Unbelievable!

I can't believe I am about to leave Haiti for the 2nd time. I am finally on the internet for a minute so wanted to at least post once from Haiti proper.

It has been a wonderful wonderful week and I am in awe of the great things I see. The people of Haiti are a strong lot. They are inspiring and always have a smile on their face. I have learned a lot from my time here.

This is my 2nd go-around and I feel I was more effective this time since I "know the ropes". There wasn't much of a learning curve so I could hop right in and get to work. The days were long but only 8am to 5:30pm each day so the evenings were free to visit the kids and paint some nails or hand out toys.

I admit I did go to the UN for dinner on Fri, Sat, Sun! It was a lot of fun and nice to be around everyone in a setting outside of camp. I lived in a tent with Sue out side of the main tent which was heaven! Except for the night it rained...more on that later.

I have lots of photos and lots of stories so stay tuned!

Goodbye from Haiti.
PS I am learning Creole!

Good thoughts and Prayers Needed

Hello Everyone! I am packing for Haiti! I hope to catch a flight to Miami area tomorrow and the on to a charter flight to Haiti on Tuesday morning. There was an "all call" for volunteers and for those who had been there before to get back. I am excited and ready to go! Call me if you want to give good wishes!

Author's Note:

I don't write these stories to make less of what is a tragic situation, I write these stories to let the reader know about real people and real situations. Sometimes you have to laugh or you would be overwhelmed by the sadness. We were working in a hospital camp that is made of plywood and tents. We watched people in their last hours and held babies that no longer have parents. We heard the airplanes and helicopters 24/7 taking off and landing just 200 yards from where we were. We heard the crying and we heard the prayers. It was life changing. I'm no hero, I am just a person who felt/feels convicted to do her part and I have the time and family and friend's encouragement to go to Haiti and work. I want to write a blog about my experience and my feelings; what it is like as a lay person to go there and work and about the new friends I met while there. I can't wait to get back.

Peace & Love,
CJ

Full Moons and Shampoo

I have camped before, I have gone without baths and hot meals, no biggie. When we got to Haiti and settled we went straight to work and truth be told after 10 hours in the sun you can't smell yourself anymore so it's all good. I admit I went through a lot of baby wipes. The smell of baby powder will stay with me for a long time. Eventually though you want to take a shower just to relax and refresh.

I took my first shower on Tuesday night at midnight. I knew it was just cold water but I didn't care. I got my undies, jammies, soap, shampoo and towel and marched myself out to the shower. There are four shower stalls with plywood in between and a shower curtain. My shower was fairly uneventful once I got past the feeling of being exposed. I just enjoyed the water and the feeling of shampoo in my hair. I remember that night was the night before the full moon so the sky was beautiful. I also got a giggle from thinking, there's a full moon in the sky and a full moon right here in the next shower stall.

That was my only real shower for the week. On Thursday I wanted to take a shower but there was no water so I found a large gallon container of water and took a splash bath in the shower. THAT water was cold! I slept great that night.

This is a little boring because my shower scenes weren't thrilling but my friend Michelle had a funny story which she has given me permission to tell:

At camp there was a really good looking Dr.; he was from New Orleans and he was fun and laid back. Most of the time the men turned their back to the women in the shower to give a little privacy. That is the thought that you go in there with and the reason you can close your eyes to shampoo your hair and clean yourself with vigor.

Michelle was taking a much needed and much wanted shower enjoying the cool water when she felt someone looking at her. She turned around and the cute Dr. was staring over the plywood at her. She was startled and jumped back a little, eyes wide and embarrassed.

He smiled, winked and said, "Rock-n-Roll Baby!" and kept right on with his shower!

Do you Voodoo? aka Can I have a blanket, can I ,can I?

When supplies came in to camp like blankets or sheets they became a hot commodity. I would get a box of them to stash in my tent and the nurses or helpers would come out to get the blanket - those were the only ones allowed to take a blanket. My new friend, Michelle May, was working in the Peds tent and we would cut the blankets in half for the babes and then she'd deliver them.

The Haitians, who were visitors to the patients and sitting right outside my tent, kept asking for blankets. We had to say no since the blankets were for the patients only. They would ask and ask, then get an interpreter and ask again and again. Our answer was the same.

It was a little cooler at night but never what I would describe as cold, but for the locals it was cool. So they'd ask and ask and ask again. Wear em' down and they'll give us a blanket. I felt like crap saying no but I knew that we didn't have many blankets and the patients come first. So the answer is no. You get the idea.

Well, one lady about 5 foot nothing in a red shirt and pants gave me the evil eye, then she crossed her arms over her ample bosom, turned in a circle three times, mumbled something, stared at me, nodded and then made spatting noises. Then she sat down. S*it I thought, I've just been hexed, this woman put a voodoo curse on me! I was kind of freaked out in an amused sort of way.

Michelle came back in to the tent and I pulled her to the side and told her what happened and asked if she believed in voodoo. We both laughed but it was the "I'm a little nervous" kind of laugh. So Michelle decided to get to the bottom of things and went to ask a Haitian American Dr. she had been working with what he thought.

I waited in my tent guarding the blankets for her to come back.

When she returned this is what she told me:

She had asked the Dr. if he believed in voodoo and then told him the story.

The Dr. asked, "Are you single" She said, "Yes."

He gave her the evil eye, crossed his arms over his chest, turned in a circle three times, mumbled something, stared at her, nodded and then made spatting noises.

He asked, "Will you sleep with me in my tent tonight?" Michelle said, "Nope."

The Dr. sighed and said, "Then voodoo doesn't work."

HAHAHAHA!

where we lived. Project Medishare Field Hospital

I will make this one quick just to get something up. I have been getting so many people asking where did you live, what was it like so I am putting up a picture. I will explain more later on. Have a great night.

Joelle, the little boy who stole my heart

The day before I left Haiti while I was in the WC Tent and it was hot, I was contemplating another bottle of water when I heard a shuffle. I looked up at the entrance to the area and there was a woman holding a little boy. His sweet little face a little dirty but those big eyes shining.

Sherry, the lady who was holding him asked for some Pedialyte and water. I gave them to her and then took the little boy in to my arms. He drank a little and then snuggled up on my shoulder, face to my neck and fell asleep. I just melted. I could feel his breath on my neck and I just fell in love. I worked around the tent handing out supplies and working while I was holding this little precious while he slept.

Sherry told me his story and am SO glad I had my Jackie O sunglasses on because the tears just started. While her group was in the mountains working giving food and assistance they helped out with getting the locals settled. When their helicopter came to take them out and back to PAP an older gentleman ran up and threw the little boy in to the helicopter. She said he hadn't spoken at all and didn't know much about him. This made me hold him even tighter. What a sweetheart. His tiny arms around my neck and the feel of his sweaty little face. WOW!

When he woke up he wrapped his fingers around my hand and wouldn't let go. I asked an interpreter to come over and talk to him. The interpreter ask him his name and he said Joelle. How old, "Three." Then the interpreter ask his how he was doing and he said, "Some good. Some bad." When I was told this I just about lost it! This kid had been through hell and there was nothing I could do but hold him tight and kiss his head over and over.

Joelle told the interpreter that he was hungry so Sherry went to the Supply Tent and got some rice and beans. Joelle ate it all and then wanted more but he needed to take a break and not eat too much. What a cutie. After he ate he perked up and sat up in my lap. He put his elbow up on my boob like the back of a couch and rested his head on his hand. It was hysterical and I was glad to help. Several people came out and took pictures of us sitting there like that. It was funny!
Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of him.

Way too soon it was time for Sherry to take Joelle to the orphanage and get him settled. She went to take him from me and he clung to me, then shook his head no. I was so emotional and hated to let this little guy go. I kissed his cheeks and his head and then let him go. I don't know and won't know what ever happened to him. I just hope and pray that he is healthy and happy and having fun. I hope he goes to a terrific and loving family.

This boy touched me in my heart and took a piece of it with him. I hope my thoughts, prayers and good energy reach him and that he has a good life. Who knows, maybe we will run in to each other again some day.