Spiritual first -material second.
It is hard to remember this when those we have come to love plead for food or money, the real need evident in their eyes and bodies. When I sat down to write today I realized that I rarely talk about the actual characters that touch us everyday in our little village.
Eddhy and his brother Eddhuis are identical twins, their names are a good example of Haitian humor and rhyme in the naming of children. They are around 10 years old and good natured. They are as comfortable playing with the younger children and carrying them around as they are with their peers. Often one or the other tag along with us and help out. Eddhy always asks for "zapatas" (shoes) he often tucks the request in quietly from time to time. Eddhuis was one of the first kids we took to Dr. Bob's. He had a fungal infection in his ears that covered his ears and neck with a white scale, (he seems to be all better now). They both have a sweet tooth for "choco's" (any candy) and often ask. (I rarely give out candy) The Eddhi's are son's of Chimona, the daughter of Batania, (We came to know Chimona while helping out Batania with hospital and clinic trips, Batania later died in "Hopital Ricardo Limardo" in Puerto Plata)
Chimona is 35, tall and thin, soft spoken and very serious but with an occasional glimmer of silliness. I still see a picture of her standing by her gate with a switch keeping the cows out of her yard. Nicodemus, the 21 year old son of Chimona is very serious and quiet, Sandy says he seems to always watch out for us when there are large groups around and when we do village food distribution he stands at the door and makes sure things go smoothly (our Guardian Angel). He is married to Junio and they have a young child. Junio is small of stature, very cute and seems like a child herself.
Chimona's family has just recently moved to a little house outside the village a little ways. We pass them now coming and going in the car (the Eddhi's run out to wave), but we still see them in the village.
This is one of the families that God has blessed us with coming to know.
Miguel first came to our attention 10 days ago when he brought us a written perscription for medical treatment that he could not afford. Very shyly he asked our help. We gave him a little help but after taking him to see Dr. Bob it was evident that he needed more than medical attention. I watched as he waited and could see a dark cloud above him. He passed us a note explaining that he was overdue in his rent as he could not work due to his illness. This is a hard thing in a village where so many need help.
We purchased food and water (doctors had recommended that he not drink the local water) and paid his rent for him We have watched him since then as he steadily regain his health and now he seems to have a new spirit of calm and wonderful shy smile.
There are other brothers and sisters we are getting to know, and we'll write more of them at a later time.
Last Sunday we had the great joy of sharing in the Lords Supper with the Church in Algodones. We all are truly of the same family. I thought of you all at Runnymede.
Thank you God.
God bless you, we think of you often.
Dave and Sandy
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