Summer School!

I don’t know it if is technically summer, but that is what we are going to call it. All of our girls, old and young (nine older girls aged 10-21, and five little children), have been participating in daily classes and activities (even kindergarten). Monday to Friday is packed with English, Math, Geography, Drama, Religion, Communications and Reading (Kelly, Casey, Lisa, Princess, and I are teaching the older girls). Wednesday is the “fun-day” for swimming at the pool and other trips.

The girls have been doing their activities extra well and fast in order to get done in time for class. They seem to be eager to learn, and especially like this year’s set up as opposed to last year. Thanks to Priscilla and Bianca, the younger kids are getting morning and afternoon classes –one class is working on English, the other in Spanish. The girls seem to especially adore the fact that there is no out-of-class homework. Everything is fit into the day –giving them plenty of free time for their chores, activities, and of course, soccer. Our goal is to help them further their education and create a drive within themselves to want and achieve more. This seems to be working for now, and we hope and pray that it develops into a life-long goal for each girl. Keep this program in your prayers!

Here are some of the girls studying geography.

Here they are doing some communication/reading.

Church Graduation

Today when we arrived at church, we found out that it was graduation. We had two of our girls, Vanessa and Ana Victoria, along with one of our neighbor kids that we bring to church, graduate. It is very exciting to see them participating in church. Congratulations guys!

Vanessa (Violet shirt), Ana Victoria (Blue dress) and John (awesome neighbor kid).

New Fort, Long Story

A few Sabbaths ago, I was returning something to a neighbor prior to heading to church. A gentleman came up and asked if he could cut down all the palm branches on the property next door. I told him no (four times in fact –he was persistent) due to the fact that it was not our property, but Paul’s. Later, upon leaving for church, I noticed this man up inside the tree with every single branch cut off but one. Grrr… After talking to him for quite a while, Kelly ended up taking all of the branches from the guy and putting them in our yard. There were a lot of branches, and everyone we offered them to did not want them. So, we, I mean Casey, decided to make a stylish fort for the kids. Alright, there you have it.

Here is what the tree should look like.

Here is what the tree does look like. Similar to a pineapple with one feather on top...

Here is the cool new fort with the branches from the tree.

Here the girls are playing with Mother Teresa.

Check out the beard

I think this is turning into more of a punishment for Kelly, but it is certainly a new look.

Update on Llerly

Thanks to you, the sponsors, Llerly is going to University. He is studying Psychology with the hope some day getting into Forensic Psychology. He has completed his first semester with outstanding grades; a “B” average. He did extremely well in Biology; he received a very high “A.” He is doing very well at school and is now getting ready to start his second semester. This last month, Llerly has been working out here with us at POPPYS House as our night watchman. Thank you so much for your continual support. You are making an incredible difference in his life and the life of his family.

Lisa is Pregnant!

Need we say more? Due date is somewhere around the end of July. Currently, they plan on staying to continue the work here at POPPYS House. Those interested in finding out more about Casey and Lisa, and perhaps offering supporting, considering their new circumstances, check out their website: www.caseyandlisa.com

Do you have a Tampon?

Is the title awkward enough? Well, the moment that question was asked was a little strange. Princess and I (Kelly) were being interviewed by an official who came by the house. At the end, we were to sign and leave our fingerprint on the document. Out of nowhere he asked us, “¿Tienen tampón?” which translates as the title. We laughed in a “did you seriously just ask that?” sort of way and I told him, “We have plenty of tampons. Why do you ask?” Apparently, a tampón is an inkpad to use for stamps or for fingerprints. Not exercising my self-control, I had to explain to the poor man why we were laughing hysterically. It was too funny to not share—with the man and with you all.