May 13, 2011
Well we are concluding our 2nd month here in Haiti (Ayati as they spell it). Time has flown by. Some days it feels like we just arrived and other days well, let’s just say they seem like they will never end. But that happens even at home in the States. Just goes to show that some things are the same no matter where you are.
Roger and I just hosted our first team by ourselves. What an experience! We have been part of teams that come to help for a few days and since we have been here we have assisted with teams but not had the full responsibility for them. I am grateful that it was only 8 people for 3 nights and 4 days. I have a better appreciation for what Bonnie and Darrell and our other missionaries around the world do when teams come.
This team brought shoes to give away. We went to one of our churches in Les Roches. This is a remote area in the mountains past a huge lake close to the Dominican border. I say remote but that does not mean there were not any people. When the shoes came out the people came out in droves! There were not enough shoes for all the people. And he brought about 1500 pair.
We also did a small medical clinic. I was hoping another nurse was coming but the only nurse was me. I saw about 70 people that day. I was amazed though that I did not see many who were truly sick. Most of the needs were cold and allergy symptoms. Donald Parker, who was the team leader, took care of any wounds or skin lacerations that needed care. So we probably saw close to 90 in all.
There is a small team coming this weekend with Phillip. They are going back to Les Roches to put a roof on the church. That is the only outside activity here until the end of May. They are having a pastor’s conference, the first I am told in many years. It starts the 27th of May. The last day, Sunday the 29th, they will have a dedication service for the new church. Dr. Beacham will be here to preach that service. I am so glad we will be a part of that.
I am picking up some Kreole words and phrases. We have started our language lessons and I am working on the Rosetta Stone for French. Roger is still frustrated with learning a new language. Pastor Oslin is teaching us. I have to rewrite everything phonetically for Roger. He does better with one word at a time.
Right now we are back to daily activities. Cleaning, cooking and all the other daily housewife activity that I have not really done to my satisfaction for the last 26 years I am now getting to enjoy. I do miss my job in the chemo clinic. More than I thought I would. My patients had become my family and I do miss them and my co-workers as much as our real family.
Roger is finding more things to work on. He has worked on the swings that are between the apartment and the dorm. And he is determined to get good wheel barrels out of the three that are completely worn out.
Tonight the children from the church here were practicing a dance and some songs for the dedication service. It was a pleasure to see them.
In about a month, we will be headed back to the States. I am ready to see everyone and sharing more in person about what the Lord is doing. But I will be honest. My heart will be in Haiti.
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