Our first night in Jeremie was some kind of different. . .sporadic updates on the NCAA tournament, always 20-30 minutes behind, and unending roosters crowing and dogs barking throughout the night. . .oh, almost forgot, the power going out, silencing the room fans for most of the hot, humid, breeze less night. Well, it's not supposed to be anywhere close to summer camp. . . .
. . . .but we had a wonderful Haitian dinner. . .goat, plantains, rice and beans, and the local dessert fav, almond cake.
Most of us were off to the village of Chiraque this morning for Sunday services, presided over by
Reverend Chrisnel, our host and the circuit superintendent. FUMC is supporting masonry and carpentry work in Chiraque, along with Wyandotte Methodist Church. Haitian skilled trades have poured a concrete floor in the schoolroom, previously dirt. Cracks in the walls have also been repaired. The carpenters have already completed 4 of 20 new church pews, and will be making a dozen new school benches as well, along with installing new chalkboards and constructing a wooden cross for the front of the church. Getting to Chiraque isn't easy. . .20 minutes by 'good' road, 20 minutes by truly crummy road, and 10 minutes walking uphill. So, every bit of concrete and lumber purchased with FUMC funds has been carried uphill by the villagers of Chiraque.
We were warmly welcomed at this morning's service, and have lots of photos of smiling Haitians, young and old alike, to share. . .but uploading bit-rich photos is tough to do down here. Nancy and her nurse pal, Lynne Portnoy, took blood pressures for about 75 folks after service, and found several who need medications. Scott and Dr Marcellus did eye triage on another 30 or so parishioners, some of whom will make their way down mountain for surgery this week. . . .and we brought a soccer ball for to occupy the kids while the parents got checked out.
We enjoyed communion with the villagers, and a great sermon from Pastor Chrisnel. . .OK, it was in French but he delivered with a whole lotta passion!
On the way down mountain, the local pastor showed us to his home. . .well placed in any Hobbit movie. . .where we served some food, their last bit of hospitality for today. Wouldn't you know it, more goat, more rice and beans, more plantains. . .and it tasted great, it tasted of friendship.
Tomorrow, we'll restock the clinic pharmacy, and Scott will set up eye shop there. Some of us will bag up meds and make our way back to Chiraque to treat the folks we saw today.
More to come. . . .
John Smith
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