Sunday, March 16, 2008

This 'n' that

Today was a busy day, and once again, we're thankful for God's protection. Since I had the pay envelopes ready for hospital employees, I had gone down to the hospital with Rich when he went down to distribute water for the patients (because water is rare and valuable in Bombarde, it's necessary to control its use).

We were in the wound care room, and Rich stopped for a quick check of the battery pack there that provides power for the hospital lighting. He's been saying for awhile now that those batteries are going bad. As he walked over, his foot bumped the charger cable, he leaned down to check the connection, there was a spark, and a BOOM as one of the batteries literally blew its top. Rich quickly disconnected the power, and we all hastily left the room to escape the fumes. Rich got some very mild acid burns around his right eye, says tonight it feels almost like a bruise (it was a boom you could feel), but we're so glad his eye is ok. Those of you who know Rich, know he was blind in his left eye for 20 years, the result of a farm accident. In 2004, he had an artificial lens implanted, and treasures having good vision again more than most of us do!

The rest of our day was a bit calmer. Rich stayed busy supervising work on the house, redoing that battery pack at the hospital, and installed the first three window frames at the house this afternoon. Now that's exciting! The guys poured the gallery (porch) floor today, so finally, the house has all of its floors. The truck from CAM arrived today, so Laurie and I spent the afternoon putting away meds.

Steve and Faith are in Port au Prince this week, buying meds and taking care of many details of hospital and mission administration. They hope to be done with business so they can travel back out on Thursday to avoid all the Easter weekend congestion on the roads. Rah rah groups and Catholic processions can make travel very slow, and somewhat nerve-wracking. Pray with us for their safe travel.

We're beginning to adjust (I think) to Keith's being gone. He's at Fort Lewis right now, visiting his brothers, and when he arrives back in North Dakota, will spend awhile working for his uncles.

I'll post more pictures soon. Until then.........

God bless,
Marj, for the Byers's

3 comments:

Beth Hotchkiss-Yoder said...

wow another update. . .. :) Glad to hear Rich is ok!!!! PTL

Anonymous said...

Praising with you that Rich is okay. Sorry we couldn't connect while in Haiti! - Ruth

Anonymous said...

praise the Lord that Rich was protected in that!
miss you guys