Thursday, April 28, 2011

Haitian Capture the Flag

As school is still closed due to the elections we are playing a Haitian version of "Capture the Flag" with some other orphanages. Today was practice and tomorrow is Round 1 with SOA (Servants of All in Grand Goave). The winner will play against an orphanage in Leogane.

This is a girls only tournament but our boys are just as excited and made a great cheering section today.







Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Happy Birthday Jendsay Trace

Jendsay Trace is Pastor Luc & Elna's little girl... her birthday was a few weeks ago and they had a birthday party for her with all the little kids at H2H:







Election Update - we are still waiting for the results to be confirmed for the "Mayor" of Grand Goave... we hope to hear within the next 48 hours.

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Election Fraud

This election is a mess! The rumors that the "final results" were tampered with have been confirmed - the radio, tv & internet are littered with reports of fraud & they will likely revert to the original (preliminary) results... but you never know in Haiti! This will put Grand Goave back into political chaos. If they switch the winner again the current winning party (UNITE) will likely return to the streets. We have just had 2 peaceful days and we were hoping school would be reopened on Tuesday... school has been closed for over a month now in Grand Goave because of the election riots.

Here are some pictures of the the winning party celebrating their victory:





Just after I took these pictures the mob became violent and smashed a passing car that contained a Senate member... one that didn't approve of the "final results"... I'm making Renel nervous with my picture taking... I hope you guys appreciate it :)

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Our miracle boy

As soon as Junior started feeling better he asked to see some of his friends so Tuesday night we took some visitors with us to see him... Fritson, Louison, Eliyou & Boben.

When I told Junior the boys came with me he literally "popped" up (luckily they had just removed the IV & cathidor!) and turned to the door - I barely got my camera out in time... I'm so glad I did because I never want to forget this moment.



The doctors let Junior take a walk outside and sit with his friends - they were so impressed with his progress that they told him he could go home Wednesday if his sudden progress was permanent. Junior took the challenge seriously and came home yesterday afternoon - the doctors were stunned... his healing is truly a miracle. Thank you for your prayers!



On the election front...

The final elections results were announced last night just before midnight. For the most part they were the same as the preliminary results except for the Mayor of Grand Goave (& some other local villages) - where the candidates from INITE replaced the original winning candidates... which seems to confirm the bribe rumors that have been floating around. Since the final results have been announced the supporters of the new Mayor have been roaming the city picking fights with the opposing party. It doesn't make much sense... these supporters fought when they lost the preliminary round and now they're fighting when they won the final round. I'm tired of the gun shots, burning tires & machetes... hopefully things will calm down quickly now that it's final. My house is still full of people "hiding" and I'm running out of banked sleep... not to mention groceries :)

Here's an article if you're interested in reading more:

http://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-2783-haiti-social-post-result-violence-one-death-and-significant-damage.html

Friday, April 15, 2011

An update on Junior

I spent the night at the hospital with Junior and we had a rough night (convulsions, vomitting, etc) but he is starting to respond to the medicine and there were a few bright moments when he came to and looked into my eyes. Elna took my place this morning and I am at home resting and will return shortly.

The doctors said he is still very sick but they are expecting him to continue to respond to the medicine and they believe he will gradually improve. Please continue to pray.





We are also still having protests over the election results - there was a fight outside the hospital just minutes after we made "the switch". The final election results will be announced on Monday... which will probably means some more riots before the new Mayor gains control.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Junior

Please help me pray for Junior (aka Alcat, Mango)...



Junior's fever started last night and by the morning he was having seizures - he is now in a coma in the local hospital, here in Grand Goave. He has been diagnosed with a type of malaria that is quick acting and went to his brain almost immediately. We believe he is in God's hands and we ask that you help us pray for him.

Please also pray for some extra energy for those of us caring for Junior - hospitals in Haiti don't provide the same services as those in Canada... most of the 'nursing' is done by family or friends.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Election Results

Yesterday the preliminary election results were announced and "Tet Kale" (Michel Martelly) is Haiti's new President.

Here is a translation of his acceptance speech:
http://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-2685-haiti-elections-speech-of-michel-martelly.html

The results were well received in most of the country... but not in our little town of Grand Goave....

Yesterday they also announced the new Mayor of Grand Goave and the losing political party is not taking the loss well. The past 24 hours have been filled with gun fire and burning tires. Our gates are locked and we're thankful for our high walls and independent resources.

Against my better judgment I made a dash outside to take a few pictures this afternoon... I returned safely but Renel has tightened my leash to say the least.

To put things into perspective, I took these pictures just a stones throw from the front gate of our compound...









In typical H2H fashion our kids are taking the events in stride and the boys even had a lively soccer game this afternoon... the fires burning just outside the walls.



To be honest, it feels a bit like after the earthquake... my house is so full of neighbors that there is barely enough room to walk around.

The final results will be announced April 16th... hopefully things will calm down before that.