Just passing thru...

Okay, so I just got back from Haiti and y'all want to know how it was, see pictures, and be dazzled with stories. Well, I only got a few days, most of which were spent seeing Mom, little brother, and other neglected family members, before I leave in the morning for St. Louis with my teenagers from church. And I only have a few minutes here between appointments today. So I will be brief.

We flew from XNA to Miami to Port-au-Prince (capital of Haiti), wrangling our medical supplies for the free clinic we were going to run in the mountains. We had to spend a couple days in Port until we could fly via 6-passenger puddlejumper to the mountains of northern Haiti while our supplies took the 100 mile/8-10 hour trip by pickup truck. We did 5 days of clinic with the help of some friendly interpreters (see above). Most patients had illness associated with bad water, poor nutrition, and inconsistent medical attention. We tried to help with hygiene supplies and instruction, free food, and meager but professional medical care for a week. We were able to help out a few emergencies as well. I rode 3.5 hours in the back of an ambulance (pickup truck) with a mom and dad whose 4 year old boy needed emergency surgery for an entrapped and septic hernia to the closest hospital with an anesthesiologist (we couldn't bring one of our own on this trip). They did the surgery and the boy's life was saved. Plus we were allowed to introduce some people to spiritual life through Jesus Christ, giving them hope beyond ourselves. As far as the country itself, the weather was hot and humid, like most Caribbean countries are when you are not right on or in the ocean. The elevation was higher than Fayetteville but we could see the ocean from the mountain tops (where I was the commencement speaker for a kindergarten graduation). Overall, the trip was fun, rewarding, and challenging to both soul and body.

But the other stories will have to wait. I got to get to my lunch appointment. God bless y'all.