Wednesday morning - another clear hot day in Port Au Prince. When we flew in on Monday afternoon we saw sporadic buildings down. One would be down and the next looked ok. Of course closer to the epicenter it is total destruction. The guesthouse is not far from the airport, so our views were very limited.
Before we left Fauche, I developed an infection and Chris went to the clinic and got some medication. By yesterday morning I realized that I was probably allergic to it. Not seriously allergic, but I wouldn’t be able to continue taking it. So, last night, about 4:30, Carl - the Haitian missionary on sight, and Joe - a guy from Canada, took me to several pharmacies looking for the right medicine. We drove all over, going to about 3 grocery stores and 5 pharmacies asking for the correct medicine. You can’t imagine the traffic and the tight spots these people drive in. Finally, we found it, getting home after 7 PM. I really didn’t think we would find it, but Carl and Joe would say, “It’s a hunt!” “We are out of the compound, let’s enjoy ourselves!” I think they said that so I wouldn’t feel that I was causing them problems. Anyway, we drove through so much devastation, and so many people on the street. Haitian drivers have to be so very good, aggressive, and still careful to miss the pedestrians, scooters, and vehicles. If a big truck is coming behind you or towards you, they honk their horn, and everyone just moves out of the way. Scooters are constantly zigzagging through the traffic. They use scooters as taxi’s hauling 3 or 4 people at a time. Carl said they are like death waiting to happen. Once it got dark - you could hardly see the hundreds of people on both sides of the street. I was just praying for their safety on the way home. At first, I couldn’t get my seatbelt to work, and then I realized I had to work harder at it. The possibility of an accident was very real. Anyway, we made it back, they were waiting supper for us, and I feel much better already!!! I’m thankful.
It doesn’t sound like there will be any teams in until Friday. Since we are leaving on Saturday, we will be only able to help a little bit with meals.
This morning before breakfast, Bill found a short in an electric line, and is studying the operating specs for the generator. His expertise is appreciated in this area. I’m not doing a whole lot at this time. They have a cook who cleans the kitchen, cooks lunch, and washes clothes. And a man who sweeps and keeps the rest of the house clean. At “home”, if it gets done, we do it ourselves. We do make breakfast each morning, and fix supper each night. Tonight there is just 7 of us. I might make a pie for dessert. We actually found a can of apples here.
Global Partners, the missions branch of the Wesleyan church, sent pallets of food to this guesthouse since so many teams stop here overnight. Bill has been having a great time looking at all of the cases of the America food stored in our bedroom. From Fauche, Cory has to drive the 1 ½ hours to Cap Haitian, and then sometimes spend hours in a store waiting for a small variety of canned goods to be checked out. The differences from here to there is amazing. Almost a culture shock for us.
I'm standing beside the refrigerator trying to finish this blog, since the battery is low in the computer and this is the only plug-in that works when the generator is off. I guess we are not in the USA!!!
Remember the courageous people of Haiti in your prayers.