Well ... Let's see... Every time I start to post a reply or an update - something changes. Sort of like "shifting sands under foot" as it were..
Anyway...
As most probably are unaware (as Haiti isn't on the National Weather Channel - or anything!
) les Cayes was a little devastated by the flooding last month. Four of the families we are sponsoring lost their homes to floods and mud slides. The village is OK, but two weeks ago - after a week without food -Adrien decided to feed the village one meal of Perch and rice & beans. He took that money out of what we sent down two days earlier ($650) and to feed everyone was $268...
For that - the entire village sends their sincerest - and I quote from Pastor Vilnor (copy & paste and interpreted, so forgive any new words)- "Please tell the peoples, who are your familes in the USA - please thank them. We have a celebration for them in august in the villages to thank these peoples for thhink of us on our hard times here while we wish they will come to the celebration, so tell them from the children and the vilages they should come with you.."
But - I get ahead of myself.. Here is the update....
We sent the final payment for the construction of the school earlier this week. It's NOT just the one story school you might remember from the pictures and Patrick's trip - but rather.. Now it has TWO finished floors. In there - there are over 250 children (closer to 300, actually).. It would have been finished sooner - but, with the weather, the costs in Haiti skyrocketing for durable goods (blocks, concrete, rebar, whatever..) - it's been a long road. But. For that - we "got there"..
Sooo.. As I write this - here is another update - long in coming - much overdue....
We also have nearly two dozen children who have no "two parents" we have cared for, sent to school, clothed, fed and given some basic needs of life to as well. When I say "we" - that means you and me. "You" if you have supported this site or donated to Rennwish..
As well - all of you should take pride in the fact the you have now completed another school in an area of the world many will never see - much less know about - unless your name is "Patrick" (hey ya' Patrick!
). But - as I write this - you folks have done it..
So for that...
It's a quick update. And for all the "work" it has taken - it has taken nothing in comparison to the next paragraph...
I still have with me - packed and ready to go with me on my next trip...
A small red envelope to hand deliver to Shasha and her mother and siblings - packed with care and love from an 8 year old little girl here in the USA. When I deliver it - and tell the story of one little girl here in the USA to one little girl in Les Cayes Haiti.. It will make all of the past months, years and work we have accomplished - well worth every effort.
And some more...
Thanks for reading,
And mostly - thanks to all of you...
John