Monday, January 18, 2010

HFC stands

I made it across town on foot and in taptap to HFC to check on the kids. A few of them met me in the seminary and the rest were in the courtyard of the girls' house. I walked in, they screamed my name, and mobbed me as I grabbed them all and cried. What a relief to see them alive and well after all the horror stories we have been hearing around town.

They truly are doing wonderful. The pension buys food by the month, so they are well stocked for now. Water and gas for the stoves will be an issue, but I left them money to at least help with that. During the day, they are staying in the house but they are sleeping in the seminary at night because they are too scared to stay inside. I walked through both houses and the only real damage is to the boys' courtyard downstairs where the roof wall fell down and crushed the bathrooms. Otherwise, there is cracking but nothing that looks too structurally unstable. The girls' house is virtually untouched; a few cracks in their covered courtyard, but otherwise, it looked great.

Miraculously, every single child was safe. Bernadin and Youdemie were talking in the girls' courtyard when the quake struck. The neighbor's wall, beside HFC, started to fall on Bernadin who was frozen in place. He would have been crushed if Youdemie, brave wonderful Youdemie, had not pulled him to safety. Likewise, Wislandy was playing in the courtyard and barely missed being buried. We are blessed.
















Sorry I did not get photos of all the kids, but I promise you, they are happy and healthy and doing each other's hair, as always.

9 comments:

Janet said...

Kez, thank you, thank you, thank you for checking on the kids and sharing the photos!!

the kat said...

Does this include Maria, the young lady who translated for me last October? I forget where she lives...

Debbie Locke said...

Kez - know that your friends in Maine - at the N Woolwich Church and at Chop Point - are keeping track of you and praying for you and the mission God has given you.
Have ANY water & food come to the people you are caring for near your home? Do you anticipate any involvement with the Comfort when it arrives? (news says - Thurs.) for all of us - joyfully! Debbie Locke

Unknown said...

Kez, so glad to hear that you are OK. Stay strong. We're thinking of you. Patti-Jo

Hannah said...

Oh Keziah, that is the best news. I am so happy for you and all the HFC children. Praise God for their safety and well being right now.

Mr Nice Guy said...

Yes! THANK YOU SO MUCH! It's great to hear the kids are doing well.

Unknown said...

Voir ces sourires est magnifique... La vie malgré tout... Life is strenghter (?) than death!

Dave Tira said...

Kez,
Soooo glad to see your still doing well. I've been praying for you. I'm the guy that put on your new toilet seat last year so you wouldn't fall off anymore! I found your little bro, Barnabas, on Facebook the day after the quake and he let me know you were ok. He's a good guy. Please keep yourself safe while your helping the people and give the kids a hug from the white guy with all the hair!
God bless and take care,
Dave fallingpines59@verizon.net

Aude said...

Thanks for this pics, Keziah! Thanks very much. Take care
Aude