Happy New Year

It's the last day of 2012.  I have mixed feelings as I review the year, our ups and downs-- our joys and sorrows, but the feeling of relief is right up there.  Why?  It's been a tough year for us financially.  Donations are down by 50% and we don't have much left in our reserves.  Necessary, drastic and painful cuts are just around the corner.  Food and payroll are our biggest budget items. Pray that we make wise decisions.
God has always come through for us and I have no doubt that He will again.  I just wish He'd let me in on His timetable. In spite of the dismal economic picture we remain hopeful (espwa).
We've been blessed with many generous friends.  We just need more of you! If you know anyone looking to help a worthy cause or sponsor a child make sure you send them our way, OK?  Thank you.

Happy New Year to you all.  May it bring much peace, fulfillment and joy.

Father Marc

Medical students

For the last four years a group of medical students from L'Universite Lumiere in Port-au-Prince has been coming here over the holidays to do some training, teaching and various activities with our children.  This is their last year and so they brought along a new group (2nd year med students) who will continue this wonderful tradition.  Had a nice chat with them this morning - great bunch of young people.  The photo above is a partial representation.  Is it me or are med students getting younger and younger?

Christmas gifts

This was a lean Christmas in terms of gifts for the children.  Here's Davidson, I think that's his name, with a couple of toy train cars.  But it's "the thought that counts" and most were thrilled to be receiving something.

A few of the older boys and Willetta who helped us distribute gifts this morning: (from left)

Jean-Robert, Johnny, Dimy (hidden), Fery in glasses, Bosiko, Willetta, Edika, Bonhomme

Christmas Morning

Mr. Jean J. Lexima, our General Manager, holding Jamesley, one of our youngest.  Both extend their best wishes to you all.

Merry Christmas

 Sony

Sonice

We wish you all a blessed Christmas filled with hope.  Sonice and Sony, our youngest, can't yet articulate their appreciation for the care they are receiving thanks to your generosity.  They have a safe place to live, three nutritious meals a day, terrific medical care and a very large family to watch over them.  Hard to believe that these two were at death's door just seven months ago.

We celebrate the birth of Emmanuel which means "God is with us".  We see Him almost daily in the children and vulnerable people we try to serve. May He be present to you in all your endeavors, in all your trials and triumphs, when you are alone or among loved ones.

A very Merry Christmas to you from the children of Espwa, the staff and me.

Sadness

Our hearts go out to the victims of the horrifying tragedy in Newtown, CT.  The children and I have been praying for those who lost their lives and for those who lost their loves.  The kids here can't understand what happened.  Who can?  May some comfort be found in the support and prayers of children and people from all over the world.

Dome homes

Another foundation is being prepared while the latest dome gets some finish work.  Notice how high the foundation is.  That's cause this particular area gets a lot of run-off when we have a major storm.  Yes, walkways between the domes will be elevated, too.

X-ray techs

 Denise and Makentoche

Denise and Widy

Denise Hinatsu left us yesterday morning after spending three weeks with us training four young men to be our x-ray techs.  The photos above are of Makentoche and Widy during their evaluation sessions.  Mak performed very well (considering everything) and he will be our primary tech assisted by Patrick Ceva.  We will miss Denise around here as she had quickly become part of the family.  See you soon, Denise?

Buddies

 Julio

Sam

While Sam and Julio are distinctly different-- Sam is all over soccer and Julio is a song and dance man-- they are the best of friends and are often seen hanging with each other. Who can better help us create positive childhood memories than a best friend?

Dome # 5

Work is advancing nicely for the dome home project.  This is the fifth dome which means that we are more than half way to our goal of building nine domes for our girls.  Gotta thank the Haiti Youth Relief Fund out of CA, the South family's non-profit called Domes for the World from Texas and another large donor who wishes to remain anonymous for their generosity in making this project happen.  If you listen quietly, you'll hear the voices of our excited girls talking about their new homes.  What a beautiful noise.

Stevenson Samedy

I was stateside when TS Sandy hit Haiti.  We lost a roof on one of our houses, our fields were flooded destroying the crops there but we were spared the devastation that was visited on Haiti and later on in NY and NJ.  The boy above, Stevenson, lost his mother to the Ravine du Sud, a large river in the south.  He has 3 sisters and two brothers.  Stevenson is 8 years old and is still grieving.  His brothers and sisters all went to various family households and his aunts brought him to us.

It is because we have generous friends like you that we are able to take in children in need like Stevenson.  "Thanks" just doesn't express the gratitude we feel.  May God bless you.
Almost forgot to mention that the young man in the photo is Mackentoche Noel, a graduate of ours who works in the ChildCare Department when not attending school.

Training

This is Denise Hinatsu, MRT from western Canada sitting with two of her three students who are learning all about x-rays and sonograms.  On the left is Patrick Ceva and on the right is Widy Laveus.  She's here through the 18th but she'll be coming back. Thank goodness as there's much to learn and master.  It is absolutely amazing how things come together!  We're blessed to have Denise on our team.

Administration Building

Here's a shot of the new Admin building, ready for us to pour the roof.  It'll be great to have most of the administrative staff together cause right now they are scattered about.  We have just enough dedicated funds for one floor so the second will just have to wait.

Directly behind this construction is the clinic.

Busy time

This is the first week of Advent already.  Where did the time go?  I've been away studying, reflecting and relaxing. Am now catching up on all that has happened in my absence.  I've new employees to meet and new resident children to get to know.  I'm being briefed on events and programs.
This blog has suffered in my absence but that will change soon enough.  Thanks for checking in.  I'll try and make your visits worthwhile.
God bless,
Father Marc

GlobalGiving

You may already be making regular donations to Free the Kids, but perhaps you know others who might be interested in making a monthly gift. Any amount can help - for example, $30 sponsors a child's education, $20 can buy a supply of rice for a family, $10 may cover the cost of urgent medical care for those who cannot pay. For any new recurring donations to Free The Kids that are set up by Dec. 31^st 2012 through GlobalGiving, that organization will match the amount of one month's donation to us (up to $100). It's an easy online process and can be set up using a credit or debit card. Be sure to identify us as “Free the Kids d/b/a Theo?s Work”. Please share this good news!

Click Here For GlobalGiving