Room with a view

Here's a great, pastoral view from the bedroom window. That itty-bitty dark thing in the middle of the photo is a cow. We are laying the last of the earth bags today (if the rain holds off). Then comes the roof.

A sad moment

Guy, Danale (in back), Pinokio and Woosman
The last day of school was Friday and this week family members of the children have been coming to escort the lucky ones home. But more than half won't be going home as they don't have one or their families can't take them for any number of reasons. These boys were looking on this morning as some of their friends were leaving for the summer.

Faces

Two new designs of moon-sun faces from the artisans under the new direction of Paige.

Faces two

TiThomas and Pouchon (and a crowd of others) sat with me this morning as we waited for breakfast.

Reflection

Someone commented on my post in which I quoted Theresa of Avila. I thought I should put it here as many folks do not read the comments. Unfortunately, the contributor remains anonymous.

While we are reflecting, remember the words of Pope John XXIII.
"Lord do not let us turn into 'broken cisterns' that can hold no water...do not let us be so blinded by the enjoyment of the good things of earth that our hearts become insensitive to the cry of the poor, of the sick, of orphaned children and of those innumerable brothers and sister of ours who lack the necessary mimimum to eat, to clothe their nakedness, and to gather family together under one roof."

Josette Louis

This is the room a poor neighbor lets the Louis family use. It is about 10' by 8'.

Josette Louis is the lady sitting in the above picture. She has been paralyzed for eight years, ever since her youngest was born (the girl to her immediate right). Her son, Enoch, is 13 and he's standing right behind her. Guerline is 15 and she's standing to her mother's left. She was in school thanks to a generous Salesian nun but the nun was transferred a couple of years ago and Guerline's education stopped. Donald, not in the picture, is 18 and attends a free school here at laMadonne. Donald is the one who brought his mom to us and she told us that he was her guardian angel. He's the one who helps her bathe and carries her to the community outhouse. Josette's family was kicked out of the small home where they were living due to lack of payment. The children spend all their time and energy begging for food and are sometimes lucky. The prayer of the mother is that we can find her some help. I gave her food and told her we would try. One of my staff gave her 100 gourdes cause that was what he had on him. Can you help?

Reflection

Christ has no body now on earth but yours, no hands but yours, no feet but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which Christ's compassion is to look out to the world.
Yours are the feet with which Christ is to go about doing good.
Yours are the hands with which Christ is to bless all people now.

Theresa of Avila

Theresa of Avila lived over 500 years ago but her words are as true today as they were back then. I find much inspiration and solace in them. My hands, my eyes are His instruments just as yours are. Do people know Christ a little more after meeting us?