Future Updates on Haiti

Since there is, thankfully, a lot of updates coming in from my family on the situation in Haiti, I thought I would direct you to my cousin Amy's blog. She's Phyl and David's daughter and has been posting all that she hears and receives.

http://haitiearthquakerecovery.blogspot.com/

From this time forward, those of you interested in what they are seeing and facing, can get those updates from her blog instead. It's hard to try and re-write all their emails and keep the updates straight. Amy's doing a fabulous job of it. Way better than I could or would. So, check it out. :-) Thanks also to all who have been praying. It's obvious that God is providing and like my aunt said, "God doesn't stockpile grace, he gives it as needed" and that is so true of the situation down there.

Pom-Pom Practice

Today the girls participated in the Ottawa Poms dance camp. They learn a routine and perform it during the half-time show of the basketball game next weekend. Madie's done it for 2 years now and thinks it's really fun! This was Livie's first year.



This is Madie's group practicing. You can't really see her, because she's in the back, which is actually the front row of the group.

Here's Livie just chillin'. Waiting to start her routine for all us parents.

Here is the video of Olivia. You can tell she was THRILLED to be there. ;-) Just wasn't in the mood to dance today, I guess.

Madie, on the other hand, LOVED it!! She was in her element. :-)

More Updates on Haiti

Thought I would give a quick update to those wondering about my aunt and uncle. They have found one of the students that was buried in the earthquake on Tuesday and he has been buried on campus until the time comes for him to be moved.. It was hard for the men who dug him out obviously as this was a fellow student and friend. Uncle David and Aunt Phyl are still sleeping outside. But, they are not alone. There are probably about 2000 Haitians on campus, so there are people all over. David's been sleeping on the patio on cushions and Phyl's been sleeping on the swing with chair cushions. She said she's been praying that when sleeping outside she doesn't have any bug/tarantula/rat encounters. After going through the horrors of an earthquake, I don't know if I could handle the horrors of THAT as well!! Thankfully she's been able to get some sleep. They have a couple doctors on campus trying to treat the injured, but haven't had adequate medical supplies, so they are doing what they can. Aftershocks are still being felt, which is still very scary, but they are managing. This is just a brief synopsis of the collection of emails and posts I've seen and received. They continue to feel God's grace and are thankful they are there and able to help, but they have a long road ahead of them. Still no word about Jehu and the boys and that weighs heavily on their minds. So, please continue to lift them up and all of Haiti as they deal with this crisis. If any of you are curious and want to find out how to help in relief efforts, here is the website to their mission - http://www.crossworld.org/news.html Thank you to everyone who has been praying and offering up their support. It means so much.

Student of the Week

Noah is Student of the Week this week, which means he fills out a poster about himself and then we can come in and do something with the kids. You might remember me doing this last year where he and I did a scrapbook about him and he brought it in to show everyone. Madie had me bring ice cream in to make ice cream sundaes, etc... Those are the types of things we did. Noah wanted me to do an art project, which thrilled me to no end, because they don't have an art teacher, so they rarely do anything other than crafts. So, I thought about what they could do in a short amount of time and I thought watercolors would be fun. And, boy!, were they!!!




I brought bowls of 7 different colors, giving each group of desks 4-5 colors each. Then each got a piece of watercolor paper and straws. They were to use no brushes. They just the straws. I showed them an example of what to do, so they could do it themselves, without making a mess and thankfully we only had a couple spills. But, they take the straw, dip it in the paint, put their finger over the top which holds the paint inside the straw, then put that drop on their paper and blow.

They got to make some really cool designs and they had an absolute ball!!!

It was hard to make them stop, but they finally did after creating some beautiful designs. Then we sat and talked about primary colors and how they create secondary colors. I was totally in my element. Loved every minute of it! Mrs. Smith told me any time I want to come in and do a art project with them I can, so I'm starting my list now. :-) Don't think I could do it every week, but thinking maybe once a month or every two. I have to buy the supplies myself, so I'm trying not to go overboard, but I'm thinking of everything I could introduce them too and my brain is going in all different directions. Just had a really fun time with them all! And, I think Noah is just a little bit cooler for having such a fun way to celebrate his "Student of the Week" status. :-)

Pictures

Aunt Phyl posted these on Facebook this afternoon. Can I just say how awesome FB is?! Nearly all my updates and correspondence has been through FB. It's been an amazing tool to reach many at once during this. Anyway, here is some of the devastation just in their area. I'll label them as she has.




Back of the original Bible School Building - my office used to be in the middle section
.

front of original building

debris out front

other damage to building

damage to one of the homes on campus (that's my Uncle David)

our living room

backyard through window

It's obvious that they are going to be in upheaval mode for weeks to come. The damage is so extensive.

The Latest on Haiti

This is an email I just received from my mom's cousin, Nancy...

"Amy (my aunt and uncle's daughter) just talked to her mom on Skype. David went in the house long enough to get bread and peanut butter so they could eat. Their biggest concern is water. They have none. Still no word on Jehu's boys. Their home is close to the hospital that was ruined and that area has been hit very hard. No one is going far and no one, including David and Bruce, are going into the homes until they can be sure they are safe. Amy or Karen will try and get in touch with Phyl later this afternoon, and when I get something else, I will get it to you. Students are still not accounted for and they are fearing the worst."

For those of you not familiar with Jehu's boys, they are a group of boys that my aunt works with. They are young street boys from ages 3 and up. I'm sure this is a great source of worry for them, because they work so closely with them and care about them. Please continue the prayers. They will be going through a lot in the coming days and weeks.