Day 3 we traveled to a more remote village 40 minutes away called Laby. The two pick-up trucks maneuvered the uneven, rough roads up and down hills and through mud traps left by the previous day’s downpour. Those of us who rode in the back of the trucks held on for our lives and watched for each road challenge praying that the vehicles would make it. The countryside was absolutely beautiful. Rolling hills and valleys. Endless blue skies framed by distant mountains. It was hard to think of Haiti as such an impoverished nation as we took in the breathtaking landscape. But the reality is inevitable. The poverty is real and the lives of these people unforgiving.

Once again the church was nestled at the top of a hill with magnificent views and a lovely breeze softening the growing heat of the sun. People were already waiting for us under the shade of a mango tree. We toured the grounds and visited the children patiently seated on school benches waiting for their daily meal. Dressed in blue and white checkered shirts and blue skirts and pants they were a picture of neatness in the brand new unpainted cement block school house built by HEF with World Vision. This time we did not displace them and their classes continued after the meal.

The clinic was set up in the church and this time there were even more people to be seen.

Note: It is now 9:19pm in Haiti and pitch black outside the clinic in the compound where I am writing this blog. Internet access is via satellite and there is only one computer! I will finish telling you about the cases we treated in Laby tomorrow. It’s time to turn in for the night and I must maneuver the walk to the house in the pitch dark with only my crank flashlight to help me avoid the giant cockroaches brought out by the evening’s shower. Without a doubt the most challenging thing I will do today. Blogging is a lonely job. The rest of the team knew better and stayed on playing cards…

Until tomorrow.