Day 1

Ok. We have no idea where to start. To say it has been a roller coaster ride already would be an understanding. We arrived in Haiti a hour late last night. Not bad really. We found 14 of our totes right away but had to wait some length of time to find the last 4. As usual it was pretty chaotic. As went to go out thru customs they stopped us. First time ever. The first tote that they looked at had meds in it. Based on that they felt that they needed to look at all 18. They informed me that we had to leave our 4 totes of meds behind but that we could have the others and for me to just leave. Well that didn't happen. Everyone else went out and Dan and I stayed with the 4 med totes. At one point they even tried to wheel them away and I wouldn't let them. We were finally able to get a couple of people of NVM in with us. After some haggling and with Dan and I being lighter some cash. $80.00 we were able to take our totes. I was sure at the beginning they wanted money but I didn't want to set a precedent that would cause NVM a problem down the road. Apparently the rules have changed in the last couple of weeks.

We arrived at campus and had a quick supper. Following that we spent the evenings getting our totes put together so we could go out and do medical clinics today. Everyone slept well. Some of us even got a beautiful run in this am. After breakfast we packed up and got ready to head to Onnavile. As we were approaching the gate to leave E'tienne came running toward the truck telling us to stop. She reported that one of the Haitian's was sick and that we needed to come. Dan and I ran to the tent where the Haitian workers here on campus stay. When we arrived we found one of the Haitians that we know had a seizure in the night and had died. Wow. Talk about a change in emotions. Needless to say going to camp was cancelled as there was alot to be dealt with. We ended up spending the day fixing lunch for everyone and doing odd jobs to help the staff. Everyone found out right away how to be FAT in Haiti. Flexible, Adaptable and Teachable.

This afternoon we walked into Chambrun and spent some time playing with the kids. As we played with Baby Rose and Davidson and we were reminded that in the midst of sorrow God still performs miracles. It really is a reflection of Haiti, life begins and life ends. The quake brought an end to a lot of things in Haiti but new life and new plans as well. We were reminded again that without the quake we probably would not be here. Only God understands the plans He has. There is much more to tell you as we have seen wonderful improvements but we will save that for another post. Please continue to pray.

One of the miracles. Baby Rose.