SATURDAY
Everyone was dragging a little today. We all thought that our stay here wouldn't be too bad physically. It caught up with all of us. Everyone was in much better health today.
A group of us went to a large tent city up in Petion-Ville. An estimated 50-60 thousand people have moved into the golf course area of the Petion-Ville club. A company of the 82nd airborne is there and a medical relief group has been directing healthcare services.
We assisted with simple care and after we finished there we got a special treat. We stopped by a supermarket and grabbed some sinful indulgences like Pringles and chocolate.
The people have started rebuilding and even though it will take years to complete it’s so encouraging to see. Children are so resilient here and everywhere we go they're playing with cars created out of juice bottles and little kites made from plastic bags. The people in these tent cities have named roads and walkways and are starting little businesses. I love their faith and determination. No matter how depressing the situation becomes they always smile and laugh and are so willing to share.
Tomorrow, needless to say, we won't be fasting. Those of you who are though please keep the Haitians in your prayers.
SUNDAY
Today I went back to General Hospital downtown. We left at 7 am this morning and miraculously got there in about 15 minutes without any traffic jams. Luckily, we went in when we did because there was hardly anyone there this morning. It was a great day. We helped little children, pregnant women, old grandmas, mentally sick people, people with PTSD and everything in between. I pray that the Haitians are watching these amazing doctors and learning how to give good care.
I'm sweaty, smelly, tired and hungry and loving life!
To top it off, today as a special gift to the 82nd airborne we hooked up the super bowl at camp and are watching the Colts and Saints now. How cool. Watching football with the US army in Haiti sipping Couronne. Coolest super bowl I've ever attended.
This was a much needed energy boost and now we'll be able to finish strong.
Keep praying for miracles here. There is still so much to be done. We've barely begun.
MONDAY
I showered for the third time and it was beautiful because the military set up showers for us in a large tent. What a great feeling to be clean for a few hours.
Today we visited a church compound/refugee camp in Cabaret which is about 45 minutes north of PAP along the main state route. The people were extremely kind and welcoming and fortunately the group was very healthy as a whole. We did a couple minor surgeries and helped some children with various maladies. The team of Haitian men that run this are amazingly kind, faithful men who are helping literally thousands of children and adults who lost their homes in Delmas and needed somewhere to stay. There is no better location to recover than outside of PAP.
This country is beautiful and those who never leave PAP don't realize that. These generous men also run an orphanage in Croix des Bouquets. Great men. It was an honor to help them for the day. They were so grateful when we left.
Tomorrow is our last full day. I can't believe our mission is coming to an end. There is still so much to do and there are lots of reasons why we have to leave early. I'll be working the "circuit" when I get home to get the word out to everyone I can. My second to last email will be tomorrow night.
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