Climbing the Waterfall

Early morning on the bus at 7:30 AM, to drive to Mirebelais and see the new University Hospital built by Partners in Health. Apparently it cost 30 million US dollars to build the hospital, mostly private donations, however the 8 million dollars annual operating budget comes from the Haitian Ministry of Health. The public hospital opened 13 months ago and has 360 beds. Any patient can come to the outpatient clinic or ER and it costs 50 gourdes, or about $1.25 US to get an identity card. With that card, the patient has access to all the medical services including maternity care, emergency care, outpatient visits, X-rays, labs, inpatient hospital services, even physical therapy. They see about 600-800 outpatients per day. 56 doctors are on staff, all Haitian, with the occasional American specialist volunteer. They do 1000 prenatal visits per month and 250 deliveries, most by midwives except for the C sections. Apparently their emergency C-section rate is quite high, due to eclampsia and other high risk conditions in the patients who come to their doors. The hospital is also a training facility for residents in pediatrics, internal medicine, and surgery, and has 14 new residents (of 250 applicants) who started this year.

Out of Aspirin

It's 9 PM and we are winding down at the end of a very busy day. Sitting on the rooftop of the guesthouse, we traded stories and were grateful for a cool breeze, starlight and someone playing the trumpet nearby. Very Haiti. The power went out about 8 PM, so inside the guest house is very stuffy with no fans working. All stumbling around with flashlights, trying not to bang our shins on the furniture. John was actually in the shower when the lights went out. Another Haitian adventure.

First Steps

Today was our first day at St. Vincent's. Four of our team were first time visitors. For the rest of us, it feels like coming home to enter the gates and be greeted by familiar faces and big smiles. The kids run up and greet the people they recognize, like family.

It is Evening

It is evening and folks are either typing on their Ipads, typing on someone ELSE's I pad (I am borrowing Ashley's) or drinking Prestige beer and visiting with each other. Some have already gone to bed. There is no running water at the guest house this evening, so many sweaty unhappy team members. Jenn and I have found comfort in our room with the fan going. Thank goodness for electric power! Sherye just broke out the snacks, with granola bars and small jars of peanut butter. Sort of a slumber party for grown ups.

Tomorrow is our first day with the kids at St Vincent's. I can't wait.

Susan Nelson

Sacrament

Today we attended services at Holy Trinity Cathedral. The magnificent cathedral building was destroyed in the earthquake. But the church is her people, not the building, so the Cathedral community continues their worship in a pavilion built next door to the ruins.

Hearing familiar hymns, sung in French, is always a moving experience for me. Our group of 18 took up 3 pews, and we did our best to form the French words and sing along. I was sitting on the aisle during communion, and the deacon was administering communion less than two feet away from me. One by one, he said the words, Le ko du Kris, Le san du kris. When the Americans came he said the words in English. The body of Christ. The blood of Christ. Watching each face as they approached the deacon, each mouth open to receive the body and blood of Christ, was an intimate and spiritual experience. Old men, young women, children pulling on their mom's arm, teenage boys. The gift is the same for each. I felt I was part of a truly sacramental experience.

Susan Nelson

At Least It's Not a Camel!

Sat. April 5, 2014 (first day)

We had absolutely the easiest trip ever from Memphis to Port au Prince. Thanks to all who prayed for the safety of our bags and team members. The only hitch was getting the bus up the hill to get into the guest house. But more on that later...

New Altar Linen for St Mary's Cathedral- with Haitian touches

This Sunday, March 30, at St Mary's Cathedral in Memphis, we will have a special blessing of a new altar linen for the Cathedral altar.  This Fair Linen, as it is called, has a special meaning for me and those of us who work in Haiti.  The Sisters of St Margaret, who live and work in Haiti, create and embroider altar linens.  You can see their brochure pictured here

This religious community is the same group that Sr Joan Margaret belonged to; the sister who founded St Vincent's School over 50 years ago.  I have been hoping we could have something embroidered by these sisters, in use at our altar at St Mary's, for years.

Envisioning the Future of St. Vincent's School, Holy Trinity Cathedral

Over the last few months, the national Episcopal Church has renewed its focus on the Diocese of Haiti, especially Holy Trinity Cathedral and St. Vincent's School in Port-au-Prince. Below, you will find many links detailing the growing momentum in the Episcopal Church nationwide for the children of St. Vincent's and the people of Haiti. We highly recommend this new video about the needs of the school and a recent major donation that will make your day :)  Read on to see site development plans, calls from clergy, news reports, and the direct efforts of the WTHP.