Roodline gets help from the 3 yr olds!

               Roodline (wood-lin) is our oldest at 17 and struggles with AIDS related dementia, in which she struggles with balance and coordination.     Her mental capacity is probably around that of a 7 yr old.  She as sweet as she can be and helps with chores that she can handle.

                We found a trike, by the grace of God, when all the rest of the older kids got bicycles from friends in Texas at Christmas.  She has had a difficult time learning, but she's relentless, as she continues to try.

                 Now here's how it is working: At any given time, almost every day, you will see the three year olds' pushing her around the house.  She's getting use to the pedal action, brakes and steering at a slower pace and being powered by Marissa, Mason, Michael and Romise!

                  Since day one, our children have been like this.  We've had two groups of babies through the years and they have been fed by their brothers and sisters.  Rosemond has struggled in the past for several years, but the kids have helped him grow as well......and this all happens, many times, without the prompting of Momma or Dado!  God certainly loves little children!

Update on Santiag

                 .....and what great news God has graced us with!  Don't let the picture fool you, because Santiag is Momma's boy!  He still needs coaxing with food, but once he tastes it, he's fast becoming a chow hound.  The last two days he has put down three full bottles of a nutritional supplement and tonight ate a large portion of goulash. His behavior has also made incremental changes.  He's not biting or scratching and will sit in his chair and give Trisha several breaks during the day.....and he's crawling!  He is also at peace with his crib and is starting to nap.  He fought sleep for a long time, until he was exhausted.  He's an absolute treasure to behold! 

Please Pray for a Teacher

         God is very well in tuned to our need for a teacher.......we have prayed for awhile.  We have seen two people who show some interest, but have not crossed the bridge.  We want an American to help us with our school program.   We have 6 kids at three different ability levels
(K, grade 1 and grade 1+)  and will add 4 children to a Pre-K level this fall.  We cannot send our children to Haitian schools for several reasons, mostly because our kids have AIDS and the ignorance that abounds about it.  We teach in English, which all of our children speak and use curriculum's from the US.


         I do all the teaching now (Ray) and it is physically grinding to build a facility, raise 13 children and teach too.  This is not a be all-end all line of work.  As parents, we would continue our  teaching duties to a lesser extent and be subject to a person's guidance, if one showed the aptitude to make it work in an organized fashion.


        We know that God has someone out there and we have the basic support facilities to live.  
it is incumbent upon this person to raise a minimal amount of money for support. One could easily do a year on 10K. There are minimal duties to help with life here, very minimal.  Most of all, there are opportunities to develop a sideline ministry to help support God's mission in this area.  We encourage one to follow God's lead in this.


          We need for folks to take this up in prayer.  If you are part of a prayer ministry, please ask your group to zero in on this mission.  It is most important to us and our children. God love you!

Eat like a Haitian!.....Duri ak Sauce Pwa & Sauce Legume

Duri!  RICE!  What's to say about rice......add some stuff while you're cooking your rice!   In Haiti. you throw in some oil, sizzle a scallion/onion adding some garlic, oregano and salt.  My tip:  when your rice is dry, but still spittin' water bubbles, shut down the heat and let it steam do the rest.....perfect rice every time.

Quickie tip: mush up a can of refried beans, add water and stir to a syrupy texture.

         Sauce Pwa, (bean sauce) We make up about 30 quarts of this stuff, at a time and freeze it. It is essential to add to a dish of rice here, adding to the rice before the sauce extrordinaire!  I cook my beans and run them through a juicer to get rid of the pulp.  Add salt to taste.  Quickie tip: mush up a can of refried beans, add water and stir to a syrupy texture.

              Sauce Legume, sauce from green leafy veggies like spinach. These folks mostly use lalo, a sweet green leafy plant that grows everywhere here.  I prefer spinach and it also is readily available. I doll mine up with some green pepper, onion, tomatoe chunks, Maggi (no self respecting Haitian kitchen doesn't have chicken Maggi), splash of vinegar, salt and Louisana Hot Sauce! (my self respecting kitchen)  Quikie tip:  Use canned spinach, it already has the essential Haitian texture.

Oh man, we're livin' large!

They think so!


Rosy, wash your hands!

Family Therapy

WELCOME HOME, SANTIAG!

About an hour ago, Momma walked in with this beautiful little boy, Santiag.  He's 15 months old.
His mother died about two months after childbirth and he lived in a small hospital in Las Cohobas, Haiti near the Dominican border.  He seems to be crib bound: his little body is like rubber. He has AIDS and is on anti-viral medications. He can stand for a very short period.  BUT he is feisty and he looks like he won't miss a beat! WELCOME HOME, Santiag!

Meet the family: front row.....Marissa Rae 3, Romise 3 (wo-mees), Mason 3, Michael 3(Babo)

row 2.....Roodline 17 (wood-lin), Nadia 9, Rosemond 8 (Rosy), Elda 5, Darlensky 4, 

William 7 (Yum),Christian 8 and Louvensky 7(Lulu)

February 1a newsletter

February 1b newsletter (cont.)