Playing in the Great Outdoors

Our kids got plenty of fresh air while we were in Haiti.  Every time we turned around, the kids were outside, exploring, playing or trying to communicate with their new friends.

Mosquito bites on the Drama Queen's legs.  At one point, she counted 50 bites on one leg!  But, thank God, no malaria problems!

This rope swing outside the Bundys' house got a lot of use.  Here, Dats and Ida play on the swing with Woud, the son of Dr. Rodni.  Woud is six years old and quite a character.  In the days since we returned to Indiana, my kids often have said they miss Woud.

Woud, the wild man, is ready to do battle.  Later in the week, he managed to kick Ida in the face while doing battle on this swing and left a large mark on Ida's lip.

I told Woud I wanted a picture and this was his pose.  He has been working on his English and is pretty good...  I could tell because after I took this picture, I said, "Why so serious, Woud?" and then he gave me the following expression ...



The Princess and Woud also did battle at times.  One day The Princess came into the house crying and covered in dirt from head to toe - she had gotten into a fight with Woud over a stick ... and lost.



I know this isn't the "great outdoors", but I include it here because when our kids weren't playing outside, it seemed like they were browsing around the gift shop that Jane stocks with local crafts.  The kids spent literally hours in this little square room, trying to pick out the perfect gifts for friends and relatives back home and souvenirs for themselves.  This got started one day when Jane employed The Drama Queen in cleaning and reorganizing and restocking the gift shop.  DQ LOVED it and worked hard.  She's excited because Jane said that this could perhaps be DQ's ongoing ministry once we move to Haiti.