rooftop blogs

The guest house where I am staying has a fantastic roof top.  There is a deck but also a place on top of the garage where you can sit and enjoy the beautiful Haitian weather and scenery.  I am sitting here right now, writing and preparing for the day.  This is actually the hardest time of day for me because all I want to do is get to work and we always have about an hour of down time.  Maybe it will become my new blog time!! :)

I have had one full day on the ground and it is so different to not be here with a team of my own.  Not good or bad different, just different.  I think the most interesting thing is that I am really just responsible for myself.  I am not packing the magic green bag full of snacks or first aid supplies, or checking in on people to see how they are processing their time here.  However, I can sense a real need to support the other interns and staff here.  We each came to Haiti for a different reason and in a different stage of life. I know there is a reason why we are here and hopefully god's presence will shine through and shed some light on the ways we can make a difference together - one step at a time.

Yesterday we visited a children's home called FPCH (Foundation of the Promising Children of Haiti).  One of the other interns led a vacation bible school lesson and craft while our medical interns did some health assessments of the children.  It was sad to hear from them that many of the children are dehydrated, malnourished and now suffering from croup or possibly pneumonia.  It is hard to feel helpless and to not know what the best way to is to handle the situation.  We are having a work day tomorrow at the house to try to wrap our brains and hearts around trying to empower Haitians to make systemic changes instead of us going in and, for example, taking these children to the hospital.  One idea that we are going to try is creating handouts or flyers to help the staff working with the children to know what to do and when so that the children don't get to the point of sickness where they need medical care.

Today we are headed to Tree of Life, another children's home.  This is a place that really captured my heart the first time I visited.  The woman, Martine, who is in charge really cares for and loves these children.  It will be good to see them all again.

Pat arrived yesterday and I am excited for the possibility to connect with some Haitian teachers, administrators and book sellers as we have an opportunity to develop some teacher training and libraries in  a few of our schools.

Sorry this is long, but thanks for reading!