- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Saturday, April 5, 2014
Eau de Pest
"Bugs bad where you were?", the U.S. Immigration Officer inquired.
"What. . .why do you ask?", Nancy replied
"I smell a lot of different things in this job and now I smell bug repellent!"
. . .ergo, Eau de Pest! A week's worth of DEET-laced sprays are beginning to leech out of our skin, apparently. . .there are more disagreeable smells I suppose he might have noticed, but was way too polite to do so!
We had quite a week. . .long, full days, sometimes given to improvisation. . .like the flouride treatment material behaving like Gorilla Glue, or discovering inoperative showers/sinks/toilets at Good Sam, or dealing with TB and goiter, or an uncooperative cataract. But we did what we came to do, and then some, deepened friendships, brightened the given day for young and old alike and for folks otherwise not likely to ever see a doctor.
We even saw a waterspout out at sea while fetching a few supplies at the souks-like market on the Jeremie wharf. . .not sure how to characterize that except to say it was every bit as exceptional and unusual as everything else in Haiti.
The new, 2-room school building is well underway in Chiraque; nearly 20 Haitians received treatments for cataracts and glaucoma, and a couple hundred others consultations leading to eye-related relief in some other form; over 300 Haitian girls have a brightly-colored pillow dress thanks to the FUMC seamstresses, and over 200 Haitian boys received a shirt to add to their non-existent wardrobes; flouride treatments were done with a limited amount of a different material we happened to bring along; the old folks at Good Sam have working toilets, sinks, showers, new curtains, new clothes, and unending smiles and choruses of "The Lord Provides All".
He does, and he doesn't mind a little help from his friends in dispensing same. We feel good about the week, we feel good about all of you who have supported and supplied the trip in one way or another.
I'll close with a last selection of pictures, and a simple "thanks".
John Smith
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
"What. . .why do you ask?", Nancy replied
"I smell a lot of different things in this job and now I smell bug repellent!"
. . .ergo, Eau de Pest! A week's worth of DEET-laced sprays are beginning to leech out of our skin, apparently. . .there are more disagreeable smells I suppose he might have noticed, but was way too polite to do so!
We had quite a week. . .long, full days, sometimes given to improvisation. . .like the flouride treatment material behaving like Gorilla Glue, or discovering inoperative showers/sinks/toilets at Good Sam, or dealing with TB and goiter, or an uncooperative cataract. But we did what we came to do, and then some, deepened friendships, brightened the given day for young and old alike and for folks otherwise not likely to ever see a doctor.
We even saw a waterspout out at sea while fetching a few supplies at the souks-like market on the Jeremie wharf. . .not sure how to characterize that except to say it was every bit as exceptional and unusual as everything else in Haiti.
The new, 2-room school building is well underway in Chiraque; nearly 20 Haitians received treatments for cataracts and glaucoma, and a couple hundred others consultations leading to eye-related relief in some other form; over 300 Haitian girls have a brightly-colored pillow dress thanks to the FUMC seamstresses, and over 200 Haitian boys received a shirt to add to their non-existent wardrobes; flouride treatments were done with a limited amount of a different material we happened to bring along; the old folks at Good Sam have working toilets, sinks, showers, new curtains, new clothes, and unending smiles and choruses of "The Lord Provides All".
He does, and he doesn't mind a little help from his friends in dispensing same. We feel good about the week, we feel good about all of you who have supported and supplied the trip in one way or another.
I'll close with a last selection of pictures, and a simple "thanks".
John Smith
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Dancin' in my new clothes. . .
Young and old were voguing in Haiti today. More of the cute and fanciful dresses sewn by FUMC seamstresses were handed to the school kids in Chiraque today. This is the same place where we're supporting the construction of a new 2-room school building. . and, man, what a difference from our first visit on Monday! The foundation is nearly complete, and re-bar positioned and forms being built for the concrete columns that will support the roof and provide structure for the cinder block walls. Over 60 villagers were at work, hauling mortar and stone up the hill, others making the mortar, others laying stone, etc. Water is needed and there is none in the mountaintop village. . .folks are walking to the river. . .an hour away. . .down the hill. . .to get a bucket of water. . .and walk back up the hill. . .for an hour. . .all day long. . .
now let's hear it for an hour or so of shoveling snow! Holy mackeral!
At the clinic, this was a big day for the eye crew, with some consultations in the morning but 6 scheduled surgeries that had their day ending at 8 pm. They have a couple more hours of consultations tomorrow but we're off to Port au Prince early afternoon. Our nurses made gifts of the scrubs they wore this week to their grateful counterparts.
At Good Sam, we made another visit, mostly to drop off a few odds and ends, and always have something to do. .like break out our water bottles and hydrate the elder statesmen and stateswomen, pass out the goodies we stole from lunch, and distribute some clothing to the womenfolk. .who proceeded to change on the spot. . .I mean ON the spot, meaning out in the courtyard. Then they starting voguing in their new clothes, and someone else started singing "The Lord Provides All". . .
A picture is worth a thousand words and 5 more from today follow. We have some packing to do, but we'll be about 750 pounds lighter on the return flight!
John Smith
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
now let's hear it for an hour or so of shoveling snow! Holy mackeral!
At the clinic, this was a big day for the eye crew, with some consultations in the morning but 6 scheduled surgeries that had their day ending at 8 pm. They have a couple more hours of consultations tomorrow but we're off to Port au Prince early afternoon. Our nurses made gifts of the scrubs they wore this week to their grateful counterparts.
At Good Sam, we made another visit, mostly to drop off a few odds and ends, and always have something to do. .like break out our water bottles and hydrate the elder statesmen and stateswomen, pass out the goodies we stole from lunch, and distribute some clothing to the womenfolk. .who proceeded to change on the spot. . .I mean ON the spot, meaning out in the courtyard. Then they starting voguing in their new clothes, and someone else started singing "The Lord Provides All". . .
A picture is worth a thousand words and 5 more from today follow. We have some packing to do, but we'll be about 750 pounds lighter on the return flight!
John Smith
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Something old, something new
I'm having technical difficulties it seems, as I'm redoing this post that I managed to jettison off into outer space. . .of course, it gives me a change to be less wordy!
The prior post contains pictures that were supposed to come AFTER this one. . .great pictures, but it's like having dessert then ordering a steak. . .
The eye team had a long day again today, coming back to the guesthouse after 5 surgeries and 50 consultations. Surgical patients are awake during the procedure and receiving instruction from Dr. Scott as to what's next, etc., since we're talking sharp instruments and eyes. . .even with the best English-to-Creole translators we're talking some "satellite delay". . .yikes. . .although thumbs up so far! Scott isn't turning away anybody, which makes for the long days. . but they have walked miles to see him.
As for "something old", we made another visit to the Good Samaritan Old Folks Home today, to install the window curtains (a bright yellow gingham, as if I have any idea what that means. .). . which we did with the means available.. . .masonry nails and hard wire strung between! I'm sure we heard the Hallelujah Chorus in Creole when every elder stateswoman and statesman had some privacy over their cinder block-based open windows. . not to mention "clean and colorful". The plumbers did what they promised to do and there are now 3 toilets that flush, 2 sinks that run, and 2 showers that spray (sounds like 12 Days of Christmas. .and it was, to them, a "gift" of sorts). .and a couple of ladies enjoyed the new shower while we were there, right off the courtyard, or so I'm told.
This place needs some kind of visiting nurse program as presently they get seen as often as we visit, which is once a year. Some of the pictures in the prior post are from Good Sam. . they are lovely, grateful folks who so much enjoyed the attention, care and the chance to primp and pose for Roland's excellent camera work.
As for "something new", Head Nurse Dorismund was in full swing with her malnourished newborne program. . .3 sections of mothers. . .expectant, with a malnourished newborne, and in normal neo-natal care. . .numbering 250 or so gather at the clinic, under the gazebo, for instruction/physical assessment/and distribution of blankets (courtesy of FUMC seamstresses!), medication and nutrition. The program costs $500 per session, and the generosity of UMW will make two sessions possible, but on display is a thoughtful and impactful program that is going to give at 250 Haitian newbornes a leg up on life as compared to prior generations.
"There, I've said it again. . ."
Night all, John Smith
The prior post contains pictures that were supposed to come AFTER this one. . .great pictures, but it's like having dessert then ordering a steak. . .
The eye team had a long day again today, coming back to the guesthouse after 5 surgeries and 50 consultations. Surgical patients are awake during the procedure and receiving instruction from Dr. Scott as to what's next, etc., since we're talking sharp instruments and eyes. . .even with the best English-to-Creole translators we're talking some "satellite delay". . .yikes. . .although thumbs up so far! Scott isn't turning away anybody, which makes for the long days. . but they have walked miles to see him.
As for "something old", we made another visit to the Good Samaritan Old Folks Home today, to install the window curtains (a bright yellow gingham, as if I have any idea what that means. .). . which we did with the means available.. . .masonry nails and hard wire strung between! I'm sure we heard the Hallelujah Chorus in Creole when every elder stateswoman and statesman had some privacy over their cinder block-based open windows. . not to mention "clean and colorful". The plumbers did what they promised to do and there are now 3 toilets that flush, 2 sinks that run, and 2 showers that spray (sounds like 12 Days of Christmas. .and it was, to them, a "gift" of sorts). .and a couple of ladies enjoyed the new shower while we were there, right off the courtyard, or so I'm told.
This place needs some kind of visiting nurse program as presently they get seen as often as we visit, which is once a year. Some of the pictures in the prior post are from Good Sam. . they are lovely, grateful folks who so much enjoyed the attention, care and the chance to primp and pose for Roland's excellent camera work.
As for "something new", Head Nurse Dorismund was in full swing with her malnourished newborne program. . .3 sections of mothers. . .expectant, with a malnourished newborne, and in normal neo-natal care. . .numbering 250 or so gather at the clinic, under the gazebo, for instruction/physical assessment/and distribution of blankets (courtesy of FUMC seamstresses!), medication and nutrition. The program costs $500 per session, and the generosity of UMW will make two sessions possible, but on display is a thoughtful and impactful program that is going to give at 250 Haitian newbornes a leg up on life as compared to prior generations.
"There, I've said it again. . ."
Night all, John Smith
OK, stop laughing already. . .
. . .here are the pictures promised in my last blog entry!
John Smith
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
John Smith
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
"The Lord Provides All"
Sometimes, it doesn't always seem so. We all have our ups and downs (and they pale by comparison to the ups and downs we perceive here. . .), and I recall Dad telling me that God was just testing me.
That I haven't forgotten or dismissed that advice tells me something, sometime about my faith. There is something greater that me, or all of us, that means to be some better place on the horizon to walk to.
So, today, we're back at the Good Samaritan Old Folks Home, home to 8 very old men and women otherwise on the street, if not gone. Just showing up brightens their day and, stand back for thunderous applause/hugs/smooches, if you replace the tattered door curtains that defines their last place/contains their only possessions. I mentioned we brought new mattress covers, we bought new sheets today, and raised a little hell at the toilet that was backed up, about the running water that wasn't, etc. It just makes you made, and takes every bit of self control to express yourself to those who can fix things up with decorum and respect. . .and make it clear you will bankroll the fixes if it happens, like, NOW.
And so it is. . we were back today, installing the door curtains, and plumbers were all over the place. The eldest man was given new clothes to augment his wardrobe, which consisted of what he was wearing. We brought packaged peaches, applesauce, cookies. . to diversify their steady diet of rice and beans. . .all was distributed, and generated huge smiles and thank you's. . .so much that the women started singing "The Lord Provides All".
It doesn't take much to bring happiness to others, and when we consider the gifts we have to work with in relation to those we're serving in the Haiti mission field, we can do. .and do do. .and lot of good, and we do so on behalf of the congregation.
We touched other, younger lives this morning in the village of Bois Neuf Malore. . .we distributed the dresses sewn by FUMC seamstresses, and tooth brushes (we planned to do flouride treatments but the material came out like Gorilla Glue. . .oh well, do what you can. .we'll come back with a different, better product next year).
Back at the clinic. . .tons more eye patients, and the first surgeries, and more triage by Shawn.
Tonight, we were serenaded by Rubin, a 25-year old orphan who lives with Pastor Chrisnel and manages the computer lab at the John Wesley high school (for probably little if any money). Some of you know that Rubin's house burned down, and he now lives in the parsonage. .where we all camp out when we are here. He lost everything, but we brought down clothes, shoes, and some money that we'll discuss the best way to handle with Pastor Chrisnel. Tonight was his birthday, and his singing. .along with his 7 choir members. .was, it seems, cathartic after solid week of misery. . piled on top of a lifetime of tough conditions. He sang about his faith, and their version of "Amazing Grace" was just another connection between us.
I know he felt, too, that The Lord provides all. . .through others, sometimes, like us.
John Smith
That I haven't forgotten or dismissed that advice tells me something, sometime about my faith. There is something greater that me, or all of us, that means to be some better place on the horizon to walk to.
So, today, we're back at the Good Samaritan Old Folks Home, home to 8 very old men and women otherwise on the street, if not gone. Just showing up brightens their day and, stand back for thunderous applause/hugs/smooches, if you replace the tattered door curtains that defines their last place/contains their only possessions. I mentioned we brought new mattress covers, we bought new sheets today, and raised a little hell at the toilet that was backed up, about the running water that wasn't, etc. It just makes you made, and takes every bit of self control to express yourself to those who can fix things up with decorum and respect. . .and make it clear you will bankroll the fixes if it happens, like, NOW.
And so it is. . we were back today, installing the door curtains, and plumbers were all over the place. The eldest man was given new clothes to augment his wardrobe, which consisted of what he was wearing. We brought packaged peaches, applesauce, cookies. . to diversify their steady diet of rice and beans. . .all was distributed, and generated huge smiles and thank you's. . .so much that the women started singing "The Lord Provides All".
It doesn't take much to bring happiness to others, and when we consider the gifts we have to work with in relation to those we're serving in the Haiti mission field, we can do. .and do do. .and lot of good, and we do so on behalf of the congregation.
We touched other, younger lives this morning in the village of Bois Neuf Malore. . .we distributed the dresses sewn by FUMC seamstresses, and tooth brushes (we planned to do flouride treatments but the material came out like Gorilla Glue. . .oh well, do what you can. .we'll come back with a different, better product next year).
Back at the clinic. . .tons more eye patients, and the first surgeries, and more triage by Shawn.
Tonight, we were serenaded by Rubin, a 25-year old orphan who lives with Pastor Chrisnel and manages the computer lab at the John Wesley high school (for probably little if any money). Some of you know that Rubin's house burned down, and he now lives in the parsonage. .where we all camp out when we are here. He lost everything, but we brought down clothes, shoes, and some money that we'll discuss the best way to handle with Pastor Chrisnel. Tonight was his birthday, and his singing. .along with his 7 choir members. .was, it seems, cathartic after solid week of misery. . piled on top of a lifetime of tough conditions. He sang about his faith, and their version of "Amazing Grace" was just another connection between us.
I know he felt, too, that The Lord provides all. . .through others, sometimes, like us.
John Smith
Model T Redux. . .my fat finger disposed of the punch line!
I managed to try to publish yesterday's blog and excluded a paragraph or two. . .and while I can't now recall all of what got deleted the Model T metaphor was about FUMC's support for building the 2-room school building in the village of Chiraque. 35 villagers have work given our support, with many making 200 Gouds per day. . .weilding pickaxes, shovels, pikes, mallets. . .or buckets hauling mortar, stone, rock, cement and rebar up the equivalent of 8-stories. That's $5. . .what LUCKY American's were making 100 years ago. They were totally into the work, despite the sun/heat/humidity, navigating the trenches in bare feet and feasting on beans and rice (we provide money for lunch when we support construction projects like this). It is a poor country that hasn't yet found a way to self-generate the virtuous upward cycle of economic activity that feeds on itself. In the meantime, we're making it possible for them to feed themselves. Thanks!
John Smith
John Smith
Monday, March 31, 2014
Model T redux
Officially, today was the first work day. . .but yesterday's post hopefully cleared that up! When we're here, it's as wall to wall as we can make it, and Pastor Chrisnel does his level best to support us.
The clinic was open today and the place was mobbed, more so because of the triage done in Gommiers yesterday. Dr. Scott abandoned plans for surgery this afternoon, dedicated the day to clinic work so he can determine how to use the rest of his time for both new walk-ins and those he saw today that need surgery of some sort. The medical clinic was also busy and Shawn was pitching in all over. Meds donated by St. John's Providence were delivered to the clinic pharmacy, and Nancy got an update from Head Nurse Dorismond about the malnourished newborne program she has developed. A generous donor in the congregation has made it possible to support the program for 5-6 months.
We have also renewed our support for the breakfast program at the main church here in Jeremie, which provides those who don't eat so well a roll and coffee before services on Sunday. Here, this support is a joint effort between our church and a handful of other Methodist churches in the greater Detroit area.
Roland and I made our way to the mountain village of Chiraque. Last year, we supported the building of pews and school benches, and finishing off a partially completed 1-room school building. We also supported the building of a flush toilet for the church, although we need to help with the purchase of rainwater cistern so the sink and toilet have "running" water. This year, we are underwriting the construction of a new 2-room school building to bring indoors students otherwise having classes outside. This underwriting means 35 villagers have been put to work hand digging the foundation trench, and lugging EVERYTHING. . .stones, rock, mortar, cement, re-bar. . .UPHILL the last 200 yards. Roland and I took a turn with the pickaxe and the shovel, and carrying a load of mortar up the hill. . .one load was enough, but the villagers smiled and clapped when we dumped our load out onto the pile they had been making since early this morning. There is a little Model T in this undertaking, as most of the villagers make 200 Gouds/day. . . .or $5. Compared to no work, it is a blessing, made possible by the generosity of FUMC's congregation.
Back at the clinic, Nancy and Lynn administered flouride treatments to about 45 kids from the orphanage that is nearby. This is the second treatment in as many years and they were (mostly) all smiles again.
After dinner, the seamstresses among us busied themselves with the finishing touches on curtains to replace the tattered and dowdy ones at the Good Samaritan Old Folks home. . .installation will take place later this week. Others of us used a machine from the clinic to read the prescription of donated eye glasses, to
The clinic was open today and the place was mobbed, more so because of the triage done in Gommiers yesterday. Dr. Scott abandoned plans for surgery this afternoon, dedicated the day to clinic work so he can determine how to use the rest of his time for both new walk-ins and those he saw today that need surgery of some sort. The medical clinic was also busy and Shawn was pitching in all over. Meds donated by St. John's Providence were delivered to the clinic pharmacy, and Nancy got an update from Head Nurse Dorismond about the malnourished newborne program she has developed. A generous donor in the congregation has made it possible to support the program for 5-6 months.
We have also renewed our support for the breakfast program at the main church here in Jeremie, which provides those who don't eat so well a roll and coffee before services on Sunday. Here, this support is a joint effort between our church and a handful of other Methodist churches in the greater Detroit area.
Roland and I made our way to the mountain village of Chiraque. Last year, we supported the building of pews and school benches, and finishing off a partially completed 1-room school building. We also supported the building of a flush toilet for the church, although we need to help with the purchase of rainwater cistern so the sink and toilet have "running" water. This year, we are underwriting the construction of a new 2-room school building to bring indoors students otherwise having classes outside. This underwriting means 35 villagers have been put to work hand digging the foundation trench, and lugging EVERYTHING. . .stones, rock, mortar, cement, re-bar. . .UPHILL the last 200 yards. Roland and I took a turn with the pickaxe and the shovel, and carrying a load of mortar up the hill. . .one load was enough, but the villagers smiled and clapped when we dumped our load out onto the pile they had been making since early this morning. There is a little Model T in this undertaking, as most of the villagers make 200 Gouds/day. . . .or $5. Compared to no work, it is a blessing, made possible by the generosity of FUMC's congregation.
Back at the clinic, Nancy and Lynn administered flouride treatments to about 45 kids from the orphanage that is nearby. This is the second treatment in as many years and they were (mostly) all smiles again.
After dinner, the seamstresses among us busied themselves with the finishing touches on curtains to replace the tattered and dowdy ones at the Good Samaritan Old Folks home. . .installation will take place later this week. Others of us used a machine from the clinic to read the prescription of donated eye glasses, to
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Day Won. . .
It's hot and pretty much breezeless at the moment, and we're thinking "what are we thinking?". . .we're not freezing, shoveling snow or navigating around black ice! Short hitters if not short memories!
We had a full day, attending church services that Pastor Chrisnel was presiding over in one of the 35 churches comprising his circuit. . . it is the seaside village of Gommiers. Services typically run 2 1/2 hours, and the Pastor stopped to pick up a choir that was to sign at service. . they all climbed into the back of his pickup truck until a nasty bit of rain intercepted us. He let the choir off under some cover, drove the rest of us to church, and returned to pick them up. Nice thing about being the pastor is that service doesn't really start until he arrives!
While we don't understand a word of creole or french, the voices of the many choirs established the common ground of our faith. Our host congregation couldn't have been nicer, practicing "radical hospitality" with our gang after service was concluded.
With two nurses, and eye doctor and his PA in toe, we offered "First Nurses" blood pressure readings, and eye triage. . .to find those with cataracts or glaucoma so that they might make their way to the clinic in Gebeau where Scott will be performing surguries Monday thru Thursday afternoons. It was a happening. . .musta seen 60 people with one or both screenings, with Pastor Chrisnel serving as translator congratulating thosed with tres bon blood pressures. Not sure how she managed but Nancy did all the blood pressures on her knees. . .no tables, just pews. Shawn counseled several mothers about their babies, and Jill might have been "Most Popular" as she was dispensing reading glasses. . .initially as Scott directed, but once the crowd saw how nice they were she had a following!
This afternoon, Scott, Mary and Jill went to the clinic to ensure all was ready for tommorrow. The rest of made our way to the Good Samaritan Old Folks Home. . .not a pretty site but they would be homeless otherwise. We did blood pressures and other triage, arranging for a few to be brought to the clinic for the attention they need. We installed some mattress protection, and generally inspected the conditions. There are some simple improvements in order, which Pastor discussed with the caretaker. There is a bigger problem to solve and that is the lack of some kind of visiting nurse who would do what we did. . .every week. . .what we did in the only visit we make in a year's time.
We covered a lot of ground and, while tired and hot (and hydrating like crazy), regard today as a good day, a day won. . .
John Smith
We had a full day, attending church services that Pastor Chrisnel was presiding over in one of the 35 churches comprising his circuit. . . it is the seaside village of Gommiers. Services typically run 2 1/2 hours, and the Pastor stopped to pick up a choir that was to sign at service. . they all climbed into the back of his pickup truck until a nasty bit of rain intercepted us. He let the choir off under some cover, drove the rest of us to church, and returned to pick them up. Nice thing about being the pastor is that service doesn't really start until he arrives!
While we don't understand a word of creole or french, the voices of the many choirs established the common ground of our faith. Our host congregation couldn't have been nicer, practicing "radical hospitality" with our gang after service was concluded.
With two nurses, and eye doctor and his PA in toe, we offered "First Nurses" blood pressure readings, and eye triage. . .to find those with cataracts or glaucoma so that they might make their way to the clinic in Gebeau where Scott will be performing surguries Monday thru Thursday afternoons. It was a happening. . .musta seen 60 people with one or both screenings, with Pastor Chrisnel serving as translator congratulating thosed with tres bon blood pressures. Not sure how she managed but Nancy did all the blood pressures on her knees. . .no tables, just pews. Shawn counseled several mothers about their babies, and Jill might have been "Most Popular" as she was dispensing reading glasses. . .initially as Scott directed, but once the crowd saw how nice they were she had a following!
This afternoon, Scott, Mary and Jill went to the clinic to ensure all was ready for tommorrow. The rest of made our way to the Good Samaritan Old Folks Home. . .not a pretty site but they would be homeless otherwise. We did blood pressures and other triage, arranging for a few to be brought to the clinic for the attention they need. We installed some mattress protection, and generally inspected the conditions. There are some simple improvements in order, which Pastor discussed with the caretaker. There is a bigger problem to solve and that is the lack of some kind of visiting nurse who would do what we did. . .every week. . .what we did in the only visit we make in a year's time.
We covered a lot of ground and, while tired and hot (and hydrating like crazy), regard today as a good day, a day won. . .
John Smith
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Weighing in. . .
We are here, having started the journey to Jeremie. . .some of us, at least. . .at 2 am yesterday morning. We made our way from Detroit to Miami on a 6 am flight, then had a 4-hour layover before flying to Port au Prince.
PaP has progressed from just chaos, to organized chaos. A new arrival hall replaces the ram-shackle Butler building that was used for luggage after the earthquake. That being said, baggage handling must be among the top10 occupations in Port au Prince, with teams of Haitians comprising a sort of relay of one's luggage in the 400 yards or so between the luggage conveyor and whatever vehicle you pile into! Friendly, helpful. . .ever-present, and persistent. . .but its really just another way of sharing our gifts with those trying to make their way in a difficult place.
We couldn't get to Jeremie yesterday and spent the night at the Palm Hotel near the airport. It has become a sort of crossroads for other mission teams as suspect as we that making it to or from Jeremie in one day is a bridge too far for the capabilities of local transportation. We happened across "Reverend Jerry" from a South Carolina methodist church with whom FUMC has worked in prior years. He was one his way out, we on our way in, and it was great to get his take on the state of things.
Pastor Chrisnel has 35 or so churches in his circuit, and his parsonage serves as guest house for mission teams like the one from South Carolina, FUMC and a host of other churches in southeast Michigan. For a while, we are his last gig, and I detected a bit o' relief in his manner when he met us at the Jeremie air strip a short while ago.
We are on Haitian time, as the scheduled flight to Jeremie was to depart at 11 am, based on arrangements made several weeks ago. At the airport, the charter staff offered that the plane would leave at 1 pm. . .then, after a little checking, OK maybe noon. . .and another staff member said they often leave early. . .take a seat, take a load off, it'll happen!
So back to today's blog title. . .every bag and EVERY PERSON has to be weighed before we pile into the 9-passenger puddle jumper. At least half of those reading this blog would be surprised to know the idea of standing on a scale, with a HUGE dial, visible to the entire Caribbean basin, was the last thing the ladies of FUMC wished to do. No big deal. . .so Jill weighs &^%, Mary weighs @#$, Nancy weighs?>{, and Lynn weighs +)*. . .there, what's the big deal?
We're sorting today, since we had 20 checked bags for the 8 of us, and the fur starts to fly tomorrow!
John Smith
PaP has progressed from just chaos, to organized chaos. A new arrival hall replaces the ram-shackle Butler building that was used for luggage after the earthquake. That being said, baggage handling must be among the top10 occupations in Port au Prince, with teams of Haitians comprising a sort of relay of one's luggage in the 400 yards or so between the luggage conveyor and whatever vehicle you pile into! Friendly, helpful. . .ever-present, and persistent. . .but its really just another way of sharing our gifts with those trying to make their way in a difficult place.
We couldn't get to Jeremie yesterday and spent the night at the Palm Hotel near the airport. It has become a sort of crossroads for other mission teams as suspect as we that making it to or from Jeremie in one day is a bridge too far for the capabilities of local transportation. We happened across "Reverend Jerry" from a South Carolina methodist church with whom FUMC has worked in prior years. He was one his way out, we on our way in, and it was great to get his take on the state of things.
Pastor Chrisnel has 35 or so churches in his circuit, and his parsonage serves as guest house for mission teams like the one from South Carolina, FUMC and a host of other churches in southeast Michigan. For a while, we are his last gig, and I detected a bit o' relief in his manner when he met us at the Jeremie air strip a short while ago.
We are on Haitian time, as the scheduled flight to Jeremie was to depart at 11 am, based on arrangements made several weeks ago. At the airport, the charter staff offered that the plane would leave at 1 pm. . .then, after a little checking, OK maybe noon. . .and another staff member said they often leave early. . .take a seat, take a load off, it'll happen!
So back to today's blog title. . .every bag and EVERY PERSON has to be weighed before we pile into the 9-passenger puddle jumper. At least half of those reading this blog would be surprised to know the idea of standing on a scale, with a HUGE dial, visible to the entire Caribbean basin, was the last thing the ladies of FUMC wished to do. No big deal. . .so Jill weighs &^%, Mary weighs @#$, Nancy weighs?>{, and Lynn weighs +)*. . .there, what's the big deal?
We're sorting today, since we had 20 checked bags for the 8 of us, and the fur starts to fly tomorrow!
John Smith
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Getting Ready to Return to Jeremie. . .
Soon, 8 of us will return to Jeremie, Haiti for a week's worth of work. Scott, Jill and Mary will be doing eye surgeries again this year, and folks will WALK considerable distances to be seen and treated. Flouride treatments will be administered again in 3 different villages by Nancy, her sister Lynn, and Shawn. .another nurse from First United. Meds donated by St. John's-Providence, and baby blankets and other supplies for the clinic's malnourished newborne program will also be delivered. . along with 300 sundresses and assorted "boy" clothes made by hand by the FUMC seamstresses. . .finally, a use for all of that material filling up closets everywhere!
Roland and I will be helping the ladies some but spend most of our time helping local Haitian masons build a foundation for a new 2-room school building in the village of Chiraque. All building materials are HAND CARRIED, UP THE MOUNTAIN, the last 10 or so minutes. I'm hoping that has happened before we arrive, as the most technologically advanced tool they can bring to bear on the foundation is a pick ax! We will be replacing the tattered window and door curtains at the old folks home, and bringing new laptops to the high school (solid-state Chromebooks that should hold up better under the constant heat/humidity/dust that is Haiti).
Our basement has been filling up with all of the above, and we've squeezed into duffels for the trip to Haiti. Having all of what we take finally get into the guest house is the same feeling as when your kids stopped needing diapers!
We'll post everyday and we hope you follow along. . .best, John Smith
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)