Haiti day three

Haiti day three Today by far was the most bitter sweet.   We loaded the truck and took a 45 minute ride to our first work of the day.  The ride alone can take it's toll on a new bee.  Probably only 25 mile, however the road was filled with bumps, deep potholes and many drivers. As we made our way into the deep country we were told that it was the most dangerous community in Haiti.  It is know that 12 year old boys walk around with ak's or shot guns.   Finally at our destination we pull up to a lot with tarpons fencing and a rickety gate.  The camp leader met us with the familiar bomjour, however he was carrying a 14" machete.  To say it was a little unnerving was an understatement but our translator assured us he was friendly and wanted us there.   My for the moment was to watch out for the ladies in our group as they entered the camp.  As we waited for our host to finish a call in the truck I heard children begin to sing songs that I did not understand but knew as a familiar children's songs.  Our host joined us at the gate and we entered. A group of about 30 children were huddled into a small tarp covered bench filled area as the older children played drums and gouged in the songs.  I took a moment to greet the children and even received a few hugs.   We were asked to do some cleanup and then we started the clinic.  Soon I was working with the doc as his pharmacist, dispensing his PWRs tiptop is and putting the interpreters instructions in a baggy for the home mother.   I noticed a few of or group huddled into the largest tent, an army surplus green field tent with one end open and the sides just blowing open as the tropical breeze blew through.  I walked over to find tow boys in malnourished condition sitting alone in the sweltering heat, each maybe 6 months old, slowly responsive and lathargic.  My heart sank, these two boys, near death save our days efforts to rescue them (literally).  Two of our ladies picked the boys up and we moved them to a cooler tree and then bathed them and offered them food and water.  On this day they would retur. To the mission house with us for care and possible adoption.   This orphanage houses 76 children who's parents have either to the earth quake, died of disease or just abandoned .  The tents they lived in were just a covering with no pallet, sheets or blackest.  The ages range from 6 months to 16.   In the clinic we treated wounds that were infected, respirator sickness, infections of ears and many other normal childhood illnesses.  Each child received their turn with Doc steve.  It took about 1  1/2 hour to see everyone. Then we had some fun.  We gave them new soccer balls and each child got a surgical glove.  We  made blow the gloves up and drew faces on them.  Then I took one of the gloves and filled it with water, bit a hole in one of the fingers and started spraying the children, it was on!  Smiles and a joyful spirit filled the air.   Our time at this orphanage came to an end and we said our goodbyes.  Many of the children hugged our necks and a few tears were shed.  We were able to take the two boys back to the mission house for nourishment.   To say that we are blessed in American is an understatement.  For some reason I was born who I am and I must wonder why.  I don't think I can explain all I am feeling as I write this.   Before I move to our next adventure Josh (our new children's directors husband) and I are sitting in the mission house listening and watching it rain.  We both wonder what the children in the tent community must be experiencing tonight.  It is lightening, are they scared?  Are they dry?   It is now around 1 pm, no lunch for us and no complaining from me.  We moved on to town to pick up the mattresses we ordered yesterday.  Then we delivered them to the orphanage we visited yesterday with the cholera outbreak.  When we arrived the spirit was better and the building was ready for us to install the bedding.  We continued to help in the clean up efforts and then headed back to the mission house. Supper was incredible, sphagetti with hotdog wieners and spices.  Um um good!  And the cokes in bottles are out of this world. That's all for now.  I can't wait for all God wants to show me tomorrow.