Safe

We are working very hard.

We've built a full clinic in two rooms above a church in a downtown neighborhood of PaP over the past 2 days. We now have formal exam rooms, exam tables, a dispensary, oral rehydration station, and wound care center. We have seen hundreds of patients during the process, quickly building before and after clinic hours. We are seeing sicker patients every day.

Our team split in two today, with Lincoln and two nurses- Sherry and Sue, picking up a remote clinic closer to the coast at Legone- the epicenter of the earthquake. Maryclaire and I have stayed back to run the clinic and tend to the Belle Aire neighborhood with Dr. Spalding, a nurse, and a paramedic. We are seeing more complicated cases now later in the week as people hear about the quality of care we provide above "the church that withstood the earthquake". During the weekend of mourning, 1,000+ church members gathered in the church for worship for the first time since the earthquake. The praise was said to be deafening. We are so awed that those who could be faced with so much horror, so much destruction- after so many years of poverty, disasters, and despair- could praise God with such energy, and such joy.

A lot of our base team is heading out today- home for the US and elsewhere and we had a big send-off after dinner. Many tears and memories shared from people in various stages of deployment from various points of expertise. Our Field Director is leaving as well.

Lots of dust and smoke. We are always congested when we come back to the seminary. We ride the 'Tap Tap' taxis- modified pickup trucks that drive customers around quickly, efficiently, and dangerously. People ask me to explain what a Tap Tap is. I say a Tap Tap is a dare that you know you are going to survive. Even when you get into a Tap Tap accident like we did today. Drivers allow inches between cars- driving directly up the middle of the road, jumping curbs, and apparently trying to kill people and animals, as well as their passengers. We're used to it by now, and our entire state of being is surreal these days.

Tremors last night, and we literally had another small earthquake moments ago but the seminary is on very stout foundations.

We are surrounded by destruction, and very hungry, thirsty people- who are kind, and patient, and grateful. We are grateful.

Goodnight.

-Aaron