Missing my team members. We spend 7 intense days together, morning, noon and night. We share coffee in the mornings, granola bars at lunch, spicy Haitian food and Prestige beers in the evenings. We pray together, get on the bus together, load and unload suitcases together. We introduce each other to the new and old Haitian friends we've made, struggling through french, Kreyol, and sign language. We worry together about the St Vincents children we see who are sick, and remind each other who to check on next, who needs to go to the pharmacy, who hasnt seen the nurse yet. At recess we blow bubbles with the children and in the afternoons we work on art projects together, smiling through our tears when the children prsent us proudly with the art pieces they make for us. At night on the roof of the guest house we tell each other stories of the day, stories of our lives. Singing songs in the muggy night air, learning more about each other in a week than most people know about us at home. All our imperfections come out in Haiti. I like to say Haiti brings out the best and the worst in people, and we learn "forbearance against one another". We all strive mightily to offer our best selves to the children while dealing with our own personal responses to the incredible contrast between our American lives and what we see around us in Haiti. Sharing heartbreak and joy.
So to John, Hilarie, Sherye, Tess, Alison, Claire, Brittany, Sonya, Dr Sue Trzynka, Chris, Debra, Jody, Daphne, Kristen, and Calley....there is a Haiti sized hole in my heart this AM and you are all there with me.
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| Susan and Sherye (aka Ethyl and Lucy) |
Susan Nelson
Dr. Sue, the welcoming note on the wall said it well - "you are coming home" to St. Vincent's! I continue to be amazed at the good work of your medical mission, which is to supply the well-visits and check-ups for children and adults at St. Vincent's. It is an unusual ministry model: most medical groups see new patients every time they go, with no follow-up at all. But you have established a real "medical home" for the population here at St. V.'s, with all the many benefits that come from that for the kids and staff. I am proud to know you, and to endorse and affirm your ministry. Sister Joan is smiling, I am sure!
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