We are on our second day of travel now, flying from Santiago, Dominican Republic to Miami. It takes two days because you can't get through the border and into Santiago in time for a flight out. It's not that far but things take much longer to do in Haiti.
Yesterday morning we had breakfast at then began the good-byes. We had some time to dance and play with the new arrivals and the resident children used their morning recess to give us all hugs and kisses, asking when we will be coming back.
All week long getting all of us together has been like herding cats and that morning was certainly no exception. Our luggage was picked up from our houses and carried on the carts as before. This time though it was market day and traveling across the border was much more difficult because the crowded streets but fortunately we had Linzi and Jude assisting us. At one point, a cart in front of us carrying salt and grains turned over, blocking the path and then on the next street we ran into a traffic jam with a ambulance. Finally we made it to Hotel Masacre and loaded up into the van. Then we began our 3 hour drive with multiple check points along where Dominican guards had to check to make sure we were transporting any Haitians.
We made it back to our hotel which was such a great welcoming. Ahh, to have a hot shower and snuggle into a soft bed for a little nap. The adventurous group (Matt, Ashley, Toby, Lacrecia and Cliff) went to the large wal-mart type store to get some supplies to send back to the orphanage.
Cookie (the Dominican that assisted us across the border on arrival) was back in Santiago and she took us to a local restaurant for dinner. It was a nice restaurant but I think most of us would preferred the chicken pot pie that had eaten the night before. At the end of a trip like this, there's nothing better than comfort food.
Amanda stayed up to meet the incoming team. I think she got to bed around 1am. Cliff and I stayed up till 1:30 chatting. You'd think after rooming together all week we'd have covered everything already but actually we were so worn out each night we hadn't spent that much time talking. He's certainly the one to go for information and we had a great time exchanging stories.
Breakfast, check out and transfer to airport uneventful. Several stop points at the airport for security check but we actually moved through quickly despite even having pat-downs just prior to boarding.
We met a group from Birmingham who in the process of setting up an orphanage in DR. They know Micah and his group, the ones came to the orphanage with Johnny.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Monday, February 1, 2010
Sunday
This morning I was relieved to find out that an American orthopedic surgeon had been contacted and recommended not taking Lonic for surgery due to the risk. I had been worried about the conditions of the facility and the experience of the surgeon. And I was glad to be able to attend worship service.
After breakfast well over 500 people including all of the kids we gathered in the shaded chairs area in front of the church building as we could not meet inside with all of the beds that were there now. Some sat in the white plastic chairs that had been taken out of the church building when the new kids arrived. Others sat on the motorcycles that they had driven. Some were even sitting on the ground The staff pulled the podium out and hooked up a PA system. They even set up a keyboard and drums.
Pastor Sam opened the service with prayer in Creole and then read Psalm 4. One of Danita's girls, Jeanette, reached back and opened my Bible to it to show me what He was reading, as he was only speaking Creole. After that we sang in Creole and Pastor Scott (South Carolina team) preached while Pastor Sam translated. Then "Mami Karris" welcomed all the new people, first the Americans and then those from Port-au-Prince area.
We all got up and were asked to tell our names and share a little bit. I said told them this was my first time to visit but, the Lord willing, it will not be the last.
After that the girls from the Port-au-Prince orphanage got up and sang for us. It was beautiful. I have a clip of it that I will post when I get home.
Then a little girl no older than 7, dressed in a pink dress with pink little shoes and pink lace socks got up. Pastor Sam explained that she was from PaP area and was staying with family in the town here and that wanted to sing to us because God loved here and protected her. Then she sang so beautiful with such a beautiful smile, you'd think she was angel. Don't worry, I've got a video of that, too.
Another pastor preached in Creole and Pastor Sam translated then we sang a bit more and the service was concluded with prayer.
Witson, one of Danita's boys that I've gotten to know well over the past few days, had sat next to me during the service and we had a good time not paying attention during some of it, like my brother and I would do when we were kids.
Immediately after the service, Rosalyn came up to me and gave me a big hug along with her beautiful big smile. She's a seven year old earthquake victim who had been brought to me on my first day of clinic because someone saw that she looked weak and her heart was racing. I checked her out and her heart was normal. She said nothing hurt and then I asked if she was scared and she said yes.
I hugged her and brought her back to sit with her a bit while we chewed gum and I showed her how to blow bubbles.
Later in the week I learned that during the earthquake she escaped from her house and then ran to another house to rescue her friends. She was was able to save of them and they are on the way here to stay in a house that Brenda was able to get rented yesterday. I'm not sure what day they will arrive. All week long Rosalyn also comes to find me and give me hugs and smiles. She has a scar on her left cheek and eyebrow that I assume is from an injury during her brave rescue mission. I can't begin to imagine what she has gone through. And I know what I will miss most when I leave will be that smile and those hugs.
For lunch we had fried chicken that was really good. Afterwards, Matt and Ashley (South Carolina team), Robin, Marcia (Karris' mom), some of the boys and I moved all the medical supplies to a new room above the school bathrooms, a separate building with much easier access. The new clinic now has a bathroom and a shower and lots of counter space. I got the whole place organized with the help of Amanda and Ashley. Jude (grounds staff member who lives at my house) kept charge of the door, keeping the boys from coming in and checking everything out. I even got to use the label maker to set up a few of the areas and the fix the medicine drawers. I think the new place will work out well. Pictures to come later.
Dinner was chicken pot pie made by Robin, arguably the best meal yet. Nice cheese biscuits on top. There was none left!
We finished up the day with a prayer meeting with Karris and the volunteers. Powerful time in the presence of our great Father.
Now it's he last night in Haiti. We head across the border tomorrow after breakfast. We hope to get some medical supplies in Santiago and then meet up with the incoming team at the hotel that night.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
After breakfast well over 500 people including all of the kids we gathered in the shaded chairs area in front of the church building as we could not meet inside with all of the beds that were there now. Some sat in the white plastic chairs that had been taken out of the church building when the new kids arrived. Others sat on the motorcycles that they had driven. Some were even sitting on the ground The staff pulled the podium out and hooked up a PA system. They even set up a keyboard and drums.
Pastor Sam opened the service with prayer in Creole and then read Psalm 4. One of Danita's girls, Jeanette, reached back and opened my Bible to it to show me what He was reading, as he was only speaking Creole. After that we sang in Creole and Pastor Scott (South Carolina team) preached while Pastor Sam translated. Then "Mami Karris" welcomed all the new people, first the Americans and then those from Port-au-Prince area.
We all got up and were asked to tell our names and share a little bit. I said told them this was my first time to visit but, the Lord willing, it will not be the last.
After that the girls from the Port-au-Prince orphanage got up and sang for us. It was beautiful. I have a clip of it that I will post when I get home.
Then a little girl no older than 7, dressed in a pink dress with pink little shoes and pink lace socks got up. Pastor Sam explained that she was from PaP area and was staying with family in the town here and that wanted to sing to us because God loved here and protected her. Then she sang so beautiful with such a beautiful smile, you'd think she was angel. Don't worry, I've got a video of that, too.
Another pastor preached in Creole and Pastor Sam translated then we sang a bit more and the service was concluded with prayer.
Witson, one of Danita's boys that I've gotten to know well over the past few days, had sat next to me during the service and we had a good time not paying attention during some of it, like my brother and I would do when we were kids.
Immediately after the service, Rosalyn came up to me and gave me a big hug along with her beautiful big smile. She's a seven year old earthquake victim who had been brought to me on my first day of clinic because someone saw that she looked weak and her heart was racing. I checked her out and her heart was normal. She said nothing hurt and then I asked if she was scared and she said yes.
I hugged her and brought her back to sit with her a bit while we chewed gum and I showed her how to blow bubbles.
Later in the week I learned that during the earthquake she escaped from her house and then ran to another house to rescue her friends. She was was able to save of them and they are on the way here to stay in a house that Brenda was able to get rented yesterday. I'm not sure what day they will arrive. All week long Rosalyn also comes to find me and give me hugs and smiles. She has a scar on her left cheek and eyebrow that I assume is from an injury during her brave rescue mission. I can't begin to imagine what she has gone through. And I know what I will miss most when I leave will be that smile and those hugs.
For lunch we had fried chicken that was really good. Afterwards, Matt and Ashley (South Carolina team), Robin, Marcia (Karris' mom), some of the boys and I moved all the medical supplies to a new room above the school bathrooms, a separate building with much easier access. The new clinic now has a bathroom and a shower and lots of counter space. I got the whole place organized with the help of Amanda and Ashley. Jude (grounds staff member who lives at my house) kept charge of the door, keeping the boys from coming in and checking everything out. I even got to use the label maker to set up a few of the areas and the fix the medicine drawers. I think the new place will work out well. Pictures to come later.
Dinner was chicken pot pie made by Robin, arguably the best meal yet. Nice cheese biscuits on top. There was none left!
We finished up the day with a prayer meeting with Karris and the volunteers. Powerful time in the presence of our great Father.
Now it's he last night in Haiti. We head across the border tomorrow after breakfast. We hope to get some medical supplies in Santiago and then meet up with the incoming team at the hotel that night.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
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