Baobab

Here are a few pictures of Baobab- my Rap Kreyol group and best friends.

  They have been "working in silence" getting ready to produce their CD.  The songs are ready, so hopefully we can get some funding and find a producer that will help them succeed soon. 

In these pictures they are working on dance choreography for Father Marc's anniversary. 

These guys have more hope and drive and dreams than anyone I know. I am going to work like crazy to help the reach their goals so they can make the difference in their country they are planning on making. 

When it rains it pours.

Early this afternoon we were hit my a massive gust of wind which brought in incredible showers. Within seconds we went from calm to chaos.

I have never heard our windmill spin as fast as it did today... and I have been here through hurricanes.  Rains poured down as Linda and I yelled to our potentially sick children to run for cover.  Ignoring our cries, they ran barefoot through the rain pellets collecting falling mangos and dodging flying tree limbs.  Older boys delivered piping that had flown from the roof of the Quad back to us, and Peter took inventory on the roof- having just returned from an operation in the States.

The clouds continued to open up on us when Linda and I noticed this lone goat trying to find cover on the side of the Quad.  He wasn't very smart or successful, as he was standing on the ledge that was facing the falling rain.  He cried his little goat cry, and we debated on whether or not we should help him find cover in the Quad.  Our security guard helped make that decision when he tugged him off his ledge by the string wrapped around his neck, and pulled him away.

Once the storm subsided, Peter and I took a trip down to the village to check on the flooding.  River or road? Can you tell?  Unfortunately, this is a pathway that our children will need to use in order to go to the dining room to eat.  Think of all the bacteria that is gathering in this water, and think of our little ones bare feet.  Elevated pathways would be ideal in the prevention of illnesses during the rainy season.  I am predicting an epidemic of runny noses tomorrow in the clinic...

A Lazy Saturday

I was lucky enough to spend yesterday at the beach with some friends.  We took the car up to Port Salut, planning on relaxing in the sun while listening to music and eating fresh fish.  We were surprised to find, upon arrival, that we now have to pay 50 gourdes to use the public beach.  Either way, the weather was gorgeous, the beach beautiful, and the company lovely.   

Our Little Girls

Sleeping Child

Now I lay me down to sleep

I pray the Lord my soul to keep

May angels watch me through the night

And wake me with the morning light.

Riding Around

The little hand crank cars that were left outside of the quad yesterday have created more memories in the last twenty four hours than I can count. 

Before Yves took his car away, we "borrowed" it.  As you can see, little Dave loves it! At first, he was super scared of it.  He squirmed like a little fish trying to get out of Jean Robert's arms.  But, after he saw his little buddy Benito riding in the other one, he was game.  The two cars had little races around the quad, and we even took them outside of the quad for a bit... until it got a little out of control with children anxious to be passengers, and teenagers anxious to be taxi drivers. 

The car is meant for Yves, our neighbor who is confined to a wheelchair.  We were worried he wouldn't be able to work it because his upper body strength seemed weak.  Boy, did he prove us wrong!  We strapped him in this morning, and off he went... hitting a few bumps along the way, but he will get the hang of it!  I snapped a couple pictures as he rode off laughing, and after looking up from my camera I saw a group of employees, kids, and neighbors smiling.  It was so cool to see how excited everyone was for Yves as he pedaled his new red car away. 

The first thing Dave said to me this morning was "machine".  Trying to appease him and a couple other toddlers, I took the second car out of the quad to give them a ride.  It worked out nicely because all the big kids were in school, so there was no demand to share.  I took them all the way down the road and back, and by the time we reached the quad, my arms were burning from exhaustion!! 

Friends

Some of my best friends in the world live at Pwoje Espwa.  All I have to say is- Nothing compares to dancing to Celine Dion under the Haitian stars.