Saturday morning walk about

We needed a broom - "yon bale".  So a couple of the visiting graduate students from the IWU nursing school joined me in search of one.  Two pretty gals.

First stop - money exchange.  Frè Bonnair's friend on the street bordering the square was my banker.  "He is a good man; he goes to my church."  Sounded good to me.  Still a bit strange to go up to a man on the street, with a straw hat on pulled down on his forehead and blackish dark glasses on,  with a wad of money in his hand or in his backpack, and exchange dollars for Haitiän goudes!  Our own living and breathing ATM machine!

Well, we attracted a lot of attention  on the way down to the market.  Seems everyone wanted to practice their English with these young ladies!  By the time we reached the market, we had a right good size following in tow.  Along the way, I heard - "Madam Larry!" called out from the street.  Wilnor Jean Louis, our friend, was tooling along on his moto and recognized me.  Great to see him; we made a date for Larry and me to get together with him next week.  Wilnor and his wife Brinette along with some friends founded the grassroots registered non-profit G.A.S., an initiative which gets street kids into schools in a couple of villages on the island.   Several families in SC and NC participate in the program, providing support for children who otherwise would not have the privilege of education.  (Message me if you would like to know more about the program, would like to sponsor a child, etc.)

Reaching the market, we went to the "housewares department", wooden tables set up under a tin and tarp covering where a variety of household supplies were laid out.  After moving down the row, and actually making my desires understood :) we found the broom, also some plastic boxes, tin cups and a washcloth, to wipe the perspiration trickling down my face by that time.  Successful shopping!

We also learned from one Haitian young man that his was an important family.  He was working hard to be understood - and to impress.  It seems that his grandfather was the founder of Haiti - George Washington.  I am assuming something was lost in the translation!

Returning back to the compound in a timely manner, a quick stop at the hospital was on the agenda.  Census is pretty low today but we were able to visit a man whose skin on his arm was disintegrating. Diagnosis is not firm, but seems that some injury or infection has become quite aggressive and seems to be eating his skin.  Very painful.  "Silver and gold have I none - but such as I have give I thee"  The words of the scripture song played through my head.  We prayed with him and God was with us.

Then, as we were leaving, we noticed a boy - possibly 10 or 11 - who had fallen into a cook fire and was burned over the front of his body.  Because in the IWU group was a burn nurse, and because the Haitian doctor received the offer of her services quickly and appreciably, we hurried back to the guest house and spoke to the one who had the experience with such a case.  She went immediately to the boy.  Shall follow up at lunch.  Prayer was in our hearts for this one and his family.

Good start to a hot ole Haitian Saturday.