March 6, 2010 Day 3

Another great day. Poor nights sleep, awoke often with the rain, mind kept thinking of wet tents, drifted back to sleep with prayers for guidance. Journey is one of faith and my angst at times comes when I think I am off course, usually because of undo anxiety. I take the statement “go with the flow” literally. I am certain we all have guidance from above if we let it happen. In Haiti I seem to find the path easier.

After a wonderful Haitian breakfast of eggs and smoked herring, peppers,onions. We had our usual hurry and wait period, we were awaiting the head of the Dominican Red Cross. Yvon shared with us the difference between Eastern standard time, CST, PST and HPT, Haitian people time. We finally headed to Double Harvest. Final stretch of road was challenging and almost didn’t ford the mud.

Double Harvest was as amazing a project as one could see in a developing world. My path at double harvest began in 1998. Have been back several times, this one was a wider eye opener. My son Ethan, Beverly and our in country director Yvon were very impressed. In addition to hundreds of acres of 21st century farming, chicken farms, tilapia ponds, their new clinic was to be seen and a template for reproduction. Much of what I had envisioned over the years and discussed with them was in action. The teams I met there were an inspiration of kindness. The medical director of nine years was enthusiastic as I shared the SanteBus story and plans. They have an Opthamoligist who has been hoping for a mobile medical unit, the match was perfect.

Double Harvest Tilapia project takes a one inch fish to full grown in six months. The simplicity of the modern process was awesome. The waste serves as nitrogen rich fertilizer for the fields. I am certain as we reproduce processes as this we can end world hunger. We just need to do it and be committed, if we can land a man on the moon we can feed the world, it is not hard or impossible.

Journey home took us to Yvons hometown as a child, visited his 103 year old and 95 year old aunts. Cheerful and spry as can be, standing strong, independent in a little 150 year old house, taking care of one another. I did some dressing changes on an ankle wound. More and act of kindness as his 103 year old aunt was healthier than me.

Not a single med for either, the aging process is seeming to be more a state of mind to me than a list of meds. Hint, be happy, don’t worry, enjoy simplicity.

Final stop was a piece of land where we will start our garage to take care of the Sante Fleet. Also visited Yvons brother who is still sleeping in a tent, same fear as others.

All in all a very good day. Tomorrow, Christianville Clinic where I worked last summer. Jim and Sandy Wilkins the medical team and I go back to 1997. I am humbled by their efforts to help the poor. More tomorrow.

To the team, rest assured santé Busses will do all we set out to do. Their homes are being found and their care will be gentle.

SOS to anyone reading we need cheap travel to Haiti or the DR for fleet, gouging sees to be overtaking the shipping world. This is intolerable to me on the backs of those suffering. Cmon people be nice. There is enough for all if we help one another. Peace and good night, Dr. Jean-Paul