Ruthe's Homecoming - October 27, 2010

Arrival

Arriving at Home

That's Grandma Praising God

Elizabeth Bonnell, Grandma, Ruthe and Little Sister

Ruthe and Mom Reunited

Mom, Ruthe, Dad, Little Sister - Only Little Brother is Missing

Canaan

Lisa Dunn breezed through PAP last week and again this morning. We were blessed to see her and her small group, including Monica Gautney, who spent the past week in Lagossette blessing the folks there.
Lisa left funds with us to purchase food for the Canaan tent camp in the Bon Repos area.

Kenel did not have school yesterday or today. He told me that yesterday was a boring day so I asked him if he wanted to hang out with me today (so he could really understand boring (-:)

We started by purchasing a propane stove for the orphanage. It pays to ask for something (in James 4:3, he says, "you don't have because you don't ask God). Well, God provided today. I had gotten a proforma on the stove a few weeks ago for $xxx amount. Someone had donated $xx for food related expenses for the children. So I told the folks at the store I had the price of $xxx, but I only had $xx, and this was for an orphanage that was destroyed in the EQ. They gave it to me for the $xx - a $500 discount! Not only that, they delivered and installed it within the next couple of hours! Thank you Lord!

Kenel & I then went on and purchased books for a young man that Phil has sponsored for school. Then we bought the food for Canaan. On our way we dropped by Le Phare to drop off the check for the stove so Dieugrande could pay for it when they came to install.

Feeling Better!

Dieuna is doing much better, but Dieujles, her twin, has pretty bad diarrhea now. It is very likely that all the kids have giardia, so we began treating all of them today.

Dieuna and Debbie

Praying Over the Food and Camp

So, finally, we proceeded on to Canaan, where we delivered the food from Lisa and company. We unloaded, then Kenel led the camp committee in a song (How Great Thou Art), reciting the twenty-third Psalm and a very nice prayer.  These folks are always so grateful for what is given them, even though it is always less than what is needed for all the people to benefit in it.

Canaan Committee and Kenel

I think Kenel was ready for his afternoon nap by this time, so we swung back by the orphanage real quick, made a market stop for some food for his house and then dropped him home. All in all, not a bad day! And I even got home in time to take the Puppy for a nice long walk.

Bijou

Ruthe Update October 21

Today is Ruthe's 12th birthday. She celebrated with a trip to the zoo with the Bonnell family, then to Ric's brother's restaurant.

Here is Ric's update from today:

We took Ruthe to the zoo yesterday and she had a blast!  She walked all day and did not get fatigued.  Her energy level is improving everyday.  The other Haitian man is our friend Jean Wesley.  He came on Tuesday and will stay until the 27th.  He is a college student in Indiana and grew up at the orphanage in Montrouis.  He is fluent in English and Creole.  Sauveur has really enjoyed having long talks with him about sports, music, politics, etc.

Ruthe and Sauveur also rode horses at our ranch last night!  We also took her to my brother's restaurant and he showed them around the kitchen.  Ruthe ate quail, shrimp and frog legs.

Ruthe and Jean Wesley

Her party is tomorrow and she seems very excited.  She definitely misses her mother and really enjoys spending time with Wendy and my mom.

Karade

Yesterday I got 50 pounds of fish from the Reeves, from the fishing program they work with up the coast. Some of the fish went to Le Phare and the rest I took over to the orphanage in Karade.

On Monday I had taken some hygiene kits to the kids from the Healing Hands container that recently was released from the customs office. Madame Desamour told me at that time that she only had rice for the kids for the next day and then the food would be finished.

Healing Hands also made a donation to be used for food and school supplies, so I was able to go purchase some food for the kids to hold them for the week anyway. 

Jesus told His disciples to pray: "Give us today our daily bread". This orphanage really does this - it is a day to day pray for the next meal, the next resource for school, something to wear....

I learn so much from the Haitian people about living in the moment and trusting God.

It makes me think of the things I have heard about George Mueller - how he and his wife operated their orphanage - they prayed over every little need, then waited silently for God to answer. They never went without anything the children needed. I long to have that kind of trust, dependence and confidance in God!

Madame Desamour holds school under the tents during the day. Wow, it is hot under these tents - they are not breathable at all. Even with the sides rolled up the heat is oppressive ( and you know that's got to be hot because I'm always cold!). But the kids seems happy to be in school and learning something!

Visiting the Old Neighborhood

Saturday we drove out to Thomazeau to visit old friends in the neighborhood. A couple of the girls in the area have had their babies. It was good to see them and know that  the births went well. Both babies were delivered at home.

Baby Boy

Baby Girl - Jayden

We also stopped by Mezo's house to visit awhile - we always have to check on "my baby". They always say Malaine is my baby since she was born in the truck when I was taking them to the hospital the morning she was born. Malaine was not happy to have her picture taken this day! She has 2 teeth and is starting to crawl just a little.

While we were in Thomazeau we picked up Souvenir, the director at the school in our old area, and the three children who became our good friends while we were in Thomazeau.  We went to the tailor's house to have the Love Myrtha, Joubens and Finder measured for their uniforms. I'm liking this tailor - he has consistently given me a good price  - as a matter of fact I have gotten the best price I've heard of and I'm an American! Imagine that! Anyway, this young man does a good job and he'll get our orphanage business next year!

So now I need to find all the books on the kids' book list, navy socks, underwear, belts, shoes, barrettes and ribbons before Sunday when we pick up the uniforms.

Picking up the uniforms will be another good excuse to get out to Thomazeau to visit everyone again.

Dieuna Update October 18

I brought Dieuna home this afternoon - after wandering through all of downtown PAP. I have to be the most directionally challenging person on the planet (outside of Myrlene). I got lost because there were several roads blocked off, which threw me off course (I only know 1 way). The sad thing is I was almost there and I wandered for around an hour or so.
But, back to Dieuna - she is still vomiting, but they weren't doing anything for her in the hospital that we can't do at home, and the hospital is more expensive! She is still on meds for the bronchitis and we started the course of treatment for the parasites today.
Thank you all for your prayers - don't stop just yet (or ever, if you don't mind)!

Dieuna

 I just got back from the hospital after visiting with Dieuna. She was sitting up and when I asked her how she was doing she said "pa pi mal" - not too bad. She ate some solid food today but immediately lost it. The parasite infection has not yet been treated - they don't have the meds. Fortunately, I do have the meds s...he needs so she'll start them in the AM. We had to go out last night and buy meds to control the vomiting because the hospital did not have that medication either. At least there is a doctor there! I had hoped for Dieuna to come home tomorrow, but since she is still vomiting, that might not happen. Please continue your prayers for her. 

Ruthe Update October 14 & Random Photos

Out of surgery

One of the volunteer translators and Sauveur

Tasting new foods

Before surgery - trip to Target

This was before surgery at Johane's house

Steak House for dinner



Cold but happy!



Ruthe and two of the Bonell Children

Sunday Worship Service

Having way too much fun!

Recovering at the Bonnells' Ranch

Fun on the ranch with the Bonnells

Going "home" for recovery

Going into surgery





Ruthe is doing well in her recovery from surgery. She and her father are beginning to think about coming home to Haiti. The Bonnell family has been just incredible in their hospitality and the love and care shown to the Marius family.

Wendy Bonnell wrote: "

Ruthe is continuing to do really well. We spent all day today at various volleyball and football games for my kids. Sauveur particularly is quite a fan of American football :). On Tuesday, a friend of ours from Canaan who is studying in the states will be coming to stay with us for the remainder of their visit. I'm looking forward to being able to talk with sauveur and ruthe in kreyol at all times while he is here. They have been very patient with my limited French :).

Please continue to pray for a full recovery for Ruthe and uneventful travels home the end of the month. Thank you all for your faitihfulness in prayer for Ruthe and all the people of Haiti.