Hello everyone: Yes we are alive and kicking here in Port au Prince. I just returned from a 16 day trip in the US and Canada while Bert and Roberta held the fort in Haiti. Five days were spent in the Washington/Virginia area, 5 days in Boca Raton/Kissimmee area and the rest in Hamilton with my mom.

The Washington/Florida legs were to attend Regional meetings for supporters of Village of Hope ..new and old. I was able to greet many former Mission team members and got to know some new faces as well. It was such a pleasure to be able to give everyone an update regarding our activities in Haiti and to also say our "thanks" in person for all of the support and efforts that so many go to which ensure that we can keep things "ticking in Haiti" .

Beside the pleasures of the Regional Meetings and being spoiled by my hosts/hostesses, I was able to finally see the infamous Cherry Blossoms in Washington as the Cherry Blossome festival began the weekend I was there.

Another highlight was the time I spent with the school children at Trinity Lutheran church in Kissimmee. Their questions about Haiti and the Village of Hope sure kept me on my toes and it was amazing to hear the breadth and depth of them.

While I was flitting about Bert and Roberta kept things going in Haiti.....taking care of everyday business, overseeing the construction work and welcoming and working with the team from Prince of Peace.

Finally the work of moving the earth around for the clinic has been completed and today when I was at the school a number of young men were beginning to dig trenches and holes for the footings.

a..a..a..h...the beautiful Washington Cherry blossoms

Presentation by Grade 8 kids at Trinity Lutheran Church in Kissimmee..with a promise to have the box filled and more, with school and medical supplies to be sent for the new School year.

Pastor Andy Hagen giving a Board update to the participants at the Advent LC Regional meeting in Boca Raton.

Enjoying special church music presented by the Haitian church band and singers that worship in the Friendship Hall at Advent church each week.

These fellows deserve medals as they chip away at the hard rocky earth, under the hot haiti sunshine, to prepare the ground for the footings.

Many say that rocks grow in Haiti and you may now believe it too as you see the pile of rocks that have been saved to be reused for the retaining walls.......we are glad our engineer has a "waste not want not attitude to his work"