Mission Trip

Matthew 28:20b "I am with you always."

The January trip to Haiti had been scheduled for months ahead of time. Then January 12th arrived and disaster struck Port au Prince. I was at home, and our family was all there. The phone rang and our son answered, and said "Mom, you better sit down and turn on the TV." From that point on, life became a flurry. Phone calls, emails, anxious friends and family. We couldn't pull ourselves from the screen, and the images of the earthquake and the destruction it caused. Our hearts ached for our friends and the people of Haiti. By a miracle, I got through that night to Miss Pat, and she reassured us that everyone in the North were safe. They had felt tremors, but no structural damage was caused.

Luke and I arrived in Vero, a few days before joining up with the team. In our minds we knew that Missionary Flights International would be needing volunteers at this critical time. We have flown with MFI over the past 12 years, and have come to rely on their faithful service. For the next couple days we experienced first hand the tremendous work that is involved in disaster relief. We were in awe of the commitment of all the staff and volunteer pulling together day and night to send thousands of pounds of much needed supplies to Haiti. My hat's off to this wonderful organisation, with 40 years of service, whose motto is "standing in the gap". Thank you and God bless you MFI!



The team continued to prepare for our departure to Haiti on the 19th, though not knowing what would await us nor where we'd be needed the most.

After getting settled at the mission house, we checked in at the largest hospital in Cap Haitian to see if we could be of assistance. At that time, the displaced and injured people of Port au Prince had not yet begun to arrive in the North. We were starting to hear that thousands of refugees were predicted to arrive over the coming days, in a city that already is overpopulated and impoverished.

The next day, the team set out to visit our clinic in Lasoudrey and observe the elderly feeding program there. It was a great chance for the team to experience the rough roads, the beautiful countryside, and smiling faces shouting out "blanc! blanc!" along the way. I think they gained a greater appreciation for the staff's commitment to travel to and work at the clinics week after week.


Throughout the week, we were blessed to share in the many joyous occasions of families who'd received the news that their long awaited adoptions had finally been approved!

Saturday we rose early, and drove to the base of a mountain outside the city. Backpacks full, and donkeys loaded, we wound our way up and around the stunning Haitian countryside, our destination La Soufrierre, meaning "the place of suffering". Praise God that He is transforming places of suffering into places of hope! After 2 hours, we were greeted by over 200 people waiting in an overcrowded church building, without power or water, to be seen by the doctors. After introducing ourselves, we joined in a time of song and prayer. The time passed quickly as everyone stayed busy in their various roles - from consulting 170 patients in total, to translating the various c/o, to distributing medication.

I will share about one little boy who I believe really is a miracle story; Dr Laurel examined a young boy, maybe three years old, and immediately noticed one eye was swollen and pushing out from the socket. His pupil was fixed and dialated, and he had no sight in that eye. Realising that this child could be facing a very serious situation, she consulted with the Haitian nurse to arrange for him to come down the mountain to the hospital in Cap. The doctor suspected a retinal blastoma, that untreated could result in death. On Monday, we searched the hospital to find this little boy, not being able to contact his family member. Things looked pretty grim, and we doubted whether we would find him. However, later in the day we discovered we discovered that not only had he been seen by a visiting American doctor, but the precise specialist that he needed! The doctor suspected a brain tumor, and made arrangements for the little boy to be flown with them back to the US. God's timing is so perfect!

On Monday, the city of Cap Haitian began to feel the influx of displaced people arriving from Port au Prince. Wounded, hungry and traumatized, the refugees arrived by the busloads, and were slowly processed through the hospital. The city's gymnasium was opened up, and all refugees had the opportunity to be seen by US and Haitian physicians, nurses, and psychologists, and receive food supplies. Each day there is mounting tension, rumors of unrest, and a great sadness that lies heavy on many people's hearts. You cannot find anyone who has been left untouched by this tragedy, whether a family member or friend.


We have been praying throughout the week for God to show us how where we can give. A Haitian woman aiding the relief work at the gym, told Luke their were 15 orphans she was housing that had no food, clothes, or family. Today we went to visit the children and found them in an empty house, with no furniture. The woman had no means of providing, but knew this was an vacant building that could house these kids. We took a couple boxes of shoes, toys, and clothing, beans, rice and corn, and tomorrow we will plan on visiting the children, and each day until we leave. These kids have tremendous emotional needs, as well as the basic physical. One young man told us the mosqitoes were terrible, so we will buy mosqito nets, matresses, and blankets for these children.

It's hard to understand the tragedy that shaken this country and it's people. We don't understand why God allows the innocent to suffer. But I do know that Jesus suffered, and that He is with us always. He is unshakeable, and in that we have hope.