3/16/15
Hello from Courtney!
Today
was the start of our last three work days left before we leave Haiti. Most of
us went to the outpost in Bayaha, while a few of the men went into the city of
Cap Haitien to buy supplies for the construction.
When
we first got to the outpost, Dale and Josh accompanied a few of us girls on a
walk to see the houses and the people of Bayaha outside of the church where we
were staying at that time. Many of the children there were nude or were wearing
very little clothing. Some of them even had an orange tint to their hair from
malnutrition. Glenn said there was a lot more green in the town then when he
had last been there, but there was still quite a bit of brown too. We saw many
houses made out of dirt and mud, or sticks weaved together. Most of the roofs
were made of thatch, and the nicer ones had a layer of tin on top.
Back
inside the small church, we set up a clinic type area where the people could
get meds and minor medical help. First, they went to Bonnie at the triage to
get their pulse and blood pressure taken. Then, they moved on to Larry, Dave,
Caitlin Moore, or Susan to examine them and diagnose their condition. Finally,
John, Caitlin Wilson, and Tobey distributed the proper amount of pills or
antibiotics for the patients to take there and then carry the rest home. As a
team, we ended up looking at over 100 patients in only a few hours.
Not
only did we serve the people through medical care, but we saw and played with
many of the children at the outpost as well. Glenn and Katie were the favorites
in a lively game of duck, duck, goose, and Josh took tons of great pictures
with the kids from all kinds of crazy angles, then showed them their own images
in the camera, which they greatly enjoyed.
While
most of us were helping the people and playing with adorable babies in Bayaha,
one group of brave men journeyed to Cap Haitien to buy things for some
construction that is to be done later. They said that the walls in the stores
were stacked from ceiling to floor with random items, and that their sanity was
put to the test. Luckily, I believe they came back with some good materials to
use here in Ft. Liberte.
After
returning from our work sites and having a late lunch, some people stayed at
the compound to rest (Glenn went to a soccer game), a group helped Gail and
Virgil in Child Sponsorship, and another group went to visit the people at the
welcome center.
The
welcome center is a home for about eight to ten older Haitian men and women who
are unable to take care of themselves, or do not have any family members to
take care of them. Here, the Haiti team members were able to give the folks
some good medical care and medicines, similar to what was done at the outpost.
They said that they had given one lady a walker who has had hip and back
trouble since early October of last year, and once she got up on her feet, she
took off sprinting! They said it was actually a very happy place and the people
there really enjoyed the company from our Haiti team.
I
stayed back at the compound and continued helping with Child Sponsorship from
Saturday with Gail, Virgil, Molly, Abigail, Hannah, and Caitlin Wilson. Today
was less chaotic than Saturday and far less kids showed up, but we still worked
hard and got a lot done.
Once
we all returned to the house, we had a couple of hours to rest and then headed
downstairs to the kitchen for dinner and worship. To finish the day off, most
everyone gathered on the roof together and looked at the stars. It was a
perfect way to end a successful day.
I can’t believe there are only two
more work days left until we return home. Thank you all again so much for your
prayers! Tomorrow and Tuesday night you will be hearing from Abigail, but I
have really enjoyed righting this blog! Thanks for listening to me!
With
love,
Courtney
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