Jeanne Evans reports from Haiti!

Jeanne and Roberta preparing meds for first clinic.

Today I got to have my morning time break on the Guest House patio. There was shade from a mango tree and as I sat there, I got to listen to the local happenings.  A couple of streets down the way, there were a group of worshipers singing praises to God. The tunes sounded familiar but the words, not so much. The street beyond our wall was quite busy. Besides vehicles, people were walking along greeting neighbors, children were having fun with some kind of game and industrious folk were going along hawking their wares. Then, Bam! The breeze knocked another ripe mango off the tree onto the tin roof which covers part of the patio! I laughed out loud and thought to myself, this is all part of being in Haiti.

The couple who are the innkeepers of the Guest House this year is David and Charlene May. They are this delightful, Christian couple who don't happen to believe one should retire from doing God's work just because they've retired! I want to grow up to be just like them! They are busy organizing and creating a welcoming atmosphere here. Roberta is doing well this year, after recovering from surgery last year. She's also very busy! There are 19 children in the Sonlight Children's Home she mothers. For almost 3 months, she has had help with homeschooling her 5-8 year old kiddos by a young lady named Melissa. Melissa says, "it's been wonderful!  I've been blessed and have learned so much!"  I've seen the pictures from some of their activities; I think the blessings have gone both ways!

Last Thursday night, Charlene invited all from Roberta's over for a traditional Hmong dinner. As it turns out, they have been part of the St Paul Urban Ministries where Rob and Heather Starnes are now serving. It was a great  evening closing with a devotional. Roberta has some wonderful singers in her home and Dave continued a study about being ready, a theme he's been discussing with the young ones when they get together. I sat between two tired little boys who found a comfortable spot for their heads on my arms, precious!  I got in a lot of hugging, some snuggle time after dinner with a little fellow and caught up with some of the older children. These children are part of the reason I come a week before the rest of my team.

Another reason I come early, is an opportunity to prepare for the first clinic which occurs the day after the majority of the team arrives. Medicines are sent ahead and they always need unpacking(Roberta helped), sorting and dividing for each day of clinic. This  year I'm happy to report that I wrapped up that preparation today! Since I got that done (with help from several children and handy adults), i just started on the next clinic day's preparation. I'll continue to prep but I have a day scheduled with kindergartens on Monday; it involves paint, should be fun!

Thanks everyone for your prayers; please always keep Haiti in your prayers and all our brothers and sisters here. Hope I'll get to write again; thanks for letting me share!
Blessings,
Jeanne