Greetings

Dear Friends and all,

I'll admit in the past several months I haven't been on top of updating the old blog. I know many of you have come to trust it as a constant source of news, and I'm sorry to have left you in the dark. There's still plenty going on, little miracles every day, and I've decided to renew my focus on sharing it all with you. I hope you enjoy the new blog site – it's got a fresh look, some new features, support for multiple contributors, and we'll only be adding more from here. So please, subscribe, like, follow; however you'd like to get updates – and remember, “Espwa means HOPE.”

But now I need to ask you to do something for me: keep us in your thoughts and prayers. We're in the thick of a financial crisis; with donations falling short we've implemented some very painful cuts and will need to do more if things keep up in this vein. It's a difficult situation, and if we ever needed help we need it now. So please think about making a donation, and tell a friend about us; tell your friend to tell a friend, better yet, and even consider holding a fundraiser. Could you do that for us, please?

Thank you. You have been a pillar of support, and without your contributions none of this would be possible. I don't ever forget that. May God bless you abundantly.

Fr. Marc

P.S.  Don't be shy about commenting.

Our newest twins

Above is a photo of Hebreaux and Hebreauson (nicknamed Juneau and Juneauson), our new twins. We met these two five or six months ago when we rushed them to the hospital for severe malnutrition; some of our visitors may remember them. Recently their mother was diagnosed with a serious medical problem and, with no one else to turn to, asked that we take in her children - these two and their sisters. It's a sad story but here they have a new start; they're real sweet and we're glad to have them. With your support we are able to say to them -"Welcome to the family".

Another tragedy

I concelebrated a funeral Mass this past Saturday for six young girls killed in a terrible car accident a week before.  The photo on the bottom right (above) is of our liturgical coordinator's daughter.  She was thirteen and the youngest victim.  Bad road conditions, poorly trained drivers, no required vehicle inspections combine to make fatal car crashes much too frequent.  Please pray for the families of these girls who have been devastated by this tragedy.

Thank you.

Twins Sonice and Sony

Sonice watches as Sony cuts up the floor with his dance moves.

Jakson

This is Jakson.  He's been with us a couple of months now and is super friendly.  He isn't talking just yet but I could read his non-verbals.  He was saying: "Gimme that little box you have in your hands.  Yah, you.  I'm talking to you!"

Jamesley

Here's a photo I took today of Jamesley.  He is real laid-back and usually quick to smile though this afternoon... well, you can see for yourself.  Jamesley is crazy for vehicles.  He runs to the door or window when he hears a motor and is trying to figure out why the electric golf cart I occasionally use catches him by surprise.

Sonice

Here are a couple of recent photos of Sonice.  The top one catches her coming into a room with a freshly washed pile of clothes.  Yeah, dress up time!
 In the other she's posing demurely for the camera.  Think she's camera shy?  Not in the least.