A initial glimpse of Haiti . . .

And now some photos for your view pleasure:

In the airport:

Justice and I in the tiny baggage claim waiting for the rest of our group members to arrive.

Our pile of suitcases we were waiting next to.  There are 22 or more people in our group.

The sorts of cars available in Haiti.  This one was next to us as we waited in the van to leave for the hotel.

On the way to our hotel:

On our ride back, we saw this pig rummaging through the refuse.  It was chained to the dumpster nearby, probably so it could find its own dinner till its owner came to pick it up.

Here's a free residence here in the Haiti (and the most prolific). Anyone wanna come over here to live? :P Didn't think so . . .

More of the most common residences.

An average market area along the roadway.

The majestic mountains further north of Port au Prince.

A house that has never been finished due to lack of funds probably.

A storm rolling in over the ocean.

Day 2 on the way to the orphanage:

A brief view of the gorgeous ocean and sandy beaches.  More picturesque pictures to come once we bribe a fellow photographer for his pics. :P

The laundromat.

A goat, very very common animal found here.  Seemed to be more common than dogs or cats.

At the orphanage:

Our young reception committee upon arrival.

From left:  Amy, Kerry (one of our orphans, notice his superficial digit), and Justice.

Adeline holding one of our youngest clinic patients.

Amy and another orphan.

Kerry getting his hands bandaged after removing his superficial extra digit. He was terrified, poor little guy.  It was only attached by skin, so not a major procedure, but as a 3 year old, I don't think he really understood until they cut the first one off (one on each side).

Our medicine cabinet for the entire clinic.

The beginning of a square platform construction to create a dry place to sleep that wouldn't wash away.  It complete when we left today.

Tomorrow we will return to the orphanage and continue building, treating orphans from another orphanage, and doing VBS with the children.

After spending one day in the life of the average Haitiian, we know that we've only caught the briefest of glimpses into what it's really like here.  Our lives at the hotel seem like paradise in comparison, although we have tiny rooms, clogged showers, tiny bathrooms.  At least we HAVE air-conditioned rooms and plumbing.  Getting adequate and decent food after certain times seems to be the only issue for us at this point.  But, we've always managed to find something while some tent communities go days without eating.  My translating abilities are limited as I can't communicate with the uneducated or the young very well since they only know Creole.  I also had a hard time trying to figure out how to talk about the various medical problems with people.  We managed and hopefully I helped a little, but I did have fun talking with the locals who came to help.  They all were rather surprised and happy to have someone as caucasian as it gets be able to speak with them.  : )  I also thought I would have to worry about getting burned, but the orphanage is pretty shaded and the clinic is set up indoors.  The only trouble I'm having is getting bitten by pesky mosquitos despite the bugspray I put on.  Evidentally I must stink from several feet away to repel them enough.

On the other hand, one forgets that one is in a primitive, underdeveloped and ravaged country the instant one looks out at the ocean.  It looks deceivingly like Hawaii or the Cook Islands.  The contrast is astonishing and heartbreaking. 

We watched the sunset last night as the rose-orange sun set in the perfectly blue sky.  It was a wonderful way to end the day.  A storm blew in this evening, which obscured the sun, but was quite magnificent with the gusts of wind and rain.  The storm is over now and the usual evening breeze is blowing as we gather for our evening meeting. 

Till tomorrow all . . .