Loving One More Joanna's journal in Haiti

As I write, it is 10pm and I am listening to the drops of rain continue to gently fall.  It has been a pretty intense 48 hours.  For those of you that have followed my blog since last fall may remember that I told you from the beginning that I was going to be honest, up front and share my heart. Some days are great and some are tough but as we all know, this is life.

So Saturday morning seemed to be just another day in Haiti.  I was feeling as little apprehensive because it was going to be the first night that I was going to sleep in the building that I was in when the Earthquake hit.  My mind knows that I am safe but this was going to be one of the things that I was going to successfully conquer on this trip.  I keep telling my Haitian friends that they should be staying in their homes but then here I sit full of apprehension.

I spent the morning and the afternoon tending to the patients at the field hospital so that the day nurse could take a sick child up to a rescue center for nourishment.  It was a fun day to get to spend with the patients.  I really enjoy the time that I get to spend with them and get to know them a little more.  Everyone of them has an incredible story.

When finished, I walked back to the guesthouse in the smoldering heat and after arriving decided that I could use a little rest before dinner. 

Some of you know that one of my greatest weaknesses since the earthquake and to this day are thunderstorms. (To me the sound of the earthquake was a thunderstorm x 100) I had just walked down the stairs of the guesthouse into the kitchen after a short rest when the first huge clap of thunder shook the house.  I handled myself pretty well, I think mostly because there were many guests in the kitchen, none whom I knew very well.  Then the storm ramped up and really got the best of me. It was a massive downpour, so much that some of the streets are still flooded.  As the thunder got louder and drew closer, I began to panic and couldn’t hold myself together.  I began to shake and cry.  I was so lucky to have 2 wonderful caring women that came to my rescue to comfort me and love me through this traumatic time.  It lasted about 30 minutes.  In between each clap of intense thunder, I was able to verbalize that I knew I was safe and nothing was going to happen to me.  Just when I would calm down, the next clap of thunder would hit and would send me again into a tail spin.  I HATE losing control like that.  It will get better with time I hope.  Once I was able to calm down, I thought about it and believe that this was part of my healing that God had me endure.  It was intense but I made it and I think these tough steps are what are going to make me whole again. 

After finally pulling it together enough we went to our usual community  dinner.  It was a little tough but I was able to gain the strength I needed.  It made the thought of sleeping at the Women’s center seem like a piece of cake.  I can say at this moment that I have overcome some huge obstacles this trip.  Mission accomplished. 

Once we got to the Women’s Center, we were just getting ready for bed and we got a call that a woman was coming in labor.  It was a great way to finish off an intense evening.  We had a beautiful birth of an adorable baby boy at 11:05pm. 

Slept really well and got up in time to bring the mom and her new baby over to the field hospital to be watched for a while.  We then headed up to church.  Remember this is a huge highlight of my week.  I love this place.  I was able to see the 2 nurses that I had the pleasure of working with my first 2 nights after the earthquake.  It was so great to reconnect with them. 

Arriving home after church, I wasn’t feeling very well.  I was hot, nauseated and had a headache.  I am sure it was a combination of many elements.  So I spent the afternoon relaxing in bed. It was too hot to sleep but I got time to relax.

After I felt a little better, I went to the hospital to see everyone. Spent time at the guesthouse. We then finished the night with dinner and outdoor worship. It was so hard to say good-bye to all the amazing people who have so blessed my life. 

Tonight, as I type, I am staying again at the Women’s Center with Jonna.  We had a great night visiting and just being together again.  Tomorrow (Monday) Gertrude will pick me up and I will spend my last day with her at the orphanage. 

So much can happen in so few hours.  Life is short. Make the most of each moment!

PS:  Now my trip is really complete, the roosters were back last night! Hate to say it but for one night it wasn’t that bad.  I also got to use a sheet when I slept, mostly to keep the mosquitos away but I didn’t melt. 

Hope everyone got to enjoy Father’s Day in one way or another.  I am so grateful for you Dad, I miss you, love you and will see you this weekend!