From December 30, 2018
As I typed these few words last night, there was absolute silence in the apartment. No crying babies, no loud music, no gunfire… how am I ever going to fall asleep? No one is going to knock on my door and ask me to make them a peanut butter & jelly sandwich. The only upside so far is the hot shower.
As I sat in the silence, I was grateful that we made it through another year in Haiti, thanks to the generous support of so many wonderful people.
From December 29, 2018
On Friday morning, I was up at 3:50am to make coffee, walk Giles, and send the Journal. Around 4:20am, Walencia was back in my office. I tried to get her to go back to the cot, but was unsuccessful. I let her lay down on my couch and she feel asleep. I realized what was happening. Sometime Thursday afternoon, she learned I was going to Florida and see became very sad. I found her crying, tears rolling down her face.
From December 31, 2018
I pray that all our donors and Journal readers will receive an abundance of blessings in the New Year. May God richly bless each one of you, as you have richly blessed me, the staff, and the kids of the Santa Chiara Children’s Center. Please keep us in your prayers.
From December 26, 2018
From December 22, 2018
On paper, it looks fairly simple: take a child to an appointment to a hospital specializing in infectious diseases and skin conditions. Yet in realty, such a simple task can illustrate the complexity of caring for 70 vulnerable children, 24 of whom are toddlers. On Thursday, the top item on our agenda was to take Naica to the hospital that is treating her nagging and severe skin problem which keeps covering her face with ugly eruptions. The first challenge is the location of the hospital. It is near downtown.
From December 28, 2018
On Wednesday, Walencia gestured that she wanted some juice. She followed me up the back stairs to the second-floor apartment. Giles jumped all over us when we entered the wicker chair room. I gave Walencia a small cartoon of juice from atop the refrigerator. I had expected to go back downstairs, but she just smiled and followed me to my office. I gave her a cookie. She sat down on the couch, looking as if she had no intention of leaving.
From December 27, 2018
I arrived at the MC sisters at 6:20am. One of the sisters told me Mass would start at 7:00am. I decided to just sit in a corner and be still. My mind was still preoccupied with Fr. Rick. Christmas Day was quiet, except for the nose of the boys pulling toy cars and trucks around and other kids playing with musical toys. It was non-stop playing all day.
From December 24, 2018
Sunday was busy with preparations for the Christmas celebration. Christmas carols filed the air. The kids were bursting with expectation. The supervisory staff were busy fine-tuning the schedule. Kids who had solo song performances were rehearsing. The last of the gifts were wrapped. Some older benches were being repaired and repainted.
