From August 30th to September 2nd I had the privilege of making my second trip to Port Salute. 

I was last there in November of 2016 after Hurricane Matthew devastated the southern peninsula of Haiti. This time it was to visit some friends, have a little time away from the big city, and to also do a medical clinic in a unique place. It is about a 6-hour trip from Port-au-Prince to Port Salute. 

We left at 5:30 in the morning but didn’t make it to far until we ran into some burning tires (a “demonstration” was brewing). 

We had to take some back roads to get around the issue. When we returned to the main road it was evident that something was still going on ahead. We asked the people who were hurrying away from the area and they stated that people were taking keys out of vehicles and running off with them. So, a few more side streets and we were back on the open road, and on our way to Port Salute.

We arrived safely at Emory and Mary’s home!  It was good to see them and be back in Port Salute. It is very different than it is in Port-au-Prince

After we got settled in we decided to head out on a little adventure. We made our way to one of the local water falls. It was refreshing to take a little swim and have some fun.

After a swim we decided to go to a bull fight. 

I was not aware that they had bullfighting in Haiti. But, turns out, it was not the traditional bullfighting I was thinking about. There was about 100 people standing in a field. There were also 8 or 10 bulls and their owners (the bulls were each on a rope).  They would just walk them around to see if they would get mad enough to fight another bull.  I think the 8 white people who’d come to the bullfight may have been more of an attraction to the locals!  It was fairly slow paced and we got bored so we left to find dinner.

The next morning, we were up early for a 1-hour drive to Les Cayes to meet our boat.  Or medical clinic was out on the island of Ile-a-Vache.

It had been raining all morning but as we pulled into the parking it quit raining and the sun came out!  We loaded our supplies and 12-person team into the boat for our ride 7 miles out into the ocean.  Unfortunately, the sun was short lived.  It started getting dark, then the wind picked up and the temperature dropped.  Then it started raining and then it started pouring.  At one point we had lighting on both sides of us.  We were pretty wet by the time we arrived.

The clinic went well and we were able to see about 150 patients and help them with there needs.  We also do a lot of medical education with them. Their medications will only last a short time.  And we need them to change their lifestyle — for better health.

While the main purpose of the trip was to bring the love of Jesus to the some of the people on the island through medical care, it was also a much-needed break for me. As you read in an earlier post this week (the LOWS of “The Lows and the Highs”), life is often stressful in Haiti. This trip was refreshing, and a good break for me to get away from the continual need, and to have a little time for myself.  I have not done enough of that while in Haiti since I started working here full time in November of 2016.

. . . You Can’t Pour From An Empty Cup . . .

Thank you for faithful and continued support of Kelby’s Kids!  Together we are bringing hope and healing to many! 

Until No Child Dies

Kelby