A tale of Tad

The Hamtons have left us...for a year, that is. A whole, LOOONG, year. We miss them already and its only been a couple of weeks.
We had a sort of goodbye breakfast for them a couple of fridays ago. Jane was there representing the family, as Tad was out and about wrapping up last minutes things.
There is a little story that I want to share concerning the Hamptons, particularly Tad. Its a heart warmer.
Patrice (you all know Patrice. Big, tall guy, yellow shirt). He's been a staple here at the Phare for around 5 years. He's a regular handyman. From installing toilets, to electrical work, Patrice does it all. One day, while fixing the lighting in our hallway, I asked him where he learned to do all this stuff. He told me that Tad taught him. Wow! Cool.
We found out a few months ago that Patrice was getting married. We asked him when and he told us the first wedding was going to be in June, the second in December. So, June rolled around and as expected Patrice and his fiancee (now wife) had their governmental wedding. This service actually makes them married in the eyes of the government. However, Patrice told Aaron he did not consider himself 'married' until his church wedding in December. So, I asked him "why did you guys arrange it this way? Why not have your church wedding this month as well?" Here's the heartwarmer: He explained that he had to have four witnesses in his wedding. To be asked to be one of his witnesses is a great honor. He said that after all that Tad has done for him, taught him, been to him, he wanted to bear witness to his friends and family how Tad had blessed his life. He said that he didn't have the means financially to give thanks to Tad, but he could show him by asking him to be in his wedding. Can I hear an "aaaaawwww".
You go, Tad! All the time and effort spent in building relationships truly is paying off.

Our Loss

It's been a tough week for all of us who live at the Phare. Our dear friend, and our beloved house helper, Augustine, passed away in a car accident last week. It was a week ago today we received the news that she and eight other people had lost their lives on their way to the southern region of Senegal. Augustine leaves behind seven children and a husband, and many heartbroken people that loved her.
It may surprise many to discover the history that this sweet woman has had with the Phare. Before coming to work for our family 8 months ago, she had already been a part of the Toombs family many years passed. In fact, she worked here, in the same house that we are in now, with Aaron's parents for 15 years. She was the person actually responsible for introducing Evette, her niece to the Phare. Evette has been the head house keeper for the BOH for several years. When we arrived in Senegal and Augustine came to work for us, it was as if she was taking back her rightful place as one who had been here long before the others. This was as much her home, we believe, as her very own house. She took great pride in the way the Phare looked as well as what it represented. She commented often on the new plants, the new buildings, the new court. Many times she recounted stories of the years passed at the BOH and marveled at the way it has evolved.
It gives us joy to think that the last 8 months of her life she worked in a place that she felt comfortable in, a place that she loved.
We loved her very much and miss her daily. Pray for her family. Her children were her focus in life. She worked hard for them, coming up with all sorts of ways to make a little extra on the side, insuring they would not miss out on the education that she did. Pray for her husband. He does not know the Lord. Pray for healing. There is a hole now that can't ever be filled by anyone else. Pray for peace and joy to return to this little property that claims to be The Beacon of Hope.