Montezumas Revenge finally visited me last night. It was a very long 24 hours...I 'slept' from 6:30 PM - 5:00 AM. I was tired enough to sleep, and in enough belly pain with body aches and chills, but how do you resist such sweet voices outside your door and windows begging you to come out and play? Boundaries...yes, I finally had to set them. By 10 PM I told the boys, "no more play, I must sleep!!" Fortunatly, I woke up at 5 AM still feeling yucky, but I gave myself a cold bucket shower, attended 6 AM morning prayer with the boys and then went back to bed. I was greeted again at 7:15 AM by Melchiek, the director, with a big ol' plate of breakfast...oily spaghetti with chunks of hot dogs...hmmm, just when I thought I was beginning to feel better! The sight of that meal was not the key to my healing, though I did choose to get up and was once again surrounded with 36 arms. The boys individually all came up to me and gave me my second round of morning hugs. (the first round comes after morning prayer.) Healing of all forms comes through love.

At the Trinity House there are 18 boys. These boys have been assigned to live here in Jacmel rather then at St. Josephs home in Petionville as they are more prone to getting in trouble with the law, gangs etc. Jacmel, compared to Petionville, is a quiet quaint little town and has less opportunity for the boys to return to their gang life, should they choose to do so.

The boys are here because they choose to be. They have lived on the streets for a long time, been involved in gang activity, have been in jail etc. Just two days ago Trinity House welcomed in a 9 year old boy who had been in jail for gang activity. A locan missionary woman caught wind that he would have to stay in jail or go back to the streets. He wanted to stay in jail because at least then he would get some food. After a lot pf phone calls etc. this woman was able to convince the police to allow Chelove the opportunity to live at Trinity House. 9 Years old! So young, so cute, so deprived of love, until now.

For the boys who are given the opportunity to live for free at one of the homes, they choose to abide by some basic rules in exchange for a family life complete with 17 other brothers, a home to live in, food to eat and an education, which they could not afford otherwise. The boys have daily chores they complete immedialty after morning prayer (they get a weekly allowance for this,) eat breakfast and then head out to school. They return from school and are free to do what they want until 6 PM prayer time. After that they have study time for school, and again , are free to do what they want until 10 PM bedtime. In between these activities they also on various days have different classes such as art class - drawing, painting, crafts etc., Paper Mache' classes on Saturday, which I got to attend. WOW that was interesting, a lot of work! of course, their dance classes which is three times a week, however some of the boys love dance and playing the drums so much that they go outside the home the other four days a week to instruct and participate in other dance practices. I have been to four of these practices, these Haitians are incredible dancers!

Just this morning construction began again in the bakery. This is exciting as I believe that it wont be too long before we can get the bakery up and running. It is my hope that we can have things ready to go by the end of summer.

It has been a very challenging time, not in a bad way, but by the way of self-growth and development. I would get absolutely no where if I did not take initiative with every move I make. Living in a home with 18, 'gangster-like' boys, between the ages of 6 and 20, as the only woman, puts me in a very committed position. I have to be firm with the boys at times, when they try to attempt to pull some tricks on me, (mostley the youngest ones...) but for the most part, God has worked through my actions, character and behaviors enough to gain the respect of the boys. This has allowed me to already be more of a mom-like figuare. What an honor. They are all veery protective of me. Most frequently I hear, "Atonsio!! Atonisio!!" in english, "Be careful!! Be careful!!" Even at the most obvious form of risk or danger. Its really quite cute! To be loved by an 18 year old ex-gang leader from Haiti, who has changed his life around through the last 3 years that he has lived at Trinity House and not only professes his belief in Jesus, but lives it out and encourages his younger brothers to do so as well. Mackendy is actually with me right now, he walked me down to this cyber cafe so that I could do my email. The boys have learned that I will pay for whoever walks me to the internet cafe to do their email while I am, in exchange for the guidance to get to the cafe. I never have a lack of opportunity to be guided now! Internet access is much better here in Jacmel, however, it is about a 45 minute walk to get to one that is reliable.

Today I will be taught how to prepare Haitian style food. Melchiek will be assisting me in preparing enough rice and beans and chicken sauce for 20 people. It is his desire that soon I do all the shopping at the Market for him, as well as help in the kitchen.

Could you imagine a 26 year old boy choosing to take on full responsibilty for, 'raising' 18 other boys ages 6-21? Melchiek and Gilmiest (another graduated resident of St. Josephs, are director and assistant director of the home. Together they take care of every need of these boys. They do one day on, one day off between each other for all of the cooking and buying of the food. They have full responsibilty for every aspect of the home. Again, these boys are 25 and 26 years old!! It is really incredible to see the committment and love that these boys have for one another. They have so much to teach.

I will also be helping a local school teacher who brings in kids from the nearby neighborhood to provide free education. The neighborhood I live in, consists mostly of very poor people who live in nothing but tin shacks. Very poor. Most of these kids cannot afford to go to school. Trinity House has an outreach program that provides these kids a chance to learn free of charge. Iw ill be helping the teacher with these kids. I am excited, they are so cute! They look like your typical National Geographic photo of 20 some kids from Africa poseing for the camera. They are all very small in stature, malnourished. Food is provided as part of the outreach to the local kids who attend the school.

Speaking of school, the public school systems are all shut down right now as the elections take place tomorrow. There are alot of precautionary measures taking place right now.

I will quickly post this as I am afraid my time is soon up. I dont want to loose all of this typing! I am glad I have a chance to update you and fill you in on some of the random adventures I am having. I am learning so much.