As we were unable to update the blog while we were away due to “technical difficulties”, I have had a little time to process all that we experienced. We had some obstacles, to be sure: a smaller team, with several non-medical people, as well as difficulties with electricity, communication, and transportation. Yet, those seem so trivial in the face of God’s power which was evidenced in so many moments over the week.
The kids were a little hesitant to greet us at first, as somehow they seemed to know that we were the team with the dreaded “pikis”, aka shots. Soon, however, they were pretending to give us injections and trying to argue that they should receive a sucker for each poke they got, not just one lollipop. I think a few of those kids have a great future ahead as lawyers. We vaccinated all the orphans in a day and half, pausing only to give hugs and wipe tears (theirs and ours). We rewarded ourselves for our efficiency with a morning at the beach where the waves were wild and beautiful and very refreshing.
We started community clinic earlier than planned on Tuesday afternoon. We called this time our “dress rehearsal”‘ as it gave us time to discover what worked and what didn’t with our smaller crew. We were so blessed to have that afternoon as it prepared us for what would be a very busy 2 1/2 days more of community clinic. We were able to minister to almost 650 people in the community providing treatment for many types of infections, injuries, and problems such as high blood pressure, arthritis, and diabetes. Several moments stand out in my memory: the young girl with Down’s syndrome whose mother was told she should be thrown away giggling throughout my exam, the little boy who had suffered with an earache for 3 months, and the woman who was diagnosed with AIDS on our last trip, looking healthy and fit thanks to medication she received with the help of ESMI and Long Hollow.
As a team, we struggled with all that we could and could not do in the face of needs that were so great and resources that were so limited. It is humbling to see how grateful people can be for things we take for granted: Tylenol, vitamins, and Tums. It is heartbreaking to run out of medicines or not be able to see all those who wait so long to be seen. Yet, God allowed us to see that He is the ultimate healer and that caring for the physical needs of others is intended to serve a higher purpose: that of tangibly showing the love of Christ. My most memorable patient was a 92 year old lady who presented with congestive heart failure and symptoms of esophageal cancer. She was so ill we initially tried to take her to the local hospital. We soon found out it was closed (it is open only 4 hours a day) and was poorly equipped at best. She had loving family with her and I explained that we would do our best to help her, but that she was very seriously ill. She improved somewhat with medication but the real change came when one of the team members asked her if she knew Jesus. She answered with an emphatic “yes!” and her weary face lit up with joy. She was able to walk out of the clinic later that day, and though I do not know how many days remain for her, I know her eternal future is certain.
On our final day, we taught a class for a group of nursing students on ways to improve survival of newborn infants. One of them asked why we came to Haiti. I answered that we come because we serve a God who calls us to show His love to all people. Whether we are here or in Haiti, God does not want us to just go through the motions. He wants us to truly care for others. He wants us to show love to them by our actions more than our words. And I believe he wants to show us that, in His power, much can be accomplished.
