August 2, 2002
august 2, 2002
we arrived in haiti to find a hot crowded airport. there was apprehension that our checked luggage didnt make it. it made it!!! thankful! all of our supplies were in the checked baggage. we spent the evening sortin medicines and preparing for tomorrow. it will be a difficult day.
flying to haiti was beautiful. the landing was hard. . . i was totally nervous getting off the plane. it was not as bad as i thought it was going to be.
(it wasnt good either…wow the smell and the heat!)
august 3, 2002
we woke at 4:30 am. we were so thankful for the ac in our room. the ac went off -5:30 am- and it is quite warm with just the fan. we will meet the orphans this morning and do medical clinic with them in the morning then the general population in the afternoon. tonight we will show the Jesus video and do street drama. i’m a little nervous.
PM
WOW today was unreal. i really dont see how these people survive. when we were told our guest house was in the “rich” part of town they werent joking. we saw and smelled some nasty stuff. sewage running down the street. decaying vegetables, raw chicken with flies, and garbage everywhere. it was a lot like driving thru a dump filled with people. tin houses, if that. vendors on the street. people digging thru garbage along side pigs, dogs, and goats. a lot of roosters too.
waking up this morning there was a rooster cockle-doodling. guess what we had for diner. we’re curious to know if we’ll hear a rooster in the morning, i’m hoping.
(fyi- we didnt.)
we got to meet the girls today. they are SO adorable. all just want love. a hug. a smile. just attention. we danced and jumped rope, played hand-clap games. they are so friendly. we examined all of them in the clinic. i do not know what serious problems they may have. last time the leaders brought a team here they thought one may have aids. she was lethargic and unable to get out of her bed. with asthma treatments she started getting better. i was shocked at her size 6 years old and no bigger than my two year old!
(has since been found that the young girl did not have aids, merely needed treatment for her asthma.)
it is 11 pm and so much going thru my mind. i just finished my encouragement list. there are so many things to say about my team, but it is very difficult to put into words. some on the team are having a very difficult time. we have to encourage them and help them be stronger before they get sick. we are trying to stay upbeat with practical jokes and silliness. it is the only way to cope when everything looks so desperate around us.
December 16 2005 10:45 pm | Ramblings
December 16th, 2005 at 10:55 pm
again, god bless you and your team for doing this. you have undoubtedly made a difference in those girls’ lives.
here again via michele.
December 16th, 2005 at 10:56 pm
what a wonderful thing to be able to do. it is wonderful to hear about compassion and people helping people. we try to help those in our community who are hungry, or homeless. my mom says i am one of those people who wants to save the world, but really i think i just want to make my little corner of it better.
michele sent me
December 17th, 2005 at 7:49 pm
I haven’t been to Haiti, but have been to Honduras twice (which is second, only to Haiti, as the poorest country in the Americas). The need is so great, especially in the orphans, but the people so grateful. Thanks for sharing your journal.
December 17th, 2005 at 8:27 pm
Michele sent me…thank goodness for you.
December 17th, 2005 at 8:40 pm
How wonderful of you to share your journey with us. It’s nice knowing there are such good people on this earth.