Return to Haiti

Whew! What a day! Left the house at 4:25 AM after preparing all night and not getting any sleep... My dearest roommate Michele was gracious enough to drive me to the airport at that ungodly hour!

I looked like a carpetbagger checking in at the ticket counter this morning, with 2 HUGE nearly overweight suitcases filled with donations and two hefty carry-ons. (The way back home is always so much easier!) I remember the lady at the ticket counter stating, "Your booked for business class all the way," and in my daze, not quite understanding what she ment, until I found myself sitting in a large, luxurious 1st class seat! What a delightful surprise! Not quite sure if I earned it as a frequent flyer, or if 1st class was all they had left when Samaritan's Purse booked my flight... Either way, it was a welcome surprise, and my first time flying upper class!

I was able to dose-off a little easier in the comfy chair the first flight. I had an even cooler reclining chair on the flight from Miami to Port-au-Prince that could lay almost completely flat! I didn't sleep too much on that flight, however, as i got to chatting to the volunteer worker next to me... a Dentist from Georgia.

I was once again greeted by the intense heat and humidity of Haiti, stepping off the plane, and the jubilant tunes of the "Western Union" welcoming band at the airports entrance... I'll post pics of them later.

The airport luggage claim area was flooded with volunteers from all over the place. The airport had a few new updates, new working conveyor belt, turbo hand blow dryers in the restroom (toilets still clogged), and an awning to shade passengers outside the airport. It was nice to see these small signs of progress.

I met Jesse, a paramedic from Baltimore (we had no idea we were in the same group until we landed in Haiti), Dawn a nurse from Georgia, and two Physician assistants. All had come for the first time to work with Samaritan's Purse, and were asking me questions about my first experience. I happily filled them in.

Tent cities looking much the same, or even more run down since November. I noticed new billboards for various Presidential candidates... way more than our usual republican and democrat candidates!

We passed a grown man walking completely unclothed on the side of the road. I had not seen this before... a shocking reality of how desperate the people still are here.

When we arrived on base, I had to pinch myself... couldn't believe I made it back! So excited to have one last opportunity to serve here before starting school full time.... This week will fly fast!

Judy, the new "greeter," gave us a VERY warm welcome to the base. She gave a tour for the new-comers and briefed us on the work schedule. I will be working night shifts at Site Soliel once again, starting Sunday night, leaving me time to attend church tomorrow... and go to the beach! (i've never been!)

The Site Soleil Center has 45 patients as of now, and Bercy has 15. They had a spike in patients last week due to rain, but it has been dry lately, causing the numbers to come down again.

I'll try to post more tomorrow! This head needs some sleep... Good night!