Reflecting
on yesterday's water day, I don't understand why, with the billions of dollars
pledged to Haiti, a field sits empty next to the Commercial Well. We drive past
it to get to slums where masses await fresh water.
Is it too complicated to buy the land, equip it with some plumbing and
basic necessities and fill the new space with people?
After my first blog yesterday, I didn't think there was anything in me for
this today, but here goes:
Chasing Bacon
I started the day getting winded; it's quite a workout to escort a bounding
dog halfway around the block. Bacon escaped as we walked to church early this
morning. And he's an expert at avoiding recapture. He marked territory
hurriedly as we chased and tried to corral him.
Church was unforgettable. The hoarsely shouted Creole sounds of what I
thought was a political dictator turned out to be the pastor shouting praises
under a large navy blue tent. Exultation was a leading candidate for word of the
day. Shouts of joy turned to a chorus of hymns before the pastor began his
sermon. Exultations. Hallelujah was one of very few words I could pick up, but
it was easy to understand how much the people love Jesus. One woman was so moved
she had to dance, and she danced with Jim.
Hospital for Sick and Dying Children
It's surreal from the moment you arrive as you remove shoes to enter the
hospital barefoot and douse your hands with bleach and water. It must be
comforting for the parents arriving, and bleaching their hands, simultaneously
to know that volunteers care to visit too--for days they cannot attend
themselves.
After being able to let go of the first "Hey you!" who bounded into my
arms, I fed the girl in bed#2 who didn't have the strength to hold up her own
head. I noticed Charlene sat on the floor to help with the balancing act, and I
did the same. Incredibly she ate the whole bowl of food and I was grateful for
my experience of keeping baby food off four chubby cheeks years ago. The weak
whimpers tug at your heart as you try to move to another needy child. I
feel badly for not being able to comfort with a lullaby, but I can manage a hum
now and then without breaking down.
A few of us moved to the very-sick ward and tried to decide who to hold or
help. In the end I picked up a girl whose only sign of life were her beautiful
eyes. That's what threw me off--I couldn't believe there was so little strength
in that body since there was such beauty in those eyes. But I'll never forget
how no life flowed from her tiny, thin arm. The grasp reflex in her hand was
completely absent, no matter how much I stroked her palm. As I put her down
before we left the ward I prayed: please, please let some of my love replace the
energy she'll lose with whimpering as I leave her. Please?
Such a dichotomy; so draining and so fulfilling at the same time. And I
think that's what tears you up inside...there's so much moving within you. You
could ask: Is the Net zero (or love, as they say in tennis)? ABSOLUTELY NOT.
When
we returned to the regular ward, the bell indicated visiting parents had to
leave, So I calmed one of the abandoned boys. He was so tired. As I put him
down it calmed him simply dry the tear that welled up in his eye.
Incredibly
lunch was being prepared. Hadn't breakfast just finished? I was instructed to
feed crib#9 as the nurse gave me yellow bib, spoon and aluminum bowl of rice,
gravy and chicken. She is beautiful. And it was as if the chicken, which she
clearly favored with her eyes as I fed her, awakened something within her. My
father talks of "personality plus" to describe rare gems and this girl has it.
When she finished her bowl i enjoyed taking extra care cleaning her with a
wet-wipe packet.
Taking
nurse instruction again, I hurried to feed the boy in the neighboring crib
before we had to leave. And as I bibbed him, Miss PP reached over and latched on
to my forearm, with a gorgeous smile. A smile that I'll never forget. Just as
I'll never forget that near-lifeless whimper. But the net is much more than
love.
Gertrude's
Home for Special Needs Children
Special
Needs is a good way to describe the way I feel about these children: I think
they're special too. This is a great example of "Net-More-Than-Love" concept for
me. And how appropriate that one of the most beautiful buildings I've seen in
Haiti will house these people! Looks like they'll have ample space. That is
so exciting!
Jim
Jim
Day 3 Video Click Here
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