HAPPY EASTER, EVERYONE!                                                                                         

            February 29 was the last day of school for this scholastic year for the children going to Rosario Catholic school. Those going to school in town finished March 7. The small runts get to celebrate by going to the mall. On Saturday, March 1, we also had 16 kids graduate from kindergarten; 12 from 6 th grade, and 4 from junior high school. We also have 4 graduating from vocational school, and going on for degrees in engineering and electronics. It was all very emotional, especially as the children saw their friends celebrating with their parents, relatives, and friends. They all were crying, wishing their mothers were alive to witness their graduation. One by one, they all hugged and cried, and gave flowers from their bouquets to either me or a house mom.

            The kids at Sarnelli House are doing relatively well. When "Bai Dtuie", aka. The Baby Buffalo first came; she was terrified of every one, confused and very sick from AIDS. Now, the fat little toad just about runs the place. Everyone is at her beck and command.  Boy III, who came with Mr. Kate (Johnny Cash once recorded a song about a "Boy Named Sue") has improved dramatically. He still is a foul mouthed little pup, but I told the staff that when he is polite, give him what he wants and help him. If he uses bad language, let him sit and stew ( This did not work with me, but Ma slamming me on a chair and cramming a bar of Ivory soap into my mouth did the trick….for a while, anyway).       At the House of Hope, Josie is better but eats less and less, as her ability to swallow diminishes. The baby Hippo is looking a bit more comely, but she has a hell of a distance to go. She now looks like Winston Churchill, sans the cigar. Nin Nate and Nancy are beautiful and vivacious, while Mr. Chatchai is going to be the house sissy. The house moms even have his hair in bangs. Bunny is going to be a rock climber when she gets bigger. She climbs and climbs, and has not fallen yet, to my knowledge. She has hands like a blacksmith.

            Lyn is improving slowly, but I wonder if we will ever be able to have her attend school regularly. She just returned home from another stay in the hospital. It has been determined, thank God, that she does not suffer from epilepsy. It is probably bacteria in the brain and spinal column. We hope the doctors at the University hospital can come up with an answer. Joy, our latest girl, is putting on some weight but her skin condition, albeit improving, is still quite serious. She wants to start school in May, but she needs strength and that skin condition cleared up.

            We are all looking forward to the advent of Father Chuck Beierwaltes, sometime after Easter. Chuck and the hot season will appear at the same time! We were hoping that Fr. Dave Polek, another fund raiser for the children, could come. But he missed some steps in the dark, while preaching a mission, broke a bone in his leg, and now wears a boot, and also answers to the name "Pegleg Polek". Kate Introna, who was our nurse years ago and just came out of Aceh province in Indonesia, will join us to help nurse the sick and help with the sponsorship program. We sorely need a bi-lingual person on that staff.

            I hope this letter finds you all well, and may you receive the Easter blessings, and goodies distributed by the Easter Bunny. God bless you! We pray for you every evening at night prayers.

Fr. Mike

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