Week 4

 Here is a walk through of the first floor. Things seem to 

be coming together really quickly, and for this we

Praise Jesus!

Construction week 2-3

Last week blocks were laid to build up the floor

  The plumber and electrician laid out the pipes for 

    the first floor.

                                            and the form boards were added so the first floor

                                              could be poured. 

                                            Monday they were able to get the first floor poured

                                              Tues & Wed. this week they started to block up

                                                the 1st floor walls.

                                             Both this week and last were "short" weeks. Last week

                                              was a 4 day work week (because of covid lockdown)

                                              and this week was only a 3 day work week (because of

                                             the Holiday weekend and covid lockdown). Next week

                                              is hopefully the last "short" week we have because of

                                               the lockdown. They are working so hard and I am beyond

                                               grateful for the progress that has been made.
 

En Gedi's Addition

Last year we started making some updates on En Gedi.

We started the addition, but sadly the contractor we

hired didn't work out, and so in January of this year

we once again started getting bids from companies and 

were able to continue with the construction.

When we first built En Gedi we painted the house

an off white, and I loved all the light it reflected

in the house. What I didn't think about was the effect

the combination of puppies, children, and Jamaican

dirt would have on the off white paint. Our house

constantly looked dirty (was covered in dirt) and

it didn't wash off easily.

With the construction being started up again the original

En Gedi was given a new (dirt hiding) paint color that

will now match the color of the addition.

            The first week back on the project, the footers were dug, 
         (through almost solid rock),  and you can see the layout

  of the first floor.

      The steel was added and concrete footers poured so

 Monday they could start laying the block.

So thankful to have this started, and hopefully soon

finished.:) 

 

Quarantine Continued

... Because here in Jamaica we are on a more strict lockdown then

we at this time last year. NOT FUN after a year of rules and restrictions

that are constantly changing.

Last year November we welcomed Miss P

to En Gedi. She came in very malnurished,

and with a lot of health unknowns. After a few

weeks of lots of feedings (she had to learn to take

a bottle and that took a week for her to learn)

we were able to get her fattened up, and on a 

good schedule. She left us at 8 months old but 

developmentally she was just hitting 3 mos 

milestones. She was with us about 3 months before

 she was moved to a long term foster 

family where she is now thriving!

Thank You Jesus!

Another Praise!...

Miss A who was with us for about 2 years

was able to go home to her father, and

grandma in Nov. as well. She was a hard

goodbye, but we are so thankful she had

family fighting for her and that she is doing

well with them.

Things have been slow and kids haven't been moving much

the past year with Covid. We have gotten a lot of calls for support bags for

kids( who have been removed, have someone to care for them, 

they just need a little help covering basic needs.) Because of 

all our Harvest Call Donations we sent out 10-15 support bags in the

last year.

Thanks for all your prayers and support.

Quarantine

We have been spending just about all our time all together 

during this time of quarantine, and we walk a fine line 

in doing that.

 The babies love having Neiah around all the time.

She.... needs time away from the babies some times.

Mommy does too.

 We have been doing a "home church" here weekly with the other

local missionaries taking turns sharing services online.

 This girl had a rough week a few weeks ago.

The Dr. ordered some blood work done to make sure 

her body is absorbing the proper nutrients since she

is still so small. That testing revealed that she had

Dengue Fever (or a flare up of an old case). She was

non systematic but it threw off her blood work (her levels 

got dangerously low). We didn't figure out anything

in relation to her size, but we are 

Thankful she has bounced back and acting "normal"

again.

 This girl had her 1st Birthday in May.

She is a Mamma's girl, smart, sassy, and lets

her opinion be known.

 We have been blessed to celebrate 1 year Anniversaries,

with both our Aunties during this quarantine time.

We are truly blessed by the ladies God has provided 

to run along side us and help us take care of the babies.

"Support bags" is something we have been able to 

do more during this time as well. We are getting

more calls to simply help cover basic needs of children

who have been removed from their families. They have a

place to go, they just need the basic things (clothes, food,

personal hygiene items) during this time of transition.

These bags just went out today. Please be prayerful for

the two little girls that will be transitioning to a new normal

today. That they can feel safe and loved.

Thanks for all your prayers and support.

Blessings

February- April Catch Up.

We were gifted with these awesome (huge)

sleep sacks for the girls and they LOVE them.

Miss A loves her baby, and her horse.

Happy Palm Sunday!

Keeping the girls separated as sick germs went through the house. 

 This lady was pulling herself up at 5-6 months,

at 8 mos was taking steps, and at 9 months walking

around. She is always hitting milestones way beyond

her age, and acting far older then her 11 months today.

These two love playing together, and snuggling.

Miss A is constantly coming to hug or kiss Miss D.

and when she is getting tired or just needs to stop, Miss D

will go lay her head on Miss A's lap. :)

Happy Easter Sunday!

We, like most, are not able to be out and about, no school, no church,

but we were thankful we could invite a few people over for Easter 

brunch and fellowship this past weekend.

Things have changed for us, like most of you, during this Covid time.

but its not been a big change. Our lives are simple, and we like it that way.

Thankful for this time together, and that so far we are all still happy and healthy.

Visitors

It started last weekend when we were blessed by a 

visit from the Harvest Call Awareness group, and continued

most of the week with hosting, or having visitors stop

by each day to spend some time with us.

Neiah, the babies and I were excited to have Uncle Alan

and Aunt Joanne stay with us for a few days this week too.

 I think the majority of Aunt Joanne's time here was spent on the 

floor, as the babies crawled all over her like a jungle gym. Or as

she crawled around the floor chasing them on her knees:)

Uncle Alan was at meetings most of the day, but Miss D

was able to help him do some online shopping at night:)

So thankful for their love and support. And the beautiful

way they love on our babies!