Callan was required to participate in the New Song Science Fair this year. He had a blast discovering more about our water. We compared samples from about 10 bottled waters as well as local tap waters to discover the acidity of the water.
Our results surprised us. As far as acidity goes, the most popular bottled water (like Aquafina and Dansani) has as much acid as a soda. Our tap waters did pretty good. We found a few more alkaline… but of course we found that Kangen was the most alkaline.
Cruz has been waiting all of his life to have his very own baseball team. We decided to dive into it this spring (with 4 boys playing). Practice starts early for these boys… ready for a great first season of (coach pitch) baseball!
Haiti always has so many stories. Stories that just pull at your heart. I met Billy last year. He had only been at Bill and Jennifer’s for a few days. He was a child slave that had never really been given a name. His mother’s story was horrible as well. It was so good to get to see a year later Billy. The one with smiles and playful laughter. Last year, not only did he not speak, he didn’t smile or play. This year we got to love on his mom too. We did fun crafts with her (because she never got to experience a childhood) and we even pulled ALL of her teeth. They were ALL broken and bad, and it was her request. She smiled when it was over!
I just had to share Sonja enjoying a little painful salon time. She had her game face on!
This is baby Samella. She looks so tiny but was about 15 months old. Bill and Jennifer had been helping her family. She was on the feeding program and her mother is diabetic. Jen was getting her the meds she needed (and helping with proper food because a diabetic does not need to eat the standard rice and beans they usually hand out)
This is baby Julie. We met her on our very first trip to Haiti. She was a part of the home visits and was born with a cleft palate and lip. Our big guy Steve was able to work with them and schedule for them to be visited by the Smile Train for much needed repair. It was a HUGE deal because Julie’s family had never been out of their little village community. They had to go to Port for the surgery. Julie is doing well. She was scared to death of us. They claimed that she had hit her head recently and her eyes were a bit gunky like she was struggling with an infection. It was so good to see the improvements she had made.
Precious Mikey that has spent his life dealing with hydrocephalus has been sick. We spent some time praying over him. (Mikey passed away later in the summer)
My highlight of the week was that I got to run the feeding clinic. Jen and her hubby had to run to Port for a few things and I offered to help Pastor Clebert run it. It was one of my most favorite things that I have ever done! It was hard seeing the sick babies, weighing them and handing out food to families, but in the moment, I knew that God had me just where he wanted me. Broken for these families, hurt for HIS children, and pouring out all the love I had. I will never forget it!
As an aside, we took along a news crew from Missouri who was documenting the journey. I was videoed for a segment on the clinic. It aired in Missouri and Sarah (the sweet news lady) won am Emmy for her work.
We also got to ride out to Acknov’s church again to see the kids and talk about the school they are hoping to get going.
Our dentist also stopped by the school to check in on the kids in major need. She was able to at least check all the kids teeth and see to all the ones that were hurting or yucky.
It was neat to see the kids in school. They work so hard and whenever we come, they are so proud to show off for us.
I thought their school books were neat to get a glimpse of before leaving.
A quick look at the cafeteria and lunch being served.
I don’t particularly like this photo of me, but could not resist that precious smile.
This time when we headed to Haiti, we took a dentist with us. Dr. Briggs hit the ground running and saw every single person that she could!
Elizabeth getting her teeth checked. ALL of the kids at Mission of Grace looked fabulous. Only a few were fearful of the exam and brushing. They do a good job with the kids.
Since everybody can’t check teeth, the rest of us spent time loving on the babies! Wes in full on rocker action, and little Timothy is all smiles.
Dr. Briggs and her assistants (nurse Sonja, and scrub tech Samantha) went on to the clinic at Mission of Grace. I stood in as the receptionist and book keeper for a while.
It is hard being a teacher at your kids school. You miss the ability of hanging in your own kids rooms for their parties. I got some sneak peaks in of their fun!
Eliza and her ice cream sundae party.
Cruz eating a sucker during his story time.
Callan making a painting.
Silas playing “Down by the banks of the hanky, panky”
