Kim In Jordan

Yesterday and today have run incredibly smoothly; we spent the day yesterday getting to know Jordanian culture and herritage, which essntially means reliving and reviewing the entire accounts of the three monotheisitic religions as well as Roman history. The time travel was awesome, and the men only somewhat diapproving of our short sleeve shirts (no tank tops allowed) and our capri pants (no shorts allowed). We met many youth (both boys and girls) and recruited a terrifically educated travel guide whom spent the entire day with us. Favorite foods so far are olive oil drenched hummus, as well as lamb and yoghurt...and ofcourse the olives, the figs and the aubergines.
Today was a much anticipated journey to the hospital to set up our scene. The hospital is only four years old making it pretty easy to rig appropriate power for our machines. We have running water to wash our hands, and the space is well designed. What I would like to bring your attention to is the fact that none of our patients are Jordanians, and all of them are Iraqi. It's been a very nerve-racked day for the in-country volunteers as they have yet to cross the Iraqi/Jordanian border (on their way from Baghdad). We have no idea what's going on, except that the families are frightened, and feel they are risking their lives to give their child a better future by repairing a malformed face. We are at the mercy of the US milirary that they will get everyone here to Amman by tomorrow so that we can meet and screen them for surgery (at the hotel they are being put up in). I ask that you all pray for the safety, courage and strength of these dedicated volunteers, as well as the children and their parents as they travel accross the desert tonight...keeping the faith, Kim :)