Oct24th 8pm
I have just returned from an afternoon at the hospital. Much different than I had been told. They do have some equipment but are in not so good shape. When I was in the maternity part of the hospital, I saw nothing to support a child. Two nurses were working on a man's amputated leg that was severely infected in the parking lot. Then when they were done they put him out the gate. The gentleman that was showing me around told me that whoever shows up at the hospital are near death before they will come. I was told that much of the problem is the living conditions do to no running water, no sewer & electricity. I traveled at night for the first time. That puts a new perspective on things. People standing on the road in pitch black and no driving rules. Driving here is something you would have to experience as a demolition derby has more rules yet they say, "not that many accidents." I am alone again tonight to eat but the help here are doing better about not making so much for me. Jisu (our Korean student living with us) fixed new foods for me and now I get a new menu of African food. Like hers I had to ask for not so much spice. (sissy) Tomorrow is Saturday. God is making me wait. His plan not mine!!!!

Saturday came and went. I am here but doing nothing - beautiful beaches - not the right clothes or shoes - No sunscreen - got burnt the first time I went out for a short time and still not better.

Sunday Oct 26th
Got up early to watch the sunrise but couldn't see it because of the rain clouds. The temp here is about 92 with 98% humidity. Went to church services from 8am to 12 noon. They do not have evening church but are having a classical music night starting at 5pm. Music here is loud and due to the (accents) I don't understand most of the words. I have a hard time with a lot of the people when they speak. I have to ask them to repeat and slow sown. Others I do not have as much trouble, there are only phrases I don't get. It is 2pm and just had lunch. African food over rice much better than flan which is a starched base, almost like dough but more jelly texture and no flavor. You have to put hot sauce (wow) or soup on it for flavor. *I just want a sandwich*
Still have not heard from Effort Baptist Church and do not have a number to contact them. Am praying God's grace for the containers to arrive tomorrow as I want to see this project move forward.

Oct. 27th
Spent most of the day at JFK working with people and trying to find out what we can salvage and what is trash. Most of the problems stem from the power system. They are now a 220 system and much of what is here is 110 and people forget to use converters. I have meet several Americans here working on long term bases (1 or more years) and puts what I am doing in perspective. One of those persons is Julie Herlihy MD,MPH from Massachusetts General. She is the new pediatric doctor. At the end of the day she found me to ask about some of the equipment. I had found out that the first container has arrived Oct. 23rd and I was trying to get to the Vice President to get it here ASAP. What she had to say is, she arrived on Fri. and has a new born with jaundice and will die without an incubator with a UV light. We have 8 in the containers and only GOD can change this ending. I went to Providence Church for a church planning meeting. When I return to the place I am staying I received a call that I was to meet with the Vice President in the morning to talk about the containers.

Oct 28th
Was picked up by Rev. Langford and taken to the Vice President's office. He made some calls then had us go talk to with the Minister of Health who lead me back to JFK and their broker who I was able to talk to. He is doing the paperwork and the cost to get it out of the port is $1,100.00 US dollars. JFK is paying that fee. With God's grace we will get it in a couple of days. Now it is 1pm and an elderly man introduces himself at Mr. Mathews. He was one of the Bio Med techs before the war and sometime during he was educated in the US and China. He walked me through the items that are just sitting and telling me what is wrong with them and what parts are still in the hospital to repair some lights and small items. He gave me a history lesson. At the end of talking with him the driver from Providence was there to pick me up for a meet at the church till 7pm. Got back to where I am staying at 8pm and catching up on my writing while waiting for dinner. Dinner was great. Pancakes, scrambled eggs with bacon in them. I hope that this is a new trend. I got a chicken sandwich for breakfast. I like being at the hospital all day. I only have 2 meals a day and this way 12 hours apart - much better. Do, though, miss my cookies and I have not had any COFFEE since I left. I guess not a bad thing, no ill affects that I know of.