Hey Everyone,
I arrived in Santo Domingo on July 5th and was able to visit with my friends and Dominican Family. I then drove with Valentin to Port au Prince and arrived at Hopital Adventist d’Haiti the evening of the 7th. I have settled on to a cot and have started just about where I left off. I have had a warm welcome and am really encouraged by the progress the hospital is making.
For everyone who fed me, housed me, and clothed me while I was still at home. THANK YOU!!! It was so good to spend time with friends and family and become rejuvinated before I came back. A special thanks to my Grandma, my Mom and Dad, my cuz Danny, Uncle Doug and Aunt Nancy, the Rummley-Wells, My little brother, Rudy, and everyone else.
Driving through the Port au Prince yet again it’s a stark reminder at how slow everything goes. Four days will be the 6 month anniversary and yet the streets are still filled with rubble, with little evidence that anything is getting done. New traumas come in, people who were trying to repair old homes that need to be torn down. People who have been crushed when rain’s make unstable buildings collapse. While we are not in active crisis mode right now, for many people there is nothing more.
On a good note, our Prosthetics container is in Port as I am typing this. It should be out with in the month. Foundation for Peace is moving forward on a Vocational and Language school where Haitians and Americans will be able to come together to learn English, Creol, and French. Project Hope and Christian Blind Mission are partnering well with us and we are hoping to be see the fruits of our labor soon. Groups are coming down to organize all our supplies and our “Junk for Jesus” (Breast implants and old hospital equipment that doesn’t work, and can’t be fixed are just the beginning). Long term patients have smiles on their faces and are glowing.
It’s amazing how much Hope I feel coming down here. I know that things are going to be a little crazy, but it looks like I will be able to start my language training soon (as long as I am able to meet the fundraising needs).
I hope this finds everyone well, and please keep me and this hospital in your prayers and thoughts. There is much more work to do, and I only have 6 months.
