What to say...

Not much to say today...so much to think through first. We went to church which is always one of my fav times. Right now they are meeting in a tent since the school/church is full of supplies. It was hot to say the least! They have started having youth group for the Nehemiah teens and we got to see them sing a couple of songs today...AWESOME! Finally got to see all the sponsor kids today too. Kesnal is getting so big. Then Adlove (my Haitian sister) found me as usual so she could sit on my lap. Her older brother sat with us too. Then her sister came and gave me a kiss...I feel like one of the family!! The afternoon took us into Port-au-Prince...and I have to say it was harder to see this time then the last. But more to come on that later.

Tent camp clinic...

So we finally made it out to a tent camp today. It was a smaller camp than any of the others I had been to. We were told there were approximately 300 people in the tent camp, and we saw about 180 of them. The nurses saw all the usual stuff we see and passed out tons of meds. Other team members were able to pass out Pedialyte to the crowd which was well received to say the least. The kids were adorable there...we taught them all kinds of crazy hand shakes and games. We just had a blast hanging out with them when we could. Also got the kids to sing a couple of songs for me. They even decided to bust out some moves for me too! I'll have to post the video after I get home. It ended up being kind of a short day, because several of the team members were getting over heated from all the sun and humidity. It's definitely been hot here, but it hasn't bothered me too much.
In fact, one of our translators saw me and said I looked better than all the other Americans...he told me "you are 100% Haitian now, well except for your skin!" :) I'm working on that part too! After we came home I headed up to the roof for some downtime and to catch a few rays. Can't come home looking like I never saw the sun! Then just spent the time hanging out with the team telling nursing stories and grossing the guys out!! I'm sure a few of them had nightmares last night!! Sad that the trip is winding down, but looking forward to the last few days!!

More fun...

Chambrun was once again where we held clinic today. We were trying to finish up the school kids although I'm sure we didn't even though the principal assured us we did. I did get to numb up and then cut open an abscess on a girls arm first thing this morning...so cool!! It was great to see all the kids, and get to "talk" with them...slowly but surely I will learn Creole! I think Nicky my translator had more fun laughing at my attempts to speak to the kids...at one point in time he told me I told this little boy to "chew yourself!" Oh well, at least I tried! Got to see a few more of the sponsor kids today. Only 2 more to find now! The girls braided my hair this afternoon...yeah, thinking I better stick with what I've got but they had a good time braiding it! Tonight its been raining most of the night, so no roof time. But we did have a great time sitting outside watching the lightning storm and singing worship songs. This has been a great team! Hopefully we are all heading out to an IDP camp tomorrow, but things are always bound to change. If not, I'm hoping to get some time to sort through all the tubs we have...its getting to be a bit over-whelming. But we are so thankful for all the donations.

Clinic day 2...

So yesterday we headed out to Chambrun to see the kids. We normally do their physicals every 6 months, but the earthquake kind of threw that off. It was so great to see them! Syliana was there and was so excited to see me, as I was her. Only 4 more sponsor kids to hunt down before I leave. The kids all look much better than they did in February...obviously due to the fact that they are eating again! We actually had a slow day and only saw about 160 people...so today is make-up day and we have 250 kids left to see.
It was funny today because a bunch of the kids actually remembered my name without me telling them...guess that means I've been spending alot of time down here!! But I am also getting so much better at remembering their names too...which they think is great! I took some large bubble wands with me and had a few minutes to play with the girls outside today...they had a blast! Only spent part of the day in the pharmacy, and got to see pts instead...which actually really helped me work on my Creole...but still have a very long way to go! Also made a few improvements to the pharmacy which hopefully you can see from the pics!

Something I thought I would never say...

So today was our first day to head out to our clinic at Chambrun. It's been about 3 months since I had been there...and all I can say is WOW! We have medications and supplies like you wouldn't believe. Which is amazing except that we have no where to put them right now until more construction is completed on sight. All of that is in process but the rainy season isn't helping that any. We spent a few hours trying to get the rooms cleared out and settled in and then the clinic began. We actually had a Haitian doctor come work with us. She had a practice in Port-au-Prince until the earthquake when it was destroyed. She hadn't been working since so she came to help us out. It was a great experience for all I think. We ended up seeing about 60 pts so it was a slower day than we are used to, but good. We also got to tour the grounds and see all the new construction...I will try to post pics if I can get them to load. The cafeteria is coming along, the hospital ground had been broken but the rains were filling in the ground and causing it to collapse so its been a losing battle at times. The guys have also been working on dormitories for mission teams as well. It's great to see how God is working down here and that I get to have just a small hand in it!

Welcome home...

So I arrived back in Haiti today and it was like I never left. First it was great catching up with all my friends who were on the last trip with me. It's amazing how close we all get in just a week or so together. And we have several new team member who have never been to Haiti before. It was encouraging to see some minor changes in the country- the airport is mainly indoors again and we say some new construction on the way back to Pierre's house. But in many ways it still looks the same. At the airport, Pastor Pierre met us and it was so good to see him. He definitely looked more rested and less stressed then when I saw him 3 months ago. As we were pulling into Pierre's neighborhood few of the ladies were waiting at the corner and as soon as they saw us, they started waving and smiling...it was great to see them again even if we can't talk to them til tomorrow. There is lots of construction going on in Chambrun so hopefully I can get some pics posted tomorrow. Can't wait to see the kids eitherTonight was just getting the team settled in and then the real fun begins tomorrow. We are going to have a great team to work with and hope to accomplish alot in the few days we will be here. More to come...

What do I know of Holy?

So I've had the Addison Road CD for a while, but just really started listening to it the last few days. Not one of the usual CD's I listen to, but there is one song I can't stop listening too. If we were back in the old days of tapes, it would be worn out by now...so thankful for ipods!! The song is called "What Do I Know of Holy?" and it has some great thought provoking lyrics. I don't want to overwhelm you with all the lyrics, so you'll just have to listen to the song for yourself, but here is just a few of my thoughts.

"I made You promises a thousand times
I tried to hear from Heaven
But I talked the whole time
I think I made You too small
I never feared You at all"

I guess I love it because its where I am at right now. Most times I talk to much instead of listening to what God is trying to say to me. Be still and know is a great phrase, but so hard to actually put into practice. Also fits in with a great book I started reading the other day called "Your God is too Safe." God doesn't call us out to live the easy, safe life...but rather to step out - not always knowing the when, where, and how of it all. We don't have to know the details as long as he does...hmm, goes against the control freak part of me!

"I guess I thought that I had figured You out
I knew all the stories and I learned to talk about
How You were mighty to save
Those were only empty words on a page
Then I caught a glimpse of who You might be
The slightest hint of You brought me down to my knees"

Growing up in the church makes it easy to "know the stories" but not see Him for who he truly is...it really isn't empty words on a page. My prayer is that in the end it does drive me to my knees. I'm still catching my short glimpses!