie), garden planting, new Gift of Hope women, and more!
I'll be writing again soon!
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