Olga and School Program

We are tired today after a stormy night. Yesterday, Dec. 11th, we had rain squalls now and then in-between sunshine. Clinic was light only about 6 people divided between us two doctors.

Last night about 7 it started to rain and blow a bit. I was unable to get the Internet to work because of the weak connection. By about 8 pm it was blowing rain into the dinning room so we moved some of the items that were getting wet.

Now when we are in the States we are very fortunate to stay in a full basement apartment in Kris's folks house. The house is on the side of a hill-and very well built. Only very load noises can be heard in the house. The only way to know it is raining or blowing is to look through a window. They even had to get a driveway alarm so that they know if a car has driven up.

Here we have no such problems knowing that there is a storm. Olga blew through the whole house-knocking Lego creations and snowmen decorations off shelves, the mosquito net down in the master bed room, two of Anna's ceiling tiles were sucked upward, curtains billowed and empty water pitchers flew off tables. The wind whipping through the trees was very loud at times-and the screeching of the tin roof was scary. I offered many prayers during those sleepless hours for the neighborhood, roads, our roof, house and satellite dish.

At times I had to wipe the rain drops off my face in bed as the wind drove the rain though the screens on the windows. Olga was late-guess no one told her that hurricane season officially ended with the month of November. Some who have lived in the North for 7+ years said it was the worst storm they remembered. OMS compound had damaged roofs and trees down. Our yard had leaves, citrus fruits and some branches scattered about here and there.

As it was the last day for the kids before the holiday break and the day of the big program I went with Cory. On the way to school we saw some large trees that had fallen across power lines or by the road. The river was flowing at a good clip. We received 2 inches of rain overnight.

Thank you to those who prayed for our safety during this last storm. The kids had a good program. Tomorrow about 4 a.m. we hope to be starting the long trip to Port-au-Prince. We hope to continue on to LaGonave by Saturday. Not sure how often will be able to blog from the island.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Years. Thedes

[Anna was a sheep and Eli a sparrow]