With his country both recovering from and preparing for a seemingly endless series of hurricanes this season, Haiti's president René Préval made a phone call to the leader of the Haiti Boys Choir. He told them not to cancel their planned trip to Atlanta, that the goodwill and national pride the boys create by performing overseas is just as important to their country as the relief efforts pouring in from around the world.

So last Sunday, the boys boarded their plane with mixed emotions – excitement at traveling to the US, but concern for the safety and well-being of their families who had just endured Hannah and Gustav and were preparing for Ike.

Hopefully, some of the boys' concern was tempered by the reception they got at Holy Innocents' Episcopal School, where they performed last Tuesday. After the choir's two wonderful concerts in the sanctuary of Holy Innocents' Episcopal Church, our Lower, Middle and Upper School students served as gracious hosts to their anxious guests. The boys attended classes, ate lunch in Porter Dining Hall, and practiced their English with eager HI students.

The second purpose of the choir's Atlanta visit is to help raise money both to sustain the music program in Haiti and to help the non-profit Mission for Biblical Literacy (1580Peachtree St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30329) build a children’s clinic in Haiti to serve those who can not afford to go elsewhere for medical care. Donations are welcome.