Last Day

It's been an incredible trip. Today is our last day and I am not looking forward to going home. Yesterday we spent the day at Yvon's orphanage. The kids singing brought tears to the eyes of some team members. They sounded like angels. There was a lot of activity. The dentists' pulled 6 teeth. This was anything but normal working conditions for them. They were in a room with no electricity, it was dark, and hot. They were incredible. We asked how they would explain it when they got home. They said, no one would believe it. Doctor Sem saw 41 kids plus 2 adults. We went through all of the medicine we bought for 2 orphanages. Missy is off to the pharmacy this morning. 7 kids need parasite testing. Alli saw all of the kids and tested their vision. She was happy to report that Haitians have good eyes. I got to play with the kids. My favorite thing to do. I'm not a good nurse so I was happy to turn that position over to Debbie (who is a medical assistant, and Laura who's learning the ropes so she can do it when she's here). We brought water balloons. I thought about this a lot before I brought them. It's kind of hard to play with water when it's so precious here. We did have fun with them though. Today we are off to Guilliams orphanage again. Dr. Sem will see the kids. The dentists' will pull teeth and Alli will see the rest of the kids. I get to play again. We had 2 kids who we tested for parasites on Friday and both tested positive. It's nice to finally get some of this tesing done so we can treat them. I can't wait to get these kids moved to Grace Village. It is so beautiful up there and I think they will love it. We've been eating good down here. Fonese is a great cook. I told her I was going to bring her home with me because I don't cook and haven't eaten so well since I lived with my parents. Last night we had pumpkin soup. Fanfan explained that when the French ruled Haiti the Haitians couldn't have pumpkin soup so when the Haitians took over they celebrate their independance on Jan. 1st with pumpking soup. I am sad about going home. The time is always too short for me here. I will look forward to coming back in Feb. Please keep us in your prayers for a safe trip home tomorrow. Shelley

Church with Fanfan

Yesterday a few of us went to church with Fanfan. 6am. I think there is a peace that comes with poverty. I noticed this again as we came up on the church. It was a big white tent and there was music playing. People were walking outside with their arms stretched up, praising the Lord. What a freedom. Most of the people here have to rely on God for everything. I wish I could do that at home. It seems I get so caught up in the busy life we have in the U.S. sometimes I forget to take time and rely more on God. I have never prayed so continuosly. They prayed straight for an hour. And there were a lot of people there. What a wonderful way to start the day. No wonder Fanfan is the way he is. I go to church sometimes in the morning at home. It lasts 1/2 an hour and it's not very crowded. I still get to praise God but I need to RELY ON GOD. Amen

We had a busy day today. first we delivered water to another neighborhood in City Solei. The crowd was very large and a bit roitous. But all went well and most got water. Some of us played with the children during this time. they are so loving and just want us to hold them and smile at them. I will have to say the highlight was the conga line. I led the way and the children hung on and joined right in. Bum Bum Bum Ba Bum Ba with a hop hop hop and a kick, kick. It was so funny. We have a young optomatrist with us on our team. I noticed a little boy with a sore eye so I her over to look at it. In no time flat we had a triage MASH going. We were fixing up cuts and pulling out stitches and putting ointment on wounds. It was exciting. Later that day we went to several elderly peoples homes to visit and see how their health was so the doctor could do follow up visits. These people were so lovely and so dignifed. They were very proud of their homes. A small one room cement structure with a bed in the corner and perhaps a little shelf with a few cups and plates. We even visited a woman that was 104 years old. So sweet and dignified. When we asked if we could take her photo she turned her head and squared her shoulders and struck a bit of a pose. Very special. mary beth team member

BABIES

Concert in the orpanage. Oh what a day! We brought musical instruments to the orphanage yesterday and had a concert. What fun. The kids were great and Fanfan was singing. These are the children at this orphanage that are up for adoption. A few of them are coming to Minnesota and I love to check to see how they are doing. One of our team members is friends with the mother of one of the children so it was fun to have them meet. This orphanage also takes in sick babies. It was so touching to watch one man with his tiny sick child. He was so tender. There was a 1 month old baby boy there who was abandonded. I want to put him in my backpack and bring him home to be a twin to my 2 week old grandson. I have so much respect for the women who work at this orpanage. Day after day, crying babies, sick kids, feeding and changing diapers of children they don't know and they do it with such care and dignity for the children. It was a wonderful day.

water truck/City Soleil

It is so nice to be back here again. It's the little things that have touched me so much on the first day back. Dickenson, the boy who lives by the guest house made a bracelet for me that says Dickenson on it. Maybe it's to remember him, but little does he know I could never forget him. I remeber cleaning a cut on his foot a year ago and giving him new shoes so it would heal. The smiles on the people who take such good care of us at the guest house always warms my heart. Then to see the water truck drivers. Cenole has always been special to me and we even had him smiling today which doesn't happen often. We spent the day delivering water to the people of City Soleil. I really enjoy having new people on the team and watching them interact with the children, help carry water buckets, sing on the garbage dump, and just opening up to experiencing the beauty of Haiti. It was a day with very mixed emotions. We did have a little fun too. Mary Beth showed us how she could catch the baby chickens with her hands. Today we are off to see the babies. Mary Beth will meet the little girl her friend is adopting. Another day of mixed emotions is in store. I'm blessed to be part of it and to share it with others. Thank you for the prayers for our team, please continue Shelley

First day in Haiti

Oh my, so much excitment. We got picked up at the airport in a little truck with bench seats around the perimator and wire around the sides and top. Very fun. The roads are really not road but more ruts and holes. Lots of traffic. We had a wonderful meal cooked by the house lady. We all sat around a hugh table and boy did we eat. Creole chicken. Fried plantain. Avacados. Rice. Smashed eggplant. Yummy. Tomorrow we go to City Soleia and deliver water. Mary Beth

Haiti tomorrow 6am

Everything's packed, I took my last hot shower for the week. I'm thinking about Mary Beth and Joan who are spending the night in the JFK airport waiting for their flight to depart at 9am. God Bless them and keep them safe. I feel like a kid the night before Christmas. I've been waiting and waiting and so excited that I get to go back to Haiti tomorrow. I hope I can sleep. Looking forward to meeting up with the rest of the team at 4am.