Good Sunday afternoon: Another week has gone by..it is hard to believe that only four remain before we close out 2010 and welcome 2011. Many in Haiti are more than happy to say goodbye to this year, with hope that next year has only got to be better! ....let's pray that it may be so!!! My bank tellar was one of the ones expressing such sentiments.

We saw off the three team members of the "Braveheart team" from Pennsylvania yesterday afternoon. They enjoyed a morning of "life in Haiti" as we attended the Christmas Bazaar at Quisqueya School ( a private Christian school at Delmas 75), visited a local grocery store for purchases of last minute items for their suitcases, lunch at Epi Dor a fast food restaurant and just enjoying the street life as we rolled along to the airport. We all managed to drop a few gourdes at the Bazaar, which was really getting lively when we left.

Nativity Scene at Quisqueya School for the Christmas Bazaar

Fran,Nany Joy and Phillipa...the "Braveheart team"

The day before, Friday, was another outstanding day for them (their words) as we visited the school and Little Children of Jesus. After the general assembly the kindegarten children has a special probram of singing and dancing and what an enjoyable time it was watching their antics.

From there we joined Gladys and her staff for their annual Christmas party and "fete" day to honour International Day of the Handicapped. We go to help Gladys set up the buffet table...(and what a spread it was of Haitian treats) and before we ate, we were able to help the staff to feed some of the children needing assistance with their meal. The staff put on a skit about Cholera, a men's group sang several songs and other activities took place to liven up the day. It was so touching/heartwarming to see how much the staff and especially the residents enjoyed all that was going on..it was simple and basic but oh what fun they had! One of the members of the team pointed out to me again the specialness of Haiti...that a people so burdened with hardships and tragedy one after the other, still take time to celebrate the affirmative things in their lives.

Gladys (in purple pants) and staff singing a song..."down with Cholera"

The daughter of one of Glady's staff enjoys her "crown" and the Christmas festivities.

Today was supposed to be the preliminary announcements of the election results but I have been told it has now been put off to Tuesday. Friday and today there were announced demonstrations but I have not had any word as to what occurred. One good sign was that the university students arrived without problem for their monthly meeting with me this afternoon.

Public opinion is high for Mme Manigat or Michelle Martelly, a singer otherwise known as Sweet Micky for president. Some others are still calling for the election to be annulled but that cry seems to be waning a bit....we will just have to wait and see what the next days hold.

This morning Roberta, who is staying til Tues, and I attended church service at Marie's new church. We sat behind a lot of the girls and I was thinking how nice they all looked and what care that Oxane, their house mother and the older girls take with the little ones....each and everyone of them had ribbons in their hair colour coordinated with their dresses. The attendance was not as numerous as I have seen on other Sundays but the singing was no less exuberant...it surely does lift you up!

The girls have moved from their temporary lodgings into their new room..which is gaily painted with a variety of pastel colours. ....pictures of that next time as I had left my camera back at the house.

..and that my friends brings you a bit up to day...more or less.

Have a good week ...Debbie