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Yesterday we had on and off showers late into the evening, which kept things cool and allowed most to get a decent night’s sleep…at least while the bears were quiet. However, I believe we were all treated to the serenade of the 3:45 AM rooster again. He was alone until his peers joined in about a half hour later, after which little sleep was had by most of the team.

Once awake, we enjoyed a wonderful pancake breakfast, compliments of our host Blaud. With full bellies and water bottles we trooped down the hill to get ready for both local and outreach clinics. Soon after, several motos arrived to take the group to the first true Bush Clinic of the week. Once meds were gathered, we were assigned to our motos and mounted up. Ches was experiencing a motorcycle for the first time and…wait, no helmet. I wonder if her mother knows this…oh yeah she was on the moto just behind her! Read More

Last night was again cool but not cold and against all hopes the wildlife was out. Interestingly, yesterday evening we experienced rain in Jolivert for the first time on any of our trips. It could not have come at a better time…Charlie had just begun a rare tantrum and the sound of the rain on the roof was just the right medicine to soothe our little dude. Unfortunately, the rain did stop and other sounds got revved up. The bears were definitely in full voice and despite our best hopes, the roosters still don’t care when the sun rises.

Eventually we were all required to emerge from our netted beds for the day ahead. We had a quick breakfast, met our translators…a few smiling and familiar faces from years past – Ancy, Windshelden(Mildred’s sister) and Rodner. We had 3 additional translators as well – Henry (Windshelden and Mildred’s brother), Patrick and Morgan…we are well staffed with translators this year. We then trooped down the hill with bags of meds and an eagerness to get started.

The team divided into groups for the day ahead, some in the van to staff the outreach clinic and fewer to stay back at Clinic Jolivert to work with the new Haitian doctor, Dr. Daniel. Both groups saw around 60 patients and it will come as no surprise that Kitty was met from the start with uncontrollable bleeding, followed by pus, just dying to be released! Go…”Big Chief Black Cloud” to the rescue!!! We saw nothing quite so exciting at Clinic Jolivert, however Sarah and Kiki made quite an awesome team, providing wonderful compassionate care….a true Dynamic Duo! You heard right, Kiki was not in the pharmacy for a change – Chelsea embraced the experience and handled the onslaught with grace! As for me, I may have actually seen 50% pediatric patients for the first time in 5 years.

Once we all finished, we were treated to a delicious lunch with beef, rice & beans, picklis and vegetables. After a cold beverage, we ventured down to the river along with a trail of about 2 dozen children. They first attacked Melila for bracelets and then I think they all thought Kiki was going to magically produce soccer balls for all of them. We were cooled off by another sprinkle as we walked home and then found a comfortable spot to plop by a fan and rest.

It is now nearly 6PM and we have had a few more showers, making the plans for a hike up the hill unlikely tonight…except for Kitty and Tom who made a quick go of it briefly until another rain shower turned them around. Not sure the rest of us would have had enough energy for it at this point anyway so we will plan again for tomorrow. I think for now, we will grab some evening snacks, maybe another beverage, get a “refreshing” shower and engage in our favorite pass time…Charlie watching…never a dull moment with this cute kid!!

Tomorrow, we load the motos and head for the hills. Think I might have to pre-medicate with ibuprofen but still cannot wait to get into the hinterlands. Here’s hoping the rain showers keep the wildlife a bit more quite tonight and that the creative furniture rearrangement will allow Charlie to sleep better too! On a positive note, the bear in the boy’s room will be locating elsewhere as another team joins us. Here’s hoping for no replacement bears.

Think that’s all for tonight…Love to All back home!

The Team

Last night we were treated to hotel rooms with…wait for it…Air Conditioning! For the first time in all my trips, I was actually COLD. That’s right, not just cool or chilled but downright cold. I got under the sheet and used my towel as a blanket and was quickly fast asleep. I think the rest of the team had a similar experience and slept rather well. We awoke to a nice breakfast and then departed to visit the Brooks family at Much Ministries where Kez works. We enjoyed visiting and hearing more about their mission as well as their big plans for a future marketplace in Gonaives…very exciting!! Much of the team also bought beautiful items created by local artisans, which is a large part of the ministry’s economic development mission‎.

Once all “spent” we departed for the road to Jolivert, and those of us who have made the trip repeatedly steeled ourselves for the gut wrenching bouncing and twisting over the next 3-4 hours. In very few places the road had improved…there was a nice new bridge over a river crossing and the paver road in Gros Morne has been extended‎. This may have accounted for about 10 minutes of the eventual three and a half hour journey. As for the other 200 minutes, the roads have not changed…or become much worse. We had to stop 3 times…once for a dragging muffler (big surprise on these roads, huh?) and twice for a broken brake caliper on the luggage truck. Good old fashioned Haitian ingenuity solved both problems and remarkably we arrived at Clinic Jolivert in just under 4 hours.

We were greeted immediately by our friends Blaud and Christophe. Blaud is now married and expecting their first child…a boy he announced, beaming from ear to ear. Christophe has not changed a bit but he is here without his daughter now, who is in the States…not sure who will entertain us after clinic this week??? Once bags were unloaded, we were treated to a delicious afternoon meal, followed by the tedious task of unloading bags, sorting items and then bagging meds. It is now 8pm and we are done for the evening. Nets are hung; cold…I mean, refreshing showers are being taken; late evening snacks are being eaten and even a little craft work is being done to surprise our patients and school children this week.

Some will travel to our first outreach clinic in the morning and the rest will work in the on-site clinic here. We will need to rise early for breakfast, additional sorting of meds and then travel time to the clinic.

For now we will hope for a reasonably quiet night where the bears sleep soundly, the donkeys and roosters sleep late, the dogs get along ‎and the drums stop beating down the hill. Tomorrow we have hiking and exploring plans after the patients have all been seen…after all we have new members to introduce to our hill and tree. I am sure the sunset will be beautiful as always! After that, who knows…a beverage, some cards, stories…just another day in paradise.

That’s all for now. Sleep well and Love to All,

The Team

I am thrilled to report we are 11 strong this year, some repeaters and some new to the family as always, and we are all together, safely at our destination. The weatherman again threatened to make our travel “interesting”, with the possibility of icing right at the time of our departure…but alas, aside from a brief de-icing procedure, our flight left nearly on time with an on time arrival in Atlanta. We quickly united with Chelsea, who had arrived from Boston shortly before us. We had time at the gate for food, card games, charging of electronics and even some last calls to loved ones before boarding for our final destination. I must say, not flying out of Miami felt a bit awkward…lacking tradition, however, the process through Atlanta was so smooth, I think we could definitely get used to this new approach. That said, anything can happen at any given time, especially when Haiti is in the equation, so we will not get too comfortable.

Once in the Port au Prince airport, we gathered our bags, united with Vanessa and ran the Customs gauntlet…without a doubt, my least favorite aspect of our experiences, however it went more smoothly than ever. Once all bags and people were loaded in the van and truck we were right on the road to Gonaives and made it easily in 3 hrs…and we were entertained by our little buddy Charlie…cuter than ever!!! The time really flew by…by Haitian standards!! We pulled into the parking lot of our hotel, a true oasis. We got nets hung and then enjoyed a wonderful Haitian dinner! You will never guess our dinner guests…Kez, Christine and all her children. What a great night!!

As I close tonight I find myself reflecting about the months leading up to this 6th installment. I must say, I have been frustrated by my own personal feelings of being overwhelmed which resulted in a degree of malaise which in turn just piled on the frustration. After all, this experience is generally one of the highlights of my year and I could not justify my feelings. Intellectually, I think I knew what was at the root, but I struggled still. You see, it is times like this when I pick up the phone and call my friend and brother, Peter and we just yap for awhile…and invariably, there is understanding and encouragement. We lean on each other at times like these and life is better. So lately I have been listening harder to hear the comforting words of wisdom and encouragement, because I know they are there…have been there all along. And lo and behold, his voice came through loud and clear once again.

The other night as I was searching the website for a blog entry from last year’s trip, I stumbled on a Reply from Peter, sent from home as he was just starting his battle with cancer. His words rang true then and they were just the right medicine one year later. He ended his reply as follows:

My love and best wishes to all on this trip. Hike the hill and watch the sun set. Enjoy the company of those around you. Give a hug to a patient or child who needs it. Savor the taste of mango and perhaps some goat for breakfast. Let your cup runneth over…”
– Peter Whitehead, MD

Implied translation…just enjoy the experience and everything else will work itself out. Wise, wise words.

As you can imagine, I still remain a bit off this year and I have indeed realized it is because my brother is not with us anymore, but his spirit and wisdom lives on and inspires, and I feel certain this 6th installment is part of my healing. I believe we will all come out of this experience with an even stronger commitment to our mission. I now look forward to the work ahead, the new discoveries we are sure to make and the plans we will make for our future, which in no small measure will be to honor our great friend.

That is all I can muster tonight. Will write again tomorrow.

Love to All,
The Team