Rain

It hasn't stopped raining for days and days, I don't even know how many nights and days it's rained.  When it rains in Haiti, it's what we call torrential.  After the second things pretty much grind to a halt.  I haven't been able to get to work, nor has anybody else at the clinic site.  The plan as to finish building the first floor-ready to form and pour the slab when I get back.  It still might be possible, but I doubt it.  Being in Haiti means constantly setting goals, then re-setting them when reality sets in.  The reality is there are parallel universes here, one that make sense to us and seems realistic, and one that that is governed by a different set of rules.  It takes a long time to figure out what the rules, so far, I have surmised there are NO rules, just put on foot in front of the other, and hope you go forward.

The bad thing about this tropical storm or depression that is happening isn't about not getting the clinic built.  It's not that I'm surrounded by a virtual lake of muddy water.  No, the worst part is the suffering the Haitian people are enduring.  Most of the roads or trails are dirt, creating slip and slides to work.  If people are lucky enough to live in a decent house, take it to the bank the roof leaks.  Most of the floors are dirt, so that means mud.  Schools and business close, the hand to mouth existence that goes on ceases, crops are damaged,and they were doing so well, and cholera starts to creep back in.

One thing that doesn't wain is their spirits.  Kids take their clothes off and run and slide whereever they can.  Pockets of people gather and laugh and joke, knowing all things pass.  Considering the obstacles the Haitian people face they have remarkably positive attitudes.