Saturday, December 17th, 2011 came all too fast and it was time to leave……

……such a sad day for me as always.  We arrived early to the airport, so there were no problems getting through and onto our flight. I always enjoy meeting others in the airport in Port-au-prince hearing and learning about what they did while in Haiti. I met one gentleman, who volunteers with Florida Baptist Men, he had come for two weeks to oversee the construction projects that they sponsor. They have employed Haitian workers to construct new homes for families whose home was destroyed by the earthquake.  It was not long before our group was called to board, and in about one hour and 45 minutes we were in Miami. It always amazes me stepping back into the busy airport, in the air conditioning.  Often sad to me seeing how different people are living only a few hours apart. 

                Getting through the airport ended up being quite comical with my team….still very weak I rode with Mrs. Doris on the driven handicap cart to customs.  As we rode my boarding pass flew out of my passport and under the back motor of the cart. We stopped and looked under the motor and all around but could not find it.  We would later find out, through a translator, that the Haitian couple sitting on the back of the cart saw my boarding pass fly out as soon as we had gotten back in the cart and began riding again. Oh well, our driver promised I could get another one printed.   We got to an area where all of the handicapped people sat in wheelchairs all waiting on an airport staff to wheel them through customs according to their flight time.  We were matched with a young man, volunteer that would push Mrs. Doris and guide us to get our luggage.  It was great to get to talk with this young man as we had a long walk through the airport.  He was born in Haiti, and now studies at the University of Florida, a second year student studying Biology, with plans to go to medical school.  I shared with him I had graduated with the same major and am in Physician Assistant School now. 

                As we were talking one of the ladies in our groups thought she had lost her car keys, so in the middle of the floor we helped her go through her entire luggage.  After several minutes of searching, I thought to ask her to check her fanny pack, and behold there where the keys!! She was so happy, and I was glad to help, we packed up the suitcase and began heading towards customs when I realized I did not have my passport!  Oh my….I searched all through my bag, and went back to retrace my steps.  The ladies had made it up to customs already… I thankfully caught back up with them and figured that my passport must have gotten in Mrs. Joy’s suitcase when I was searching for her keys.  We had to pull out of the long line, and as I opened her suitcase I found my passport in the pocket book in her luggage!  I felt so bad….I think we were all losing it haha, but I just had to laugh.  It made me feel better that our airport volunteer, well call him “C” (Chatom) said he had had worse things happen to teams before.  “C” was great to get me a new boarding pass, and guide us quickly through the handicap line to drop off our luggage and go through customs. 

                When we finally arrived to our terminal, thankfully we had a six and a half hour layover, so there was no running involved.  Then the neatest thing happened, right as we were giving our new friend “C” tips, I am not sure what exactly happened but the Lord took over.  I am not sure what one of the ladies said to him, “God bless or will be praying for you”, or what, but he began to ask questions to the ladies.  Apparently he had become a Christian when he was younger and had gone to church, yet now being in school he had stopped going to church.  Learning about science in school was making him question the validity of the bible, and question God’s existence.  It was in the midst of the busy airport we stood in a circle, and it seemed as if the world paused for us to share with “C”.  Mrs. Clara had her bible with her and as he shot out question after question, the ladies knew where to find the answers.  They read him scriptures, and talked with him for several minutes about his deep questions.  I stood by his side, and shared with him… being a science major I know what he is learning, what he is going through. He said he had many doubts and had been praying but did not feel like God was answering his questions or revealing Himself.  I told “C” though that God did answer his prayer today, he did not realize but out of the thousands of people here in this airport today God sent us to help answer his questions.  I told him, this was an answer to your prayers, God is listening, and continue to seek him having faith he will answer.  I was amazed at how God matched us up that day, using Doris’s handicap to need this gentleman, (getting volunteer hours for school) to be able to bring the answers he needed to hear from God.  I gave the young man my email address, and told him I would mail him a book I had. For some reason I remembered getting a book when I was in school by a Christian speaker who had written about how God and the bible are true, and proving it analytically, through science. I am praying when I get back to school to find the book, and plan on mailing that and a bible to him.  I was so thankful that day that God continued to use us even in the airport of Miami. Our long layover had been exactly what God had planned. 

                Though I would remain in some pain, and have nausea that entire day throughout the flight God answered my prayers and gave me just the strength I needed to get through the flights and airports that day.  After boarding our plane for Charlotte around 10pm we waited on another team coming from Port-au-prince.  We soon learned that shortly after we had left Port-au-prince the airport system shut down, and they were not able to print boarding passes.  This delayed the passengers for over two and a half hours.  Wow, just to think if we had been stuck in Port-au-prince we would not have had the chance to talk to “C”.  God is good and he did get that team to make it on our last flight to Charlotte.  I did not go to bed that night till a little after 3 am, but was thankful we made it home safe. I learned later the other three lady’s flight had been delayed, and they did not get home till 4am! I am so thankful for God’s protection on them.                    

                 I was able to sleep a few hours and my body’s  clock woke me up early. I was able to get ready for church, and was so blessed to have the energy just enough to go to worship. My pastor asked me if I would share a brief word to the congregation before the sermon. I had not prepared anything but was so thankful for the opportunity that I briefly shared my thanks and gratitude for their support and prayers for the people of Haiti.  How we saw over a 1000 patients that week, and had 4 salvations.  How I was able to see the impacts of the medications, clothes, toothpaste and glasses on the people’s lives in Haiti. I also was able to visit with the Runk Family, a couple and their two young children who are working with Global outreach and staying in Haiti for two months.  They have to raise their own support, and are learning about all of the operations that Global outreach conducts in Haiti (with their school, orphan ministry, running a burn clinic, and more.) I was able to hear their testimony of their children being able to give out Samaritan’s Christmas shoe boxes to the children at the school, and how excited they were for toothpaste, and the small items hidden inside.  This is what Christmas is truly about….in Haiti there are no lights, no Christmas trees, no presents, no Santa.  But there is love for the Lord, thankfulness for this Son sent to earth as a baby, who would grow and later die for our sins so that we may have eternal life in Christ Jesus.

                 I really had wanted to stay in Haiti another week, but our coordinators and all the workers were on Christmas break for two weeks.  It was exciting the last night helping Mrs. Wanda make packages of needed items for each of our worker’s families.  They would receive this gift the next day at the Christmas party; Wanda had been cooking and preparing to have for them.   This is the true meaning of Christmas… and as I think about the Runk family spending this Christmas in Haiti, I think what an honor is would be to serve their during this special time of year. 

As I have been home these last few days, I have been tired which is expected, but I have also been sad.  It’s sad to leave a people so in need, leave a place where you feel called to be…. to serve each day.  It’s hard to come back knowing how much suffering is going on in Haiti. Yes in many ways life is easier here, there is air conditioning and heat when it is cold, there is electricity, and a bed, yet I can only think about the children and people I have left.  When I got back Sterling sent me an email saying, “I would like to tell you how special you are, I always wanted to compare you with Jesus, who left his throne to come to this cursed earth to support, save and help people. I congratulate you for your courage. You left your beautiful country, and house to come in a dusty, and dirty country like Haiti where the heat is really exaggerated. It’s really nice of you! That’s also gorgeous! With all my heart I love you, and may God bless you!”  I told Sterling, “It is nothing to leave my country, I love Haiti, and the beautiful people God has called me to serve there.  I cannot wait to return, I miss the heat, for it is too cold here for me lol.  The material things in this world are nothing, I despise how many are so greedy and about things, but things never satisfy, and they never bring joy.  I put my faith and hope in the One who will never leave us or forsake us.  I would absolutely leave my home and things here to serve, hoping to serve God more long term, and cannot wait to return to Haiti in at the end of July. “ 

I continue to keep the Haitian workers in my prayers for the struggles they are facing and the encouragement they need in their lives.  For "Ste" and her children, for Dr. F now living away from her sister, for Dr. M and Dr. V now living their new life together as husband and wife, for "Mic" and his fiancé, for "Sta" and his family with the recent death of his grandmother, for "Mik" and his application for a college scholarship, for "To" and "Tha" in school and their mother, for "Ma", for "Wil", his schooling and his family, for "Ju" and family, for "Inn", his new baby and wife, for "Pi" and family, for "Fr" and his school and car wash, for "Rom" for work and his fiancé, for "Rol" and her family, for "Jor", for "Sop", and my little Venia, her family, and baby Rachel and her mother, and others.  I pray that the Lord bless them and keep them safe, and give them strength, and purpose in each day.  I thank you for each of them, their hearts of service to you Lord, and their gifts, and thank you for allowing me to be a part of their lives!

Totals for team 102: Total patients seen that week= 1704, and 4 people accepted Christ!!

That week the patients were educated about HIV/AIDS, dental hygiene, cholera, and told about Christmas J.  This week we saw many patients following up for high blood pressure (many BP’s I took in the 200’s/100’s), as well as many Diabetics for blood sugar checks.  We saw many sick younger children with colds & viruses (bronchitis, cough, rhinorrhea, fevers, and diarrhea). Many with skin infections (Tinea capitis, Tinea dermitis, Impetigo, scabies, other fungal infections, and I even saw one lady with shingles).   Several children and a few young adolescents had fevers (from upper respiratory infections, possible malaria, or typhoid).  Others with UTI’s, pains and aches, acid reflux/gastric ulcers, malnutrition, almost all with anemia, and some with worms.

                Since NCBM responded to help the people of Haiti after the earthquake, we have seen 124,847 patients, and had 1519 salvations!! Wow praise God, and I pray for this upcoming year 2012 that God may do even more amazing works through the NCBM teams and Haitian medical teams serving at the mobile medical clinics!!

Market Day

o          NCBM, have some of the most amazing Haitian employees, Christian men and women serving their Lord and their people with such humble hearts.  They are dear friends and I am so thankful to serve with them through NCBM.  One worker writes: "I live in Port-au-prince I work and NCBM in pharmacy and as a translator (I learned english at school). I appreciate the things NCBM is doing in Haiti for about two years, helping the homeless and the sick people after the earthquake.  It's the first time in my life I have been employed, I pray God to bless all of you, thank you for coming to help my people and me. I have a reason to pray for all of you, I’m so glad to work with NCBM, and for my first time it's a good experience in my life ,God bless you."- Michel

Clinic Day 4: Tent City & Minoterie/Lafiteau Clinics = 260 patients..Clinic Day 5: Luly & Archaie clinics = 272 patients.I was unable to go to these clinics due to sickness

     I am unsure what I actually had, or how I got it but I was violently ill, having to have 5 bags of IV fluids, IV antiobiotcs, and dextrose for the large amounts of fluid I was loosing.  It would be some of the longest hours of my life being in such pain, but God was so faithful and I was able to get better for the plane ride home.  Although this was not at all what I had planned, God taught me new things during that time. During my time of pain I tried to  think about the sick patients in Haiti whom are outside, sick and lying on the dirt, no bathroom, no IV, no doctor, I tried to think of the little child whom I may have gotten this illness from, and it broke my heart to think that even if we gave that child antibiotics, without IV fluids, they probably will not make it this night. That Friday,  for the first time I did not have the nauseating pain in my stomach, finally the antibiotics were working!! PRAISE THE LORD….I was so thankful!!!  I was able to stand, I was able to walk over to the front screen door, and listen to the team as they gathered circled, hand-in-hand to sing a morning hymn, and pray for the day.  It was a praise to stand and sing with them from the door. I hated not being able to help at clinic, but was just so thankful to be getting better.  I progressed to sitting in a chair with my IV I recounted the devotional I had lead Tuesday night. The verse was from 2 Corinthians 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for thee for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”  In this passage Paul is praying to God to remove the “thorn in his flesh”, which was causing him constant pain.  It was such a deep difficulty that Paul pleading with God to have his suffering taken away.  Although God did not remove the painful burden Paul had, He answered his prayer promising something more….His grace.  God not only gave him his grace for this particular difficulty but promised his grace throughout life, in every trial.  Though Paul would suffer, he was still able to exalt the name of Christ.   When we are helpless….God’s strength and power is even more evident and able to shine through.  “These struggles we face are opportunities to fulfill God’s purpose as a Christian, more than we ever could in a pain-free life.”  This week I did not believe that this devotional would manifest in my life, so readily, but God’s power was an answer to my prayers this week.  I originally presented this devotional thinking only of the Haitian patience and what they endure in their daily struggles and pain, but God taught me first hand I needed his grace too this week. 

 When I was weak on my knees and in pain, all I could do was look up to the only one that saved me, and could be my stronghold to heal me. 

               That afternoon I could not wait till the workers and team returned. It was great to visit and fellowship with everyone.  It was so hard for me to stay at the house, wishing I could be helping the patients.  I felt so bad not being able to triage, knowing it took them a lot longer to see the patients.   But I knew that God still had purpose for me even through my sickness. I was able to talk more and get to know better the Haitian house keeper.  I also was able to be used to help one of the Haitian workers "Mik".  "Mik" is one of our translators, and he works week after week with new teams of volunteers to work all aspects of the clinic from triage, to the pharmacy.  He is a very hard worker at clinic and in his studies.  He has worked hard to win two certificates in an English program, and is striving to get a scholarship to go to college.  I have been able to be in contact with him some from the U.S., lifting him up in prayer as he has taken a test and been in the process of filling out an application for a scholarship to a college in the U.S..                                          

           The last clinic day "Mik" shared with me that one of his references fell through and that he would need one more reference. I told him I would be honored to write him a reference letter. Late that night I began to write the letter for "Mik".  Still with the IV in my arm, I got very good at typing with one hand on the computer.   "Mik" would then come the next morning all the way back from Port-au-prince to get the letter, and have me fill out one more form.  I am amazed by his dedication, and determination to want to go to college even though he does not have the money to afford it.  I told "Mik" I would read over his narrative essay for him. As I sat at the table reading over his life’s story I was so humbled by what he had gone through and endured.  He is one of nine children; his dad was mentally unstable, and had left his mother and family when "Mik" was younger.  "Mik" recalls the struggles his mother went through to provide for them.  He remembers many times going without food….his mother would place a salt cube under their tongue at night to sleep.  Yet through it all "Mik"’s faith in Christ has carried him and his family through.  "Mik" and his brother "Sch" have worked so hard in school, learning English proficiently, as well as other languages of Spanish, and French in order to find jobs.  "Sch" now runs his own business as a travel agent/guide, using his skills of translating, and selling internet access from his router.   "Mik" has such a powerful testimony, and it was evident as I read through his narrative that God has been at work in his life, and is providing for his needs.

 I am almost ashamed at how education in the States comes much more easily to us compared to education in Haiti.  School is Haiti consists of a teacher (sometimes not even paid) using chalk and a board to teach the children.  The children in all matching handmade uniforms sit in the hot weather some on only wooden benches absorbing every piece of information they can.  I know "Mik" has worked so very hard for the chance to go to a college, his family only makes a few hundred dollars a year, yet he says if it’s God’s will he will make a way for him to go to college.  "Mik" also makes it clear that he is dedicated to his people in Haiti, when he finishes his studies he will return to Haiti to use his skills to make Haiti better, to serve the people in the name of Jesus.   Every time I think about the struggles and worries I have with completing my schooling, I stop and think of those like "Mik" who would give anything to have my spot in a University. He loves to learn, and would work so very hard.  Please join me in praying for "Mik" as he begins to apply for a visa, and that God’s hand would be on his application for school. May the Lord provide for him this scholarship and opportunity to continue his education! 

Clinic Day 3: Both teams together in the Mountains of Tapio= 327 patients

    I was so excited today to go to the mountains for clinic, we did not get to see my baby Rachel, as I had hoped…but still it was such a blessed day. The weather was just beautiful, and a cool breeze uplifted us throughout the entire day. Under the large tree we saw the patients.  Hundreds as usual had gathered and were waiting lined up long down the mountain. We carried the tables, chairs and supplies up the mountain. I was so excited to see my little friend, a young boy maybe six years old wearing the same red incredibles shirt I see him wearing every trip. He always stays all day at the clinic helping us unpack and carry our things back down the mountain at the end of clinic. He was excited to see me, his eye lite up, as I gave him a hug, and reminded him of my name. His name is Gregorge.  He has beautiful bright eyes, and such a caring little boy, so helpful, I wonder though he must not be in school.  I was so excited to get a picture with him, and give him a new shirt, which he ran back to his house up the mountain (however I am still thinking he will continue to wear his beloved incredible shirt J ).

When we arrived to clinic they always send the most sickly up first to see us, one woman had brought her sick baby boy, I was not sure why everyone had gathered around him to pray, until I walked over and saw that the baby had a very large hemangioma on the side of his face, that had involved his ear and even his lips. It looked infected around his mouth, and ear, and Dr. Vlad was not sure how long he would make it without surgery, even with antibiotics.  It was so sad to see, but we prayed over him, and pray that the medications heal the infection.

               We also saw one little girl her entire face and lips swollen due to bad allergic reaction, I will not forget her precious face, may the medications heal her as well.  I held many infants that day. We did not have a baby scale so I had to weigh the mom and baby, or myself and the baby and subtract our weights.  There was one baby with severe scabies all over her little body, I was amazed that the baby was sleeping, I could not imagine the itching and discomfort she had to be in.  

                            

Clinic Day 2: We had clinic in Titanyen Baptist Church (other team in Cabaret)= 400 patients total

I was so excited to return to this special church, for this is where last time we delivered baby Rachel. It was great to see two boys whom makes bracelets for us, when they entered the church their eyes widened when they saw I had returned, they were excited to see me J 
 It was great to share with the patients that morning scripture from Colossians 9:1-12 “For this reason, since the day I heard about you, I have not stopped praying for you, and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding….so that you may be strengthened.”  I shared with them that they are so special to me that I pray for them and have not forgotten about them. I am was so happy to serve them that day in the name of Jesus I told them.  Today we had many babies (well actually at all the clinics we had many babies).
  But today I met a grandmother and women who had brought two twin infants to clinic. They shared with me that their mother had died giving birth to them. It was so sad to see they beautiful babies with no mother, what a sacrifice the mother made, her own life for her babies.  Now the grandmother is left to care for them. 

Mon. Dec. 12th, 2011: The first clinic day was the best

… getting to see all my Haitian friends again; it truly was the best Christmas gift!!! I had missed them all so much, and they were excited to see me as well. I am able to communicate with some of them on facebook, but it was so great to hug them again, and work alongside them.  There are often weeks where they have no team to help, the coordinators Mr. B, and Mrs. W, are their only assistants. But they are each amazing learning to work any aspect of the clinic from triage, taking vitals, to assisting the doctors, and working the pharmacy.  I was on team Omega with Dr. F, "St"-nurse,"Mic" in pharmacy, "W" to translate for Mrs. J-nurse, and Mr. B in pharmacy.  I was to do the triage by myself, which I was not sure how well I would do with the hundreds of patients, but each day God was faithful and gave me the strength I needed, as well as the patients always motivates to keep going.  Especially the little ones, there was always one little angel at every clinic who would come stand by my side, they love to rub my arm, or hand, and place their little hand on leg.  They do not know how they are such a blessing to me, when I look out at the hundreds of patients waiting for me; the little one by my side encourages me to keep going.  The first day it was a little girl, and a little jean dress, she stood right by me, hand on my arm, and watched me as I worked. 

This first clinic was in Carfour Fugy (the other team in Bon Repos), we were not at the usual location….but this time had clinic in an open church.  It was so great to return to doing mobile clinics again, I love it!! We unloaded the van, and set up clinic as the people waited on the wooden benches of the church.  We introduced ourselves, and Dr. F educated the patients, and Innocence shared with the patients about Christ, and praise we had three people accept Christ that day!  Between the two clinics we saw 345 patients. ~ Today we had one lady, almost fully blinded by cataracts, her son guiding her over to me. It was so sad to see, this woman losing her sight, due to something that can be fixed in the US.  Wow just to think how much this women is having to endure and go through just to make it each day.  Living in Haiti each day is hard enough, but being handicapped, is unimaginable to me.  Mrs. W shared about a woman at her clinic crippled from rheumatic fever; she usually crawls each week to clinic to get needed medications.  It’s hard enough to walk miles and miles to clinic in the heat, but to crawl and walk on your hands to clinic is astounding to me.  This woman also brings her three children, one she papooses to her stomach and the other two follow close behind.  This was unfathomable for me to hear, showing true dedication that this woman has to life and for her children!  Seeing them makes my struggles in life seem so pale and meaningless compared to what she goes through each day.

Haiti Medical Missions- Dec 11-17th: First day

                “I may be weak but your spirit’s strong in me, my flesh may fail, but my God you Never will…… I may be weak…but your Spirit’s strong in me…my flesh may fail…..but my God you NEVER will….all I am I surrender….give me faith to trust what you say, that your good and your love is great, I broken inside I give you my life… “- Give me faith- Elevation Worship

                These lyrics I sang over as my plea & reminder from God that He will never leave me…. I was weak; I was tired, and faced with a very challenging first semester of Physician Assistant School.  I have had to rely fully on my God daily to give me the understanding, power and endurance to learn and successfully complete each day.  The last week of finals looked like a gigantic mountain, too difficult to climb. I was overwhelmed at the thought of how I could get through and pass so many exams in such a short amount of time…. knowing there was an enormous about of information needed to be learned.  But God carried me through the long nights, and many hours of non-stop studying.  Through it all… my fears, my disappointments, and times of doubting…… my motivation for going to Haiti pulled me through.  God revealed Himself that week to me, showing me He would give me just wanted I needed each day.  I had to learn to trust, and not give up.  God passed me through all my classes; He is the one to be glorified for this past semester, for I am nothing without Him. 

                I could not believe it when I finally finished the last final (our time on the computer even malfunctioned, ending it earlier than expected).  I had been nervous about the short time between finishing finals on Thursday to when I would leave that Sunday for Haiti, but God knew best, and gave me the exact time I needed to be fully prepared.  This would be my fourth week to Haiti and third trip.  It did not take me long to gather the few things I needed.  My mother and friend who teach kindergarten, had their classes collect the medications and items the clinics needed for me to take to Haiti. This was a true blessing because I did not have the time on my own to collect enough medications.  The children learned about the country of Haiti, and how there are other children their age that are in great need.  I was so proud of the children, and my mother for teaching them this life lesson of giving to the needy.  Some of the children brought their own toys; their parents helped them buy Tums, children’s vitamins, tooth brushes, toothpaste, antifungal crèmes, eye drops, and more!! One child told my mom one day at school during lunch, that he wanted the piece of candy that was packed in his lunch, but he had learned that week he did not need the candy J .  Though a seemingly simple idea, he had discovered a powerful concept, that I pray many children, and people of all ages will come to realize. That there is so very much in this world of material things that we do NOT need, yet people want and buy to fill voids, fill greed, and build status.  Yet if we just open our eyes to see how much of the world lives in poverty, they go about each day of their lives just to survive. Many even at such young ages, must grow up fast learning to take care of themselves, their siblings, and be able to provide and find food and a place to sleep each day.  The things of this world we know are only temporary, they can come and go in an instant, but it is only Christ’s love that remains, and will be true joy.  There is so much more to this life…there is a God, Jesus Christ who died for us and came to save us, to give us the opportunity to accept Him, so we can have eternal life and live with Him in heaven.  He gives us HOPE, life, and being… He breathes life into me, and you, and I have been truly blessed to serve the people of Haiti. Showing them they are loved, they are not forgotten, through our coming, through life saving medications, through the wisdom of the doctors, nurses, and lay people who help wherever needed.

Life is such a gift and going to Haiti always brings such joy, meaning, and purpose in my life. Though I face life and death so much more closely in Haiti, God reveals Himself in such Mighty ways!!  This trip began early Sunday, December 11^th with a 5:50am flight from Charlotte.  I met for the first time one team member, Zachary Lynch, a guy close to my age  who works at Ridgecrest Conference Center at the front desk. It was his third time going to Haiti as well.  Both of us had had little sleep but were excited to get on the flight to Miami. When we made it to Miami, it was such a blessed promise to see a huge bright rainbow painted in the sky!  I could not remember the last time I had seen a rainbow, what a beautiful reminder that God keeps his promises, and will be with us during this trip.  We met up in the airport with the rest of our team, three ladies who are widows, Mrs. Clara, Mrs. Doris, and Mrs. Joy.  It was such a testimony for these retired ladies in their late 50’s, 60’s, & 70’s come to serve in Haiti. Especially Mrs. Doris, who was handicapped due to having a brain tumor removed. She walks with a cane, and has to have to be careful getting around because he balance is not always sound.

It takes about 3.5 hours to get to Haiti, and when we arrived at the Haiti airport, it seemed busier than I had remembered it.  However, it was nice that going through customs we got to follow Mrs. Doris through a faster line since she used a wheelchair.  It took us a lot longer to find and gather our suitcases in all the crowd and piles of suitcases.  Once we all finally found our luggage, we began the trek outside through the crowd of Haitian men in red shirts, all trying to desperately carry your luggage and assist you for money.  I have learned to just carry my own, and keep walking, but the ladies got stopped.  Eventually we got through and made the walk to our van. I was excited to see Bobby, and Jude pick us up, as well as Bobby pays one Haitian man use is deaf to help us with our luggage. He is great to ward off the other men trying to assist, and gets us to the van, and helps load our stuff.  Once in the van the ladies looked exhausted, and hot, but I was so excited!!!  YAY I had made it!! The warm sunshine felt so great, I felt like I was returning back to my second home J.  Everything looked the same, as we dodged the pot holes, we drove by the rows of tent homes, and people as they are walking miles to sell or buy food, kids carrying water, many packed on the taptaps….

                It was wonderful to arrive back to the compound, and see Wanda greet us, as she had been cooking lunch.  We picked a bunk bed, and got unpacked. I could not wait for the first day, to get to see the Haitian workers, the doctors, and the patients, hoping to see familiar faces again!! I was happy to see "Ta" first; she was studying for she is now in nursing school, and her sister "To" is in medical school.  I am so proud of them!  I was so happy that night to see the three doctors again!! Love them so much!!  We also had our first pill packing party that night packing all the medications we had brought.  They were totally out of the children’s vitamins and tums, and other meds in clinic, so it was great to have those for the first couple of days of clinics.

Haiti December 2011

Excited about what God has in store for this upcoming week in Haiti!

7/15/11: Goodbyes and Closing thoughts…..

               When we arrived back at the house, I was surprised to still see some of the Haitian workers sorting through and cleaning the medical items and supplies from the week.  I enjoyed helping them refill medications and repack the items, listening to them joke and have a good time together.  One of the Haitian driver’s enjoyed trying out my camera taking a few photos of us at work J.  

             I enjoyed getting to visit more with some of the Haitian staff that evening.  I talked with 'Tar' about her hope to go to Pharmacy school; I told her I would pray about this and help her find some information to see about her possibilities, maybe even in the U.S.                                                   
***P.S. If anyone has any information or incite about medical or pharmacy programs that will accept Haitian students, please let me know and I will pass this along to these dear students who are hoping and praying they will have the opportunity to go to medical or pharmacy school.

                                       

            That evening I went through my pictures, as well as pictures of Dr. Vlad & Dr. Merline to pull together to make them a photo book for their wedding guests to sign.  **It was so inspiring looking through their photos of the many countless lives they have touched, whether through NCBM, or patients, children they have supported and sponsored, friends in Indiana (who sponsored their schooling), or political leaders in Haiti. They are a precious couple, both brought together by God to serve Him in Haiti.  To see the pictures of the now 82 teams that have come to Haiti since the earthquke to work with them.  Amazing how God brought Dr.Merline (a Haitian Baptist minister's daughter),  and Dr. Vlad, (at the time a new believer that paid $1 to go to a Billy Gramham talk), together in Haiti to meet someone from the U.S. (from Indiana) that paid for their medical schooling!  Although they could now practice in the U.S., they have chosen to commit their lives to serving their people in Haiti.  I am so thankful for them, may God bless their upcoming marriage!

    ~I enjoyed that evening talking with my fellow Haitian brothers and sisters in Christ.  Sometimes the language barrier makes it difficult, but I enjoy learning about their lives.  How God has brought them to work for NCBM.  Their hopes, their dreams for the future.  They will always be in my prayers, and I pray God's blessings for them.  I already see God working in their lives, and He has used them in Mighty ways, giving them God-given gifts to learn and pick-up English so well, and now using this to support their families, and serve with NCBM.  I am so thankful for them, their ministries in Haiti, and have hope that God will continue to use them to minister and spread God’s love and gospel to the lost in Haiti! 

                                

            ~It was very sad saying goodbyes and last hugs, to the doctors and Haitian friends, as it was time for our last group devotional.  I walked outside under the stars, over to the circle for devotionals, and sat in open chair that was waiting for me, as streams of tears welled in my eyes and began to run down my face, as I watched the last of the Haitian staff walk off the compound in the dark.....back to their homes, their life in Haiti.  This time really hit me, we had reached the end, the closing of the trip. 
            ~It had been an incredible two weeks, as I recounted all the many memories and unforgetable blessing from the week!  Yet my heart was heavy hearing Pastor Tom closing remarks, stating the reality that, “we will never be in this same time, place, with same people, or mission again, every mission trip is different…. NCBM will be leaving in October, so it’s so sad that most likely this exact Haitian team that God brought together will not all be working together in this large of an operation anymore.”  The workers come from all around Haiti, from Port-au-prince, to Bon Repo, and Titanyen (to name the ones I know).  Yet they are an incredible team of Christian Haitian men and women, and I am excited to think about the future!
        I pray we will be able to continue our educations, and I can return to Haiti as a P.A., to work with Dr. Vlad, Dr. Merline, Dr. Francise, at their future clinics and schools, and work with some of the Haitian medical staff, my friends, as they work hard to become future nurses, doctors, pharmacists, and other great areas to serve.  Oh, to think of the perfect plan God has in store for those who love him and are called according to His purpose in Christ Jesus.  Once again I know my time here in Haiti is not done, I look forward to the next time, God willing I am able to return to Haiti, to continue to spread the gospel and share God’s love.  (In the meantime, I plan to continue to work on my Creole, so I can better communicate and understand the language :) ).  God willing, I am hoping to return in December (during school break). 

                                 

            ***I pray that these experiences will continue to weigh on my heart, and be fresh in my mind, to continue to motivate me through P.A. school, and I plan to continue to share my experiences, my passion for Haiti, and how other’s can be a part of God’s work in Haiti.  Not everyone is called to go, but we can serve wherever the Lord has us.  I do want to THANK the many people that shared God’s love with the handmade and donated clothing, medical supplies (and portable nebulizers), medications (tums, children's vitamins, tylenol, rehydration salts, etc.), prayers and support.  You touched countless Haitian’s lives, there were seven professed salvations, houses and churches were built, lives were saved from almost lifeless children, to the dehydrated, very ill, and ones about to stroke.  THANKS for the hundreds of dumdums that brought many smiles to children’s faces, calming their fears and hunger pains, and quieting their cries, taking their attention away from the heat, long waiting, and sicknesses.  THANKS for the shoes, sandals, and flip-flops that covered many precious feet, covering the blisters, the calluses, and dusty feet that work so hard, and walk so many miles every day.  THANKS for the children’s toys, crafts, and silly bands that brought smiles and joy to children’s hearts.  THANKS for the support for children’s schooling and uniforms.  THANKS for the life saving infant formula and powdered milk that was given out to the precious abandoned or orphaned babies.  These needs could not have been met without your help!! 

              ***There are still so many needs, and work to be done in Haiti, but you made a difference in many lives spiritually and physically, giving HOPE, a smile, and God’s love.  You showed the people they are not forgotten…….I think back to Sunday, at first Baptist Church Titanyen, where I partook of my first Haitian communion with gram cracker pieces and grape juice……..then at our last clinic in the Mountains as we broke our leftover PB&J sandwiches and fed as many hungry children as we could ( I felt like I was in the Bible story trying to feed the 5,000),......... and our last night, as we had communion with team 82 with a croissant and cup of Gatorade…..all these precious memories reminded that either at home in the U.S., or in Haiti we all can partake of Christ’s free gift of love and salvation for us.  As food sustains our lives, I pray that God will give them life eternal!!  Communion now has much more meaning to me; I will always see these memories flash in my mind of Christ’s body broken and blood he shed for us whether we are a precious child, man or woman in Haiti, in N.C. or across the world.  As a child of God we all have a common need for God in our daily lives, and this love brings us together. 

                               

7/15/11: Afternoon outings (Haitian Orphanage)

We arrived back at the house for a quick lunch and to get ready to leave for our free afternoon.

                 It was tough saying goodbye to the Haitian staff, not knowing if they would all be there when we returned from our little outing.  I asked to have all the Haitian staff gather together for a picture, (which Asher said was the first time he had seen all of them together, except we were missing Rodney, Dr. Vlad’s brother who had just left the previous week with his wife who were granted VISAs to live in Canada).   This was a special moment to capture, and I said my sad goodbyes….(yet are thankful for facebook to still keep in touch with most of them) J 

                We drove off in the vans, first going to CAM, a Mennonite compound just down the road, to purchase some Haitian handmade items. Then we drove past the compound and turned off onto a narrow dirt road leading up the mountain to a secluded orphanage.  It was quite a steep mountain, and very bumpy ride up the rocky path, past the small homes, we pass by a woman carrying a chicken by its feet, and some goats.  It was so cute to see two little boys run out of their shelter homes, jumping up and down, with smiles from ear to ear, and little hands waving to us as we drove by so excited to see us.  Many chickens, and goats were scattered about, and we passed more small shelters, and even one model home going up the mountain.  We finally made it to the top of the mountain where the yellow and blue painted orphanage was.  At first when we arrived we did not see any children, until we proceeded to talk to the director and slowly the children began to come out of their rooms and places around the small orphanage.  I looked into one of the living quarters where there were two or three bunked beds, but with no matrices, only a small mat over the box springs…no toys, bear walls, and only a few clothes and wash tubs hung in one corner of the room. 

                The children though were so happy to see us! We did crafts with them of foam crowns with stickers, and crosses to scratch designs in.  I remembered one boy that was so talented, quite an artist!  He drew a perfect picture of Jesus on the cross, such love and creativity shown through the handsome little boy (gason).  I pray that God will use him in a mighty way, and bless his life.  He was so sweet and just had a beautiful smile.  Oh, how I pray someone will adopt him one day, or give him a chance for schooling, and opportunities to pursue his passions and dreams.  I pray for all of the children, that they would have Hope, and find love and salvation in Christ, and grow in understanding of Him.  **One little girl was just beaming, so happy to see us and get some love and attention; she was jumping, skipping around.  She loved to have her picture taken and when she saw herself, she would squeal, and laugh and point at the picture screen, explaining in Creole, “THAT’S ME, THAT’S ME!!”  She also love to use our camera, as many of the children did, getting to capture glimpse of what they look like.  It was a precious time to spend with the children and be able to leave them some toys, and a suitcase of clothes and shoes, which they would distribute later to the 22 children. 

                                                                             

                We said our goodbyes and headed down the rocky road back to the main road, to ‘In’s house.  He opened the large red gate door as his house is surrounded by a cement block wall.  Rocks covered the yard which led to his cement block home, you could see the love, time, and craftsmanship put into his home.  The electricity in Titanyen had been cut off since either the earthquake or political riots in January?, yet the wiring still remains in the home with a light bulb in the ceiling with hopes that the new President will turn back on the electricity, as he had promised.  Each piece of furniture (a table and chairs, a TV stand, a cabinet) had been handmade by ‘In’ and his amazing metal work skills.   In the home were beautiful arches and details in the block work.  We met his sweet wife (a school teacher), who is pregnant with their first child.  ‘Inn’'s wife was so sweet hugging me and thanking me for the baby clothes I sent for her baby boy (they had had a dream that it will be a boy).  As well as I met ‘Inn’’s sister and brother-in-law who where in the living room studying chemistry on the chalk board mounted on the wall.  Even though it was quite hot in the house, they were so hospitable to let all 23 of us inside to see their home, such a special couple and experience.  We left their home and returned back to the compound.