Pictures…
February 20th, 2007
Me and 1 month, 3 month and 5 month old babies
Betdsa and the Lizard that he… Well…
February 20th, 2007
Things are going good!
You’d be surprised too, if you woke up one morning to find out you where selected to be the Mamma of 6 children. I was yesterday. Their care-mamma did not show up for work. It was a 6-6 shift, and while I liked the idea and had a good time, it was a little bit difficult to find things. My little boys were the ones with their shorts on backwards - I didn’t notice until late afternoon. On account of me starting in after all of the other kids had been bathed and breakfast was on, I think I did a pretty good job. I was in a hurry and was lucky I even found their shorts! My little girl Dede wanted to be held oooh so much, and Samual who is really not the little guy size for holding insisted on the same. Moise was good, and Katia was good. Jenny was sweet, she has something similure to cerebal palsy and smiles all the time. Derson who is severely brain damaged was a little bit hard for me, only because I was very unsure of what I was supposed to do. I appreciated Tiswey’s help with him. I have a little more confidence in next time. The day went pretty smooth.
Now, the day before yesterday, we did the water slide again for a little while. I happened to witness Betdsa killing a Lizard with a rock. He started to touch it and I said no and made one of those faces that says “icky” and he nodded. Well, I continued on with hauling water and while I was at the top of the slide helping pour the water, I saw it… IT was the lizard, and IT was in Eddie’s pants! The boys were all laughing except for Eddie. He was jumping up and down “ah ah!”. I stopped what I was doing and said “No!” and rushed down (no I didn’t take the slide). I told Betdsa to “get it out now!” and he hesitated insisting that it was to gross, trying to use a peice of paper to remove it. I made him drop it, and get it out with his hands, but he still only touched it as little as possible. I would have been laughing, (like I am now) but it was to serious for little Eddie. Amanda was laughing and Betdsa had some correction. I just explained to the kids that it was funny, but it wasn’t because I wouldn’t think so if I were Eddie and neither would they. Now, you don’t know Eddie, but he’s a really kissy 4 year old. He loves to hang on your neck and surprise you with kisses! He’s also a little trouble maker. Pat laughed so hard when I told her, she said “I’m sorry, but I would have payed Betdsa to do that to him!” It was one of those things I probably won’t see again, but something similure could happen easily.
Saw a Taranchula - and a Firefly!
February 17th, 2007
Good Morning from Haiti!
The last time I was updating, the power went out, so we’ll see how this time goes. On Thurday Amanda (Pat’s 8 year old daughter) and I washed about 50 stuffed animals that were in storage and while we were laying them out to dry I had an idea. You see, the home has a playground with bigs slides, similure to what you would find at McDonalds or Burder King. (Thanks to the volunteers who worked hard to set them up!) Well, if you had a big plastic slide and it was 95 degrees out, wouldn’t you try to make a water slide? I did! The only difference between here and there would be the fact that we don’t have a hose, and we have to pump the water by hand. Haha, you would have loved to see this! We had the interest of all of the older kids, and 3 buckets to haul water in. It had to be hoisted up about 4 feet, then up another 2 feet. Andre was a big help, he’s 10 and very strong for his age. He would help with the water, and then make sure all of the kids went down with the water before him. Need I say, I went down it too? We will probably do it again soon. I tell you, pumping water with that pump is a lot of fun but it will wear you out!
We saw the Taranchula out my the playset before we started the water slide, it was really neat. I’ve always wanted to see one, and for some reason they are not scary to me like spiders. I would just put them in an entirely different category.
The Firefly was in my room night before last. It was really cool. I saw a flashing light, and it was kind of still. I was startled at first thinking, what is that light from? Then it started to move around and flash more. I was so excited, maybe I’ll try to get a picture.
Talk to you all again!
Mary
Update from Mary
February 14th, 2007
Hello Everyone at Home and from Moxie!
I’m having a good time, holding babies, hugging kids and getting my hair braided over and over. 
Little girls and boys singing is fun to listen to, especially when you know the tune but they are singing it in Creole!
People have been asking what we need over here, so I’m going to make a list.
Baby Socks and all kids sizes
Rubber Pants
Infant clothing
Infant shoes
Little girls dresses -Newborn on up
Formula
Baby Cereal
Diapers - Both Disposible and Cloth
Baby Wipes
Hand Sanitizer
These are just a few things that are really hard to get over here. If you feel good about donating to this work, just buy some of those items or pull them out of your closet! There are currently 16 babies on baby cereal and 12 on formula, so we really go through a lot. I want to thank everybody on behalf of the babies and Pat for all of the supplies that were sent with us. It’s been to good use! I will hopefully be able to put up pictures within the next two weeks.
Baby Paul
February 9th, 2007
Hi from Minnie,
Mary is typing while I hold baby Paul. He won’t sleep unless he is held. He has a very weak cry, like a very sick premie. His parents do not want him, so he will be up for adoption. I am interested!! It’s a lot cheaper and faster if I live in Haiti, but I’m not quite old enough they say. They make exceptions sometimes if you live here. We feed him from a little tiny cup every two hours, the formula is diluted to half strength and he has a hard time getting the 2 oz down. If he doesn’t start eating better, Pat is going to put the feeding tube in him. We don’t want that to happen, so pray pray pray!
Thank you Susanna for praying for chocolate babies here, please pray for chocolate baby Paul!
It’s almost like a dream being here with all of the little ones. All the pictures and things people say are true and it’s better then it looks even.
The twin premies are doing well. The Daddy came today to visit them and named them Christopher and Christian. He is a very proud Papa. Later he brought one of his daughters (He has twin 15 year old girls) and we took pictures of him holding both of them for him. They are a very sweet family and are all very greatful for their care. He says “Thank you, Thank you, God bless you.” Pat says a lot of people she helps do not even say thank you.
Tell everybody I love ‘em and am praying for them. We now have a cell phone, it’s the number that Mamma has for Pat’s cell, it is supposed to work sometimes. She got a new number, and gave us her number because you all know it. We bought $30 in minutes, and they are about 50 cents per minute. We will use them sparingly, but you can email as often as you want. Tell Sammy and Julie and Cindy and Cameron Hi from us and Frank and Rosie and families - Everybody at home too!
God Bless,
Minnie and Mary
Email we just sent to Minnie’s Family
February 8th, 2007
Hello from Minnie and Mary,
Share this email with the family please!
Flying was long, we had a delay from Fort Lauderdale which was about an hour, so we were late. When we got to the airport it was really hot and there was a funny band playing banjos and dancing singing “shoom vaaa looom” (means “your not here”) or something like that. We wanted a video but we were to nervous to get it out!
We met a lady on the plane that works at another orphanage, she is going to keep it contact with us through email. She helped us find where to go. There was an old man holding our sign upside down… We didn’t believe him, so the lady interpretted for us that he worked there and was showing us where the men were that were meeting us. We went and got the cart for a dollar and people were trying to help us, but we just said no and gave them looks. We went through customs and then he (the old man) made everybody move for us because we were American. We got outside and there were a whole bunch of people waiting on the other side of a fence greeting us and trying to help! Then the old man brought us to “Reggy” whos name is actuallu Sajay, but we didn’t know that til we got back. Pat sent her little girl Amanda who is 8 with the men and she speaks Creole and English well, so she interpretted. The driver was interesting. We were in an extended cab short toyota pickup and a lot of people drive them. Everybody honks and drives everywhere! Lanes are totally different and people walk in between the cars on all sides. It was amazing how he was able to dodge them! Once we were out of town, we would drive on the left side of the road a lot until somebody was coming, then he would drive to the other side and so would the other car or bus. It was a bumpy ride or about 2-3 hours up and around in the mountains, but it was relaxing compared to getting on and off of airplanes and all the travel. It’s really pretty out here and there are lots of villages with huts and interesting sights kind of like Africa! Palm trees, fruit trees and other greenery… There is some really good juice here that taste kind of like grapefruit/orange. The food is good and we like the meat.
We’ve been holding babies since about 5 minutes after we arrived. There are 3 babies that need your prayers especially. Baby Paul is 9 months old and arrived an hour before we did. he is very malnurished and wieghs about 7 lbs. He is responding to our love and care and can eat 1 ounce at a time, but we have to feed him from a medican cup. The other babies are twins that are 2 days old. They arrived at the same time as Paul and weigh 3lbs 3oz and 3lbs 9oz. They are in Pat’s ICU incubators. They are doing well, but one of them is on Oxygen. Their names are Isaac and Luke for now.
The little children (ages 1-5) are downstairs, and if we go down there, we just about get toppled over! They alllllll come around trying to climb on us and try to hold our hands and ask if we are their mommy. It’s really fun. We are learning their names and will hopefully be able to send pictures soon. (Minnie) is going to stay up with baby Paul tonight. He wants to be held constantly and his cry is very quiet and weak.
Mamma, keep trying the cell phone! It’s busy because the company is limited, but it doesn’t charge her cell if you call.
We better go now, we’v got work to do!
Much Love, (Tell everybody we love ‘em)
Minnie and Mary
I love you tomorrow!
February 6th, 2007
Everything is packed - that is, all but my stuff. The formula and baby cereal is all in the suitcases. The Lord really provided just like he promised. I am doing pretty good, but I’m a little nervous. There is just so much to do! So many details, I’m not sure if I’m going to get them all done or not. I still haven’t finished my dress, but it’s really close to being done. Just the hem and waistband. We’ll see. If I really can’t get to it, I’ll do it after we get there. (It’s the only Church dress I’m bringing).
I’ll write more from the airports! We should be able to hook up to wi-fi and update on the way. I’m going to teach Minnie to use email and blog so that she can talk to her family more. (Hopefully).
Buying - Minnie and I got more stuff!
January 30th, 2007
Today I packed the formula and the cereal that I have gotten in ziplock bags so that it will conserve space and weight. I have 25 lbs!-(aside from the medical stuff) Minnie has about the same. Well, we decided to go and use the coupons and checks that people have been giving me to buy what we can with the money that people have been donating. It was a good turnout! We were able to also trade in the liquid formula at the Caro-sell in Ontario and get a credit to buy baby cereal that was about half the price it normally is. Praise the Lord! I let Minnie take home most of the stuff so that she can pack it up. Oh, the Only $1.00 store is going out of business and selling most everything for $.88 each. We were able to get some really nice baby blankets there.
I got my Passport, flying out the 6th!
January 28th, 2007
Well, we purchased the tickets and will be leaving at 2:28pm from the Boise Airport. I’m a little nervous I think. There are quite a few stops and various layovers before we arrive in Port-au-Prince the next morning. There are so many things I haven’t even thought about. Last night a friend asked if I thought I was going to see any large insects… It never occurd to me!
I’m not quite ready to go, and I know the 6th is going to sneak right up on me. Hopefully I can depart gracefully without leaving to much for my family to take care of. That’s the hard part. I really don’t know what everyone will do without me. I guess they’ll manage. 
Right now I’m looking into how I should pack things. I’ve got over 30 lbs of supplies, I need to put the formula in ziplocks etc. and I need to weigh it all. I’m going to have to figure out what suitcase to use. I know what I’m using for my carry on, but I can’t pack it yet because I am not done sewing yet. I have finished one skirt, and close to finishing one dress. Robert has a sewing machine he’s going to give me, so that will really help. (I made the first one hand stiched, and the dress at Minnie’s house.) I’m hoping to make 2-3 more skirts. They said to pack about 5 changes of clothes, plus 1 Church dress. Pastor Deskins wife Judi said when 3 of her children went to Haiti they left all of their clothes except for what was on their backs, for the people. I think I probably will, but I plan to buy fabric from the market to make more while I am there.
Want to help?
January 20th, 2007
Well, I’ve learned a little bit more about Formula, so I’m going to make a list for any of you who are intersted in helping out by asking your church etc.
List of things needed:
Infant Formula, (preferably powdered) any brand, any size can, even opened unused portions.
- How to get it, ask your friends and family if they have any formula that they are not going to use, (perhaps it was a sample from their doctor and they have chosen to breast feed or use a different brand) also ask if they have any coupons or Formula Checks. These will help us reduce the cost for the amount that we will buy.
Baby Cereal, (dry/powdered), brand and flavor doesn’t matter.
- Ask if there is any that their baby did not like or that they aren’t going to use. It’s Ok if it’s been opened. See if they have coupons also.
Plastic Bottle Liners, (Need to fit 4 oz and 8 oz size) off brands are fine.
- See if they have any that they are not going to use or
Plastic Diaper Covers/Rubber Pants The Home uses cloth diapers. These covers really help out!
- See if there is a size that their baby has outgrown or they maybe don’t use them at all.
For a page to print and post on your church’s bulliton board, click here
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