A new day

Did you know that every day you wake up you can start the day with a clean heart, and an open perspective. I loved that despite the exaustion and hunger of my team, the sunrise and the blessing of a new day is sufficient. I thank the Lord for a new day, every day, and the blessings that it brings.

Today I was a Doctor. Yesterday a pharmacist, and today a doctor. I was practicing in a clinic about ten miles from "ground zero" People rode mules and horses and many left early in the morning to get in line for care. I saw many ppl with acid reflux, yeast infections, std's, bumps, abrasions, and an aching heart. It was the boy who could not hear in his left ear and suffered from what he explained sounded like migraine headaches. He was 13 and walked for 2 hours today to be seen by an american doctor. After examining him I found that his hearing was depleated r/t wax buildup. Seems like an easy fix but all I had was cold normal saline and a 30cc syringe. I irrigated repeatedly until I knew he couldn't take any more. I only made a dent into what needed to be done. I was heartbroken. He still couldn't hear well and I had to instruct him to go home and tell his mom to drop some mineral oil in his ear at night. I just hope it translated ok so it was clean oil and not motor oil :) I took off the drape I put over him while I was doing the procedure and his shirt was very wet from the water solution I put in his ears. I felt terrible and told him to wait... I rushed to a pile of donations to find a shirt and found a t -shirt and pants that I felt would fit him. I told the translator to tell him to take his shirt off and put this clean one on . He said no and I thought he refused because he thought we would throw away his old one. Alan, your old t-shirts in our "rag bag" were nicer than the one he had on. That was not it at all... he told me he was greatful and wanted to wash himself before puting his new clothes on. I told him that God loves him and he is a blessing. I hugged him and sent him on his way after insisting he eat a granola bar and drink water, if i sent them with him other kids might attack him to get the food.

This day might not have been filled with guts, gore and adrenaline but I felt the presence of the Lord and he truely worked through us.

The country of Haiti is beautiful. Mountains surround the city of port au prince and there are donkys, goats, and horses everywhere. I am in heaven. I love animals. Alan, you would be proud of me I have not touched any of them. The last person who picked up a baby goat broke into a bad rash and puked for a while. I am already known as the girl who needs to carry a barf bag, I didn't need to push that one any further.

Love and blessings,
Cassie