July 5, 2010

Hello from Haiti


Monday morning started early for us today. We were headed out for Grace Hospital by 7am. To be honest that wasn’t really a big deal for us since we are all up by 5:30 anyways. I keep trying to tell my mom that we need to get a rooster at home in order for me to wake up on time. So far she hasn’t gone for the idea.

Grace hospital was a sobering experience. It was also slightly scary walking around a building that was crumbling from the earthquake, a minor fear to what they live through every day. I don’t come from a medical background like Rosie, Toni, Mae and Sharon do, but I’ve been in a hospital as a patient enough to recognize how extremely blessed we are to have the health care system we have, regardless of your stance on health care reform. Old baby food jars were used to collect samples for TB tests, none of their information was computerized and their labs would not pass codes in any way. But it is beyond incredible the amount of work that they accomplish each and every day. In the eye clinic alone they see 60-80 patients a day and 3-5 surgeries a day, 3 days a week. They also have 6 orphans that live there because of being abandoned by their parents. They also have an HIV clinic as well as staff that go out into the community to educate others on disease prevention and control. What I also noticed was that all this work is done with a smile of pride and joy for their work. I am proud to have the Methodists support such an amazing organization but also see that their need is great.

After the hospital we ate at Epi D’or where we got to have ‘American’ food. I was very grateful to drink a Snapple. From there we had a very sweltering journey to Port A Prince. We stopped and got out of the truck to see the palace. Despite the fact that Maria and I beat Sharon and Shannon repeatedly in Euchre, Sharon still refused to give me and Maria over to a man that wanted us. Thank you, Sharon we greatly appreciate it. After the palace I headed inside the cab and promptly fell asleep due to low blood pressure. I am sorry I cannot personally report on the rest of the trip, I am told that the sights were depressing and numbing, seeing the wreckage and the indescribable living conditions. Despite all of this the people walk the streets with an easy smile on their faces. How much we can learn from them. I am continually humbled by their strength of spirit.

After returning home we lifted our spirits, after lifting my blood pressure, as well as the girls’ spirits by watching Finding Nemo. It was a great way to spend time with the girls and unwind after a draining day. I was asked how I liked Haiti, I responded with I didn’t want to come home. When asked why I responded with because of the little girl in my arms. They have become so much a part of our hearts I can’t believe we have to say goodbye soon. I’m not ready for it and I know the others are not as well. Don’t get me wrong we miss our friends and family and safe drinking water, but Haiti has wound it’s way around our hearts and into our lives forever. I thank God for this opportunity to come and experience His love through the amazing people Haiti. Another group from Kentucky arrived this evening so now our rooms are a little on the full side, but more friends more fun right?

I sign off as the rain falls and the thunder rolls.

Hannah