Operation Evaluate

Today was the day to evaluate all the children at the Havens to determine which therapy groups they would be placed. I was told today that there are 78 babies at the Havens currently. We were split up into groups to evaluate each Haven. I was sent to Haven 2 with all the toddlers, Kara was the supervisor. Kasey, Hayley, Kristen, Ashley, and I worked together, and told Kara what the children could do/ couldn't do. Working with the toddlers was fun. I think they are my favorite group. Only after a few days I know all 27 of the toddlers in Haven 2. Many of them I knew from last year, living in Haven 1 or 3. Many of them are some of my favorites from last year like, Curt, Seth, and Leah. Some other babies that I have worked with last year in this group are, Maureen, Memory, Quniton, Heath, Marcus, Mary, Robert, Twapegawa, Ruben, Matt, and Peace. So as you can see, its a big party at Haven 2.

Today I felt at home in Haven 2 and I worked with the children. Its so nice when you know their names and can speak enough Tonga to get them to do what you want. The aunties use both English and Tonga commands, but I have a feeling Tonga is used more often. The language phrases that I learned last year are coming back quickly, and Justin and Webster are adding to my vocabulary every night. I have also started asking the Aunties for Tonga words as well.

Once all the babies were evaluated at Haven 2, our group then moved to Haven 1. They were not quite finished evaluating all the babies in Haven 1 because they were  sleeping. I was immediately given Cathy, who is a sweet baby girl. She was nice and very content the entire time she was on my lap. She was on my lap the rest of the time until we left. Today was also the day that I changed my first diaper. Don't ask how I got away last year without changing a single one. : ) On Sunday Courtney and I double teamed an awful diaper. Today was my first time changing solo. I think it when pretty well. Cathy and I both made it threw without any tears. So that was good. After receiving some instruction from an Auntie I was good to go. Change success.

For lunch today we had enchiladas with rice and queso. The queso was so good. I put it all over my rice and enchiladas. After lunch I took a quick nap in the chair on the porch, and then we headed back to the Havens for the afternoon. I again spent all my time in Haven 2, working with the toddlers. I think I was able to interact with almost all the kids at some point. Curt and Seth were out of control the entire time, running around and laughing, along with Robert. I alot of time with Marcus, and Heath. Marcus is currently getting over and illness, so he wasn't feeling well. So keep him in your prayers. Also be praying for Heath. He is healthy, but just not as interactive as we would like him to be. He just sits and stares. Last year he was the smiliest baby, but this year he is the opposite. I hope that therapy will help him.

For dinner tonight we had grilled cheese sandwiches and banana cake! The banana cake was so good, I had two pieces. And Chelsea did eat the frosting on her two pieces, so I ate that as well. It was really good. I really like banana cake.

After dinner the whole group met up to discuss therapy groups. Tomorrow I will be working in Carla's group. We will be doing mostly feeding therapy in Haven 3. Once some other students get here, I will them be a floater, and jump from group to group depending on who needs assistance. Since I am not receiving therapy hours for this trip, I don't need to be assigned a certain group. I'm looking forward to this, I think it means that I maybe able to spend one on one time with some of the babies that need extra therapy. I hope that this goes well.

Once the meeting was finished, many went to bed early, but a good size group of us stayed out on the porch and talked with Webster and Justin. Webster is convinced that if he came to the USA he would die in the snow, because its too cold. He is amazed that we survive in the cold weather. It is so entertaining to listing to him talk. He also showed us his catapult (sling shot) and how to use it. Eventually we all drifted off to bed.

Continue to pray for the groups health as we continue to work hard here, and please be praying for the health of the babies as well. We also have two more students arriving here tomorrow sometime, so be praying for safe travel for them as well.

Thank you for all your prayers and support!

Ben