MONDAY 12/29/03

I can just not put into words all of my thoughts today. I felt God's awesome power and was sad to leave my family, but was not nervous at all.

My friends packed me notes for each day as well as my thoughtful husband and children -- The ones from work made me laugh and the ones from home made me swell with pride and cry. It gave me new and added support and strength.

Upon entering Port-au-Prince it was a mad house of "dark ones" all trying to get my bags (for money) or asking for money out right. It could have been real scary but "Joe" (our guide) had the car lined up and in we jumped -- even though we were continually asked for money.

The "prop" plane -- the ride from Port-au-Prince to Hinch was a hoot! and I mean hoot! Six people were the max depending on weight and we bumped and rode the roller coaster ride over the mountains for 20-30 minutes to Hinche. The ride was a lot of ups and downs resulting in your stomach in your toes! You could see out of your windows all the farms. Very cool. I was not even the slighest bit scared, only curious and excited. All went well and landing was great.

We were met by Sam and Delores and many other peace corps people and taken to a restaurant in town. We were served a feast! Fried slivers of potatoes (yum), then a plate of fried plantains (smashed) that tasted like corn cakes but different. There was a large serving of fresh goat in a wonderful brown sauce, a tsp. of grated hot cabbage, and a large serving of rice steamed with a few pea-like pieces added in. It was all great and the goat was good. Madeline could only eat her rice. I was proud to be presented with such a feast and was glad to eat it with such relish. Our dessert was two packs of Chicklet gum and an odd piece of taffy. We bought our first gifts: bookmarks and necklaces.

The ride to Sam and Delores' was bump and the roads are terrible. There was approximately 14 people in a Toyota land cruiser. It's cool as it has bench seats on each side that go the length of the vehicle. When we got to Sam and Delores' we went to claim our bed in quarters above the depot (this is where Sam's workshop is). All is made of big stone blocks in two sections with females on one side and males on the other each with a bathroom and shower. It all runs on a generator and the showers are cold.

We sat in their house and packed a large trunk of meds and another suitcase with drug supplies. I was anxious to see how the clinic was to go.

We had popcorn for a snack...yum

2100 - to bed. Can't wait for the first day. I'm so proud to be here and ready to care for it all. RNs are Ivy, Kim (me), and Delores. Peace Corps are Dale, Jessica, Gyna, Ashley, and Matt. Helpers are Jackie, Fucien, and Dieuseul. Then the rest of Lakewood and Sam and Tinana. Our plan is for the three RN's to see patients and the others to do evangelism and crowd control. Peace Corps Jessica will translate for me, and Jackie will translate for Madeline. Joy will do pharmacy to fill all of our Rx. The others will teach people about iron and good nutrition.

TUESDAY 12/30/03

0600 Out for a run on rocky pastures and road

0715 Breakfast - fresh grapefruits

0830 We got to setup our clinic in the person's house. They wiped off the tables and cleaned so we could see people out of the sun. There were three RNs and one translator for me. We saw three patients at a time. There was lots of scabies and fungal-type rashes, etc. but the people were anxious to see us and many pushed to get inside so we added another Haitian to keep control. One lady who kissed our cheeks after her checkup gave us a bunch of plaintains (probably a 2 week supply for her). The people were very poor and everyone was anemic. The culture dictates the men eat all they want (meat is rare) and the women and kids get what is left. We passed out more iron tables than I could imagine. For every patient that was not anemic I gave a Rebel Yell as it was very few. The Haitians just laughed at the yell. The babies all were sick today. The children did not cry nor move when they were examined (unlike our ER).

1500 We rode horses back to the compound only to remount and ride to the bakery for bread for tommorow. It was neat and very rustic and just my style. Whoever would have thought that I would ride on horseback to get bread baked in an old stone open handmade oven instead of made in metal rectangular pans. Water to make it was brought in 5 gallon buckets by two young boys and the flour was in 50-lb. sacks on the floor.

1700 I ran for 30 minutes with three other people (young) from the peace corps.

1800 We ate supper that consisted of rice with a few beans in it, a coleslaw, banan pizze, beef, and rolls. The rice they put in a sort of "sauce" - it is bean juice and drippings -- good but greasy.

1930 We washed dishes and then promised to be back to fix breakfast at 6:30 tommorow. No run for me.

2030 Devotions and our group only. Ed led.

2100 Attempted to write but too sleepy -- study and read my verse of the day.

2130 To bed. We saw 115 patients and had 3 RNs.

WEDNESDAY 12/31/03

0620 Awoke to cook breakfast. Homemade syrup and from scratch waffles! Yum yum and I was the cook. I cleaned up and washed my face.

0800 18 people and a child (Tinana) into a Toyota land cruiser. Three were on top and all the rest inside. We also picked up a villager that hung on the back -- everyone (if they get a ride) hang on the outside of the vehicle.

Our clinic today was in La Begue -- a voudou village. We drove a long way and no horses today. The clinic was setup under the shed that had a locked gate. The shed had a roof but only palm branches for the side walls. When the wind blew the walls fell down...no matter, we just kept on seeing people. The people today were either real sick or just reflux -- only a few had scabies and a couple had fungal infections. We had a boy with a necrotic machette cut to his leg and he needed lots of sutures but had not seen anyone until today. Seven days after the acident. All of the old dead tissue had to be removed and cleaned and scar will prevail. He will have his foot still...the antibiotics will help.

We had a woman today that quit nursing her baby at 4 months because it made her eyes hurt. She complained that now the baby had diarrhea. Yeah because it was eating flour and smashed plaintains (not palatable for 4 mo. old). The other volunteers did an eye clinic and gave our glasses (much needed) and also a lot of teaching on anemia -- iron and worms.

The road home was stoped by a flat tire about 2 or 3 miles from home. I and a few others walked. The roads have large to medium round stones that are hard to maneuver at times. On the way home a friend stopped and gave us avacodos (brown ones). We made fresh guacamole and fresh tomatoes. We (2 other girls and I) made homemade tortillas with corn and flour - yum yum! Papaya is good but different. Happy new year but I will be in bed. 2 RNs and 110 patients.

THURSDAY 1/1/04

0600 Run in pasture on trails for 40 minutes. The Haitians stand and watch each time I pass and smile.

0730 French toast, fresh pineapple, and spam.

0830 Flat tire needs air then to the market in the city of Bel Tourib. The clinic will be in three outskirts of this city (3 days 3 areas). The market had women and their wares lying on cloth (ie potatoes, onions, etc.) The meat freshly killed that morning was in large bowls in big hunks. They would eat off pieces to show you! Fresh pork in one and fresh beef in another. I tried Haitian peanut butter...it has peppers (hot) but very good. We went to a local pharmacy to get cough syrup. They had crates of meds all over and did not even know what most were. It was written in French or Kreole which was hard for me to read.

After the tire was replaced we went to our clinic area. The cities are dirty and teaming with people all needing something to do. I would not like to be in a city. The countryside was lush with trees and planted tobacco.

The clinic was under the trees today but it was warm weather so the breezes were nice. These people were rarely anemic and most were in good shape. Few children sick and lots of elderly arthritis. The people in general were healthy. We had 2 RNs and saw 75.

At home at 4 PM. I played, rested, and cooked spaghetti and avacados. We could find no bakery open today as it was a holiday. Nobody worked...everyone made soup and went to families. Everyone was dressed up.

We watched a River Runs Through It..it was good. We have breakfast duty in the morning so no run.

FRIDAY 1/2/04

0600 Shower cold...ice cold. H2O refreshing.

0640 Homemade biscuits made with the little flour we had left (no flour in the market yesterday due to holiday). A biscuit per person with milk gravy. Yum. And fresh grapefruit.

0900 In Bel Tourib again. The "mass" was there waiting for us to arrive. It was very busy and tons of people to see. There were lots of sick kids and older patients today. URI #1 Dx.

1200 Lunch. No bread found today so no flour or crackers. So cheetoes found on road in and cold hot dogs (no bun or bread), dipped into a jar of mustard. We had fresh oranges (to die for). I was still hungry so we put peanut butter on our finger and ate it - good good.

1600 The last patients were seen - 145 patients with 2 nurses/doctors. We had to send one fellow to see a doctor in Hinche (he may go or he may not) for a cancerous lesion to his jaw.

1630 In through town. We found a store (store is used loosly). It is part of a house that is open and wares are displayed. We stopped looking for flour and sugar. We found sugar and a price agreed upon. Mr. Ed bought everyone drinks (bottled coke). I got a V8 fruit juice and it tasted like heaven! See you find weird stuff...we went door to door to find flour at a lady's house. We paid lots extra for not buying it days ago when she had it. The market was not open so we had to have it. No bakery open so no bread.

1730 The Haitians that help Sam and Delores fried rice and a few beans mixed with some dried meat with oily gravy to go on top. Good.

1930 Our devotion - "Where we saw Jesus today"

2030 After restocking the medicine cabinet we organized it and I'm up to read and write. No kitchen duty in the morning so I will run.

SATURDAY 1/3/04

0600 Ran 42 minutes in the hills and rocks

0715 Breakfast: potato cakes, spam, and biscuits

0800 Packed truck

0900 In Bel Tourib for the third day. There was a mass of people waiting upon our arrival.

1200 Peanut butter sammies and oranges (given to us by the health officer)

1215 Back to work

1800 It was dark and we saw the last patients. We were all tired.

1920 Dinner - Goat, bean sauce, and corn meal (mush) with beans. Yum yum. No devotion tonight because half of the crew already went to bed. We watched the River Runs Through It with the peace corps. Today there were many people from "Port" or Bel Tourib (the city). They had come to get free medicine and it was stressful because I know the needs of the poor in other areas. The number one complaint was "burn in the heart" (they call their stomach). Two RNs and 247 patients.

SUNDAY 1/4/04

0630 Breakfast - I was the cook and assisted Joy. Pancakes and pancakes.

0815 The guys went with Sam and they went to a church in the hills.

0945 We walked to a local service up the road. We sat on benches under a big tree. It was a beautiful site with the mountains in the background. The service consisted of singing a different hymn in kreole for 45 minutes to 1 hour then the leader preached and we each gave our testimony at the end of the service. There are a lot of distractions when you are outside...the goats rambling in the millet field and the chickens fighting over millet seed. You know the usual we see in our own services (ha!).

1240 We were home to make lunch. Pasta with grated carrot, onion, and mayo, fried mackeral patties, and bread. Yum

1400 We left to go into Hinche to get staples (with the peace corps there was a mass toll on the food supply). The Market in Hinche...since it was a holiday week it was not open fully. We had to go to 20 different places each to get only one thing on our simple basic list. The city has some stone streets but otherwise it is dirt roads. The ground is dirty and the water is dirty. Goats, dogs, and cats wander the streets and animals are not cared for...they are only used. The food in the market was laid out for all to see with flies everywhere. It did not smell too bad but it was dirty. I could not have eaten meat from there at all. There was no clean water. I was glad when we finished and could ride the 45 min. ride through 2 rivers for only 7 miles. The roads are really rough.

1730 Back home for red beans and corn bread.

MONDAY 1/5/04

0615 Out to read and do my devotions

0715 Eating...eggs, fried potatoes, and I made biscuits.

0800 I watered the garden and waited for everyone to go to "The Clay People". They make their living digging up and packing clay into bags...hard work.

0845 We were at "Mont no nom" (Mt. No Name). The people were really anemic and the children looked tired and weak. 11 and 14 year olds anemic with white eyelids and lots of URI "watery eyes" due to the dust and clay. The children were really poor and in need of food and care. I saw my second Down's Syndrome. The boy child was 17 months old and was your typical Down's Syndrome. I explained to the mom that he was special and would not walk until later and may never speak. She understood.

1540 We were completely done and the guys had assisted in the dam building. All patients were seen and we headed home.

1615 Laundry was brought in and I finished the garden watering and doctored all the animals. We moved (Madeline and I) the goats that are only moved once a week or two with no water ever.

1800 Dinner. I emailed Missey, Debbie, and Rick.

1900 Devotion

2015 To bed and reading

TUESDAY 1/6/04

0600 Up to run this trail beside the big mountain behind Sam's house. I missed my turn and wham...I ended up running 1 hour 10 minutes. I got back without any complications and the Haitians find running odd. They gather to stare as the "blaunc" runs by.

0730 Breakfast...cereal and grapefruit. Yum

0830 We drove as far as we could then walked the last 1 1/2 miles into "La Post"...a market that was huge. The market was clean and had little smell. Animals were in the lot to be seen and sold...pigs, cows, goats, and horses. Everyone brings their wares to sell. There was a parking lot for your ride free and on that was a sort of cow al that you had to pay to use. Of course there were only animals there. The scenery was beautiful on the ride and walk. We tasted fried corn meal and flour fried on an open fire. It was good. There were lots of things that were neat...everything is laid out for you to see -- flour, sugar, grey coffee beans, etc.

1300 Eating lunch on the porch lended itself to watching tiny hummers buzzing in and out...also wren-like birds and parrots (we only caught a glimpse of one). It was good to see all the wildlife.

1430 Lazy reading

1630 Brian, Tinana, and I went horse riding into the hills and boy was it beautiful. The sun behind us and the mountains and full moon on the other side..wow to enjoy God's treasures! Tinana rode with me and was like an acrobat. She stood in front of me or rode on my hip or rode like a baby with legs wrapped around my waist...and always asking to run more...it was fun.

1800 Into help with supper...fried okra (they have a fat button-like okra), fresh tomatoes, pasta salad, and yeast rolls. I washed dishes.

2000 Devotions

2030 To read

2120 To bed

WEDNESDAY 1/7/04

Up to help with breakfast. Cinnamon rolls, grapefruit, and tangerines (yum) all home grown and made.

0800 Out to the site of the "clay people". Across the road for a small clinic (we saw approximately 83). The guys went to the dam to pur concrete and help with the continued building. The people today were needy but some were seen on Monday at "Mont no nom". Some were not doing what we had explained for their scabies. Babies were very "itchy" and mom just didn't follow the directions given. Very frustrating! We had to remind the people we were there only for the people in the community and at 1240 we concluded feeling that the sickest were seen.

1300 Lunch...rice and beans and fried meatballs (yum). I was starving and ate too much.

1400 Into Hinche to the market to shop as we needed shortening, baking powder, and some veggies. This was market day and venders were everywhere. It began to drizzle and everyone jumped to cover their "wares" or they just packed their stuff into bags and loaded into onto their heads and left. Many hungry naked kids running in the streets. I would not like to live in Hinche. It is nasty. We still had to make several stops to get all the staples we needed. I exchanged a $20 for Haitian money (800 gourdes), but an onion takes 5 gourdes and a tin can of flour costs 60 gourdes. It is all relative and you have to have it. At the bank there was a guard that had a metal detector but he didn't even look at us. Then we had one that came in and pulled two pistols out of the file cabinet. At the door he loaded them and I don't know where they went. I quit watching for fear it irritated them.

On the road home at 1700. Of course it is only 7 miles but it takes 45 minutes to drive the road as it is very rough. We picked up travelers on the road and took them as far as they wanted to travel with us. Most Haitians do not give rides. On the way home we were stopped by a few that had ill ones that needed to be checked...we will see them in the morning.

When we got home and unloaded, Delores had seen several patients that came to the house while I was gone. One needed suturing. Common colds...I missed the excitement. We did make a house call before dinner to fix a "Bloody Cath". Of course he had the bag in bed with him and we irrigated it and told him the blood was where he pulled on it by accident. We gave Septra DS then headed back home to eat supper. Mr. Ed cooked tonight...I was the cleaner and dish washer. I was sad as no messages from home in two days.

But...Allie and Hannah...Hannah you made my day. I love you both and can't wait to see you...home soon

One more clinic tommorow...The guys need to add more concrete to the dam.

THURSDAY 1/8/04

0600 Up to feed the horses, get coffee, and start breakfast...homemade waffles...yum

0715 Still cooking. The pineapple from the market was yum yum - so sweet

0815 We left and stopped by a guy in the road who stopped us yesterday and wanted to stop by today to see his wife who has "tension". His wife is way off the road so we got out and he takes Delores and I see her. The trail is long and hilly across a creek and into an oasis in the hilly terrain. It was beautiful and their house was on a hill with big, beautiful trees. The dirt was rich black soil and there was a beautiful concrete well and a pump...that was paid by World Hunger so when we fill up rice bowls at church there is the money...the well gives fresh water for the community. It was so beautiful I wanted to do more home visits. Words can't describe the beauty...on the way back to the car we stopped to treat an elderly woman that was ill. She had S/S of UTI...Septia DS and Ibuprofen given.

Then we drove to a small creek bed to hold a small clinic for another community (the guys went to pour concrete again). We setup the trunks on the creek bank...beautiful and cool, fresh breezes. Delores left for a bit to take the guys home to cut lumber. Their job was complete and we did not have but a few to see so far (but word of a clinic travels far...quick). So I stayed with Jackie to interepret and Madeline to do the pharmacy. While she was gone...by the time she had returned there was a crowd and 50 sheets filled out to be seen (I'd seen 16 so far). We ate lunch around 1400 which was late and I was starving. Delores went to see more people. Dieseul, Madeline, a guide, and I went to make some home-hut visits on two elderly that could not get to us. The trail was up and down the mountain sides and lots of fun. It was sunny and cool with beautiful breezes. We saw a bull the guide said was the devil so we had to tip toe by him...HA I told him to cut off his scrotum and the devil would be no more. (They think everything should remain intact...that sex is kind of like a status symbol and to procreate is good).

Back to the house around 1600. I went to water the garden and help Sam feed the horses and trim one's feet. Joy helped Delores with supper. We had fried chicken, milk gravy, slaw, and mashed potatoes. Yum Yum

Devotions and debriefing and then to bed. I miss home much now that it is close.

FRIDAY 1/9/04

I awoke at 4:15 AM never to slumber again.

0600 A cold shower

0615 Down to feed horses and visit the outhouse

0625 Coffee...to read my notes from home

0700 Breakfast with fresh grapefruits (called "lemon"). It is so sweet it tastes like an orange from the states. Wonderful tangerines, bowl of cereal, and fresh milk.

0800 Off to Hinche

0900 We continue to travel in Hinche. We dropped off a woman and her severly anemic 2 month old. It was so pale...her eyes were white. We took her from the place near home to the hospital in Hinche. Sam and Delores were gonna pay for the doctor visit. The Spanish doctor could have cared less about the baby...never did he think how much she was sacrificing to be there or how much the baby's life meant. Sam said that is how all Haitians are...they don't care whether you live or die.

It was exactly 10 AM on the airstrip (what a hoot...goats, donkeys, and kids all playing on the strip)...our two cesnas landed to fly us to Port-au-Prince. We landed smoothly (the ride was beautiful) and a cab took us to the airport in Port-au-Prince to fly to Miami. Our flight does not leave till 1420 so we had several hours to kill. We played cards in a cafe in the airport.

1500 Our flight from port is leaving to go to Miami. Thank goodness -----------