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.

Last Clinic Day in Luly: Friday, 7/15/11

             Last night I had a hard time falling sleep, just a lot on my mind about the last day approaching, my mind recounting over all the precious memories of the trip.  I began in the living room on the couch (where I had slept the previous two nights, since it was cooler), but ended up finally falling asleep that night back on the top bunk (as there was a cooler breeze from the two windows).  I woke up early, about 4:30am tired, yet excited (with mixed emotions of butterflies in my stomach) and anxious for the day. 

                I cherished our last morning with the Haitian staff coming in for breakfast, as I greeted them all. 

I love when ‘Pi’ who does not know much English greets me every morning, Rachellllleeee! Bonjour (Good Morning), how are you?  I enjoyed getting to see pictures of some of the Haitian staff’s families, and meet some of their families over these past two weeks. 

                Our team loaded up in two vans to go to Arachie historical park.  Since I had already been to the park two times, I rode in the van with our medical team on to the set up at the clinic.   My mother went with the team to the historical site, which she enjoyed hearing from Dr. Vlad about the proud heritage of his country.  As well as Dr. Vlad took the team to see his and Dr. Merline’s land, beautifully a top a mountain with gorgeous views of the rolling mountains on one side, and the Caribbean ocean on the other side.  I missed not seeing the views in person, but thankfully my mom took some video clips to show me J                
        However, I enjoyed the ride with my Haitian family, listening to them talk, laugh, and joke in Creole.  The scenic drive was beautiful; I felt so at peace, enjoying the gorgeous sites and last moments with my friends.  *Looking out my window I see the lush green tropical plants, plantains…people selling produce and goods along the road side…people walking carrying items on their heads.  Glimpses of the blue, turquoise ocean would peak through occasionally through the greenery.  The blue sky and sun shining through on the middle of the road between the canopy of beautiful bright red flowered trees lining either sides of the van. 
                           

                The drive seemed longer than I remembered, but we made it to the gated church site, where patients had already gathered outside.  Now the clinic is held outside in the courtyard of the gated church and school area (since it is more spacious and cooler outside to have clinic, even though it was still pretty hot J).  Pharmacy was set up on the cement raised side porch of a school building, and triage and seeing patients was set up across the way under a beautiful green tree with the flamboyant red flowers.  It was perfect timing, as we just finished setting up, the rest of the team arrived in time for our introductions to the patients.  We stood at the gate door, as one by one we greeted the patients, introducing ourselves through the megaphone, saying our name, occupation, and our intentions of serving them in Jesus’s name.  *I closed the introductions following my mother, and told the crowd this was my third week in Haiti, yet very sad to be my last clinic before I leave.  I told the Haitian people, I love them, and that they motivate and inspire me to continue my medical schooling, so I can return and further help meet their medical needs.  This was so heartbreaking to say this, standing by Dr. Francise’s side as she translated for me.                                                

                                  

                Dr. Francise continued to educate the patients and pray with them, and mom and I went to a ladies home to use her bathroom.  On our way up the rocky path, we saw the usual desert looking lizards scuttle by.   It was a nice cement block house, two bedrooms, and a bathroom with a toilet and shower.  The toilets though do not flush; you have to pour water down to force it in the hole in the ground.  In one bedroom was a matrice, in the other a crib, only a few possessions adorned the rooms.  The lady was so sweet to let use her toilet (such a luxury item to have).  I enjoyed seeing her cute baby boy who I think was a little scared of mom J

                ‘Inn’ began to send small groups of patients at a time through the gate with their medical piece of paper for me, Marty, and ‘Wi’ to triage.  It was interesting to see that most of these patients were well nourished, as the land here is more fertile.  I had a few larger women, and girls, many that brought their children, and many that were pregnant.  One woman eighteen months pregnant showed up at the very end of clinic, having been her first clinic visit.  Most of the patients that have been treated these past weeks are seen for: conjunctivitis, skin infections (the typical ones are: Tinea Capitis, Tinea Dermitis, Impedigo, Scabies, & fungal infections), colds (bronchitis, cough, rhinorhea), malnutrition, anemia, parasitosis, fevers (due to Malaria, typhoid, upper respiratory infection), UTI, diarrhea, cholera, and follow-ups from the earthquake. 

                However, today we saw many unique patients with various illnesses.  There were the quite a few patients with skin infections, however today there was one man that was covered in warts all over his skin.  One younger girl shared that she lost her baby two months ago, but has still been having some female related problems.  Two men quickly walked up to us carrying a plastic chair with an older woman slouched in.  She looked like she was either about to pass out or have a stroke, shaking and gagging, and difficulty breathing.  Dr. Francise immediately went over to the woman to care for her.  After examining her I noticed, a huge sore/ hard mass under left arm on the side of her breast.  It looked like it had been there for a while.  Dr. Francise had to tell the woman that this was cancer, and she would need to go to a hospital.  The woman was given pain medications, and Marty was so sweet to stay by her side monitoring her BP, glucose, and vitals, and help her keep calm.  The woman began to oddly try moving one of her arms, as she was unable to use it properly; it looked like she had already had a stroke. 

                There was another middle aged woman that had a hard mass on her ankle.  Dr. Francise tried to aspirate the mass, however it was too hard.  Dr. Francise suspects this is a bone cyst, and referred her to a hospital for orthopedic care.  One middle aged woman came with cholera; I learned that a sure sign was blood in the urine.   I assisted Sterling and ‘Wi’ to give her an IV of fluids and Cipro.  There was one man, that had been hit by a car, and now has a crippled and contracted left arm.  He had made a make-shift sling with a piece of cloth, as he had no use of his arm anymore.  His blood pressure was very high 250/160, so I had Sterling see him right away.  Towards the end of clinic there was one little boy that had badly busted his knee, I enjoyed cleaning and bandaging his wound.  However I felt bad that he had to get a shot of Cipro in his hip/buttock muscle.  

                As I was continuing to triage patients, when I noticed ‘Wi’ excited to see a lady he recognized and she preceded to hand him her baby to hold.  It was so sweet to see the baby just want to be held by ‘Wi’, so he brought the baby over to where we were triaging and held her as he continued to triage.  I was curious about who the baby was, so I asked ‘Wi’ and he told me the story.  He apparently had met the mother previously when triaging her, and she had asked him what she should name the baby, and apparently the name he had picked she had chosen!  It was funny that ‘Wi’ had not remembered what the name was; until the mother told him he chose something like ‘Cherie’.  It was neat though to see them reconnect, now the baby being six months of age.  I enjoyed holding her too, so cute, with her plump cheeks.  The baby just clung to ‘Wi’ as long as she could while he was triaging, so precious to see. 
 **It was so awesome of God to send these children as blessed reminders of just the incredible impact God has allowed us (Dr. Vlad with little Vlad, me and baby Rachel, ‘Wi’ with baby Cherie) to be a apart of the Haitian people’s lives beginning from birth, and continuing those relationships.  **That’s why I love the continuity and special bond that the doctors, Haitian staff, and NCBM volunteers have been able to develop through the mobile clinics, and construction sites that we are able to develop seeing some of the same patients, same families, it is priceless! (like Venia).

                               

                   Finishing our half day clinic, we packed up everything, as I am always amazed at the Haitian's tight packing skills, so organized, and fit everything perfectly, some in the back of the van, but most strapped on top of the van (tables, chairs, bins with meds & supplies, etc.).  We took some final pics of our team, and drove back to the compound.

Thursday, July 14, 2011- Closing day devotional & thoughts

Team 82 giving Romil, solar-powered MP3 players with gospel recordings in Creole to use to evangelize all across Haiti!!

             **We discussed tonight in devotionals how as these patients try on glasses they are seeing things more clearly than before, seeing the world with new eyes.  We were reminded that this trip has opened our eyes to how the majority of the world lives. We are the minority, in our “pampered” (as pastor Tom put it) lives, and the majority of the world lives in poverty, and face daily struggles of death, violence, or neglect…we need to open our eyes, our minds, our lives to the world to see others with God’s eyes, His love and reach out to the ends of the earth. 
           If you cannot not go on a mission trip, you can still be apart, you can send others who can go, and support there mission.  *I THANK the many people at work and at church that helped me collect items & medications for the Haitian people.  It was a privilege and blessing to be your feet, and I hope to give you a glimpse of the life in Haiti, to the needs of her people, to the precious lives you helped save and touch.  I pray that you will see with new lenses the continued need for prayer for the Haitian people.  About half of the Haitians still practice voodoo, and actually this very week there is a large voodoo festival in the mountains. These people are searching for hope.  *Yet I have seen Hope out pouring from the lives of the doctors, of our Haitian workers, of the First Baptist church in Titanyen, at ‘Mission of Hope’. These people are on fire for the Lord, they give their all to sing praises to the Lord, in beautiful harmony, with hands raised, and hearts outpouring, their gifts, and offerings.  I tell the people every day at clinic that I love them all, and I do, I pray that God would continue to use me to serve the people in Haiti, through medical missions!

                                    

                   ~Tomorrow will be a very difficult day for me as it is the last clinic, and last day to see my dear Haitian doctors, and friends for a while.  I have hope though that I will return.  Dr. Francise was sweet tonight as I sat and helped her and ‘Tam’ clean the medical instruments, we talked and I expressed my sadness for tomorrow. Dr. Francise said though, 'you have to leave so you can return', which is true I have great motivation to continue my training as a physician’s assistant, so I can return to be able to diagnose and treat the patients.  I do though have hopes to return in December to maybe stay at Dr. Merline and Dr. Vlad’s house they are building, with plans for small medical teams to come.  Knowing tomorrow is the last clinic day, I am praying it will not be emotionally sad…. but I would be able to just take in every moment of the blessed day. 

                                       

                ~It will be very sad once NCBM leaves in October, I think of all the staff that are supported here and the many mobile clinic sites that we rent to have our clinics.  We have I think the best team of Christian Haitian docors and workers, and I wish our team could last forever.  They have impacted  thousands of Haitians and American's lives!!  Since the week of July 22nd these are the totals:           
             TOTAL PATIENTS SEEN: 94,534                        TOTAL SALVATIONS: 1,144

                                                                                 
                **This time in my life I will never forget, always remember the people, my forever Haitian friends, the children’s faces, the many blessings I have witnessed from salvations, to births, to treating very seriously ill patients.  I wish this could last longer, and I could stay longer…….

Thursday, July 14, 2011 – Tent City Clinic

                 My favorite part of the morning is when all the Haitian doctors and workers arrive to the house for breakfast.  Their smiling faces just get you energized for the day. This morning it was special to hear Romil say our group prayer in Creole.  We headed down the dirt road and picked up some more of our Haitian team along the way. As time is drawing close to ending my time here, I grow more and more sad to leave, trying to prepare myself for the day we have to depart.

                Today was such a blessing filled day as our Alpha team went to the tent city.  We worked out  two smaller UNICEF tents, one for the patients to wait in, and the other for us to see patients.  (Before we had just  one large UNICEF tent).  This time I had the unique opportunity to go into one woman’s tent home, since I needed to use the bathroom before clinic.  There is only one woman in the entire tent city that has a toilet at her home, which is over a hole in the ground surrounded by a tarp.  The lady was so gracious to let me come and I was so grateful for ‘Ste’ to help me, she walked to the water pump to fill a white bucket of water to then flush the toilet.  Such sacrificing people, the Haitians are, going out of their way to meet our needs. 



Venia while in the hospital after the earthquake




                Today the tent was like a sauna, probably the hottest I have been since I have been here. We set up our clinic as usual and then went into the neighboring tent to introduce ourselves to all the patients that had gathered.
       ***Then to my surprise as soon as I walked into the tent a women smiled at me and motioned little Venia towards me!! [Dr. Vlad had arranged with her mom to make sure I would see Venia today at clinic]!! I was so happy to see her again!!! I hugged her and squatted down to hold her.  J  [I had met Venia & her mother last trip...her miraculous story is the' tent city' blog from March]  Our team introduced ourselves then I quickly went and got ‘Wi’ to help me translate to Venia asking her grandmother where her mother was as I did not really recognize her, although I sensed it was her.  Venia’s mother was not as I remember, since last time both Venia and her mother had been in their Sunday best. Yet I recognized her sweet face.  She introduced me to Venia’s grandmother, and little brother named Venisone, and her cousin Nana.  All so precious to see and meet.  *Then Venia’s mother took out the photo album I had made for Venia (from last trip) and showed me two pictures of Venia after the earthquake when she was in the hospital.  I took pictures of the pictures of little Venia with her head wrapped in bandages, and a hospital gown on, and IV.  Then the second picture was of Venia with a doctor.  It was precious to see how Venia’s mother had taken the album I made her (now  obviously worn and loved), and used the extra pages to add photos of her own family and loved ones, as well as important papers were put into some of the photo pages. I could tell that Venia’s mother kept this as a precious possession.

                 I really enjoyed the many children today all so precious and not scared, they loved to sit on my lap, and talk to me in Creole.  *It was so hot today that I was not very hungry, having to drink so much so I shared my half of PB&J with a small boy who hung around me all clinic as his mother waited in the long line to see the doctor. I gave him a silly band and we were best buds after that J  He would talk to me in Creole as if I understood exactly what he was saying.  I enjoyed during my lunch break blowing bubbles with the children and letting them blow bubbles.  It cracked me up how this little two year old girl (my little buddy’s, sister) blew the best bubbles out of all the older children who would try to blow so hard.  Although I told them to blow slowly she was the only one that perfected this.  Then after we finished the bottle of bubbles I took out some crayons, and paper and we doodled for a little while until we were ready to start back up the triage part of clinic. 

                Many of the patients today had the typical colds/coughs, rashes (scabies & impetigo), urinary tract infections, anemia.  We passed out rehydration salts and soap to all the patients with their medications.  I was thankful to have Matt, ‘Wi’, and Marty helping me triage today. We made a great team, Matt getting weights, ‘Wi’ testing glucose, and Marty and I doing blood pressures and temperatures.  There were not any patients with high fevers that I saw but still many patients in great need of care.     

               I enjoyed getting to triage Venia and her entire family, and getting her some water (‘dlo’) when she came to ask me for some.  Then when Venia and her family went to mom to get their medications (which was a large order), I showed Venia and her mother all the items I had brought her in her new little book bag for school!  It was perfect because I had two dresses and two pairs of girl’s sandals packed, perfect sizes for Venia, and her cousin, as well as we found some items for her brother. I gave them each a bracelet, and showed Venia’s mother more of the baby orajel I brought her (which she recognized) and thanked me. I hugged them all and said my goodbyes as they walked out of the tent back to their tent home.  Dr. Vlad says that Venia has been registered for school to begin in September in Port-au-Prince for a little over $100 a year, but after buying a uniform, and books, etc. that the money we collected would probably only last for one year. **I pray we will still be able to support her and God will provide the means for her schooling if it is His will for her. Which I think she will greatly benefit from schooling as this will help her learn to cope with her disabilities, almost like PT at an earlier age so prayerfully she will learn to write with her left hand, and learn to help support herself & family.  This may also give her parents more availability to find work.  It was such a blessing to see her and hug her, and I continue to pray that God will do great things in Venia's life.

                We saw 211 patients today, all such a blessing, many families with multiple children.  I recognized a few boys that I seen in March.  It had been such a great day, but sad that it was our last full day. 

              As we drove back to the compound, our excitement from the clinic, quickly dropped as we passed by a horrible motorcycle accident on the side of the road.  Two men lying on the side of the road and a police car had just stopped.  We drove past, and then Dr. Francise decided to stop to go down to the site to see if there was anything she could do. We all got out of the van, as it was not very safe sitting on the side of the road. ‘ Inn’, Dr. Francise, & Sterling went quickly towards the men, and the rest of us with mom leading immediately began to pray for the men, that they would have been saved, or still be alive.  Then ‘Wi’ began to walk towards the men, and I followed, yet stopped as I did not see any movement from the distance.  We all waited and then I saw Sterling and then other doctors turn and shake their heads. They had both died most probably on impact. Such an extremely sad happening, to witness this deadly motorcycle accident.  We later found out that the men had been returning from the Voodoo festival in the mountains and had been drinking.  Our group was silent on the rest of the ride home, not at all what we had expected to see, yet sadly, a common occurrence having motorcycle accidents in Haiti.  Tonight in devotionals one of the guys commented at how sad he felt that we are here in the comforts of the home, as there is now a father, brother, son, missing in someone’s life today.  Who knows how long it will take for the family to find out, but they will begin to search tonight for their loved one, why have they not returned.  They leave the body, so that the family can find their family member.   My mom commented that every time she has been to Haiti she has seen death.  I had not witnessed death in Haiti until today.  My mother was hoping not to have this be an occurrence again, yet it was very convicting and reaffirming of our mission in Haiti and around the world to share with everyone God’s gift of salvation and eternity with Him, as we do not know when it will be our last!



Venia with her new bookbag for school!!



 

Clinic in Mts. Of Tapiyo- Wednesday 7/13/11:

                Today our Omega team went to the mountains, (where both teams had worked together last week).  Although this week we were by ourselves for most of the clinic day, as team Alpha went to an orphanage in Port-au-Prince. They shared that night about their wonderful experience treating 40 children, and then having the chance to play with them, and give them beanie babies and clothes they had brought. Anna one of the young girls enjoyed letting the children play with her hair, stick stickers on her face, and cling on her arms.  The children sang ‘How Great Thou Art’ and ‘Father Abraham’ to the group.  It seems like it would have been such a blessing to be with these children.  But I hope on Friday we will get to go to an orphanage. 

                However, back to our clinic…. when we pulled up to the mountain the people on our team where asking why are there so many people? Dr. Francise said this is our clinic, and everyone on our team was quite shocked at the hundreds of people already gathered. Dr. Vlad said people will start walking or riding their donkey’s at 1:00am to make it to the clinic.  I was not surprised yet was excited to return and look for familiar faces.  I love the small little man, who controls the huge crowd, and writes the names, and ages of the patients, and sends them up in shifts to triage.  He cracks me up, such a small skinny man, controlling our largest crowd of patients.

                The clinic was quite the event for the people, as many children on the mountain above watched us all day long, at times yelling “hey you”, and waving to us, as well as other young teenagers hung around the clinic.  There are even ladies that cook food to sell to the patients waiting line. The people are very helpful, helping us to carry all the supplies up the steep rocky mountain where we hold the clinic under a large tree.  There is a lady who volunteers each week to set up a bathroom for us, which consists of a tarp wrapped to the side of a house, held up by two wooden posts in which on the inside was a white pot with a lid for us to go to the bathroom in. At the end of clinic she cleans up the area and neatly folds the tarp.  What a humble act of service to our team every week!  

                The children were also very helpful, when the other team arrived Dr. Vlad sent them up to the mountain to their village (which I found out was where I had been back in March, where most live in Samaritans purse shelters), and brought down more chairs for us. Before patients arrived and as we set up, I noticed a man practically carrying a woman up the hill to us.  The woman was hysterical, crying and stumbling up to see the doctor.   We were not sure what was wrong with the woman, until one of the Haitian staff said that she was possessed by bad spirits. Innocence was amazing to watch, he calmly had the man sit the woman down, and he took the time to pray and talk with her.  He also had some other Christian women pray over her.  It was breath-taking to see the woman’s demeanor completely calm down after the prayer.

            Today, I was so thankful for the blessed breeze and cool air sent from the rain and thunderstorm last night.  The weather on the mountain top today was very refreshing, and peaceful.  We had an awesome team; today I saw many serious cases of scabies and impetigo, as well as several children with high fevers.  One baby girl had 105 temperature, the highest I had seen thus far.  We routinely gave her Tylenol, and took her dress off, and gave her a cold wet paper towel to try to cool her down.  Dr. Francise gave her two shots and a treatment from the nebulizer.



Thanks for the portable nebulizers!!




Thanks for all the donated children's tylenol!!



                 I loved seeing the many precious children today at clinic.  It was very special for me to see sweet baby Rachel (Rachelle) and her mother again, (looking much better today)! I was so excited to get to hold her again, as I helped get her mother her medications, (as she was still in quite a bit of pain).  Baby Rachel was adorned today with a handmade bonnet.  As well as, it was foremost a privilege to witness Innocence lead six salvations!  As I triaged patients, I loved watching as Innocence and the other six people, held hands in a circle and echoed a prayer to accept Christ. Praise the Lord! 



Innocence leading 6 patients to accept Christ!!



Baby Rachel & her mother!!



                Today we saw 232 patients, so thankfully the Alpha team traveled at least an hour from the orphanage to help us finish up the clinic. As thunder and dark clouds rolled in, we were able to finish seeing patients and able to pack up everything, in case it were to rain.  Today was a great day, very organized and a blessing to meet each person.  There was one small boy I recognized from last week that wore the same incredibles red t-shirt and just hung around the clinic all day. The children waited around all the day to receive our extra boxes, and empty medicine containers.  We also broke up our leftover PB& J sandwiches to distribute to the children around J.  As we left, the children just melt your heart as they smile at you, and wave goodbye.



Thanks for all the donated clothes, shoes, and items!!

 

                I enjoyed riding down the mountain with my Haitian friends, laughing and taking in the breathtaking view.  You can see the village below and the clear ocean, and beautiful blue rolling mountains in the distance.  We stopped on the way down to take a group photo.  I try to take in each moment as I know my time is running short here in Haiti.
            ** I love it in Haiti, I feel so at place here.  Here I feel a purpose; I feel my calling; I wake up excited each day for what the Lord has prepared for us. I look forward to seeing and working with the Haitian staff and doctors, and bringing hope and God’s love to the patients.