Day 4 – The Barrage at Bwa Bouton

By Adam Sarbin November 16th, 2016

So last night turned out to be drizzly and moonless…no visit to the rooftop after all, however tonight will definitely be a different story. Anyway, last night we were alone with our translators, Johnny, Wilson and Boaz which turned out to be a blessing. Not only did we have a sincere conversation and learn just how mature they are for their ages (23, 23 & 30 respectively), and just how committed they are to improving their homeland (not just focused on their own immediate needs and wishes), but we bonded more tightly as a group as they taught us two new card games with one remarkable rule…Wilson always wins! JennyMa, you are going to have your work cut out for you in March! But seriously, these are 3 more remarkable young men amongst the many other young adults we have met in our travels…what amazing role models for us and our children.

We had intended to turn in early but the games were so much fun for those playing and maybe even more so for the spectators that it was soon nearly 11pm before the lights went out. Morning came early today and after a quick breakfast we loaded the truck and drove the 30 minute ride to the site of today’s clinic, Bwa Bouton. Upon arrival we were greeted with the most obvious site of hurricane damage…the destruction of a church/school in the middle stages of construction. This is another project of Léon’s and we are told the storm caused the loss of more than $20,000 in labor and materials.

Our clinic was housed in the school building just next door. All six of us worked out of a very small space in the back of the structure. It became tighter and tighter and hotter and hotter as clinic wore on and patients began crowding in closer and closer for fear they might not be seen. It was clear this population has not had good access to care on any regular basis, but as we attempt to connect in this community it became very clear we needed to set certain boundaries and expectations. First and foremost, respect for their fellow patients’ privacy but also trust in the providers’ dedication to provide care for all in need.

standing room only

Once Léon laid down the “law”, we were able to prove to even the most impatient of patients that their providers could be trusted to care for all, and when all was said and done, we cared for somewhere between 150 and 200 souls between 9am and 2pm (it became difficult for the clinic leader to keep a count as patients were entering the clinic from all directions without “checking in.”) Bravo Team…what an incredible group of dedicated individuals!

Once the last patient was seen, we quickly loaded the truck and headed towards “home.” Léon stopped the truck and treated all to a cold beverage well deserved,  and the rest of the ride home was filled with laughter…a great sound after a very hard day’s work!

As we approached the guest house we made one last stop to check on the newborn infant from yesterday. She is not feeding well as Mama is still having difficulty with nursing. Carey and Kitty remained to assist mother and are making another call on them this evening. We pray for a successful outcome before we depart in just 2 days and we ask for prayers from our friends from all over for the same.

Tonight I know we will enjoy a delicious dinner and wind down on the roof by the light of the moon, enjoying the cool breeze. There may even be a round 2 at the newly introduced card games before everyone turns in for well deserved rest. What a day!

Tomorrow we are told we return for round 2 at Bwa Bouton. We can only hope that the gains we made today will pay dividends tomorrow and long into the future as we strive to reach our ultimate goal.  But for now, we will settle for a little progress, day by day. After all, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.”

That’s all for tonight.

Love to All,

The Team