Haiti Team Journal 2007
Haiti Mission |
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January, 2007 Team Journal January 12
Most of us arrived at the Ramada Inn in Fort Lauderdale, and most of the team gathered for a very nice meal in Brewster’s Restaurant, inside the hotel. A brother-sister duo served us, and Reid saved some of his dinner for the next day. We all made our wake up call arrangements for the next morning— 3:00 a.m. in our room, and most called it an early night. Ken Carter
January 13 Much to Alice’s delight, everyone “reported” to the lobby on time! Even Dental Bill, after minimum sleep, managed a smile. Others exhibited various degrees of faux grins. Travel to FLL was uneventful, and we experienced a real treat upon arrival. We were all on ONE clearance form, and our bags were never touched by customs personnel. Result, in and out in 15-20 minutes! As usual, we were met at Mont Joli by many of our Haitian friends with open arms. Following breakfast, including Spaghetti on day one, Dokte Ford and some others headed for the orphanage while others unpacked, slept, and/or lounged. Gaynor and Fred inventoried and packed meds for Tovar, and a class for vitals takers was conducted. Often heard, “My BP can’t be that high!” Overall, it was great to see group bonding continue on a positive vector.
J Colvin
Sunday, January 14 “Jesu, je viens! Je viens a toi” I’ve always thought that the church service is the great equalizer in Haiti. However, as we were singing one of the hymns this AM I realized that even in the church, there is separation. “Jesus, I come, I come to You.” The paths that we walk to Him are very different, and as an American middle-aged male, I can’t even begin to be able to experience what the middle aged Haitian sitting next to me experiences in his walk to the Lord. It is so easy to say to the suffering that “I know what you are feeling” but in actuality I will never experience it. It dawned on me that the great equalizer that we have is “l’expoir.” Hope. The hope that we can anchor our lives upon. We share the same hope (l’expoir) that our fellow worshippers here do! The hope that we will one day walk the streets of gold with the Light of the world illuminating all. Our mission is to illuminate that hope.
Fred Arnold January 14 Beautiful mountain views, warm breezes, waving palm trees and a pristine blue swimming pool surround us. The “two hour” church service I was fretful about passed unbelievably fast. The music was wonderful with lots of heart and really quality singing. Lots of hair bows, sharp clean Sunday dresses, and a pretty whitewashed church are vivid memories to bring home. I just wonder when the work begins!
Kathy Bernard
It is the sounds of Haiti that I notice that now seem familiar as I hear them again but that were strange on the first visit. It is the rooster crowing, not just at daybreak, but throughout the morning. It is the full throttle, robust sound of voices in a church—and the same at the orphanage. The songs are sung with passion and conviction. It’s the loudspeaker down the hill, all day on Sunday, with Creole sermons, prayers and song. The music in the bar as we gather before supper. Dogs barking all night long. Horns honking as we drive the roads of Haiti.
Nancy Quigley
I love being here and seeing the Haitian people, who are beautiful. I also see Jesus in the faces of the volunteers. I am blessed to be among wonderful people. Ralph Satter
January 15 My first trip to Haiti and already I know it won’t be my last. Beyond the poverty I’ve seen a gracious, friendly and a people who have warmed my heart with their smiles. Today at the clinic I met a boy with a huge nasty cut on his thumb. This boy and experience will forever be in my head. He came to the clinic, alone, only eight years old. He tugged my shirt and waved his thumb, which was in clear need of immediate help. I pleaded with him to “hold on” as I looked for help. Everywhere I went he appeared again, waving his thumb. I finally found Ms. Alice, who took over and gave him attention. He was so brave, not tears, only BIG smiles. He was “patched up” and sent on his way. As we drove out of town, I looked out and saw him waving—he had remembered me—this experience alone made my entire trip to Haiti worthwhile—Thank you to the Haiti Mission. Avery?? Washington , DC
January 16 This morning we took off in Jean Ettiene’s truck. We came to a narrow passage in the middle of Cap Haitien and this truck and two trucks were stalemated, it runs out because one truck had hit the other’s reflector. No one was going anywhere. The people began flowing through a small opening on the side. What seemed like an impasse, for many Haitians, became a way forward, making something out of nothing. Carol Batman gave a wonderful devotional this morning, mentioning that a different person in her small group had written a prayer for her each day. She noted that many people are a part of the Haiti mission who will never come here. A number of very sick people came to the clinic today. Ken Carter
Pima is served at each evening meal, and the meal gets hotter by the day. Delicious! Our second day of clinic also saw an increase in patients as well as high fevers. There was plenty of hot sun beating down on the “day laborers” at the orphanage. The wall is coming along brick by brick. Hopefully we are having the same effect at the clinic—making the country a little healthier, patient by patient.
Joan B???
January 17 My first time out of the country and what an amazing view upon our entrance in the twenty-seater plane. The green (said to be greener than typical) countryside reminded me of both Vietnam and Ireland, although having never been, I’m sure in reality this is not too accurate. Upon taxiing in I saw my first real life UN soldier taking off in a chopper; I knew I had arrived in a different world. The customs inspection in Haiti was painless, after inspecting a total of one bag and a $20 “tip” from Alice (not really, but the wonder did cross my mind) they decided that the other fifty bags were safe. Beautiful. This is not to mention any screening of any sort prior to boarding Lynx. After driving through the city and seeing the mounds and mounds of garbage on the sides of the streets, shorelines, and anywhere else one could imagine, I decide a drive through the worst ghetto back home in the nation’s “most dangerous city” was really not bad. Our hotel, the equivalent of a three star back home was a five star here. And after seeing the conditions outside of our compound, it sure felt five star. Very nice staff. Welcoming pool. But as John Travolta said of France, it’s the small things, the fans don’t all work, electricity sometimes goes out, the water may not be hot. All small differences. Monday and Tuesday at the clinic I was once again blown away by the conditions of poverty and poor health. It seemed everyone was being prescribed pain killers for underlying symptoms that may just be covered up. As I understand it, a lot of what we do is more of temporary relief. The reward being how nice and appreciative the people are. Tuesday I was given the opportunity to pull my first tooth. With the two minute lesson and on extremely rotted tooth, a minute later the experience was over. My first and probably last. Wednesday brought more of the same. Busier. The number of people needing assistance hardly growing smaller. Poverty’s everywhere I suppose, but not to degree, and certainly not with such a large portion of an are living in such conditions.
David Quigley
Bonne Annee! January 17 It is a new year with new experiences to behold. Since first coming to Haiti twenty years ago, I’ve met some inspiring people. The years at Beck’s had their moments, the uprisings and protests promoted fears among team members. The transition to Mont Jolie was done with trepidation. Today, Mont Jolie is home in Haiti, Nick is a caring friend, the mainstay of Alice White, Bernard Gilles, and even John Etienne brings smiles to our faces. The roads while improving continue to challenge our drivers and vehicles. The addition of Pat’s Mamba Project and Ray’s orphanage have afforded us an opportunity to get to know their volunteer workers and expand the international community that is “The Haiti Mission.” My job as team dentist never gets easier. Difficult extractions to alleviate pain continues our primary objective. Oral cancer detection is done but treatment is nonexistent. Oral hygiene continues to be the area of most need, but donations of prophylactic products and language barriers continue to be a major obstacle along with the Haitian culture to enjoy sugar cane. My prayer for Haiti is to see this mission develop an evangelistic approach where the patients can hear the gospel message in their tongue and have an opportunity to ask the serious eternal questions and accept Christ as Savior and Lord. The local church must take a more active role for this to occur. We administer medical, dental, pediatric and occasional optical care. How much more is their lost soul worth? GOD created us all for His pleasure. We were blest to be born in America in affluence with rights and freedoms. We could just as easily have been born in Haiti. Think about that the next time you see their despair, their tears, their smiles of joy at seeing us return. We are Christ’s body. We need each other to live our lives fully. To be Christ to the world doesn’t mean just giving money, spending a week treating ailments, feeding undernourished bodies or giving a home to orphans. It means our willingness to give our all (whatever that is to you) to the cause of seeing no one die and leave this earth without an opportunity to accept Christ. How much more is expected of us? Ask Him—He will show you. I love you all—doctors, nurses, aides, translators, drivers, hotel staff, pilots, shipping clerks, Haiti mission is nothing without you. Let us be granted GOD’s mercy for what we fail to do to see Him gloried. May GOD move in each of our hearts that we be found faithful to serve the King of kings and Lord of lords. Thank you for blessing my life so richly by granting me so many opportunities to be of service. Christ be praised. Dr. Bill James
Big, big brown eyes—make every trip worth it. Just watching the very sick come back the next day so much better, able to smile! Even the precious little guys around back of the clinic---just so very special. Ray describes it perfectly…more children per population than any other place in the world and it makes none of them any less valuable/precious. They stand at the pharmacy window and just saying “bon soir” lights their faces up—with the warmest smile. Haiti is a miraculous place. Gaynor
The world stands out on either side No wider than the heart is wide; Above the world is stretched the sky No higher than the soul is high. The heart can push the sea and land for there apart on either hand; The soul can split the sky in two, and let the face of God shine through; But east and west will pinch the heart That cannot keep them pushed apart; And he whose soul is flat—the sky will cave in on him, by and by.
Edna St. Vincent Millay Develop agriculture
This is the worst place I have ever been. The people are beautiful and the landscape is amazing! I am rooting for you people and all that the clinic does, the orphanage is fantastic. Everything you do is of great value. But it is a crisis of confidence a fear that they don’t know it is up to them.
Love, Ben, Palm Springs , CA January ‘07
January 18 Today is a little different because I didn’t go to the clinic. Tovar machines loaded and left just a moment ago. It made me think for a moment how it will be when I no longer go—ever. I won’t be standing on the dock telling everyone to “have a nice day.” Or I may be—I may even ride with the team—but the road won’t be bumpy. I may still see patients all day but my back won’t get tired.
This afternoon Read and I have an appointment with Dr. Israel who does the HIV/AIDS program at Hospital St. Justinien. We are making progress. Love, Alice White
January 18 In 1969 Eleanor and I were sitting around this very pool about this time of year. We had driven up from Port au Prince through 6-8 checkpoints or roadblocks handled by Papa Doc’s Ton Ton Macoute armed with old MI rifles from World War II. Now we have road blocks by Ecuadorian and Nepalese soldiers in huge anti-personnel vehicles with fifty caliber machine guns. This is a wonderful example of progress through obligations. To dwell on the negatives of Haiti really misses the beauty and special lessons we can take away. Who can forget the bright white teeth of a surly teenager when one says “bon soir”? The old man who has lived through a life of desperation (by our standards) brought to the clinic by his attentive daughter, and the children—wouldn’t my young grandchildren love to play with them? As I sit here on a glorious afternoon looking over the bay and mountain to the citadel in the distance, I am struck by a sense of history—especially the history of our European heritage and how hurtful and destructive it was to all; however, out of this history the world was changed which has brought a whole new set of riches and new problems. I am so blessed to be able to take a short time out of my life to add to or make amends to them. I would like to think that I am adding to and not just making amends. When I get back to the land of transfats, big cars, and inane political positions and pandering people will ask “how was the trip?” or if we had been to St. Thomas or St. Barth’s. Please don’t think I am being sanctimonious when I say “I always bring home lots more than I took.” Reid McGehee
January 20 Well we’re heading home already. It’s hard to even begin processing all of the experiences of the last week. I came because I could, because it was easy to e-mail someone, take off work, and sign up. I’ve dreamt of doing such medical work where it is needed since age twelve. So many, many years came in between twelve and forty-plus, but I was not disappointed despite high expectations formed over the years. The best reward for me came from communicating (thanks to my interpreter, thanks to universal facial cues) and learning that there are more universals in practicing medicine and in caring for people than there are differences. Kathy Bernhard Eleven years have passed since my first visit to Haiti. This is my first time to Tovar. The bright smiles and colorful uniform of the children brightens each day. The patience of the people dressed in their best, and they want to be seen has not changed. I am thankful I was able to work with Dr. Reid from Virginia and Dr. Eugene, our Haitian doctor and be a part of this group from Missouri, Texas, California, and probably many other places. The trip to the orphanage was a special remembrance. The children sang welcome songs and “How Great Thou Art.” They were so dear. We got lots of hugs. The children are safe and well cared for at the orphanage. The trip to the citadel was very interesting. My guides were wonderful. They sang me down the mountain in English and Creole. Trying to teach me a little Creole. Again “How Great Thou Art,” “Soon, Very Soon,” “I Will See the Light” were some of my favorites. I really enjoy going to church in Haiti. The people are so helpful to us with finding Bible passages and hymns. I love singing in Creole. I met Jack’s mom at church Sunday. It was so nice to see her again. I remembered her from my first trip. The trip has so many special memories especially the faces of the people that keep coming back to mind. God bless the Haiti Mission and the people of Haiti. Carol Batman |
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