June 20, 2011

Today didn't turn out quite like we thought it would. We left this morning to do another clinic and we were only about 15 minutes away when we came across a big patch of mud in the road. It was probably about the length of a football field... maybe not quite that long. We tried to get through since it was the only way we could get to the clinic site. We got stuck. We got stuck BAD! All of us got out and they tried to figure out how to get it out of the mud. There were some other Haitians that came there too and helped the guys dig some mud away from the tires. I think at one point one of the rims was buried. They tied a rope to the back bumper and Ge (pronounced with a short G and a long E sound), our driver, got behind the wheel, put it in reverse and gassed it while the guys pulled on the rope. After the 2nd or 3rd try, they got it out! We couldn't do the clinic today though. The people were waiting there since 9:00 this morning and this was already after 10:30. This would be probably the biggest clinic since the last time Dr. Paul was out there, they saw 100 patients. There was a lady that lives just before the mud part of the road that offered her porch to hold the clinic. The patients took a vote if they wanted to walk the extra 1/2 to 45 minutes to the ladies house tomorrow. They decided to do it so we'll be back there again tomorrow to hold the clinic. It may be a long morning/afternoon if we have a lot of patients.

When we got back home from the "non-clinic" day we had lunch and then later went out to Papa Pierre's house. We walked to Daphnie's favorite site and had a little picnic and played cards. That was a lot of fun! The clouds started turning dark and the thunder rolled in the distance. We waited a while longer but finally thought we better start packing up. We walked back to Papa's house and sat there for a little bit but then the rain started. Ge said we better go quickly. If the rain starts, the river might get to be unable to cross. We got back to the house and really didn't get that much rain. You never know where it's going to hit though so it's better to be safe.

That was pretty much our day today... not what we expected but still had experiences. :)

I have a note to pass on to anyone traveling to Haiti... Dr. Paul said for all people who do not live here, you should not eat coconut, avacado, or mangos after noon. It takes a long time to digest and it will make you sick if you eat them too late in the day. Good to know!

Again, blessings from Pignon!
Diane