Haiti Bound!

I have waited for months to jump on a plane with the Freakshow and the team to Haiti.  We are taking hockey bags full of supplies.  We have running shoes for all the kids at the boys and girls home.  I am ready....and even hungry.  Stay tuned

Okay....so I was doing some checking.  There is some good stuff in the bags.  I am wondering though about the smell of bacon.  That was weird.

The Freakshow knows how to treat his teams.  They get gum...water bottle...tshirts...toonies for the luggage carts!  This guy is wild!

The smell of bacon had me looking for some grub.  No much room in my carryon but I had a bit of room.

Shopping at the Bazaar

We went to visit Aigoola and to see how her sewing business was going... It was not that long ago that Fred was telling me about visiting this special family in the orphanage... now they have there own home, they have animals and they even have there very own successful business.. they make mattresses and blankets, as well as custom sewing jobs... In fact while we were there , we got an order for 50 more mattresses and 50 blankets... There is going to be a conference in town, and there will be hundreds of people coming... They do not have enough beds for every one, so Aigoola will be making beds and blankets for them... then when the conference is over they are going to bring all the stuff to the Invalid home... I just love to see when so many people are able to blessed at the same time... So today we took Aigola to the Bazaar to get the material... not only did we get a better price then if we had gone to the capital city , but we now have a guaranteed price with "The Man" and Agoola is now one of those people that can just pick up a phone and "call The Man" and everything will be brought right to her house.... she will not have to buy so much stuff at a time, and she will not have to travel to the bazaar when she needs something... so cool.... But what was more cool was to get to ride on the great big truck.... Hehehehe.. reminds me of my days growing up, but then, the truck was full of Banana's....
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Finally able to post...

I was so excited, but I must have Banana's on the brain for some reason.  I was sure that John said that we were bringing 250 Bananas out to the invalid home for the men there... but I was so dissapointed when I saw it was apples... Fortunatly you could not tell by the men that we had not just brought them GOLD... it is so seldom that they get to have fresh fruit, so they were happy for anything... I asked why Banana's were not on the menu, he told me it was because they cost almost $1 each here , and that most people have never tasted a banana... what a shame...... So then the fight broke out... between me and John that is  ... apparently he does not appreciate being called a tight-wad ... Hum  who knew... the next thing I know, I am watching the festivities from the window sill.... next time I will keep my mouth shut.....
  

I have no stunt double!

Before I flew to Kyrgyzstan to be with the team here, I had some last minute photos to take in LaTinta and Senahu.  You should see the house that is being built for the young family there!  The blocks are almost done being laid.

 They need to get the blocks all in place because 19 blocks went missing the night before we arrived.  I was so angry when I heard that.  I wish I could have found the thieves...I would have laid the "Chiquita Choke Hold" on them!  The Freakshow told me to settle down but I was not impressed.
Anyways, the young family is pumped about their new home being down.  I dug up a pic of the old one.

As you can see...they are "pumped" for good reason!  Thanks to all that gave so that PI could bless this family with a new home.

I also had the fun of dropping by the school in Latinta.  I got to deliver some supplies to the teachers and that was great fun.  It was a special thrill for me to visit the PI sponsored kids in LaTinta.  It was way to cool to have my pic taken with them.  They are doing great in school and looked "bananariffic" in their uniforms.  Jocelyn was late getting to school so we got Vee to find to have her pic taken.

As you can see it was a wild couple days...then to the airport and off to join John in Kyrgyzstan.  He gave me a few hours to rest when I got here but I am busy, busy, busy again.  I will post again soon.

Arrived save in Kyrgyzstan

Hey Sam! It's Phil here, just calling to say we made it to Kyrgyzstan safe and sound! I am so tired, I had to get my new friend Beksultan to hold the phone up for me!

It was great to finally meet Bekah and Emma's Kyrgyz sister Altynai. Here she with some beautiful blankets from Aigulia.

It was a great day!

Here is the entire family, with the entire iam1ru crew.  What a joyous time this was.  This was a great trip with a great team.  I have included a few pics of the house below.  Enjoy!  To all those who gave so that this house could be built....Thanks!

Imagine living in a beaten down, nasty building with dirt floors...then moving into this!

This is the new bathroom for the family.

You see folks, whether it is in Guatemala, Haiti, Uzbekistan, Kenya, Philippines, Ukraine or Kyrgyzstan at PI we are all about restoring dignity.  I cannot wait to read reports of happenings in Kyrgyzstan once John Wright gets there in just a few days.  It has been a busy March for PI....I love it!  I have loaded a few more pics on the website.  You can view them by clicking the outhouse pic above.

Hot Stuff!

It was a quick pose as my hiney was a bit warm!  Yes!  That is molten lava there behind me.  I have been called "hot stuff" many times before by young ladies but today....I was totally "hot"!  That was one crazy morning.  Fifty five minutes on horseback up the mountain...then a 45 minute walk up the lava field.  The Freakshow's shoes were melting...I could smell the rubber burning.  The work is done....we had a great day today and tomorrow we head to Pana for a bit more R&R.  Stay tuned for more stories.  I gotta go look for some Aloe Vera to rub on my rear....I have a bit of a burn!