Log entry #6- March Haiti trip: “Until next time...”

March 10

Log Entry #4: Airports and First City View March 9

#3 Fri Mar 5: Maps and Language

Hello, All,

Today it’s all about maps and language. Ray called from Atlanta where he’s working this week and wants me to look for our map of Port-au-Prince. The roads are in different places now, I said... if they are still roads at all. But he feels more secure with a driver and translator if he has a map. We’ll be working in different parts of the city at times, and his having a map is important. So I’ll look in all the corners at home where we tuck maps. Maybe somewhere between Orlando, Boston, and Chicago.

#2 Tues Mar 3:  Ping Pong

Hello, All,

There s a ping pong game going on in my head right now. With less than a week before we leave and a very busy weekend coming up, I am addressing practical needs one moment and emotional needs another. Ping. Pong. Whack the ball. Then give the next a gentle spin.

Trip facts:

Tues Mar 9- Fly to Port-au-Prince; met by Keith and Tom; spend afternoon at Grace Children s Hospital; stay at Palm Court Inn Wed Mar 10- All day at GCH Thurs Mar 11- All day at GCH Fri Mar 12- Morning at GCH; fly to Miami

Log Entry #1- Sat Mar 27

Preparing to go:

Am aware of some areas of preparedness-- spiritual, emotional, professional, physical. Here are some ways I'm doing it.

Well, this is the last of our blog entries. We are all home in the land of creature comforts. What a blessing they are, indeed. However, what we miss already is the reality check of Haiti, the awareness of the things that really matter.

This is our last day in Haiti, and we spent it the way we like best-- with children. This morning we went to Mother Teresa’s Sisters of Charity orphanage just down the street from Grace Children’s Hospital. Oh my. About 150 infants and toddlers live there in rooms filled with cribs, one after the other after the other. Often parents will bring their children when they cannot feed them, but visit daily to hold and feed their children. We were there when parents were holding their infants, feeding them, sitting on the floor and rocking them in their arms.

Here I am,Lord.  Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go , Lord, if you lead me,
I will hold your people in my heart.
 

What enormous contrasts:  Hotel Roi Christophe and Cite Soleil in the same day!  We have truly seen a lot.  The green and fertile valleys promise hope, which will be fulfilled in honest labor, tending of crops, and harvest.  The work of dedicated teachers in Cite Soleil concentrates on seeing a hopeful future for the students.  A nearly miraculous home-grown business, Pure Water for Haiti, which provides safe, affordable drinking water for the people, as well as jobs and even careers, expresses confidence and affirmation for the future of Haitians.  Such a day