Thank you to all of you who have been keeping up with our blog. Thank you for your supports and feedback; big thanks to mama Elizabeth, papa Douglas, mama Shannin, mama Barbara and Papa Paul and all their surrounding for their uplifting feedback and comments.
I got back to Lakeland/Florida yesterday evening; a long flight, 4 stops and lots of eating.
I am now busy trying to find some sleep and catch up with everything here. I am so grateful I did not fall sick, not even a feeling. I am yet to know if it will be the same now that I am back in US; so good to be back and feel clean and smooth of course. I must have lost some significant weight; I am feeling quite light, somehow empty and divided. This is part of the transition and I miss the kids and the entire Community of the orphanage. I managed to say bye without a lot of crying, but there were a lot of sadness on our faces.
My last days at the orphanage and my first day in US, a real marathon!
Towards the end of my days down there, instead of slowing down, I really worked myself to the bone. I managed to accomplish quite a lot and left a lot of unfinished projects (as usual).
I went to visit the piece of land we bought last year and talk to the chief. I then spent the rest of my time giving out presents, gifts and few special things from the container and from what I brought. Few meetings had to take place; had a meeting with girls only and it was fun; a learning time for me. Trying to invite them to serious moral responsibilities and getting them to watch over each other as sisters. I had two of their supervisors and they really helped me communicate with them and keep them under control. I promised to talk to the boys too, but could not make it. I arranged with the director to do it on my behalf.
Shopping for free was a great time for them and a headache for me. They got some new clothes, tooth brushes and pastes from Dr. Tom Fillner and her wife Lissa in Lakeland. Some school uniforms from our Parish school in Lakeland and gifts from friends and adoptive parents. Prayers cards from St. Charles Borromeo Cath. school in Orlando were well received and we prayed for all the intentions.
We've got a nurse and our small medical clinic is born and growing. However, we will really appreciate a dentist visit, even just for a week.
Again, thank you to all of you, our beloved family members and friends of Mercy for Children. We look forward to hearing from you and having you join us for the next mission trip. Keep us in your prayers and best wishes.
Parish work has been piling up at my door and I am already on it.
Great time spent, extremely fulfilling; good to be back here for my parish life and fellowship with all of you.
Blessings from above! See you around!
Fr. Gabe

stepped on a VIPER and killed it!

Three major reasons why we don't blog daily: frequent power cut, no connection and our very busy schedule.

Two more days left, we are really racing against time and we hope your prayers and best wishes are now tuning Fr. Gabe's trip back to US this Sunday.

If we can try to give the week's stuff all together, we will start with the viper (snake); one of our boys stepped on a big viper while playing with fellow kids in fron of their dormitory in the dark. He almost fell, but was not bitten. He then tried to find out what it was and saw something moving. Would you believe, these young fellows went after the viper and killed it: Heroes indeed!

Do not worry about the snake, again we could not reach Animal control. We are now busy with school, enjoying some nice desks. After we brought some school desks and beds on Friday, we went on organizing classrooms and dormitories. There is a lot of joy around here because of new extra beds and new desks. We are still working hard on few things.

The weekend went very well; we had our prayer service on campus and were able to enjoy most of the afternoon.

More will be posted tomorrow!

My days are numbered; speeding up!

Fr. Gabe wanted to make use of the vehicle today in terms transporting few boxes and other items from the container pile. He managed to load one medical examination bed and a water container of 500Lt. we bought yesterday.
When we got to the orphanage, we were told that two sisters, 7 and 10 were dropped by a stranger and advised to come to us; Miriam and Wivine are their names. They looked exhausted, hungry and really lost. We took them in first thing, a bath and meal. So far we have only heard from them. Looks like their step mother abandoned them recently after their mother and father passed away few years ago. They were left to fend for themselves and had to turn to the streets. A good Samaritan directed them to us after they have been going round and round. Miriam and Wivine were most likely going to be abused, accused of witchcraft and eventually crashed down as children. We rescued one girl few months ago after she was dumped by a relative. I will not mention the name of this one, a 10 year old girl. She went to a police station to ask for help and she was raped by two police officers. She is still being treated for related infections and trauma. Our hearts go out to these innocent girls and boys. Overwhelming, painful, we have to say no to some cases and we keep receiving alarming requests.
Fr. Gabe was also able to complete his engineering project for drinking water and some more water tanks.Talk to you soon again! Blessings!

We also spent a very busy day transporting desks and beds from the bridge to the orphanage since the bridge is stiiiiilllll under construction.

Let us hear from you too! Blessings!

Weekend a la Une! (Sorry, we are quite behind; frequent no power and no connection is back!!!)
“My sacrifice and pain, their joy!” It was a really busy and fun-filled weekend. We started Friday afternoon; got a vehicle and drove down with some boxes from the container stock. A quick meeting with parents and legal guardians, a meeting with the four teachers for the school year, starting Monday. Both meetings went very well; we officially put in place the 4th grade, agreed on who uses what classroom in the old building we are using so far as school only building, brought in a fellow who knows some English as English teacher for the kids and staff who are willing to learn; it is fun learning English here, lots of enthusiasm. We need sponsors for our English program. We also discussed on furnishing the classroom much better, creating a strong team spirit between the teachers and the orphanage staff, bringing in some few kids from the village to be part of our school without school fee. We are still trying our dream of free primary education under MFC hospices; counting on you!
Saturday morning, Fr. Gabe went for a rental mini-bus from the passionist missionaries and drove back with some more boxes from the container, mainly school and medical supplies. Then, made three trips to drop the kids, some staff and lunch buckets for the picnic. We took the kids to a nearby place with games and rides, you will not believe it! From 2:00 Pm to 7:00Pm, they were there playing and just having fun, very fist time. Fr. Gabe was extremely tired, but very happy for them. A small Disney world, nobody wanted to eat, nobody wanted to go home before the place was closed. Never seen them so happy! We paid quite a lot of money, sorry guys! We got a big discount and were given some special privilege as an orphanage. We paid $220 instead of $300 for all of us. A fellow from Lebanon just started this new place for kids and families few months ago, and he was nice to us. Bed time was quick because we were all tired.
We got in trouble by the way; Fr. Gabe got stopped by the traffic police and a big argument took place after driving half a mile with the two officers in the mini-bus. They wanted some money for no reason since this seems to be the way they make a living here. Traffic officers here are really a pain in the neck, and they are no longer ashamed to collect bribes from drivers, regardless of the reason they stop you for. This took place before getting the kids in. We sent them away with Fr. Gabe’s local license and drove off since we were running late. We went back the following day and met the chief who asked us to return the day after since he could not locate the nasty officers.
Sunday was Church service, few meetings with different groups and school supplies distribution; what a shopping day for free! Can’t satisfy everybody, but we managed to get basic school supplies to all and make some promises to those who wanted this or that because of this or that, not knowing exactly why they wanted more and more; some thoughts they were toys. We got some school supplies also from Unicef and were very grateful. 4th grade guys really felt nice about themselves since we gave them more than anybody else. 3rd and 2nd grade were kind of jealous towards 4th. 1st grade wanted more, but most of them did not know why they wanted more.
Fr. Gabe had to leave and go back to the main city for two meetings and a funeral; her sister Valerie lost a brother-in-law, a younger brother to her husband. Liver cancer and within a month he was gone; your prayers, please!
Monday was another busy day; school kicked off indeed! We also worked on our small medical room or dispensary. We are definitely proud of ourselves and extremely grateful to all of you. We got quite a lot from the container and our small dispensary or nurse station/room looks nice; we put in place few items and still working on. Will send you more pictures as soon as we get it done fully.
We also stopped by a neighbor’s house; she just gave birth to a baby girl, premature and under very poor and critical conditions. The mother and the baby seem to be doing fine, but without any medical attention or follow up. This girl was born 7months instead of nine and is only being covered with blankets and some sheets in small dark and dirt hut. We begged our nurse to start checking on the baby and the mother regularly. This is an unwanted pregnancy and the mother almost went for an abortion. The baby’s father seems to be showing signs of abandoning them; your prayers, please!
Blessings! Now, let us know how you are doing after you read this, okay?!

A Long Weekend for me

Hello guys!

I hope you are keeping up well with the blog and being very patient wit me since I don't blog every day. Where are you comments/feedback? Big thanks to mama Elizabeth, mama Barbara and the other moms who posted their comments and sweet wishes for the kids and myself.

Things are going on as usual, with all the ups and downs. Amazing, I am staying strong, not getting sick,upbeat! Maybe when I get back... I get tired, exhausted a lot, but quickly recover and ready to run.

Yesterday was an interesting day on the road; in a 5 seat car, taxi drivers here manage to get two more people: four in the back and two for the front seat. I found myself in the middle of three ladies of quite significant body authority (translating from my local language; I am not comfortable with the English way in Enlgish!!!). I really looked tinny in the middle of these three ladies and had to really sacrifice lots of my space for them. I got quite intimidated and humbled, and kept quiet all the way; I missed my camera for such!

Before getting into the taxi for the second part of my trip to the orphanage, I wanted so bad to go for a short call; no public toilets here in Congo; mother nature pays a heavy price, we all pay. I had to try my luck; went to a small residential plot near the main road and asked if I could. I was asked to pay 100 Congo Frank. I begged and was shown a real "Good Lord" WC. Coming out, I had the money ready for the toilet toll. I even had to look for the gentleman. When I saw him, I looked at him right in the eyes and said Thank you so very much. He just said "de rien"(not at all/no problem) and went on doing what he was doing. I left with my little money and really felt like a double win/bingo. God bless him!

Don't worry! when you guys come, will make sure you have access to toilets and rest areas. If you choose so, we can elect portable toilets in the vehicles or get you to wear dippers; what do you think?

Betty is doing fine and you can see she is being carried by one of our new staff (Laurette); Laurette is one of our youngest staff members with a BA in Social work.

We're still wrestling with chicken pox and staying on top of the game.

My first engineering products: you can see in the picture, I designed a round table with local bamboos outside for the kids to have some of their meals right there, near the kicken. They are having breakfast or brunch, mixed rice donated by Feed my Starving Children (came in the container). I also designed that white water container for drinking water; I mean we bought the container and I asked a local plomber to insert a tab (??). Kids were so excited, happy. We launched the two products yesterday. I plan to get two more for drinking water and they can drink any time.

Water problem has been solved practically, we plan to buy an extra water thank or reservoir next week.

Tomorrow, I will be there for a staff meeting and working on some container items, especially medical and school supplies. I am plannng to be there with them from tomorrow to Sunday; there is a play they have put together for me and they can't wait anymore ; will let you know.

Will also be working on desks, some extra beds and a meeting with teachers;

I AM VERY BUSY!

Keep us in your toughts and prayers! Talk to you soon again!

BLESSINGS AND BEST WISHES! To ko zonga.....!

I did promised to get back to you after the weekend. Thank God, I still have great access to internet. Though unpredictable, we've had connection here almost every day or every other day.

We had a great weekend; watched a movie and more pictures, few singing with drums.

Sunday morning, I was up at 6:00AM and tried to help get everybody ready for the day: a morning prayer service at 9:00AM, some little shopping and few meetings. I really put them under pressure with my American notion of time. By the way, when I am in US, I am often African with time. When I am in Africa, I really struggle to be African because I try to stick to the American way (hit and run, drive tru, etc.).

Anyway, I managed to get all the kids and few staff to the Church we had planned to attend. I had to make two trips within a distance of 10 miles one way. The older kids had to curry the younger ones on their laps for more room; this helped us make two trips instead of four.

When we got there, the first prayer service was still going on and we had to wait somewhere for 45 minutes. Instead of 9:00Am, we started our service 45 minutes after 9:00Am, African time!!

We had good time any way, and went back. We had to drive to the main city for fuel since we were running low. This was a big blessing to the kids; a long ride to the city, bingo! We drove and everybody was trying to look around and enjoy the buildings, people, the airport and others.

Four kids were asked to refrain from going to Church because they were sick. I tell you these little fellows were miserable and most of them cried. We thought we were done with chicken pox, but just got new cases. Three kids are sick since last Saturday and we are aggressively trying to go ahead of this px with antibiotics.

Betty is the young and bright face you see here in the picture; she came back to us after spending few months of intensive care at a local hospital by nuns. She was having tuberculosis and was extremely malnurished. She is looking so much better than before, but still battling Tuberculosis with a long term treatment and it is working well so far. Sunday, she got quite sick and was throwing up a lot. She wanted so bad to be held (she is so much in need of affection); lost her mother when she was still a baby. She was given some special attention, was fed, held and talked to. She asked me to pray for her and I did right there with some other kids who joined me. Within few hours, betty's fever was gone and she was doing better. Betty is one of the fascinating stories we have around here. She is cute, funny and can get away very well with her techniques for affection; needs a mother's warmth a lot.

We had some games, boys dressed up like soldiers or police and I had to stay away from being an army commander or chief of police. Enjoy the blog and let us know how you all are doing and what we can do for you in this end.

We are still working very hard on water problem, 4th grade, desks and nurse office/station. Will be sorting out some few items from the container stock tomorrow.

Keep the prayers and best wishes going up for us here! TO KO ZONGA....find out what it means or ask Paul and Doug!

Well, the weekend is here and everybody looks forward to some fun time; we are under pressure because we made some big promise: spend the weekend with them for another great movie time. Fr. Gabe completely forgot to bring some nice kids movies. Tomorrow... no idea!!!! Praying... you guys can't overnight we guess... will let you know.

Taking you back few days ago is not too bad; Fr. Gabe has really been trying to work on some special projects and organizing meetings and spending time with the kids. Many people around know by now that he is in town. Now and then, he tries to walk by very fast, ignoring or hiding from the onlooking neighbors; somebody will shout: Father, is that you? We know you are around; come say at least hello to us. They say it in local language, very respectful, loving and... Apology and amendments are the way to go. One of our strategic plans for a safer neighborhood is to try and develop some friendship with our neighbors. Most of our employees and volunteers come from around. You will not believe it, some of them are seriously learning English from a local teacher after we encouraged all to consider English as a fourth, fifth or even sixth or senven language, especially all those working with us.

Two days ago, Fr. Gabe was moved by a grandma, probably in her seventies. She asked him to stop by as he was galloping his way to the orphanage. She was begging, she had not eating since morning and it was around 3:00Pm. After a quick investigation she sounded genuine, really struggling. She emotionally begged and lamented saying that she was not a "thief" and knew Fr. Gabe was a man of God. She was given something like 3 dollars, sending Fr. Gabe forth with lots of blessings. It is very painful to see how many like this old woman and many kids are left to fend for themselves. Fr. Gabe was moved with pity and sadness. How long is this gona last? In Congo, 7 to 8 children and adults are either malnurished or severely undernurished.

Yesterday, the taxi-bus fr. Gabe boarded was stopped by the traffic police and a fight broke between the two police officers and the driver and his assitant. They all fought for two things: the control of the vehicle and the driver's license; it was scary! Fr. Gabe and some passengers tried to intervene, but no way! all had to leave the vehicle and its owners at mercy of the police officers who definitely wanted a bribe they are acustomed to. Fr. Gabe shook his head and exhorted the officers to some honest and kind way of dealing with the driver and his team. The next vehicle Fr. Gabe boarded, one passenger came out of it with a bleeding finger; he had cut himself inside the vehicle. Most of these public transport vehicles are survivors of many accidents and cosmetic makeover that they have sharp metals around waiting to cut skins or tear clothes.

It is another world when you are out there and it is another when you get to the orphanage; find peace and joy, I don't know about quiet! Those little guys are naturally and supernaturally noisy mos the time.

This should be enough for today. I plan to bring you some personal stories of the kids; quite fascinating stories of surval. Stay with us, stay tuned...

Please, wish us a nice, fun-filled weekend! Same to you!

Greetings from Congo!
Fr. Gabe is doing fine and staying very busy, stressed up, frustrated now and then; public transportation is a headache and big risk; being pushed and kicked while trying to board a bus or a taxi, time consuming, a lot of fume and dust in the air; but also joyful and fulfilled especially when he says his prayers and stays focused, when he thinks of the children and you. Two reasons he gives: very tough living conditions here and trying to achieve a lot within this few days. However, do not worry about him; just pray and stay tuned. And it will not be the case when you come for a visit because we will have a vehicle for transportation and you’ll spend most of your time away from fume and dust; nobody will push or kick you unless you elect to go for an experience among the common people, the poor who wrestle every single day for a living; Fr. Gabe has a strong devotion for the poor and can handle it just like one of them. One of his favorite Scripture passage is Phil. 4:11-13.

Able to go online, thank God! It also works as stress release tool. Chicken pox got the best among the kids and most of them have recovered from; our nurse is a hero; just with very basic means, she got all of them out of it; some of the drugs are those we brought last year. You heard the stories of two older kids who got sick because they courageously offered to watch over those who were sick and in isolation; they attended to their needs and everybody here was moved by the heroic love these two showed to their younger brothers and sisters.
Fr. Gabe’s presence is a joy here; knowing that you are there for them is even more joy and hope. Holding lots of meetings for evaluation, training and building them all into one family, children and staff. Biggest needs and tasks: the school/4th grade/more desks, expansion of the water thank, more beds and basic furniture, a playground, nurse station/dispensary, and more. We are working on, but funds might not be enough since we have to always make sure there is something for food and medical needs.
We definitely need some big money to get to the next level, especially with school, water, furniture, medical clinic or at least the dispensary; trusting in the Good Lord we all love and serve.

You will not believe it, Fr. Gabe projected last year pictures and pictures of friends like you, pictures of USA; it was a joy, a celebration and a great movie time. They were screaming and naming all those who visited last year, blowing kisses (Congo way); we had tears in our eyes; a laptop and a projector, a real movie theater, never seen before!

Since Fr. Gabe got here a week ago, he has ran into some exciting stories to tell; warmly welcome by the kids and the entire Community; songs and drums were so beautiful. They love to sing and we hope to teach them two English songs this coming week.
The next day after first visit, a very long staff meeting and evening meal got delayed. A boy softly let us know that he felt like eating the house roof. Fr. Gabe felt so guilty that he went to the kitchen for quick serving. By the way, they often have two meals a day; now and then we try three meals, but the budget is not strong enough for three meals.
Available clean water is our daily worry until fixed; not enough! Fr. Gabe went shopping last Saturday; bought a cassette/CD player, two big water containers and one drinking water “reservoir” he plans to re-engineer for quick access to drinking water; wait and see his engineering skills; also bought some door locks. It is really “fun” shopping here; come and find out!
Last Sunday, we had a very nice prayer service. Before that, Fr. Gabe took around 15 kids for a ride as he was looking for some prayer materials for the day. It was jubilation for those who were selected and real mourning for those who were not; you know, they don’t go out that much and always long for a chance to see “outside”; we can’t afford frequent outings/field trips; we are trying to work on this and actually trying to come up with a program that will help us sponsor activities like outings, field trips, picnics, weekends at families.
After prayer, we had a meeting with some parents and legal guardians who were invited; all of them were either grandmas or mothers. We had a nice meeting and they left after visiting with the kids. Some kids of course have nobody at all to come for them; we try our best to keep them less troubled.

My family is doing fine and sending warm greetings. Keep us all in your prayers!
Let me keep something for tomorrow or the next days. Stay with us for more…

Yes and thanks to Paul Pickle, we are back blogging! This time is Fr. Gabriel alone; he left USA Monday early in the morning for the orphanage mission in Congo. He made it very safely and is already on the run with visits and meetings.
We are a little bit behind at this point and promise to catch up on this lone ranger mission trip.
One thing we want to quickly share with you and ask for your thoughts and prayers is the health of our orphans; around 6 of them are having chicken pox; we are monitoring the situation very closely and fighting back with antibiotics. Fr. Gabriel is prepared ot be next; possible!
60 kids all together, not easy to control this situation without it going from one kid to another.

UUh! The weather is not too bad compare to last year, and lest dust.
Fr. Gabriel lost his nice camera, forgot it in Ethiopian flight from Rome to Addis Abbba; will try with some very little cameras.
We killed quite a big snake today near the kids dormitory as it was trying to go across the land. Want a picture of it? Tomorrow! Animal control could not be reached and they have never been reached by the way....
To ko zonga lobi!