Tuesday update First Presbyterian Nashville

It is 450am on Wednesday and we were all too tired to blog last pm.   The ear plugs kept the roosters at bay only so long.   It is quiet here otherwise.

The team has settled in to a good routine.  We all went to the flag ceremony at the school in the morning.   Great time mingling with the kids shooting baskets and talking with teachers. Just as in the US,  education is the key for these kids, and SRM is doing a wonderful job.

The surgery team is running smoothly with 7 cases yesterday.  Mike and Kate from NC are handling anesthesia like pros (according to Matt).  Katie Kennedy and Angela Jones are doing OR nursing and recovery room

The medical team took off south through the countryside to El Azul, about one hour away.  The drive once again was through magnificent countryside.   Lisa thought is was great that we had to stop and ask directions from guys riding on donkeys.  The living conditions in the towns we pass through certainly make you appreciate back home.  The image of childern carrying buckets to the local stream for their families' water reinforce our desire to help with clean water on some future trips.  We set up in a community center and saw about 210 patients.  Each town has its own personality and it is interesting to compare day to day.  At lunch we walked in the town. Some Haitian men were digging an irrigation ditch by hand  through heavy rocks. One of the interpreters Juan Carlos spoke Creole with them.  He asked if they were hungry and they said yes though were too busy to eat.  He gave them our extra food and got in the ditch and dug while they ate our meager left overs.   Our guys that work for SRM all have a calling.

Everyone is doing well and healthy so far.   People are starting to stir and Juanita just put on the coffee.  Off to the market this am then back to medicine.  Look forward to hearing from you back home.

Jim Cato