I am very excited about the potential of returning to Haiti! One idea is to return yet this year with hopefully eye doctors and eye glasses and lots of people who want to help!
There are so many opportunities to help in Haiti and they need us to come down there. I was told, "Money helps but people are needed more". I can no longer turn away from these beautiful people and their great need, now I need to wait and pray and see what I am to be doing to support them.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Friday, April 16, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Going Back Again
I am working through some ideas and plans for my next trip back to Haiti. Going with an eye doctor would be awesome having seen so many with vision problems unable to see into the distance or students getting headaches when they study. Headaches everyday and no Tylenol or Ibuprofen on a shelf like we have! Of course we'd have to gather hundreds of glasses to make sure we had what we needed for everybody but I'm sure it could be done!
Well, this is just the start of my thoughts in planning a return trip; the need is great for so many things that we could offer out of our "American Abundance".
I think every American (from teens to those that are physically able to handle the journey) should experience Haiti. There is no country poorer from what I've researched yet I found people more content than I've seen in a long time.
I hope I find others who want to join me on the next adventure to reach out to the beautiful people of Haiti.
Well, this is just the start of my thoughts in planning a return trip; the need is great for so many things that we could offer out of our "American Abundance".
I think every American (from teens to those that are physically able to handle the journey) should experience Haiti. There is no country poorer from what I've researched yet I found people more content than I've seen in a long time.
I hope I find others who want to join me on the next adventure to reach out to the beautiful people of Haiti.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Decompression for the Soul
Having never experienced ocean or deap sea diving I've been told that returning to the surface must be a slow process to allow for the body to adjust to the change in pressure.
Returning to "life" I feel as though I am experiencing some sort of need to decompress my heart. My little house, or ti kay in Creole, was so little before and now seems more than enough. Walking into our only local superstore yesterday I felt totally overwhelmed by the abundance of food, clothing and items that help to make our life more fun or more fat or just more! Walking up and down the aisles I seemed to only see all that is so unnecessary yet so much that I certainly purchased just prior to this trip. My home here is shelter for my family from the cold, the heat, the weather, I have healthy drinking water at the turn of a faucet, hot water too if I want it! Somehow I think I must have been taking this all for granted because now I feel so more grateful, blessed and even more content for what I've been given.
Yesterday I purchased a few items to send back a little care package to one of our interpreters. I realized that all that I was buying were items of necessity such as toothpaste (she likes Colgate), soap (Irish Spring and Dove), shampoo, conditioner and a few other items. The basics we take for granted become gifts to them. My friend is 19 and going to college for administration. She wants to stay in Haiti to live and work and help her people. She has a heart that loves our Creator and desires to follow His lead in her life. She has no desire to leave and come to a land of plenty and ease.
I will continue to adjust and pray through all that my heart is feeling and the thoughts that fill my head as I spiritually return to the surface of "life" in the blessed and abundant USA.
Returning to "life" I feel as though I am experiencing some sort of need to decompress my heart. My little house, or ti kay in Creole, was so little before and now seems more than enough. Walking into our only local superstore yesterday I felt totally overwhelmed by the abundance of food, clothing and items that help to make our life more fun or more fat or just more! Walking up and down the aisles I seemed to only see all that is so unnecessary yet so much that I certainly purchased just prior to this trip. My home here is shelter for my family from the cold, the heat, the weather, I have healthy drinking water at the turn of a faucet, hot water too if I want it! Somehow I think I must have been taking this all for granted because now I feel so more grateful, blessed and even more content for what I've been given.
Yesterday I purchased a few items to send back a little care package to one of our interpreters. I realized that all that I was buying were items of necessity such as toothpaste (she likes Colgate), soap (Irish Spring and Dove), shampoo, conditioner and a few other items. The basics we take for granted become gifts to them. My friend is 19 and going to college for administration. She wants to stay in Haiti to live and work and help her people. She has a heart that loves our Creator and desires to follow His lead in her life. She has no desire to leave and come to a land of plenty and ease.
I will continue to adjust and pray through all that my heart is feeling and the thoughts that fill my head as I spiritually return to the surface of "life" in the blessed and abundant USA.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Getting pictures and more of the "story" of Haiti
Randy taking a picture of Lori and I riding in the back of the truck. By the time we picked up everybody who needed a ride there were 15 of us PLUS supplies in the back. Getting through the city of Cap with the hundreds of thousand people and no real traffic laws to follow it was VERY "interesting" and then once the pavement ended and the gravel began it became more interesting and even dangerous for those of us who are not experienced in how to hang on so you don't bounce out of the truck!
Doing laundry in the river! Their clothes were the brightest and cleanest always-my whites never stay as white as theirs are!
More Pictures
One of the classrooms we peeked into. There is a total of 900 students at this school. The majority of Haitian children cannot attend school. The school is able to afford to cook 2 meals for the children during the school week.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Home Again
Wow, we made it home safe; grateful for all the prayers. I have so many thoughts and emotions about the trip, my role there and how I can continue to help the people of Haiti; going back sending supplies, getting teams for future trips etc etc. Right now I am going to enjoy getting a drink of water straight from the faucet and laying in my bed without a thought of mosquitoes or of voodoo drums in the distance. I pray my Haitian friends are finding rest tonight also and know that I miss them terribly....
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
Last Night In Haiti
Wow, what a fun day in Cap! We all went in with 3 of our helpers who did so much to make this week successful.
We drove into town with the majority of us riding in the back of the truck over VERY or should I say EXTREMELY bumpy roads. We sang praise songs all the way in! Half in Creole and half in English at the same time. Then we had a bit of a competition seeing which half could sing louder. It didn't matter that there were hundreds of people on the sides of the road listening in.
The first stop was the school; many kids in a beautiful building. I took some great pictures that I will upload probably after we get home. I know that Randy will appreciate his kitchen even more after he saw the women cooking outside under a tarp in huge kettles being heated by fires made with coal.
We stopped at the market where people are selling everything and anything. It was a bit overwhelming initially until all the people backed off. At first it was "please come here, I am so hungry" "Please, I need a car to leave here, you can help me" "My family is in the hospital" I almost bought a little homemade doll. I wanted to make sure that it was not a voodoo doll; the lady said that, "oh, no, I love Jesus". Then later our interpreter said "YES, that WAS a voodoo doll, they will say anything to make money!" The best question was the first question as we were embarking from the truck, "Are you from Oregon?" Not sure what that meant!
It was SO hot and we were not drinking enough water and we needed to get to our next spot which was a little resort with a pool and a nice restaurant where we were able to treat our friends to. Haitian time is like rez time so our 2 hour planned stay at the resort stretched into 4 as we waited for our ride to come back for us which was fine because it was very relaxing and refreshing!
Next was the ride home and let me tell you it was better than any ride at the fair! We had 15 of us in the back of the truck to ride through the city! A ride through the city is VERY interesting. No such thing as blinkers and a two lane road becomes a 8 lane as there are bikes, motorcycles, tap taps (little cabs), huge trucks, people and any other types of vehicles that you can imagine. Then it gets even better when the pavement ends and you are in the dirt roads. I guess we've decided that when the driver goes faster it is a little better! Hanging on for dear life is NO lie! As we drove closer we stopped now and then to drop off the additional people we were giving rides to who were the workers at the school we visited.
Yesterday one of our team members, Nathan from Montana sadly saw a body burned on the side of the road surrounded by at least a couple hundred people. We just now we found out that it was a man who had kidnapped a mother and her two children and was caught, cut with a machete and burned for his bad decision; no police just people coming together to save a family and punish the criminal.
Time for supper, sad to be leaving tomorrow....
We drove into town with the majority of us riding in the back of the truck over VERY or should I say EXTREMELY bumpy roads. We sang praise songs all the way in! Half in Creole and half in English at the same time. Then we had a bit of a competition seeing which half could sing louder. It didn't matter that there were hundreds of people on the sides of the road listening in.
The first stop was the school; many kids in a beautiful building. I took some great pictures that I will upload probably after we get home. I know that Randy will appreciate his kitchen even more after he saw the women cooking outside under a tarp in huge kettles being heated by fires made with coal.
We stopped at the market where people are selling everything and anything. It was a bit overwhelming initially until all the people backed off. At first it was "please come here, I am so hungry" "Please, I need a car to leave here, you can help me" "My family is in the hospital" I almost bought a little homemade doll. I wanted to make sure that it was not a voodoo doll; the lady said that, "oh, no, I love Jesus". Then later our interpreter said "YES, that WAS a voodoo doll, they will say anything to make money!" The best question was the first question as we were embarking from the truck, "Are you from Oregon?" Not sure what that meant!
It was SO hot and we were not drinking enough water and we needed to get to our next spot which was a little resort with a pool and a nice restaurant where we were able to treat our friends to. Haitian time is like rez time so our 2 hour planned stay at the resort stretched into 4 as we waited for our ride to come back for us which was fine because it was very relaxing and refreshing!
Next was the ride home and let me tell you it was better than any ride at the fair! We had 15 of us in the back of the truck to ride through the city! A ride through the city is VERY interesting. No such thing as blinkers and a two lane road becomes a 8 lane as there are bikes, motorcycles, tap taps (little cabs), huge trucks, people and any other types of vehicles that you can imagine. Then it gets even better when the pavement ends and you are in the dirt roads. I guess we've decided that when the driver goes faster it is a little better! Hanging on for dear life is NO lie! As we drove closer we stopped now and then to drop off the additional people we were giving rides to who were the workers at the school we visited.
Yesterday one of our team members, Nathan from Montana sadly saw a body burned on the side of the road surrounded by at least a couple hundred people. We just now we found out that it was a man who had kidnapped a mother and her two children and was caught, cut with a machete and burned for his bad decision; no police just people coming together to save a family and punish the criminal.
Time for supper, sad to be leaving tomorrow....
Friday in Haiti
86 degrees at this moment while we wait for our ride into the city, Cap Haitien. Needless to say we are melting while the locals are like, "oh, no this is nice!"
Yesterday we realized that God had allowed us to exactly have the amount of medicine we would need for the 4 days of our clinic because by the end of the day there was pretty much nothing left! Many people had serious health issues that sadly our few minutes with them will not bringing healing. We prayed though that what medicine we were able to give will help and bring some relief and healing even if temporarily. Many need glasses living with headaches everyday; the 16 or so reading glasses we brought down were gone very quickly. Most need to see an eye doctor; I would love to come back with one and provide the vision help so many need. Imagine having cancerous cells removed from your body and going 3 weeks without being able to get a dressing change! We are so blessed to not have to experience that unless it is by choice.
Funny to some (not me) was right now I couldn't starting typing until the cat and little lizard moved away from this computer! That cat was having more fun than me! I did take a picture though so will hopefully get that uploaded later IF you care to see!
ok better go and chat with our new friends because tomorrow will come too quickly!
Yesterday we realized that God had allowed us to exactly have the amount of medicine we would need for the 4 days of our clinic because by the end of the day there was pretty much nothing left! Many people had serious health issues that sadly our few minutes with them will not bringing healing. We prayed though that what medicine we were able to give will help and bring some relief and healing even if temporarily. Many need glasses living with headaches everyday; the 16 or so reading glasses we brought down were gone very quickly. Most need to see an eye doctor; I would love to come back with one and provide the vision help so many need. Imagine having cancerous cells removed from your body and going 3 weeks without being able to get a dressing change! We are so blessed to not have to experience that unless it is by choice.
Funny to some (not me) was right now I couldn't starting typing until the cat and little lizard moved away from this computer! That cat was having more fun than me! I did take a picture though so will hopefully get that uploaded later IF you care to see!
ok better go and chat with our new friends because tomorrow will come too quickly!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Wednesday Evening
Well, 115 patients today and the clinic and 7 bunkbeds almost fully made and doors getting hung up at the new orphanage being built. Very productive!
Fatigue never feels so good as when all your efforts are to help those who have so little. Many sad stories of illnesses. One whole family suffering from malnutrition; lack of food and unhealthy water supply. Enough food and good water-something we take for granted back home.
One of our last patients today was an older woman, so old that she and no one else-including her family-didn't know her age. After sitting for many hours to be seen she no longer had the strength to walk one step to get her back home. So! Randy and a Haitian man carried her through the church down the steps around the corner and disappeared down a path! They were followed by a group of Haitians; I don't know maybe they don't carry their elders around??
ok Well, Mark needs to get to bed so we're off for the night, Talk to you all tomorrow!
www.worshipwithourlives.blogspot.com Follow our church blog being written by Mark!
Fatigue never feels so good as when all your efforts are to help those who have so little. Many sad stories of illnesses. One whole family suffering from malnutrition; lack of food and unhealthy water supply. Enough food and good water-something we take for granted back home.
One of our last patients today was an older woman, so old that she and no one else-including her family-didn't know her age. After sitting for many hours to be seen she no longer had the strength to walk one step to get her back home. So! Randy and a Haitian man carried her through the church down the steps around the corner and disappeared down a path! They were followed by a group of Haitians; I don't know maybe they don't carry their elders around??
ok Well, Mark needs to get to bed so we're off for the night, Talk to you all tomorrow!
www.worshipwithourlives.blogspot.com Follow our church blog being written by Mark!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Tuesday Night
Picture of us walking to the clinic with our supplies in the morning.So much to say, after reaching out to 120 people today, just no time tonight, sorry! Let me say it was rewarding and tiring helping and meeting so many beautiful people. We worked from 8:30 until 7:30 tonight breaking for lunch only to give our Haitian helpers a good break. More great pictures that I will upload tomorrow.
This picture is our doctor doing some minor surgery while sitting on a suitcase and the pt. laying on a church pew!
Thank you all for watching, thinking of us and praying!
Monday, April 5, 2010
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Tomorrow is day one of the clinic! They are considering charging everyone one Haitien dollar to bring people who truly have medical needs. That is equivalent to about our 13 cents. One doctor, two nurses, one interpreter and two helpers. Guys are set at the orphanage. Will be exciting; Our Creator is faithful whether on the rez or in Haiti!
Pictures
My sleeping quarters!
Loading up at the hotel in Santiago to get to the bus station on Saturday.
Wash day at the border river, I guess. Many many more people washing clothes just not in this picture.
Street of Cap Haitien on our way to Berard where we are staying.
Randy playing with Matthew
Easter Sunday in Haiti
Well we were up at 4:30 to get ready in the dark for church, no lights, no hot water and no mirror. Church was wonderfully lively; the singing and the preaching. They welcomed us in English and then Creole for the remaining 2 hours. Praising the One who made us all made us feel unified even though we couldn't understand the words.
We've sorted through our medical supplies and feel we are as ready as we can be for our clinic tomorrow. Spent some time playing with the children from the orphanage today-so much fun! I'm taking LOTS of pictures not sure if I can upload all of them.
Now, as for sleeping last night, it really wasn't so bad - once we figured out how to get our nets situated. Well, the chickens definitely were cockle-doodle-doing most of the night and there were dogs doing their barking thing for most of it too. But other than THAT it wasn't so bad.
I look forward to updating tomorrow after our first day of the clinic!
We've sorted through our medical supplies and feel we are as ready as we can be for our clinic tomorrow. Spent some time playing with the children from the orphanage today-so much fun! I'm taking LOTS of pictures not sure if I can upload all of them.
Now, as for sleeping last night, it really wasn't so bad - once we figured out how to get our nets situated. Well, the chickens definitely were cockle-doodle-doing most of the night and there were dogs doing their barking thing for most of it too. But other than THAT it wasn't so bad.
I look forward to updating tomorrow after our first day of the clinic!
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Day One in Haiti
Wow! We are here! So far the biggest culture shock has been driving through Cap Haitien. The tour bus we came in on barely fit down the crowded streets filled with thousands of people selling everything and anything on the sides of the streets. Without a garbage system I can only say that no one could have prepared me for what we saw in the streets and in small water canals. We saw several fights over one person having a large bag of rice and others wanting what he had. The streets are not very smooth and the school bus we rode out of town was very loud and jolting. I cannot use words descriptive enough right now in my state of fatigue but suffice it to say that any adjective I am using please expand on it and maybe you will come close to what we saw!
We finally figured out how to put up our mosquito nets at least in the girls dorm so hopefully we'll be free of those little bugs. The guys haven't seen their sleeping quarters yet but will be a couple miles away, I've heard. We just finished our supper which was a tasty Haitian stew including very tasty plantains!
Dokte Maria is already been requested for medical help taking something out of a little orphan's foot. I will write more tomorrow, very excited to experience Easter here!
We finally figured out how to put up our mosquito nets at least in the girls dorm so hopefully we'll be free of those little bugs. The guys haven't seen their sleeping quarters yet but will be a couple miles away, I've heard. We just finished our supper which was a tasty Haitian stew including very tasty plantains!
Dokte Maria is already been requested for medical help taking something out of a little orphan's foot. I will write more tomorrow, very excited to experience Easter here!
Friday, April 2, 2010
Leaving!
ok up early after little sleep...SO excited! Hope to be throwing up pictures along the way today. Thank you to everyone who is praying and for all your good words and thoughts!!
Good Friday... thank you Jesus for your death that I might live!
Good Friday... thank you Jesus for your death that I might live!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
24 Hours Till We Leave the Rez!
Wow, didn't go to bed until 12:30 last night and up by 6:00 unable to sleep anymore thinking of all that I have to get done yet today!
Medical release for my 17 year old being left with friends - CHECK!
Itinerary with emergency contact numbers to family - CHECK!
Leave a clean house - IN PROCESS!
Get sunglasses attachment for glasses (NOT the flip up kind) - TODAY!
Get outline to my guest speaker; Mother Betty for my class next week - TODAY!
ok, not too much more, I don't THINK!
I am so grateful to be able to have this amazing opportunity! I really feel like this is just the first of many trips; just hopeful or destiny? Guess I'll find out!
Well, my baked oatmeal is ready to eat, need a little sustenance for the day!
Medical release for my 17 year old being left with friends - CHECK!
Itinerary with emergency contact numbers to family - CHECK!
Leave a clean house - IN PROCESS!
Get sunglasses attachment for glasses (NOT the flip up kind) - TODAY!
Get outline to my guest speaker; Mother Betty for my class next week - TODAY!
ok, not too much more, I don't THINK!
I am so grateful to be able to have this amazing opportunity! I really feel like this is just the first of many trips; just hopeful or destiny? Guess I'll find out!
Well, my baked oatmeal is ready to eat, need a little sustenance for the day!
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