Merry Christmas!

I hope you all had lovely holidays! Christmas here was really nice - although a bit strange in 90 degree weather. Christmas eve was lovely - I made pies and Dorothy invited over alot of friends for a big meal. I met a lot of Americans working in Haiti with schools, orphanages, clinics, etc. Anna however did not meet these people as she was very sick. Thankfully, she is MUCH better now and eating food like a normal person. That night, christmas eve, sounded like a battle was happening in the city, but it was just celebratory fireworks. We sat on the roof and watched the fireworks, listening to hilarious carribean music. On christmas morning all the babies sat in the living room and each opened two or three gifts. The ones who were old enough to understand were beside themselves with toys of their very own. Little Gertie and Esna (both about four) immediately stripped off their clothes and started twirling around in their new dresses. It was pretty adorable.

Today I handed out toys to a few of the kids from the area that Dorothy feeds everyday. They were beyond excited - as soon as they walked out of the front gates they ripped their bags open and played with their toys. They kids are obviously very poor and wear the same ripped clothes that are falling off of them every day. Their hair is a burnt orange kind of color - a sign of malnutrition. Thankfully, they are now being fed at least once a day and getting vitamins. And alas - now they have new (to their standards at least) shoes thanks to another lady visiting!

One funny thing about the Haitians is that they don't give the kids anything to drink. It's hatian tradition to not give kids water - which of course is TERRIBLE; I suppose it's so you have to change less diapers. Even though the Haitian nannies who work here are told that water is important it's hard to change their ways of thinking. One of the babies, Johnny J has AIDS and is always sick, poor thing, and some of the nanies are afraid to even touch him so as not to get the disease. Even though many people have AIDS here there's definitely alot of shame that comes along with it. When he cries, which is often, some of the nanies are afraid to touch his tears.

My only complaint here (other than bugs in my bed) is that I can't speak creole. However at least ten times a day I'm telling a little one to SHITA LA! Sit here. Or Vinni - come here. We're working on it.

Coming home soon!

Faith Hope Love Infant Rescue

Well I'm in Haiti - and at the moment I'm feeling not so great- weird stomach virus thing. The infant rescue home here runs really smoothly. There are about 18 kids here from five weeks old to 10 year old Kevens. The littlest one, Michelle, is only four pounds - her mom abandoned her in a dumpster, and she has some little sars from rat bites. BUT she's adorable and strong - I rocked her to sleep last night. Some of the kids with their seizure disorders and HIV will just break your heart. But overall they are well cared for and happy. It's clear that God has blessed this place and is providing for these kids.

We've been able to visit a medical clinic put on by some missionaries, and yesterday we visited down town Port au Prince. Everywhere we go people stare. I suppose it's not very normal to see multiple white people together in this country. We see UN vehicles with massive guns everywhere; they are "keeping the peace". Life moves alot slower here so Anna and I are itching to go out into the city, but it's simply not safe. Our nurse friend Kevs has offered to take us down to the "ravine" and walk along the roads offering medical care to kids and moms - we're pretty darn excited about that.

The internet is painfully slow, but hopefully I'll be able to give another update soon.

Mom - the turkey was fine, although security in Atlanta was pretty strict about it. And the nannies shouted with joy when they saw the rubber pants we had brought for the babies.

I'm headed to Haiti - bug spray, rubber pants, and turkey in tow.  Will check in soon!