Monday in Haiti with Lee Warren

Here's today's report to just a few of you. Getting things out is very challenging tonight. Only Facebook really works.

Good evening. Let's see, it's Monday, I believe. 

You lose track of time here very quickly.

  The first day at the clinic is over and the sun is setting. We are tired, more from the very rough drive to and from the clinic than from seeing all the many patients. Fortunately we passed road graders coming back in but to hope that the road would be leveled before we leave is just that - hope. Everything takes time in Haiti.

We saw a few patients who had been brought in from PAP, but mostly we were seeing the members of the community, some with severe malnutrition, but mostly urgent care cases. The clinic has a clever system to help those patients who are undernourished. The ministry provided 4 women with micro-credits loan so they could become food vendors at the clinic. Patients are given tongue depressors when they leave which they exchange for a meal from the vendor of their choice. Throughout the day someone goes out and gives each vendor a dollar and buys back their tongue depressor. By doing so the clinic is funding cooks to provide meals for those in most need of a meal. Some patients receive several depressors. Many patients receive full fat milk powder and a type of meal they can prepare at home.

  As one of the non-medical team members, I took vitals or counted meds all day. I am also the group photographer.

  There was no ice at the hotel when we returned, but the shower always feel amazing! As does helping these precious people.

  I'm now sitting in the lobby of the hotel with all the other folks trying to use the WI-FI and watching a couple from Warrenton, VA try to push up the last steps to adopting an 18-MO old from Port-au-Prince. They've been working on the adoption since last January. Their trip here this time was scheduled only to work with the same mission group I'm with, but with the earthquake they are trying to get their child out while they are here. The Dept. Of Homeland Security has issued an immediate policy allowing adoptions that are in process to go through. For those interested see: http://www.uscis.gov/. Oh, I hope to be here to see this happen!! Prayers are welcomed.

Until tomorrow, Lee

Pictured:  the road to the clinic, a Haitian dental "clinic", vendors who sell food