Look around. We have been in PaP for a few days now and are beginning to recognize some of our surroundings and some of the locations along our route between home and work. We feel the need to look further. This is a large city in the midst of an even larger nation. Our eyes have seen only a fraction. We are hungry to see and know more. That includes both large and small steps.
Lynn and Ben ventured out to visit some neighbors at King's today. For the past few days we have seen some children playing soccer (with a plastic bottle) in the yard of a tent village immediately next to the King's complex. Lynn and Ben hand delivered a new soccer ball today to rave reviews.
The neighborhood picture in today's blog was taken from the roof of the hospital. In the picture you can see a tent city, some dwellings, the street on which we work, and the mountains that seem to press in on the city from every direction other than the sea.
Our work in the hospital continues as we made great progress today in painting. Released from the stairwell, we accelerated down the hall to the patient rooms. The mood has been good and the group seemed to get a lift from being more "out in the hospital" a bit more. Tommy and Gail have lead the painting effort with Gail providing trim work and Tommy showing himself to be the master of the roller. Scot continued IT work with the remote help of David Wills (remote in the sense that David is on the other end of the internet - not in the sense that the help was minimal) and seems to have a plan in place for connecting the functions of the hospital into a singular network. This will set the stage for future hospital operations to be more efficient and measurable.
Meanwhile, Dr. Fromm and our medical team performed a hysterectomy this morning and all reports were positive.
We have had rain again this afternoon. The ruts and mud spring into existence at the first sign of rain. With the mud so prevalent, it is stunning to see the expected spotless dress to be maintained by most pedestrians. Bright clean dresses and shirts are the norm even in the midst of tent living and ubiquitous mud.
We spent a bit of time with the children today. The rain limited our activities to under cover. This allowed for good conversation. This was a welcome opportunity to get to know them a bit better. The children sang two songs for us after lunch. it was beautiful. One of the songs was "Every Move I Make I Make in You". FBC YOUTH -- please note that these children sang the song in English (their third language) with the hand gestures, and in full voice -- please view this as a challenge from Charlie to step up your game.
Exhausting and exhilarating. Haiti's challenges are countless. There are stories of loss and pain at every corner and in every proud face. No one here is untouched by the calamity and devastation that permeates this land. But the spirit of Haiti seems indomitable. Her people seem to rise daily to meet the challenges before them. The opportunities to make a difference are as numerous as the challenges faced. It is a matter of perspective. How can we be tired? We will return to lives we used to think had problems. We will rarely worry about whether our shower water gets in our mouths.
God is the Hope for Haiti. Most of her people know that. Wouldn't we all be better off if we all knew that God is the only hope for each of our nations?
God is in Haiti. When will you come?
We love and miss our families. Thanks to all who are praying.
What a picture you paint with these words!
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