First Hair Cut

I'm starting this post with some comic relief.  

This morning I was helping Selah pick up some toys in her room.  We had a team for dinner last night and it was late before she was ready for bed.  We decided to pick up toys in the morning.  So, I moved the doll bed and underneath it is a pile of blond hair and I'm thinking she cut off her doll's hair.  But, then I realize that it is Selah's hair.  

Mom:  Selah, is this your hair?

Selah: (in a happy tone) Yes

Mom:  Why is it on the floor?  Did you cut it?

Selah: (still happy, but getting worried)  I was playing Rapunzel and I cut it.

So, I figured out that she cut about 2 inches of a small section of hair.  Fortunately, it isn't too noticeable; she just has a small section that is shoulder length.  It's an interesting way to get a first haircut (yes, her hair has not ever been cut), but I'm guessing there are many kids who give themselves their first haircut.

Fun Day in Port Au Prince

During the first week in January, Rick and I went to Port Au Prince with Les and Christine Kaeb.  They are missionaries living in Cayes and starting a Dairy Program in Torbeck.  The trip to Port was to see Les' brother Paul and his wife Joan who were there with a work team.  Rick worked for Paul at KSI Conveyors before our move to Haiti, so it was nice to be see them.  We visited the Haiti Baptist Mission and the Lookout Point from high above the city.  Below are some photos of Port Au Prince.  

It is amazing that Port Au Prince looks like any other city from this vantage point.  The three buildings below stood out as we had driven past them earlier in the day.  The blue building is headquarters of Natcom, one of the two major mobile telephone companies in Haiti.  The gray building with the red lettering is the Digicel headquarters, the other major mobile phone company and the white building is the Marriott Hotel.  

Forklift

As the result of some generous donations, we have now have a Forklift!!  It arrived on a sea container in early January and has been a huge asset when unloading containers.  It was especially necessary to unload the solar equipment that started arriving on containers in January as well.  In addition, it is essential to the installation of the solar project.

Mapou Tree

Those of you that have visited us in Haiti probably remember the huge Mapou Tree that is along the road between Cavaillon and Bonne Fin.  In Haiti, some of the people believe that these trees are home to dead spirits and they never trim them or cut them down. Thus, these trees grow to be very large.  The tree, in the above picture, broke off about 30 feet up and the top came crashing down.  Large grubs, worms, and termites were feeding on the inside of the tree, causing it to become unstable and to fall on it's own volition.  Look closely at the bottom of the tree and notice the men working to clean up the mess; this gives you some perspective on the size of the tree.  

Rebecca Koch - Sonography Tech

We enjoyed having Rebecca Koch from Tremont, IL with us for several weeks.  She provided sonography services as well as some training for the doctors and was a great addition to our team.  We all enjoyed having her with us very much!!

 

Here are a few more fun pictures from her time here:

Lunch at a great new restaurant in Cayes!!

 Sandcastle Fun!

Shopping in the Cayes Market - Must be a Foul Breeze!!

Solar System Installation

In January, solar panels and equipment started to arrive on sea containers and during the last week a team arrived to begin the installation of the new Solar System.  This project has been in the works for two years and it is exciting to see the install come to fruition. For those who have donated funds and time to this project, we are very thankful and looking forward to having "clean power" soon!  The team that was here in January completed the 1st Phase of the install.  The team for the 2nd Phase arrived on Feb. 20th and they are currently working hard to complete the installation.   

 Huber Family Visit

The first week in February, our medical department intern, Kirk Huber, enjoyed a visit from his family.  His parents, Gene and Sherri Huber, and 3 of his 4 brothers were here for a week.  They helped with several projects around the campus and enjoyed some time exploring Haiti too.  

The Hubers after they finished a project on campus

One of the projects the Huber Family completed was painting different colored lines to help guide patients from the clinic to the Pharmacy, the Laboratory and the Radiology Dept.

HIKING!

Our family, especially our kids, have developed a love for hiking.  Haiti is a wonderful place for hiking and enjoying the beauty of the Caribbean Islands.  Recently, we hiked to "Tet Lakil" with a group of missionaries.  The word tet translates to head so this was to the head or beginning of the Lakil River.  The hike was a little over a mile on a path next to the river.  It was a beautiful hike that culminated at a pool coming out of the rock.  We couldn't see the inlet to the river, but suppose that it is fed by a spring from deep in the pool.  

Some of our group along the path

Rick hiked with Selah in a Back Pack so he had an extra 35 pounds to carry.  

The pool that seems to emerge from the rock.  A great swimming hole!  The water was very clear and we could watch lots of fish underwater with goggles.

Krae sportin' his goggles!

This picture "cracks me up"!  Kurt Plattner was watching himself fish underwater.  Unfortunately, he didn't catch anything.

While on the path, I saw this waterfall on the opposite bank - beautiful!

Valentine's Day Dinner

For Valentine's Day, the Geckoes (missionary school children) and the missionary interns treated the parents and other adults to a mystery dinner at L'amour Grille.  We had to select our eating utensils and food from menus that were written in code.  The kids have been studying US states and capitals so the names of the menu item related to that theme.  It was a very fun evening with lots of laughs and great conversation.

Enjoying our evening "out"!

 

Mara was the hostess and explained the mystery 

menu after we made our menu selections.

Rick is holding up toothpicks, the mystery eating utensil that he selected - Poor guy!

Krae serving one of the desserts!

Pediatric Medical Team

Last week, this group came to provide Pediatric Screening Clinics to several MEBSH schools in the area.  Many of the children may not have access to medical care and for a very small fee, their parents could request an exam with a pediatrician.  Every child was screened by the nursing staff free of charge.  

The members of the team were Carol & Kenny Edelman, Don & Ada Plattner, Dr. Shayne Fehr, Arlene & Dave Metzger and Rita Knobloch.  We had a great week with them!

Dr. Shayne and Dr. Lee doing some health education with the children

Arlene with a young boy and his father

I will close with a picture of a group of friends.  The two young men were patients in the hospital a few weeks ago.  They were both injured in motorcycle accidents.  Since motorcycles are used a taxis in Haiti, there are many on the roads and a large number of our patients are injured in moto accidents.  

The young ladies came to visit them in the hospital.  They were happy to be together and asked me to take their picture.