Days in Cap Haitien

Life in Haiti is bizarre in some ways. It is busy, exhausting, long days and short nights. Yet you feel like for all the "work" that goes forward, there are two steps that go backward! It is like there is always something conspiring against you to not allow you to get done what needs to be done! It is challenging each day and yet at the end of it, it is difficult to really quantify the results or progress. It is more of an intangible sense of peace at the end of the day, knowing that you did your best inspite of the many obstacles; no electricity, car problems, traffic, no money at the bank, no diesel, inadequate supplies, very hot and muggy and of course, waiting ...for everything! You just have to laugh sometimes and say, "OK Lord, it's in your hands!"

Most of the time in Cap Haitien, I have spent working at the clinic. I was able to get an inventory program going and it seems to be functioning well. The staff is understanding how it works for the most part and since I will be back in July, I'll be able to assess how it is going. I've been working with the Nurse and the Doctor to get a sense of the challenges they face and to see if there are ways to help. Magarette showed me the technique for sterilizing the small equipment like scissors and clamps. It is like being back working with Florence Nightingale. First she washes the items with soap and water, then she wraps the utensils in a rag, begins water boiling and then puts the utensils in a steaming colander and allows the steam to heat and sterilize the items. Another technique is to put the utensils in a metal container, add rubbing alcohol and light it. I am sure this is better than nothing, but a far cry from having a true sterilizing oven. Unfortunately, as soon as the items are "sterile" they go back into dirty drawers or cabinets. Doing wound care is particularly interesting! There is certainly the attempt to remain sterile while doing the dressings, but usually it is a losing battle. I will say that Magarette is much more aware of the need to maintain a sterile environment than some other clinics I have seen because she used to work in an OR, but it is still very difficult. The Doctors use stethoscopes that can be bought for about $6.00 here, not professional ones. They sometimes have to be very creative to help patients as the resources are so limited. Patients will come to us when the hospital will not see them because they don't have money, but sometimes there is just nothing we can do.....

I've also been looking at the Health Education program and ways to make that more effective. I have met with the Association (the Board) and discussed ways to utilize the staff 's talent better and get information out into the community. In general, just did what needed to be done and tried to be helpful. I'm not going to discuss the things I've seen as it would gross you non medical people out! Let's just say, I've seen some "interesting" things!

On Wednesdays, when the clinic is not open, I have been going with Hanania and Edrick to get the many things done for Global H2Ope that need to be accomplished. Let me recount one of our days! A task I was to accomplish was to get information on the process to become an NGO in Haiti. So... Hanania called someone (she knows MANY PEOPLE) and set up an appointment for us at the Government office of Social Service. We arrived on time to the building, but the person we were to meet with was not there. So, we went back outside and waited for a while. Eventually, Hanania saw the person we were to meet with approach the building so we went back in. They let us in the barred gateway and up the stairs to some chairs. There were already quite a few other people waiting to discuss their problems or ideas. We sat for a few minutes. Of course I was the only "blanc" in the building so I got a number of stares. FYI: I have seen very few other foreigners except at the OMS mission compound and when the Missionary flights plane comes in to bring the mail. There are a few Italians managing a road construction project and the UN Chilean troops, but that's about it from what I can see! Anyway, eventually we went into a long room with 3 long tables. Each table had an employee on one side and then chairs lined up on the other where the person could state their problem, ask a question or whatever. There was a clear power differential between the government employee and the person coming to request something! Although, it seemed for me, they were more accommodating. I asked my questions, Hanania translated, the government worker answered and Hanania explained back to me what I didn't catch. I was hoping to have things laid out in a process, but alas, they do things one step at a time and you don't get to find out about step two until step one is completed. Thankfully, I know that Pastor Steve is going through the same thing but is a step a head in PAP so I have a slight advantage, but clearly, I can see that working with the government can be a frustrating process!

Following that meeting we went to see if Pastor Henoc Lucien was at his school. He is an EFCA endorsed Pastor and has a number of ministries through Vision of Hope. His school is large and very nice. They even have school buses to pick up the children. I was glad to be able to meet him as I had been by his facility outside of CAP near Milot last year, but he was not there when we passed by. He will be a good contact to have for the future.

Following this meeting, we drove out to where the house is that we will be renting when we move here in November. My first trip there, we could not get in (a long story which I won't go into) but this time the neighbor knocked on the gate and got the cook to come to the door.
It is a simple rectangular cement block home with 3 bedrooms and two bathrooms. It is currently owned by a career missionary in his mid 70's and lets just say, it could use some "updating and TLC"! The yard is large and has many fruit trees which will be wonderful! I got some pictures to show the family when I get home, but hopefully we can work on it when Doug and I are in Haiti in July! Even to just get the minimum done and then complete the rest once we move here. It is right next to the international school which is wonderful as the kids will be attending there. Since Doug is a teacher and I can help out, they are going to work with us on the tuition. They use the ABBEKA curriculum and it is a very small school of only about 20-25 children K-8. It will be a safe and nurturing environment for the kids. Living very near to us are a missionary couple with MFI Missionary Flights International. MFI is the lifeline for most missionaries in Cap Haitien and will even shop for you in Florida and send it over on their flights. They charge $1.50 a pound for cargo and bring mail into Haiti twice a week for those affiliated with them. I flew with them last year and we will probably do the same when the family comes and we will have cargo. They will even take the dog! Anyway, I think the area will be perfect for the family, the school will be great, and we will be close to other organizations and missions that have experience in the area. It seems like God is preparing the way for us!

This is a long blog!!! But hopefully you get a sense of the days and the intrigue of the culture. It is a remarkable place, with remarkable people!