Day of Rest turned out to be quite eventful

(This is Brent typing.) It is late Sunday night, and I just got today's update from Connie. Even though the mission was closed for eye surgeries today, everyone from the mission, including a guest and seven Haitians, went to a local village called La Baie de Moustique to setup a clinic and help whomever they could. It is only about 15 miles to the west, but it is still a 2-hour trip...trek, and involves driving through--not over--the Trios River. They tried to make it for the morning church service in La Baie, but on the way a small truck and a large bus were stuck in the road. The large bus tried to help get the truck out, but it ended up getting stuck in the mud too, and it blocked passage. The bus eventually got out and the I-Team, in their own bus, were able to press on, but that made them too late for church service. The day was not lost however. They were able to setup a clinic in the village and help *97* people! Thanks to having so many skilled hands on this trip, it did not take long to care for them. They only expected to help 40. Many spectacles were given to those w/ poor eye sight, and 8 surgery candidates were identified. The locals treated the team to a seafood lunch straight from the sea: lobster, fish, and rice. MMM. After they closed the clinic down and loaded their gear on the bus, they headed back to the mission, intending to be back before dark which is 7pm (They don't observe daylight savings and are much closer to the equator.) On their way back, though, another vehicle (a cargo truck) was stuck in the mud and blocked passage of the I-Team's bus. They handed out flashlights, donned backpacks, grabbed water bottles and eye diagnostic equipment, and walked for an hour on a muddy, moon-lit road. They then had to arrange for three trucks to come pick them up. The team finally got back to the mission around 8:15, where they were ever so grateful to eat a cold pasta dinner. Connie said, ''CRAZY!''

Connie also said, ''Hot sun!'' (It was 100 degrees there today, which felt like 115 thanks to the humdity.) She is used to working in an operating room which is kept at what? 60 degrees? all the time, with little humidity. Thanks for all your hard work, I-Team! Your courage is an inspiration.