December 20, 2008

Today we took a tap-tap to Verrette to go to the market. It was so stuffy and crowded that you could barely breath. After that we went home and ate lunch. Then we took a motorcycle taxi to Deschapelles to go swiming. Grammy's friends came along as well. When we got home we went on a walk by the canal, with Alex of course. - Ariane

Mariah beside the pool

It was a really great day today - not too hot, but just right. I had a chance to catch up with more old friends, including a godson of Don's who I still stay in touch with and bring small gifts for. I had a chance to give skirts to all of the girls in the school Christmas concert - they were quite excited to try them on and find one they liked. We got Grammy out walking by the canal again today, but ended up going farther than we had hoped. As the sun began to set, the mosquitos and bugs came out in force - they were in our eyes, mouth and nose! We ran through the bug clouds all the way back to the mission.

The couple Ariane mentioned are an American doctor and his wife who were at the nearby hospital last year and are doing vacation relief this year. They saw Tifi when she was first abandoned at the school - she was like a bag of bones, completely unresponsive and unable to do anything. When they saw her today walking alone to them to give them a hug, they were astounded at how much progress she had made. She is just now beginning to say a few words, but she is craving attention and coming out of her shell. The woman called Karen "a miracle worker".

Liette

Cabano in his new clothes - notice the big smile!

Moise in his new clothes

Girls from the Christmas concert with their dresses

Kids from the school playing with

the new soccer ball