A Gentle Reminder...

Yes, that's what I received from my mom about a month ago, gently reminding me that it had been a month since I'd updated the blog. It was very nice of her to remind me, not because I really needed the reminder (I knew it'd been a month), but it was just nice to know she cared about it enough to remind me. I was determined the next day to sit down and update the blog...I really was...I had such good intentions, but as the days started to once again fill up with the tyranny of the urgent, well the blog got pushed back again and again.

Now, today I am up against a different deadline. In two days, Linda and I leave for the US for a month. If I don't update now... I won't get a chance to for another month. And I just couldn't do that to you all. So here goes...

Just what has been keeping us so busy?

Well, to keep up with some of the themes from the last posting; the chicken pox hit us pretty good this time through. Up until last week we still had kids coming down with it; and older kids at that. Even some of our 20 somethings came down with it. We finally are getting a break from that, and hopefully we've seen the last of it for a while. We are so thankful that no one was too seriously sick, just miserable for the days they were down. But in the end everyone has successfully pulled through.

Another thing that has consumed much of my time these past few weeks has been the start of school. We have 51 kids/youth in school this year... Yep you read that right, 51... in 14 different schools and universities. So, I probably don't really need to tell you it takes quite a bit of effort on everyone's part to make sure everyone is in the right place, at the right time, with the right uniform, the correct books and their bill paid. Add to that the fact that Linda is also attending one of these schools this year and has to be at school in her place at 7am every morning...well, you get the picture, right? Here's a picture of 4 of our youngest kids in their uniforms. They were so excited on the first day of school!!

So, is anyone wondering how our little Loveson is doing? You aren't going to believe these next pictures. First is one taken several weeks ago. He's doing much better, but still has the white hair and discolored skin showing his severe malnutrition. He is eating "Kenèps" a favorite fruit among our kids here. Our own kenèp trees gave an abundance of fruit this year, much to the delight of young and old alike.

Loveson would have loved to update the blog for me like he did a while ago, but he has been much too busy with school himself here at the HOH. And much, much too busy sporting his new look...complete with totally black hair, and a more normal skin tone...Yep! An incredible difference. It is so exciting to see him doing so well. Thank you so much for your support that enables us to bring hope to these kids. We couldn't have done it without everyone doing their part. Thanks for yours!

Here are a few prayer requests to keep in mind for us over the next few weeks:

• Linda and my travels -- We will be in Oklahoma, Texas and Florida over the next four weeks. Pray for safety, some rest, and a productive time sharing the ministry of the HOH in various locations.
  
• The kids as we are gone -- Especially pray for St. Germain and Phania who are pretty much in charge when we go away. Pray for wisdom for everyone to make wise choices while we are gone, and to take care of each other well.
• School -- Everyone is studying (including Linda and myself). So we all need to give our studies the time and effort necessary to do well. And have understanding as we learn new things.
  
• God's provision -- Praise Him for the way He's provided for us already. We have received numerous food and other shipments from Miami over the past few months that have helped us out so much. Our actual donations are still very low these days, but so far we have not gone without anything we have needed. So we praise God for that, and ask that you pray for His continued provision for the ministry.