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We're hoping that the snag with the passports will get resolved quickly and that we will be able to go to Haiti by the end of May to bring R.J. home. So, hopefully, this will be the last update we get from Molly and that, instead of a monthly update, we'll be announcing R.J.'s Homecoming Day a month from now!
In May 2004, we were in Haiti for Mother's Day when we went to bring Charlie home. I am really hoping we'll be in Haiti this Mother's Day to bring Ronaldo home. (Mother's Day in Haiti is May 27.) Please pray with us that this will be the case. Thanks!
~Angie (for Phil & Charlie, too)
-----------------------------
Hello Phil and Angie,
It’s good to be writing you again! I am excited to share a little bit of your son’s daily life with you! I hope you have had a good month, and Spring with all its freshness is surrounding your home, as May quickly approaches. Its mango season in Haiti, and avocado trees are just budding tiny little green fruits. We’ve had a very enjoyable month at the GLA toddler house.
Here in Haiti no one knows about the Easter bunny, and they have certainly never thought about hiding food (eggs) outside for kids to search and find. Even the concept of decorating eggs is foreign. But regardless of the traditions that surround the celebration, it still remains wrapped around Christ’s resurrection. Worship and praise is continuous, and services are held from early in the morning until mid-afternoon. Afterwards families gather for a celebration and much food. At the toddler house this year we added a few new fun activities for the kids. A few of the kids had been here last year and remembered the craft. However many of the kids were brand new to our tradition… and even after an explanation a few children still bit through the shell of their egg and tried to eat it. Ronaldo chose green and yellow dye for his egg and was in awe when the white egg came out in great bright colors. He then proceeded to dry his egg with his mouth blowing on it for several minutes. Seeing how that wasn’t working I got out a hair dryer and tried it that way. It was a success. Little did I know how popular that little machine would be. The kids had never seen anything like it. They giggled and chuckled as I blew the warm air in their face and thought it was the greatest when I blew the air into one little boy’s shirt. The kids couldn’t believe how big around the little guy’s shirt puffed up. It was an exciting day that we will not soon forget.
A ministry team came to visit us one morning last week. They put on a program for all the children at the toddler house. They did a short program for the youngest children and a longer program for Ronaldo and his group. The program had several activities focusing on how Jesus can make us clean inside. The team put on skits and taught the kids a new song. The song was all about how people in different parts of the world greet each other with love. In each country they sang about a different hand or body movement was used as well as a vocal greeting. Ronaldo’s eyes were glued on the performers as they went through it the first time. The second time the team encouraged the children to try as well… and of course Ronaldo had a great time joining right in. Ronaldo laughed during the funny parts but sat quietly and listened to everything thing they had to teach him about the Lord and his forgiveness. Later that day I overheard him lecturing the other children and teaching them the lessons that he had learned that day.
Earlier in the month we had a very special movie night with the kids. All the children were sitting in the room ready for the movie to start and me to bring the popcorn when… Joyce and I walked in with a huge tub of home made ice cream. We made so much ice cream that we had to invite more kids than usual. We gave each child their bowl of ice cream and let them choose toppings including peanuts, chocolate syrup, strawberry syrup, butterscotch, cookie crumbs, cherries, whip cream, gummy bears and the list goes on. The most popular topping had to be the gummy bears. Ronaldo couldn’t get enough. I think he chose every single thing on the list. He packed all the syrup and cookie crumbs that he could get his hands on. After he finished his bowl there was a younger child that couldn’t finish his and Ronaldo polished off that one too. The kids played around with the food for a few minutes but then the television came on and all was silent for the rest of the evening.
Ronaldo is doing great in school and is continuing to learn at a steady rate. He is one of the few children here that really prefers to speak the English language over Creole. This last week Ronaldo received twelve out of thirteen on his spelling test. His words included hot chocolate, milk, french fries, juice, cereal, and other food and drink related words. When asking the kids if they understood and knew what each word means Ronaldo piped up when the word “milk” came up. He said “I know… my Haitian mom puts that in her coffee!” He was full of excitement and gave out a shy little laugh and carried on with his lesson. Ronaldo also read his Adam and Eve book Friday afternoon without struggles. The books are ones you print off the computer and the pictures are just white so it gives the children an opportunity to color them. Joyce gave them the homework of coloring their book on Tuesday night and handed out pencil crayons. As Wednesday afternoon rolled around Ronaldo came into class and opened up his new coloring job with pride. Joyce flipped through the pages praising the great job and she came to a page that was scribbled all in black. When she asked Ronaldo what the black scribbles were all about Ronaldo explained that it was the page with the snake on it that tempted Adam and Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. He explained that Satan didn’t deserve to be colored beautiful. He had to color it black because that snake is ugly and mean. What a smart kid! Ronaldo also memorized his bible verse this week which was Deuteronomy 6:5. He said it loudly and proudly and was ready to receive his prize. He receive one mango lollipop for his Bible verse, one mango lollipop for his reading test, and the grand prize of anything he chose out of the box of prizes. This box consists of things such as jump ropes, toy cars, coloring books, and other fun toys. After searching through he saw what he wanted and he pointed his little finger up at the shelf and said “ I want soup.” Well soup is actually Ramen Noodles or also known as Mr. Noodle. Well that started a small riot and a few other kids immediately wanted that too. So today Ronaldo and his classmates enjoyed a nice bowl of spicy noodles for snack. I think that means we better stock up on those cause it was a big hit!!
Ronaldo is healthy and doing well. He has not been ill nor on any medications in the last few weeks. He has a good appetite, is full of energy, and sleeps soundly through the night. He is steadily growing. His current measurements are:
Height: 123 cm (48.5 inches)
Weight: 51 lbs
I hope you have a fantastic weekend!
Many blessings,
Molly
GLA – Haiti
P.S. The package you sent made it just fine, and in perfect time!!! RJ had worn his sandals out and I didn't have any more in his size at all!!!! (He has the second largest feet, so we don't get a lot of sandals come through for that sized boy. :) ) It was a great package! You sure know a lot about what little Haitian boys like. :)
In May 2004, we were in Haiti for Mother's Day when we went to bring Charlie home. I am really hoping we'll be in Haiti this Mother's Day to bring Ronaldo home. (Mother's Day in Haiti is May 27.) Please pray with us that this will be the case. Thanks!
~Angie (for Phil & Charlie, too)
-----------------------------
Hello Phil and Angie,
It’s good to be writing you again! I am excited to share a little bit of your son’s daily life with you! I hope you have had a good month, and Spring with all its freshness is surrounding your home, as May quickly approaches. Its mango season in Haiti, and avocado trees are just budding tiny little green fruits. We’ve had a very enjoyable month at the GLA toddler house.
Here in Haiti no one knows about the Easter bunny, and they have certainly never thought about hiding food (eggs) outside for kids to search and find. Even the concept of decorating eggs is foreign. But regardless of the traditions that surround the celebration, it still remains wrapped around Christ’s resurrection. Worship and praise is continuous, and services are held from early in the morning until mid-afternoon. Afterwards families gather for a celebration and much food. At the toddler house this year we added a few new fun activities for the kids. A few of the kids had been here last year and remembered the craft. However many of the kids were brand new to our tradition… and even after an explanation a few children still bit through the shell of their egg and tried to eat it. Ronaldo chose green and yellow dye for his egg and was in awe when the white egg came out in great bright colors. He then proceeded to dry his egg with his mouth blowing on it for several minutes. Seeing how that wasn’t working I got out a hair dryer and tried it that way. It was a success. Little did I know how popular that little machine would be. The kids had never seen anything like it. They giggled and chuckled as I blew the warm air in their face and thought it was the greatest when I blew the air into one little boy’s shirt. The kids couldn’t believe how big around the little guy’s shirt puffed up. It was an exciting day that we will not soon forget.
A ministry team came to visit us one morning last week. They put on a program for all the children at the toddler house. They did a short program for the youngest children and a longer program for Ronaldo and his group. The program had several activities focusing on how Jesus can make us clean inside. The team put on skits and taught the kids a new song. The song was all about how people in different parts of the world greet each other with love. In each country they sang about a different hand or body movement was used as well as a vocal greeting. Ronaldo’s eyes were glued on the performers as they went through it the first time. The second time the team encouraged the children to try as well… and of course Ronaldo had a great time joining right in. Ronaldo laughed during the funny parts but sat quietly and listened to everything thing they had to teach him about the Lord and his forgiveness. Later that day I overheard him lecturing the other children and teaching them the lessons that he had learned that day.
Earlier in the month we had a very special movie night with the kids. All the children were sitting in the room ready for the movie to start and me to bring the popcorn when… Joyce and I walked in with a huge tub of home made ice cream. We made so much ice cream that we had to invite more kids than usual. We gave each child their bowl of ice cream and let them choose toppings including peanuts, chocolate syrup, strawberry syrup, butterscotch, cookie crumbs, cherries, whip cream, gummy bears and the list goes on. The most popular topping had to be the gummy bears. Ronaldo couldn’t get enough. I think he chose every single thing on the list. He packed all the syrup and cookie crumbs that he could get his hands on. After he finished his bowl there was a younger child that couldn’t finish his and Ronaldo polished off that one too. The kids played around with the food for a few minutes but then the television came on and all was silent for the rest of the evening.
Ronaldo is doing great in school and is continuing to learn at a steady rate. He is one of the few children here that really prefers to speak the English language over Creole. This last week Ronaldo received twelve out of thirteen on his spelling test. His words included hot chocolate, milk, french fries, juice, cereal, and other food and drink related words. When asking the kids if they understood and knew what each word means Ronaldo piped up when the word “milk” came up. He said “I know… my Haitian mom puts that in her coffee!” He was full of excitement and gave out a shy little laugh and carried on with his lesson. Ronaldo also read his Adam and Eve book Friday afternoon without struggles. The books are ones you print off the computer and the pictures are just white so it gives the children an opportunity to color them. Joyce gave them the homework of coloring their book on Tuesday night and handed out pencil crayons. As Wednesday afternoon rolled around Ronaldo came into class and opened up his new coloring job with pride. Joyce flipped through the pages praising the great job and she came to a page that was scribbled all in black. When she asked Ronaldo what the black scribbles were all about Ronaldo explained that it was the page with the snake on it that tempted Adam and Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. He explained that Satan didn’t deserve to be colored beautiful. He had to color it black because that snake is ugly and mean. What a smart kid! Ronaldo also memorized his bible verse this week which was Deuteronomy 6:5. He said it loudly and proudly and was ready to receive his prize. He receive one mango lollipop for his Bible verse, one mango lollipop for his reading test, and the grand prize of anything he chose out of the box of prizes. This box consists of things such as jump ropes, toy cars, coloring books, and other fun toys. After searching through he saw what he wanted and he pointed his little finger up at the shelf and said “ I want soup.” Well soup is actually Ramen Noodles or also known as Mr. Noodle. Well that started a small riot and a few other kids immediately wanted that too. So today Ronaldo and his classmates enjoyed a nice bowl of spicy noodles for snack. I think that means we better stock up on those cause it was a big hit!!
Ronaldo is healthy and doing well. He has not been ill nor on any medications in the last few weeks. He has a good appetite, is full of energy, and sleeps soundly through the night. He is steadily growing. His current measurements are:
Height: 123 cm (48.5 inches)
Weight: 51 lbs
I hope you have a fantastic weekend!
Many blessings,
Molly
GLA – Haiti
P.S. The package you sent made it just fine, and in perfect time!!! RJ had worn his sandals out and I didn't have any more in his size at all!!!! (He has the second largest feet, so we don't get a lot of sandals come through for that sized boy. :) ) It was a great package! You sure know a lot about what little Haitian boys like. :)
