Haiti Health Ministries

Today Gene and Steve went to do some electrical work at the house where a missionary family from MN will soon be staying.  Obviously I do not possess that skill set so I went to the clinic today.
Dr. Jim Wilkins and his wife Sandy started this outpatient clinic right down the road a bit from the guest house here.  This week they went back to Kansas and Dr. Tom Cairns formerly  from ReachGlobal in Congo is filling in.
People line about outside before 7:30 and set up cooking stalls outside.  Patients who have a rendez-vous (appointment) are seen first and a triage is set up. People come dressed to the nines and pretty much spend the day there between the waiting area, clinic visit, lab visit and pharmacy.   I was with one of the longtime clinic staff who mainly sees prenatal visits and does some wound care.  I was able to take BPs while she saw many pregnant ladies.  Birth control is  not very common here and most women have had multiple pregnancies starting at a young age.  STDs are common as well during pregnancy since there is rampant infidelity.  Unfortunately there are many self-induced abortions from some meds you can buy on the street; we saw a 42 year old pregnant lady who tried this but was unsuccessful...
Dr. Tom was amazing to watch as he tried to get a history through a translator and did his physical exam the old fashioned way.  I saw him diagnose goiters, probable sickle cell anemia, pneumonia, congestive heart failure and deal with many diabetics.  He is an awesome teacher to those shadowing him, to the Haitian clinic staff as well as to patients and families. 
I just returned from hiking up the nearby mountain on a very steep and rocky road.  The humidity feels like 100% and I am dripping with sweat as usual.  It was a beautiful view to see Gressier below and the ocean in the distance.  This is a beautiful country despite all its problems and I am reminded of God's glory in creation even in a poverty-stricken spot such as this.  I really love it here and feel I am right where I am supposed to be.  I think CFC can do great things, not only for the people of Haiti but also the work that is done to change their hearts and relationship with Christ in a place like this.

Orphans

I learned a disturbing fact about the orphans of Haiti.  75% of them actually have 2 living parents.  Many are simply too poor to care for their children.   We visited a grassroots orphanage here in Gressier today run by a Haitian couple, Madame and Pastor Christiane.  They have about 25 orphans on the "compound" and are not directly affiliated with any relief organization.  Reach Global has a connection there and regularly visits.  Madame is kind and loving but runs a tight ship.  Those kids jump when she claps her hands and stand at attention!  They sang us several songs including We Are the World in Haitian Creole.  They then wanted us to sing it in English.  I was the only one of the group who even attempted it and could only manage the refrain....Good thing I'm a child of the 80s!
It is amazing what they are grateful for when they have so little.  They were thrilled to get 3 coloring sheets and 2 crayons each and shared their colors with the others.  I was able to teach them a song in English "Pharaoh, Pharaoh-Oh baby, let my people go..."  Annette Cairns was able to tell the story of Daniel through our interpretor and most of them were already familiar with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego even though I'm sure they've never seen Veggie Tales!   The highlight for me was showing them how to knit.  They crochet like mad and have created many beautiful and intricate tablecloths and huge afghans but didn't know knitting at all.  I felt like I was holding court as they clustered around me and by the time I left, Madame Christiane's daughter was a pro.  I hope she remembers how to cast off!  They would love some knitting supplies and simple pattern books and I know just the place at CFC to garner those resources:)
The thing that struck me is how happy those children were despite their circumstances.  What a lesson for all of us to remember.  When I phoned home my son Alex was distraught about a cracked screen on his new iPod.  As Pastor Randy would say, "That's a rich person's problem".  These kids have next to no toys, primitive tents or shacks, no indoor plumbing and sketchy electricity yet manage to smile and play like ordinary children.
It was the sweatiest day yet and looking back at Steve's photos, I look like someone dumped a bucket of water over my head...not my best look!  But it was very rewarding and I will hold the smiles of those kids in my heart.   A thunderstorm this evening lifted the humidity and we are enjoying a cool breeze right now.  More visitor have arrived to the guest house and it is constantly busy with Haitian visitors and us mission folk.  I feel a bit like I'm at summer camp.
I thank God for this experience.  I will never be the same and I have a feeling I will be back here many times to come.  I pray God will use our experience to call others at CFC to short-term mission work here.  As I learned today, even a skill as small as knitting can have an impact on lives here.

Sunday in Gressier

Today started with a Haitian church service, all in Haitian Creole.  It was interesting to see how traditional they were with worship, using  a keyboard and drums  singing the hymns in French.  It was 2 hours long with sweat pouring off our brows!  I'm pretty sure the Communion wafers were broken up Saltines...Everyone had their bibles out and there seemed to be 2 separate sermons.
We ate lunch at a local restaurant with air conditioning...Heaven!  We had tasty rice with our choice of meat.  I had one bite of goat then decided against finishing it!  Some of the others had strange-looking chicken nuggets.  All enjoyed the meal and washed it down with some Coke or Sprite.
Later we took a tour of Gressier (pronounced Grace-ee-ay) and went into the villages.  The road is quite rocky and motorcycles come barreling down the road blaring their horns and you better get out of the way quick!  It's not unusual to see at least 3 people on a small motorcycle.  We had a chance to see one of the small homes constructed after the earthquake  in a partnership with Reachglobal and Samaritan's Purse.  They are basically wooden and covered with blue tarps  with a porch and about a 12 X12 space inside with 2 beds.  Very primitive with no running water and an outhouse out back.  There is a community pump similar to the one Constance provided for the Elikiya Project in the Congo.  Surprisingly there was an outdoor tv on a concrete stand out in the open..several people were out watching it.
The Haiti Health Ministry folks came over for a bible study tonight and interesting insights were shared about the life of Abraham in Genesis 20.  Dr. Jim Wilkins shared about his experience during the earthquake; Gressier was just 4 miles from the epicenter.  Then we enjoyed a delicious meal of tacos with pumpkin pie for dessert.  So far, we've eaten like kings:)
This is an incredible, diverse place with beautiful people and passionate, dedicated ministry workers!
I have no doubt this is where God wants me but am open to His leading as to how he wants to use me.
As a sidenote:  I was called away from typing this blog twice to shoot some pics of the gi-normous tarantulas that come out after dark.  What an adventure! 

Welcome To Haiti!

After a 2 hour flight from Miami, early this morning, we landed on the tarmac on the one runway at the Port Au Prince airport.  The plane preceded to do a U Turn on the runway which was a bit surprising!  We pulled up to the gate and let's just say the airport is a bit less modern and quite a bit more chaotic than the MSP airport!  A Haitian band as well as many clamoring people offering to help with our luggage greeted us.  The baggage area was disorganized with luggage everywhere!  Luckily all of our bags were marked with bright orange ribbon.  We each were able to check 3 bags and brought some from a missionary family that will be arriving here soon.  We loaded up 2 big carts and headed toward the exit.  Immediately several persistent gentleman began following us and asking to help with the luggage...for a tip of course.  Two men attached themselves to our carts and followed us all the way to the rep from ReachGlobal holding a sign.  An argument in Haitian Creol ensued and eventually we loaded our luggage in the vehicle and headed out with our driver Miguel.
The introduction to Port Au Prince was intense with many sights and sounds to behold !  Ramshackle and crumbling buildings, people everywhere, bright green foliage with beautiful mountains in the distance and the blue-green ocean on the other side were spread out before us.  Tap taps are the local mode of transport with a sort of topper cage on the back of a pickup with people crammed in like sardines and sometimes even standing on the back bumper!  We were amazed at the amount of stuff people could carry on top of their heads:  big bags of water, 5 gallon pails and large loads of laundry!  Horns on vehicles are a necessity as traffic runs every which way and pedestrians cross at will.  We took in the sight of the earthquake damage to the capital building with a collapsed dome and the cathedral; it was as though it was standing still in time since the earthquake in 2010...
At last we arrived, on a very bumpy road, to our ReachGlobal guest home in Gressier.  It's known as the Haitian Queen.  It's actually quite nice with flush toilets, some indoor showers and electricity most of the time.  We quickly made friends with Ashley and her new husband Claudy who reside there as part of the ReachGlobal staff, Dr Tom Cairns and his wife Annette and 15 year old granddaughter Nikole.   There are also assorted others including local folks like Rosita who is cooking something that smells heavenly and baking bread as I type this.
I am so excited to finally be here and we are looking forward to what God has for us here.  Last night as I restlessly lay in bed, I could literally feel the prayer support of so many who I know are faithful prayer warriors while we are here.  What a comfort!  God is good and we can feel his presence already.
More to follow...

Trust

This is it....Embarking on our Haiti adventure today.  It's been on my ''bucket list" for a very long time!
Nervous and excited.  It all boils down to trusting God .  In my devotional, Jesus Lives by Sarah Young, it's no coincidence that I read this passage today about trust:

I want to make your life a glorious adventure , but you must stop striving for a a lifestyle that feels safe.
Recognize you are on the threshold of a new adventure, and that I will be with you each step of the way.  As we venture out together, cling tightly to My hand.  The more you  abandon yourself to Me, the more exuberantly you can experience My love.


WOW!  God sure gives us what we need when we need it.

Meet Our Team Members

Here's a little background info on our Haiti Mission Team from CFC

Steve Cram
Steve and his wife Laura have 2 married daughters.  They are expecting their first grandchild in January.  Steve is active in Men's Ministry at CFC.  He is a mission trip veteran and has been to Israel, Germany, Turkey, Africa and New Orleans.  This will be his second trip to Haiti.

Maria Douglas
Maria and Jeff Douglas have 2 kids, Maddy (15) and Alex (10).  She is a physical therapist and works part-time at Struthers Parkinson's Center in Golden Valley (Park Nicollet system).  She loves to bike, knit, read and enjoys time in the outdoors.  She has been an adult leader for youth urban mission experiences but this will be her first trip to a third world country.

Gene Haag
Gene and his wife Sylvia have been married for 55 years.  They have 4 grown children, 8 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. He's been a member of CFC for 20 years.   His mission trip experience includes Germany, Honduras and New Orleans.  He enjoys camping, fishing and woodworking.

Meet the team from Constance Free Church from left to right:

Steve Cram, Maria Douglas and Gene Haag

Prepare

Prepare: to make ready beforehand for some approaching event or need This is the process our small team is going through in this 2 weeks before we leave for Haiti. The facts: We are going to a town called Gressier where Touchglobal, the relief branch of the Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA) has been present since the devastating earthquake in Jan 2010. Gressier is about 13 miles to the west of Port Au Prince and has a population of 75,000. Our mission: To develop relationships with the community partners through TouchGlobal and identify future projects for short-term missions to be carried out by Constance Evangelical Free Church (CFC). To learn how to lead future trips back to Haiti in the areas of construction, healthcare, schools and orphanages. To help carry out the mission of CFC: To be a community compelled by Christ's love to bless our world These are some of the ways we are preparing: Knowledge of Haiti and the culture. Here are some startling facts: The average life expectancy is 49 years ( so I'm practically an elder!) It is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere Catholicism is the official religion of Haiti but voodoo may be considered the country's national religion. Most believe their voodoo can co-exist with Catholicism. It revolves around family spirits inherited by the parents. Some are thought to protect people from misfortune by feeding the spirits through rituals and special services. Disease is rampant with malaria, cholera and TB We are also physically preparing with vaccines for Hepatitis A and B and Typhoid. Pills are taken in advance to prevent malaria. Dire warning from the travel clinic are given about unfiltered water or food products with preventative medications given for traveler's diarrhea . It's not pretty! Without prayer for a covering of God's protection, it is easy to become overwhelmed with concern over one's physical health and risks of traveling to a third-world country... Lastly, we are preparing our hearts. We are asked to sign a "contract" releasing our rights: a comfortable bed, familiar food, pleasant circumstances, control over situations and many other things. We lay down our so-called rights at the feet of Jesus and entrust them to the Lord. We ask for prayer support as we prepare for this sure-to-be life-changing experience. I am certain God will move in ways we can't even begin to imagine. We may do some work in the lives of those in Haiti but the most important work will be done by God in our own hearts.

Welcome to the blog!