Dear Friends,
You only live once. This sojourn (trip) has been an exercise in patience and perseverance. It seemed that if it could go wrong, it did, but hey, this is Haiti. It was actually more a concern of not seeing who was in control. We are doing fine, however, the road from impending failure to the completion of our goals taught us to trust in providence more than our own abilities to "deal" with the collateral issues.
Our plan was to come to Haiti with a medical team and a few people capable of contributing to a small house restoration/repair crew. We soon realized that our main medical lead was unable to come with the rest of the team. Another medical member left early, two other members relayed the news that they could not come until a day before I returned home. Are you following this? Now get this... There is an organization in Leogane (the worst hit part of the country) expecting a medical team in two days. I have exactly one medical person, but she is leaving early. I have three translators hired for the trip, but no-one to translate for, and shy on medicine. Now... I have to hire a Haitian doctor and two Haitian nurses, keep the translators (can't break a promise to hire), hire a cook, helper, load tents, generator, cooler, cooking supplies, food, medicine and... oh ya, now I have too many people for our transportation, so I have to hire a bus to transport the people. The field clinic was exhausting and fraught with difficulties--too many to list--that tested our mettle, but we did some good. In the end the real essence of the work here in Haiti, for me, is about the relationships we are building here. This is substantive. What we can "do for people" in a physical sense is valid, but temporary. Relationship building, spiritual formation, education and character development in the young Haitians who are within our sphere of influence are the most valuable work.Much has been learned throughout these last few months as we forge a new program here in Haiti. We are really just starting out here, so we should expect growing pains. Some days I winder why I am here, and other days I feel a strong sense of purpose. That's life, I suppose.
A message to Crow HIgh School!!
Your Tap Tap is purchased.... and man does it look bad right now. We purchased this truck (old Toyota tacoma) with some hot rims and unpainted body. We have been spending the last several days fixing it up with AC, new master cylinder, side-view mirror, rod-iron frame on the back, and much more (too much to mention). Even as it is now, we have been offered more for it than we paid ($1000 profit) but it's not for sale. The plan it to paint it white with Crow Cougars along the sides of the truck. I hope to get some pictures as we go along. I drove it last night and realized that we also need new wipers and for the headlights to actually point at the road... Wow it is a crazy rig.Hope that this finds you all well. Keep up the good work!
I will be back in country in two days.
Shane
