Life On the Road

2005-12-23T23:01:00.000-05:00

Cement blocks waiting for construction to begin at the orphanage.

2005-12-23T22:53:00.000-05:00

My friend Johnson has the camera and this is his first attempt at taking a photo.

2005-12-23T22:44:00.000-05:00

Roodlen and me waiting for Johnson to snap the photo.

2005-12-23T22:39:00.000-05:00

Johnson is our photographer and he loved that I let him use the camera.

2005-12-23T22:29:00.000-05:00

My friends Roodlen and Johnson. They saw I had my camera so they wanted a photo. I loved Roodlen had to pick up the leaf to use as a prop for his photo.

2005-12-23T22:17:00.000-05:00

In my spare time I draw pictures of people.
My friend Eugenio asked me to draw a picture of a family. All the kids think I am very talented.

2005-12-10T22:01:00.000-05:00

Sister Josephine gives instructions to the Women's Group of Fondwa on how to make the pine cone Christmas ornamnets the group will send to the States to sell to help raise funds for their organization. Gwoup Fanm Fondwa (Women's Group of Fondwa) wishes everyone a Merry Christmas 2005 and a happy New Year 2006!

2005-12-10T21:54:00.000-05:00

The second grade class wants to wish everyone Joyeux Noel 2005 e Bonne Anne 2006.

2005-12-10T21:43:00.000-05:00

The Preschool III class put up a Christmas tree (well actually a branch) and they were tickled to death when I said I would take their class photo in front of it. It was such a big hit the Preschool II class came to get their photo made too.

Joyeux Noel 2005

Bonne Annee 2006

2005-12-10T21:34:00.000-05:00

The Preschool II Class of Saint Antoine School says "Joyeux Noel e Bonne Annee 2006" in English "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!"

2005-12-10T21:13:00.000-05:00

The last couple of weeks I have been taking photos of the students of Saint Antoine School. This is a big undertaking we have over six hundred students. There are several purposes for the photo taking session.
· The first purpose is to provide updated photos of the children that have sponsors in the United States to Family Health Ministries (FHM). FHM will print out the photos and send them to the sponsors so they can see updated pictures of their sponsored child. FHM is the organization that I am working with a long with the communities leaders in Fondwa. They started a sponsorship program to help raise funds to assist the school “Ecole Fraternite Saint Antoine” meet the cost of operating the school. Partners in Progress (PIP) is also helping the school with their operating cost. The school receives no funds right now from the government. The Sponsorship Program is set up that a sponsor can make a yearly donation of $260 or a monthly donation of $22 per month. We encourage the sponsor to write their child which is another part of my job, liaison between sponsor and child.
· The second purpose is so I can make photos for the students who need to register for the national exams in February for next summer.
· The third purpose is so we will have photos of the students in the school records.
· The final purpose is so we can give each child a photo to share with his or her family. For some families this is the only way they can get a photo of their child. The children love to get their photos taken and a few of them figured out real quick if they made goofy faces I would take more photos until we got a good one.

If you want more information on the Sponsorship Program go to the Family Health Ministries website http://familyhm.org/. Right now we have over two-hundred children sponsored I would love to double this number before I leave Fondwa, Haiti in 2007. What do I want for Christmas? Just two-hundred new sponsors. Joyeux Noël e Bonne Année 2006. ( The little girl is Nephtalie.)

2005-11-27T22:26:00.000-05:00

Jed sharing his thoughts on the upcoming elections.

2005-11-27T22:20:00.000-05:00

Jed stops in to visit before church.

2005-11-25T22:13:00.000-05:00

Ecole Fraternite Saint Antoine

3rd Grade Class, Apre Midi

2005-11-23T23:33:00.000-05:00

"The Class of 2010"

2005-11-23T23:22:00.000-05:00

Students in the 9th grade class waiting to get their pictures taken.

2005-11-23T00:33:00.000-05:00

One of my jobs in Fondwa is school photographer. As you can see from the photo it is not an easy job.
"What do you mean smile? This is my smile."

2005-11-23T00:29:00.000-05:00

This is my happy face.

2005-11-23T00:25:00.000-05:00

Ater several tries finally got a smile. Schaider Simprime, PSIII.

2005-11-23T00:19:00.000-05:00

Lisa Paul, Preschool I, Ecole Fraternite Saint Antoine, Fondwa, Haiti.

2005-11-21T21:45:00.000-05:00

Just last week we had a new arrival. Her name is Widline and she has been coming to the clinic over the past year with her mother. Widline first arrived over a year ago when Family Health Ministries was sponsoring a medical clinic in Fondwa. When her mother brought her to the clinic Kathy Walmer and Sister Carmelle were not sure if she would pull through she was so malnourished. But through the support and care that Sister Carmelle gave to the mother and child she pulled through. Family Health Ministries and other support for the clinic helped Sister Carmelle to help Widline and her mother. Widline has come to stay at the orphanage now because she started to loose weight again. After talking with the mother, the Sisters realized her mother was not able to care for Widline and her 16 siblings. I know it was difficult for her mother to leave her here but yet she knew it needed to be done. Widline will stay here at the center until she is a little older then she will move down to the orphanage with her new brothers and sisters.

The clinic in Fondwa under the supervision of Sister Carmelle has helped mothers and their babies make it through difficult times by providing food for the mothers and their babies. Sister Carmelle tries to make do with the little money she has, Family Health Ministries has sent financial support to help buy formula for babies as needed . If you would like to help please send your donation to

Family Health Ministries, INC
BOX 16725
Chapel Hill, NC 27516-6725

Write on the memo line for The Baby/Mother Nutrition Program

Thank you for your support and prayers. Enjoy the photos of Widline below.

2005-11-21T21:41:00.000-05:00

I'm ok!

2005-11-21T21:32:00.000-05:00

She usually has a very serious look on her face so, when she smiles my heart skips with joy. Food nourishes the body but love feeds the soul.

2005-11-21T21:28:00.000-05:00

Widline hanging out with me in my room.

2005-11-21T21:24:00.000-05:00

Our newest arrival, Widline. She is making friends with my two friends Rascal the Racoon and Eeyore.

2005-11-21T20:48:00.000-05:00

Great news my computer is not dead. It was infected with the "Mexican Virus". But thanks to the help of my friend Eugenio I was able to find someone to repair it. We set out for Jacmel with computer in hand. We found where Hoodritch Benjanmin (Roody) worked and he started to work on restoring the operating system. He had to leave so he turned it over to Michel Friendly Janvier ( these guys know their stuff). Around 4:30 in the afternoon we were back in operations. Friends, this is the best they would not let me pay them for their service, I was floored and all I kept thinking in my head was "mesi Bondye, mesi Bondye!!" Michel even upgraded my computer to Windows XP. I think I have a brand new computer. Michel and Roody thank you for your help. Sometimes, you find unexpected blessings on the Road.

2005-11-05T11:12:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to let you know that I am doing fine here in Fondwa. However, my computer is not doing well. It crashed on Thursday and my friend Danny has tried to get it running but no luck. Brian has been kind enough to let me use his computer. Thank you Brian. Danny and Brian are heading to Port Au Prince on Sunday and will try to get Marie to take a look at my computer. Hopefully, she will be able to restore it. If you don't hear from me for awhile you know why. Such is the life on the road.

2005-11-03T10:58:00.000-05:00

My new friends Brian, Danny, and Eugenio. "Now which way do we go?"

2005-11-01T10:20:00.000-05:00

Minik, the first president of the Peasant Association of Fondwa, and me at his house.

2005-11-01T10:13:00.000-05:00

Our first family outing was to Minik's house. Minik was the first president of the Peasant Association of Fondwa. (Me, Brian, Danny, Eugenio, and Minik)

2005-11-01T09:53:00.000-05:00

Danny stops by to use the laundry room.

2005-10-31T23:02:00.000-05:00

Which color pen do you prefer blue or black? I bet you said black. Well, my friends here in Fondwa say Haitians prefer blue. So, if I ever ask for pens please send blue. We almost had a blue pen shortage at the school but thanks to Danny's family blue pens arrived just in time.

2005-10-31T22:10:00.000-05:00

This is Lucky. He lives at the APF center and he is my dog away from home. He just stopped in for a visit.

2005-10-31T22:07:00.000-05:00

When the kids come to ask me for something they usually ask can I make a little gift for them, such as paper, pens, batteries. Lucky says, "Missy kap ou fe ti kado pou m yon ti let?" (Missy can you make a little gift for me of milk?)

2005-10-31T22:04:00.000-05:00

Lucky, "Got Milk!" Look close you can see his milk mustache.

2005-10-31T21:55:00.000-05:00

Fondwa has a radio station. FM 93.5 Radyo Zetwal. DJ and station manager Lionel. (photo by Brian McElroy)

2005-10-27T22:40:00.000-04:00

Several people have asked about my living quarters. So, I thought I would give you a tour. This is the bedroom.

2005-10-27T22:37:00.000-04:00

The livingroom right off the bedroom. Well, really it is part of the bedroom. I hope you enjoyed the tour.

2005-10-27T22:29:00.000-04:00

Did you say exam week?

2005-10-27T22:26:00.000-04:00

Exam Week "Bring it on!"

2005-10-27T22:22:00.000-04:00

We started exam week yesterday. My job this week is photo coping exams and helping Kathleen (school secretary) type exams.

2005-10-27T22:15:00.000-04:00

A little play time before the start of day two in exam week.

2005-10-27T22:12:00.000-04:00

Ecole Fraternite Saint Antoine's playground.

2005-10-27T21:48:00.000-04:00

Ecole Fraternite Saint Antione: They begin each class day with prayer and the singing of the Haiti National Anthem.

2005-10-27T21:43:00.000-04:00

Ecole Fraternite Saint Antoine: Studnets heading to class after opening prayer and the raising of the Haiti flag.

2005-10-27T21:29:00.000-04:00

Willie Surpris hanging out on the road after he finished his exams reading his letter from Meredith.

2005-10-27T21:07:00.000-04:00

Willie Surpris reading the letter Meredith wrote to him. Well, it is not the actual letter he is reading. The day before when I gave him the letter I wanted to take a photo for Meredith but I forgot kodak mwen (my camera). So, Willie was kind enough to pretend this was the letter for the photo shoot.

2005-10-27T01:20:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, I was working at the school, in the office, and two little boys came in that had been fighting. I went to see what was going on and I saw a little boy with a bloody nose and a small cut to his forehead. I quickly went to check out his injuries and started providing first aide. I decided to take the little boy (ti gason) to the clinic (located where I live) because I thought the cut might need a suture. So, off we went to the clinic hand in hand.

We arrived at the clinic and Mis (nurse) Kerline said the cut did not need a suture. She gave Robens a little medicine for pain and cleaned his wound.

I thought he might be thristy so I asked if he wanted any water. He immediately said yes, but as I was walking out of the room he said "Non, mwen vle let." Miss Kerline just smiled. I said, "Eske ou vle let?" (You want milk?) He said, "Wi".

I told him I would see what I could fine. Well it just so happened I had powdered milk in my room which is just across the hall from the clinic. I made a big cup of milk for him. The look on his face was priceless when he saw there was milk in the cup. He drank it down in no time at all and when he had finished he looked up at me and gave me a big smile. He could have been a poster child for the aid campaign "Got Milk". Before we left to head back to the school he had another cup of milk and he was in heaven. He no longer seemed to care about his pain because he was so happy about getting the milk.

2005-10-25T21:55:00.000-04:00

How often do you see napkins drying on bushes? My Haitians friends thought I was a little crazy for taking photos of a bush. But I thought the napkins kind of looked like flowers. It just goes to show sometimes they think I am a little off beat on the road.

2005-10-25T21:51:00.000-04:00

I hope you like the view on the road. This picture was taken from the balcony of the center where I live. Enjoy!

2005-10-25T21:36:00.000-04:00

Danny Schnorr, our newest volunteer, with one of Madanm Lucky's puppies. Danny says,"Mom, can I keep him?"

2005-10-23T22:54:00.000-04:00

A quick update Krisna’s son Lwiné is doing great. Mother and baby are anfòm (healthy) mesi Bondye (thanks to God). Lwiné is now ten days old. Please keep him and his family in your prayers. (See story below)

2005-10-23T22:10:00.000-04:00

Dear Family and Friends,

I just wanted to share with you a prayer that I found today in one of my seminary books that I brought to Haiti. This prayer was one I used daily while in seminary at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Sometimes, life here is difficult for me to say the least. So finding this prayer was a blessing today. I am sorry I do not have the author's name to share with you.

Gracious God, I have great tasks today that are beyond my understanding and beyond my strength, and so I must rely on You to perform that which is given to me to do. You have said that You are ever with me and all that You have is mine. Grant me the assurance today that Your love is with me, that Your wisdom guides me, and that Your presence upholds me.

Your grace is my sufficiency in all things. Your grace! I am satisfied, God, to know that Your grace is with me. That is all I ask because that grace will be made tangible as manna falling from the sky, as a cruse of oil that never runs dry, or as loaves and fishes that keep ever multiplying. Whatever my need, Your grace provides for it this day. Amen!

2005-10-23T21:58:00.000-04:00

A day in Jacmel, Danny and Brian enjoying the water.

2005-10-23T21:47:00.000-04:00

Brian and Dan swimming at the cove in Jacmel. The two little dots are them.

2005-10-23T21:39:00.000-04:00

Just imagine your standing on the balcony taking in this view. Hotel-Restaurant Cyvadier Plage.

2005-10-23T17:18:00.000-04:00

The photo does not capture the true beauty of the cove but I wanted to share the view with you. If you want a vacation spot get away then the Hotel-Restaurant Cyvadier Plage is the place.

2005-10-23T17:12:00.000-04:00

The view of the cove from the balcony of the bar at the Hotel-Restaurant Cyvadier Plage in Jacmel.

2005-10-23T01:18:00.000-04:00

This is my laundry room and also my kitchen.

2005-10-23T00:42:00.000-04:00

Oh, look it's my new washing machine. Well, actually it is about eight months old it was a gift from Se Carmelle. To get it to work I just add two hands and a lot of scrubbing.

2005-10-23T00:32:00.000-04:00

Sister Carmelle and I enjoying
a little break at GuiLou Beach in Leogone.
(photo by Brian McElroy)

2005-10-20T22:14:00.000-04:00

Typical house in Fondwa.
(photo by Laurent Delugin)

2005-10-18T22:29:00.000-04:00

Another picture of Lwine. Look how long his fingers are. He is adorable don't you agree.

2005-10-18T22:25:00.000-04:00

Lwine, also known as "Ti Bebe" In this photo he is five days old. Mother and baby are dong well thanks to God.

2005-10-15T01:46:00.000-04:00

The campaign goes "On the Road"

2005-10-15T01:41:00.000-04:00

Another view of the campaign "On the Road"

2005-10-15T00:23:00.000-04:00

The shelf with all the books is the newest addition to my room. It took me over three hours (estimated) to get it mounted on the wall. Mesi Bondye, it is still there.

2005-10-15T00:01:00.000-04:00

I proudly present to you our newest member in the community Ti Babe born the 13th October 2005 at 7pm (See story below).

2005-10-14T23:57:00.000-04:00

Se Simone hates having her picture taken but jumped at the photo opportunity with Ti Babe.

2005-10-14T23:54:00.000-04:00

We barely got Ti Babe in the picture but isn't he cute?

2005-10-14T23:52:00.000-04:00

Se Simone proudly shows off our newest member "Ti Babe" born 7PM 13 Oct 2005.

2005-10-14T23:09:00.000-04:00

New Life On the Road
Good news Krisna, my neighbor and friend, had her baby!! She had a little boy. We all thought she was going to have a boy. However, we thought she was going to have him in November. I had told her when she went into labor I would come if she wanted me to. Well, she sent word she was in labor and I went through out the day like the other women did and sat with her and gave her encouragement.

The weather was rainy and for my Haitian friends it was cold. I think it was 65 degrees. Krisna was complaining her feet were cold. I asked her if she had socks and she said only one pair and she was saving them, needless to say I gave her a pair of socks and she was tickled pink.

I left her for a little while and when I returned she was heading outside with her sister, Jesula, to take a bath with warm water with green leaves in it. This was to help sooth the pain of the contractions. I say she took a bath. What that means is she is standing up outside and her sister is washing her with the green leave water solution. Afterward, we went back into the house and her sister rubbed oil on her abdomen and tied a piece material underneath Krisna’s breast to help the baby transition.

Jesula needed to tend to her family so she asked me to stay with Krisna. I sat with her and let her squeeze my hand during her contractions. The room was dark and I offered to get some candles or a flashlight but she said it was fine. I massaged her back in between the contractions and she said that helped her feel better. There was not much to be done she just needed to know she was not a lone.

Well, the baby was taking his time coming so I told Krisna she should walk up the mountain road and back and I bet she would have a baby. The other women laughed but told Krisna she needed to walk a little and that would help.

Friends, I have been present at a few births in the United States but I never seen anyone walk into the delivery room spread the mother’s legs open and spew a mouth full of alcohol (smelt like Rum) all over her inner thighs close the mother’s legs and then leave. All the women seemed to expect this from Madanm Chery who is a prominent female figure in the community. So, I acted as if this happened everyday in deliveries in the United States. I later asked Sister Carmelle and Sister Simone what it was all about and they started laughing as I acted the scene out for them. I asked Sister Carmelle does she do this with the babies she delivers. She laughed and said “No.” Sister Simone said it was thought to help the baby come faster. So any expectant mothers just keep that in mind.

After, the alcohol spewing we then had scripture reading, singing and everyone praying out loud for Bondye (God) to give her strength and courage to hold on. They also asked for blessings for the baby. This prayer time really help lift her spirits and gave her renewed strength and energy.

Things were at a standstill, so, I excused myself and told the women and Krisna I would return shortly. I wanted to report the happening to Sister Carmelle. She asked why Krisna did not come to the clinic, Sister Carmelle had made a house call early in the day. I told her I did not know why. I was getting ready to head back over to her house when she and all the women were heading to the clinic in the dark except for the flashlight I had taken to Krisna's house. Friends, we did not get the door opened to the clinic in time and she had the baby in what I will call our waiting area. I had to laugh because I had been saying she needed to get up and walk to get the baby to come.

It was good to see Sister Carmelle in action. She is a wonderful blessing for this community. She cut the cord and then we rushed the baby into the clinic. The baby was not breathing well and he was not crying so I said spank him on his bottom. They looked at me like I was crazy and started pounding on the mattress to get him to cry. He finally, started crying. Inside I was laughing because they would not give this baby a little smack on his bottom but their children they can disciple very firmly and are not against spanking them at all.

I am happy to say mother and baby are doing well. His name is “Ti Babe” for now because Krisna does not have a name yet for him. I hope you enjoy the photos. I will get more later and let you know what she chooses for his name.

Living on the Road
Missy

2005-10-14T17:42:00.000-04:00

Great News Madanm Lucky has puppies…
Madanm Lucky is my neighbor Krisna’s dog. However, she likes visiting here at the center, especially around meal time, because she knows I am a push over and will save a little something for her to eat. She also likes me because I pet her and scratch her behind her ears. Most Haitians do not show this sort of affection to their dogs so Madanm Lucky eats it up when I give her a little attention.
She had her second litter of puppies since I arrived here in February 2005 on 12 October 2005. I have posted some photos of the family below. When I said I was going to visit Madanm Lucky and her babies my friends at the center said I couldn’t go near her puppies because she would bite me. They couldn’t believe it when I said I had already held a couple of the puppies and that she lets me pet her. I told them she has trust in me she knows I will not hurt her or her babies.
I try every day to give her a little food to help her provide for her puppies I have to be sort of secretive about it because it is difficult for Haitians to understand why I care for her and her babies. Life is hard here on the road but each day I try to find a way to share what God has given me with my Haitian friends and even my dog friend Madanm Lucky.

2005-10-14T17:20:00.000-04:00

Another view of them sleeping.

2005-10-14T17:17:00.000-04:00

Madanm Lucky went out to get a quick bite to eat so I got a photo of her puppies sleeping.

2005-10-14T17:11:00.000-04:00

Eating a little something I gave her on her Freesbie plate.

2005-10-14T17:08:00.000-04:00

Madanm Lucky says, "Now how many do I have." She had six puppies on 12 Oct 2005.

2005-10-12T20:54:00.000-04:00

Jdet and Julie love to look at the different paintings we have hanging around the center. We take the painting down from the wall then I ask them to show me where I can find certain things in the painting for example, the trees in the painting. We usually do our art discussion classes in Kreyol and English. We always have great discussions . (photo by Brian McElroy)

2005-10-12T00:15:00.000-04:00

Ecole Fraternite Saint Antoine

2005-10-11T22:42:00.000-04:00

Anne and Laurent married 5 October 2005 at the French Embassy in Port Au Prince, Haiti.

2005-10-11T22:39:00.000-04:00

The bride and groom Anne and Laurent Delugin, married 5 Oct 2005

2005-10-11T21:53:00.000-04:00

I can't believe I have been here eight months.

2005-09-30T21:04:00.000-04:00

Moise Laurore, Birthday 1 September 2005