I just received a typed letter from one of the older boys. He is an apprentice carpenter. Here it is translated:
Dear Father,How are you, your health, your work? Before I go any further I want to thank you very, very much for all you do for me. I am old enough to realize how much you do for me, how much affection you have for me. There is no one else who helps me, just you. Thank you very much, Father.
Father, I have to share some bad news with you which is very sad. Every day an invisible flow of water falls from my eyes because I cannot help my mother and younger brother. I am the oldest in the family and I should help them. I have nothing to give them and, now, they are being evicted from the room that my mother rented and have no money and no place to go. I am very ashamed of myself. If you saw where my mother lives you would cry, too. I know that money is hard to find and that I should not ask but I cannot not do something. Father, please, please, help my mother. I have found a place for her and my brother but it costs $700 Haitian. Thank you very much, dear Father, I have every confidence in you.Your son, PachouEvery single day we receive letters, notes, or direct demands from the children of Espwa. Every single day people come to our gates both here and at Castel-Pere and beg for help. We help when we can but we often have to say "No, sorry." cause there just isn't enough money. $700 Haitian is one hundred dollars American. If you can spare it, please send a check to Jack, my brother-in-law, who will forward the money here electronically. Help me say "Yes" more often. Thanks.
The boys were out very early this morning working in their gardens. We plowed a nice chunk of fertile land in the middle of our property so that the kids could "practice being farmers". We will keep tabs on them and there'll be awards at the end of the summer--kinda like a county fair.
We had a special liturgical celebration this morning in honor of our young graduates of the elementary school. The place was packed. The music was exceptional. The preaching was inspiring (yeah, I preached). Congratulations, graduates!
The two altar servers this morning were Alexis and Patrick. They did a terrific job, as always.
Paige Orlowski has been with us almost a week so it's about time I get a photo of her on the blog. I was waiting for the right moment and I think I got it this morning. What do you think? Paige is with us for a year if all goes well. She'll be heading up the English Program for our elementary school, supervising the Arts and Crafts activities, teaching dancing...
Window and door frames are in. More and more neighbors are stopping by to take a gander at this strange-looking structure. They aren't sneering but... I'd like a dollar for every raised eyebrow.