The past weeks in perspective

Right outside my house is an orchid tree - yes, orchids do grow on trees! After the rain, one had fallen to the ground. So I took a picture of it where it lay. Isn't it beautiful?

I saw my first tree with leaves that turn color before falling. And only a few fall at a time, so there are always green leaves on the tree. It is an almond tree.

We have a new volunteer - her name is Emily and she is an RN. She will be working mainly in the Gazebo with the feeding programs. But, like all of us here, she will also be involved in a "gazillion" other things! We are happy to have her join us. And she lives right next door to me.

This past week a container of supplies arrived from the U.S. In preparation, we had to clean out the depot under our apartments. So, over a period of 3 days, the yard men and I got to work. We cleaned, organized, distributed - and cleaned some more. We had everything from food to mattresses and box springs to pipes to chairs to nails to furniture to RATS - and more rats! The men killed 22! If I never smell another rat's nest again I will be one happy lady! :o) But the job got done and the depot was ready when the supplies arrived.

I also got boxes of supplies for the Center and am in the process of sorting them in another depot. Opening each box is like a little Christmas - baby clothes, shampoo, onesies, sheets, soap, washcloths, toothbrushes, and so much more - everything we so badly need. Our job would be almost impossible if it weren't for all the support we get from back home.

The new mothers and babies are all doing fine. Last Wednesday we saw over 120 newborns in one day. Because we were closed for 3 weeks over the Christmas and New Years holidays, and because the previous Wednesday was set aside as a day of remembrance of the earth quake victims, mothers with new babies weren't able to come for vaccination and newborn checks for 4 weeks. Thus the huge number. But all were seen - even if the last one did not leave until 5:30 PM

Well, time to sign off until next time. Take care - and don't forget to pray for the people of Haiti during this time of political unrest, and the ongoing cholera epidemic. Peace. Mary Ann