Hello Everybody!

Today is Monday, but we are all having a hard time remembering what day it is. It has been a long day, but a good one. When we arrived at the Children's House we were greeted by all of the kids, sitting in rows, waiting for us to teach them! How wonderful it would be if all the kids in the US were that excited to be taught about Jesus! We did not know that we'd have this time, so we were really excited. It was music to our ears when we sang the song, "Jesus is a Friend," and all the kids sang it to us in English with smiles on their faces! It certainly has been an experience that I know I won't forget. After about an hour of teaching and singing we decided that we should get the kids to help us clean up the place. Some people took kids upstairs to their rooms and helped sort and fold clothes. Others went to the play room and sorted through old books and toys. Lauren, Dawn, and I set out to finish putting rock in the backyard where we have been trying to improve the garden area. We only had five buckets and lots more kids, so they began taking handfuls of rock from the street (that's being used to plaster the back wall) and using their shirts to carry stones back and forth. They were so excited to help us, it was great!
I've been shaking sand out of a stone pile, that is then used to plaster the wall in the backyard. It is not quite complete, but should be tomorrow. Then we hope to paint it before we come back to MI.

I had a wonderful opportunity today - I learned how to do laundry! Don't get me wrong, I've done laundry before, but never with a ball of soap and my hands. I enjoyed getting to know the ladies, though we did have a hard time communicating. I imagine they were teasing me, but I didn't even know it!

The boys went to school today all powdered up in their little yellow shirts. What a handsome bunch they are, and SO sweet and loving! We are blessed to be here and to have had three whole days of their undivided attention.

Haiti is a tough place, that's for sure. We see glimpses of struggle all around us, and it makes us want to be bearers of hope and love. These little children really understand that Jesus is their friend, and I imagine that might get them through some tough times.

As a pastor, this trip has been a double blessing for me! I am in awe of the people God has brought together, their gifts and talents have been maximized and we have accomplished things we never thought we'd do. We laugh a lot, cry alot, and sing alot. Most of all we recognize God's sovereignty as we continue to feel led by Him! Thank you for your prayers! We can't wait to tell you about our trip.

Tomorrow we head out for some sightseeing and shopping! YAY! I'll be taking LOTS of Dramamine and carrying my two "barf-bags" from the airplane...just in case!

We are blessed!
devon