Sad news

It saddens me beyond words to have to announce the drowning death of nine year old Meme Cadet. Around five this afternoon, while at a meeting in the Guest House, we heard a huge commotion outside. Everyone was running to the stream where two of our young boys had pulled out Meme. At this point we do not know more details than that he was out playing and decided to go swimming (against the rules) in the stream that borders our property. I ask for your prayers for Meme, for his brother, Kiki, and for all of us here.

Productive week

This has been a roller-coaster kind of week. Met with a new friend and supporter who has agreed to sponsor our vocational training center; went to Port-au-Prince to celebrate Paige's birthday and to meet with four other non-profits in a new initiative to address the AIDS pandemic in Haiti [this is spearheaded by Cross International]; spoke with a deacon and his wife who are interested in joining our team here in Cayes; spent a lot of time preparing reports for my trip to the states which starts tomorrow. I'll be in Ft. Lauderdale, FL for one evening, Greensboro, NC for a week and Ridgewood, NJ for another. Will be back on the 14th of April and hopefully get back in the groove. So, thank you for your patience. Wish me well in my travels and success in my fundraising efforts.
Father Charlie is heading to the states as well to addresss a couple of health issues. Please keep him in your prayers so that he can make a full recovery. Be assured of our prayers of gratitude for your spiritual and financial support of the children.
Father Marc

EASTER

It is Easter... we celebrate Jesus overcoming darkness and sin.

He is our Light, our Hope and source of Peace.

May you be blessed with His grace so that your hearts are filled to overflowing with His joy.

The blessing of the Lord
be upon you...
- Psalms 129:8

Baptisms

These five and two others (a mother and her baby) wait for the ceremony to begin in which they will be baptized. The five are Johanne, Lourda, Blanc, Fery and Feguens.

Easter Vigil

Colorful as Easter eggs, the children process from the neighborhood to the place of worship.

Holy Thursday

Castine Connection

Portia Mills, Drs. Larry and Danielle Mutty, Joe Kilch, Fr. Marc, Paul Mutty and his daughter, Sarah with a fan club. Portia's parents have a home in Castine, Maine. Larry and Danielle own a home there, as well. I was the pastor in Castine way back when. Joe spent his early years in Castine. So there you have it!!

Shoes

Saw one of my older boys this morning with these on his feet. Someone else had thrown them out as no longer useful. I thanked him for helping us by his willingness to conserve.

Pierre Louis

Seventeen year old Pierre Louis is an apprentice mason. He enjoys the work and wants to be a "boss" someday. He's a good worker and has a positive attitude so he should reach his goal. Your support allows him the chance.

Why are these kids happy?

The above children are happy because their home is being wired today. They will have light in their home for the first time thanks to four very kind people from Florida: Bernie Thyssen, Joe Charron, Anna Palmer and Father Mullen. The whole children's neighborhood will be electrified due to the generosity of these wonderful friends. May God bless you.

Let there be light !

Boss Maurice

Assistants Wilson and Fritzner

Mackentoche (above) and Pierre Richard (below)

Medical and Engineering Visitors

These are the folks from Indiana who were with us for a week giving us a medical hand and a help in the engineering section.

The Day After Palm Sunday

The donkey awakened, his mind still savoring the afterglow of the most
exciting day of his life. Never before had he felt such a rush of
pleasure and pride.

He walked into town and found a group of people by the well. "I'll
show myself to them," he thought. But they didn't notice him. They
went on drawing their water and paid him no mind.

"Throw your garments down," he said crossly. "Don't you know who I am?"

They just looked at him in amazement. Someone slapped him across the
tail and ordered him to move.

"Miserable heathens!" he muttered to himself. "I'll just go to the
market where the good people are. They will remember me."

But the same thing happened. No one paid any attention to the donkey
as he strutted down the main street in front of the market place. "The
palm branches! Where are the palm branches!" he shouted. "Yesterday,
you threw palm branches!"

Hurt and confused, the donkey returned home to his mother. "Foolish
child," she said gently. "Don't you realize that without Him, you are
just an ordinary donkey?

Without him you are just an ass!"

Passion (Palm) Sunday

The children processed from the neighborhood at the beginning of this morning's liturgy. They are wearing the new t-shirts given to us by the kind people of St Frances Cabrini. Quite a colorful sight! The bottom photo is of me and a few of the boys in their colored shirts as illustration of my sermon theme of giftedness. Photos by Portia Mills.

Photo Op

I had just gotten back from checking the northern neighborhood, composting toilet and house when the chance to be photographed appeared along with Litan, Jeff, Jean Robert and Jackson. If you said they like to have their photos taken, you'd be 100% on target.

Solar bread

Kneading and rolling-- Elson, Papou (white headgear) and Benizore as Auril watches.

TiKomik washes the pans

Janel is responsible for greasing the pans

Bread in the solar ovens

Gardy and Kenson who put the bread in the ovens and take them out when done.

Three generations of Muttys

Dr. Larry Mutty, grandfather, checking out Kesnel while Joe assists.

Doctor Danielle Mutty, grandmother, listening to Clerence's lungs

Rebert (clinic assistant) with Sarah Mutty (grandaughter) and Paul Mutty (son and father) vaccinating one of the boys.

This is the Muttys third medical trip here but the first time that three generations of 'em come together. The doctors have brought grandchildren before (Sarah's on her second trip). Always a pleasure to have them here.

Juna and Jean-Marie

The bride and groom, Juna and Jean-Marie

Berthony (host for the reception) and Nancy

Juna and Jean-Marie exchanged vows this afternoon in the chapel of LaCharite. Father Charlie and I officiated, our choir provided inspiring music--a simple, solemn and beautiful service. There are no photos of the ceremony as I was busy but these photos come from the reception which took place BEFORE the wedding. Yup! You heard right. This is happening more and more now. In any case, our best wishes go out to Juna and Jean-Marie. As Spock would say-- live long and prosper.

Jean-Marie and Juna

Ring-bearer and flower girl

Best man, Brant May

Matron of Honor, Denise Vendredi (MaTante)

Spiffy

Two shots of the guys wearing their new uniforms thanks to an Eagle Scout Project. Joel Harrison knocked on doors, spoke to anyone who would listen and raised awareness of the need in Haiti. The guys are very pleased. Thank you, Joel, and God bless you.

Contents

The plywood that arrived in the container

Lumber on the bottom and large PVC pipes on top. It will take a few days to get them relocated and stacked properly.

Unloading

This is the only photo I took this afternoon of the guys unloading the container. It was filled with plywood, treated lumber, bunk beds and accessories for the well-digging rig. My camera battery decided to take a rest right after this photo. Above from left: Mackenson, Enold, Rousseau, Fritznel and Ilsonge.

Enoch Bazile

It took a lot of goading to get Enoch to smile for the camera as he's very self-conscious of his missing front tooth. Enoch is a dedicated student, is crazy about soccer, sings in the choir and is always the first in line when we need help. He's great with the younger boys and, to my delight, he is thoughtful. We are very glad that the dental equipment is finally here. It will be set up soon for dentists to come so that fewer and fewer children will be embarrassed to smile.

Contagious

When Titid is happy it shows. And since smiles are contagious I thought I'd try and infect a few readers. No reason for this photo save that he wanted his picture taken.

Happy B'day, Raymond

Paige, Raymond and Father Charlie
We celebrated Raymond's birthday last evening. Raymond is on his sixth year with us and is currently managing the housing project for the poor. He is with us from mid fall through mid spring and gets more done in that time than most who would be here an entire year. Joyeuse anniversaire, Raymond!!

Medical visit

Lori preparing meds

Doctors Ryan and Merline talk with one of our teachers

Our good friends from Indiana have returned. They have been seeing patients, our kids and staff, family of our staff and local folk. They are also training our medical staff and have brought equipment and tons of medicine. God bless them for all the time and energy they are investing in our children's health.

Men At The Cross

Robyn, from Cross International, standing behind Mike, a videographer, while Kevin watches.

A video scene being shot

Friends from Cross International were down early this week to shoot some raw video which will be edited and presented as a feature for a new Christian men's organization called Men At The Cross. This will be similar to Promise Keepers but with a definite mission aspect to it. We wish them the best.

Mumps

Here is Ti Tomas feeling under the weather with mumps. Notice the leaf under his makeshift bandage--it's to keep the swelling down.

Berthony's Place

Berthony in front of his restaurant.

Berthony and Camille going over the books.

Berthony, my assistant here, has taken over the management of a small restaurant near Camp-Perrin. All the buses and trucks from Jeremie stop here and it's a watering hole for the locals in the evening. Berthony invested a few dollars in some paint and putty and the place looks terrific. We wish him well in this new endeavor as this is a wonderful example for the kids.