the feeding program

 After visiting the pregnancy centre

our bus continued on to a Haitian village

where Bill and Donna, a couple from Manitoba,

run a feeding program.

 This village is not in very great shape. 

It was one of the earlier ones built by the

foundation and it has obviously seen better days.

 This little creek ran right across the "road" into the village.

The bus couldn't navigate this without getting hung up

so we got out and walked the last stretch.

 Nephew Josh and his wife, Kelsey.

 Getting stuff ready for the onslaught!

 The feeding program is for the seniors 

and the children.

The seniors eat first while the kids rip around and play

and fight and generally make a lot of noise!

 The kids are each given a poker chip.

They have to return it in order to come in and get their food.

 This simple process keeps them from coming back for seconds.

 The soup is hearty.

There were nice big chunks of chicken

and of course vegetables and noodles.

Sometimes they use rice instead of noodles.

 It's a hectic pace and everyone works fast to keep

up to the demand.

 The kids get a multivitamin 

as they go out the door.

 This lovely lady makes the soup.

Sometimes they feed up to 350 adults and kids

at a time.

There is one group always washing

 and drying dishes.

 This little girl was just wailing.

I couldn't figure out what her problem was but she was

so cute, even with her tears.

 Another program that Bill and Donna run

is supplying milk for babies up to a year old.

This is also very carefully regulated and recorded.

 Josh had a $6000 donation for this dedicated couple.

 I gave these boys each a piece of gum and then

they figured I "owed them" so I had to take their picture!

Worked for me!

 Last step: Handing off all the great donations that had been

collected by the team that Josh brought down.

All those baby clothes that were in my pregnancy post

are there because of the donations from teams like this one.

the pregnancy centre

 Back in Sosua, we were able to tag along with our nephew and part of his work team

from Spruce Grove.

Their first stop on Tuesday morning was the pregnancy centre.

This place is a going concern.

 They give sewing lessons.

 Provide clothing for boys...

 ...and girls,

and lots of other necessary baby items.

 And also provide some basic hairdressing training.

 Our nephew, Josh, led the work team and came with a

cheque, as part of their outreach, for the dear women

who run the pregnancy centre.

 As you can see, they were very happy to receive this gift!

Back on the bus, on our way to a Haitian village

where we helped with a feeding program.

visiting the dominican republic

 Howard has been traveling since March 16.

The first two weeks of his trip took him to many stops

in Brazil.

The third week found him in the DR

with me!

Because it was my Spring break, 

it worked for me to come down and meet him

and meet up with our two teachers who are

planting a school.

I was also able to bring a few goodies along for them

which was fun for me and for them!

 This is Jessica.

She's the director of the school and of course

also a teacher.

 And this is Ellen.

This is her first year of teaching!

She  is loving her job and loving her kids.

 

 They started the year with 4 children and now have 17.

It's been an extremely challenging situation for these two young women

but they feel they are where God wants them to be

and they are forging ahead.

 One of Ellen's little students was playing on the sidewalk

as we drove by.

What a cutie!

 It was wonderful to meet these young women and have some time

with them to (hopefully!) encourage them.

And what a bonus to be able to make this trip with my husband.

Lots of adventures awaited us...