Goodbyes with the preschool

       I got to the clinic a few minutes early this morning, which meant I was able to spend some time with our preschoolers as they gathered in the yard for singing and dancing. The teachers all know I'm leaving tomorrow and wanted to take some pictures, so we huddled together and started clicking away.

It took some coordinating

And some negotiating

But we finally got it. Mostly.

I'm going to miss these precious faces when I'm in the States!

Out with a bang!

      This will be my last week in Haiti for 2014 and I'm going out in a rush of activity. The last several weeks have been a flurry of training for my staff as I prepare to leave the clinic in their hands while I am gone. We have been practicing communication and teamwork as we all figure out how to fit together. I have been training them on our computer charting system and inventory practices, as well as our protocols and individualized patient education expectations. They have done a wonderful job asking questions, practicing flexibility and absorbing an enormous amount of new information in a short amount of time.
       Since I am leaving Saturday, this week is our trial run where my staff begins to operate without me. I wanted them to have a few days where they were working without me hovering, but where I was available for any questions or concerns that arose. Today was our first day and I was pleased with the results. The MOHI clinic has become my baby, but I feel optimistic about leaving it in their capable hands.
      We also have a team from Bless Back Worldwide this week doing well child checks on all of the nearly 800 children in our schools. Somehow a rumor got started among the elementary school that the team is here to give them all shots. Things went more smoothly after we clarified that this was not the case. Along with head to toe check ups and deworming, the team is teaching our students about proper sanitation and the importance of keeping their living environments clean. After the teaching and check ups, each student is receiving a water bottle to carry with them and encourage them to increase their hydration during the day. Hurray hydration!
      Will you join with me in prayer over the next few days? Will you pray for the Bless Back team as they continue to work incredibly hard to see all of our kids? Will you also be praying for my staff in this time of transition- that any questions would be answered, any snafus would be untangled, and any anxiety (mine, for instance) would be soothed? Thank you!

Baptism

      We had a baptismal service yesterday after church. Church members came by foot, by car and by motorcycle. They gathered at the beach behind our guesthouse property to pray, sing and bear witness to these holy moments. The baptismal candidates, many of whom were from a local orphanage with an extensive history with MOHI, came outfitted in white.
     After individual prayer and guidance, the candidates were immersed. In pairs they rose up out of the water, smiles radiant. As they broke through the surface, droplets of water glistened in the sun and I stood in awe at the new life happening in front of me. Waves threatened to knock one girl down, until she was steadied by one of the baptizing pastors who also acts as a father figure in her life. When they returned to shore, the newly baptized were welcomed with towels and smiles into the arms of their church community.  Baptisms always make me cry, but this one was particularly beautiful.