There's been no time to let the grass grow under our feet, we are on the move. We returned to Haiti in March with our group of ladies from Hannibal LaGrange College in Hannibal, Missouri. We had been gone from Haiti for nine months at that point. I have never been gone from Haiti that long in the sixteen years I have been in Haiti.We took care of a few things. Lonia had four successful surgeries. Ashley completed fourth grade. Kelsey turned four and had a great birthday party. Josiah was born. Wilckly was in jail on false charges,for thirteen days, in Port-au-Prince, before finally being released. Crash "survived" in Haiti until our return. She is amazing! Wow! We finally arrived in Haiti but we had trouble with our vehicles on the way home. The hour and half drive from the airport to Carries turned into a miserably tiring voyage BUT, when we finally arrived, what a reunion for everyone! Another typical day in Haiti...anything that can go wrong probably will at the least desirable moment.
Returning to Haiti, Lonia was able to meet her new brother Ezekiel. We were able to return to the mountains where she is from so that all of her grandparents, aunts and uncles could see her. They were all amazed and thrilled to see her alive. Thrilled enough to cook a special meal for us. Give us gifts such as produce from their garden and livestock on foot such as roosters and goats for us to eat.
Wilckly hired Lonia's dad to work for us when we left Haiti for all of Lonia's surgeries. He moved Lonia's mom and dad to Carries and gave them a house to live in. Wilckly knew that it was too complicated and delicate to just come back to Haiti and hand Lonia to her parents but he wanted to make sure they were near us so that I could continue to care for her. Indeed the situation was delicate. Her colostomy had been reversed and she had a new bottom but the heat didn't do us any favors. Her parents soon understood after seeing the amount of care that was needed and constant attention to keep her bottom from getting so irritated or getting infected.
Lonia's mom and dad are thrilled that she is alive. They are so thankful to see her walking and playing. They are even happy that she speaks English and doesn't really understand their Creole.
We don't know what the future holds for Lonia but we do know that God went out of His way to make a special plan for her life. We are thrilled to know that we could play a small part in that plan. We now have a three year multiple entry visa for Lonia. She has already traveled to a couple of camps with the kids and I this summer. Please keep her in your prayers. Lonia's birthday is coming up soon. She will be two years old on July 29th, 2009. Praise the Lord for our miracle girl! Praise Him that her parents didn't listen when they were told to leave their new born daughter by the steps on the way out because she was going to die! Praise you oh Lord, for our sweet little Lonia.
We continue to travel doing camps, VBS and speaking at our supporting churches and updating them on the work going on in Haiti.
June 28 - July 3 Dee at church camp at Shelby County, Clarence, MO
Crash in VBS at High Hill, MO
July 5 - July10 Dee at church camp at Shelby County, Clarence, MO
Crash at church camp at High Hill, MO
Charlie at VBS at New Market Church of Christ
July 11 - 18 Dee in Haiti, Bioude's daughter Tika getting married
July 18 Crash day camp at Lamoine
July 19 - 24 Dee at VBS at Palmyra, MO
Crash at VBS at Montezuma, IA
July 26 - 31 Dee at VBS at Liberal, MO
August 23 Dee at Oak Hill Christian Church, Houston, MO
Dee and Crash open in August to speak before returning to Haiti Sept. 2, 2009
If you would like to contact us call:
Dee 573-324-4040
Crash 660-341-1519
We would love to meet with you. Maybe it's been awhile since you've been supporting us and you want to send a team to see what is happening in Haiti. We're waiting to hear from you so give us a call.
Dee
