Bon Soir to all! Last night the storm did indeed arrive… and how it rained and thundered. We turned in early and hoped the electricity would come on to at least run the fans….sadly it did not, which made sleep somewhat sticky and difficult, though NOTHING compared to the people we see in clinic every day. It is hard to know how they remain dry or, more likely, begin to dry out after the torrents cease.
Today the team was divided. At Delmas 24 Kitty, Peter, Jenny and Rachel B. cared for 85 patients in just 5 hours, including dehydrated children and abscess treatments. In case any of you are wondering, the brain damaged rooster from Delmas 24 appears to be alive and well (those from last year will surely understand).
As for the rest of us, Adam, Rachel R. and Jeff joined Kez to do her weekly rounds in the Ravine (the ghetto) at Delmas 31 where we stopped to check on some 30 children, most of whom were in better health than one could begin to expect given their horrific living conditions.
It is impossible to imagine poverty until you have walked in this corner of the world and we are told that it gets much worse in the ghettos of Gonaives to the north and even more so in the countryside…this should be incomprehensible, but after today, I will believe about anything.
Despite the abject poverty all around, many people were trying to eke out a living in their own bustling small marketplace – just a miniature of the larger markets found along Delmas and in downtown Port au Prince. The contrast is striking.
We all arrived “home” about the same time for a quick lunch. Some stayed to try to cool off and some went with Kitty to the orphanage that her church back home helps to support. It was quite a scene while Kitty passed out the toys and the girls had their nails painted. A soccer ball was inflated and a lively game of soccer started – all the kids against Edjour in a small shaded courtyard. Edjour claimed victory, of course, and then had to have his picture taken with all the cute little girls – he is quite a character. We will miss his child-like spirit and his daily antics.
We are now winding down and are preparing to celebrate Kitty’s time with us over a glass of wine. She will be departing tomorrow morning and will be sorely missed tomorrow. Please keep her in your prayers for safe travels.
Still no electricity tonight, so little hope for fans again. Please pray the rain passes us by – not for us but for the people in tents all over this city.
Tomorrow we will hold our final clinic, get to see Christine again and then will be faced with very reluctant goodbyes. For now we will cherish the time that remains and consider our return in the future.
That is all for tonight. Will send more tomorrow. Love to all!
The Team