Party and a Goat

Hanging out at the Palace Christmas party

Yesterday 25 of the older kiddos went to a huge party at the Palace to celebrate Christmas. When I told the older kiddos about it, I let them choose the younger kiddos who would go along.  They really struggled because they wanted to include everyone, but most of them chose their sibling, and if their sibling was too young, they chose a friend's sibling.  It was really sweet.
 I was super bummed to not get to go with them, and they were sad that I couldn't come.  But they had a great day, and came home with some cool gifts.  No one got to shake the President's hand, but they did load up on tons of junk food: popcorn, snow cones, sweet bread, something I don't remember the name of, and a few other treats.
They dance with President Martelly (he remained fully clothed thankfully) and came home exhausted but happy.
Then today we got a goat.  A real live goat.  Lovencia ran into the office a little after ten this morning and said I had to come right now, she needed to show me something.  She looked so excited, and when I got to the door, the rest of the kiddos were waiting for me.  I never really know if I'm about to see something cool or have something totally uncool done to me.  But I went.  And there was a goat.  Standing in the weeds, tied to the wall.  The kiddos were perplexed.  How did it get here?  Who is it for?  I asked them what its name is, and they said 'kabrit' (goat) and I said, 'Yeah, but what's his real name?' to which Wilson replied, 'Joe!'

Our newest addition to the family

And so Joe the Goat it is.  Someone asked what that big thing is between its legs.  Um, that would be the thing that makes it a boy goat.  Some of the kids wanted to throw things at it, a common reaction to animals here.  But I explained that God made the goat, and our job is to take care of it.  The next thing I knew, the kids were building it a house (so it would have a place to sleep, out of the sun) and filling part of it with grass and leaves (in case he gets hungry while he's laying down).  They couldn't find any nails to finish the house, so it's completion is on hold at the moment.  They took it back down so it wouldn't accidentally fall on the goat.  Then Florentina brought it some water, and wanted to come back with some juice.  I told her I think he prefers water.  Wilson proclaimed Joe's belly as full, and that's why he was laying down taking a nap.  I had to agree, and take his picture.

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