Time flies! You have heard that before, but since I can’t think of a better way to put it, it’ll have to just be said again. This is the first time since Feb. 12 that I have had the time to sit down and try to give you at least a brief idea of what has been happening here. We had a safe trip down, and were so happy to get back home after traveling. We spent a week in Gran Fon getting things refreshed after having been gone for a while, and Breanna and I planted our garden seeds. The next week we went to Port, and spent the week making window bars for Michael and Breanna’s apartment, doing LIFE Literature work, and doing the shopping. We went back home then with one week to get the window bars up and prepare for the medical team that came March 10.
But things took a different turn. Breanna became ill; we thought it was just a virus. She wasn’t extremely sick, but bad enough that she was pretty much in bed for a week. Towards the end of the week though, she took a turn for the worse. She had vomiting and nausea, and then developed jaundice. Michael had to take a day and get the buckets of clinic stuff ready, and then we packed up for being gone two weeks with the medical team. We also had to pack with the possibility of Michael and Breanna going back to the States since Breanna was getting worse. They planned on doing some tests in Port Au Prince to try to determine what was going on, then decide what should be done. Sunday noon we left the mountains, and went out to town where we stayed in a guesthouse. That evening Breanna was so miserable that Michael decided to buy tickets to go back to the States. He had been in touch with several doctors and the general consensus was that it was probably gallbladder related. So late Sunday evening I was handed the responsibility of going alone with the team coming in on Tuesday. Michael told me what I needed to do, and promised to be available by phone whenever I needed him. He arranged transportation for us with some very obliging friends, and had all the translators lined up to go along. Monday, he and Breanna flew back to TN, and I finished a few preparations for the team. I certainly was not ready to lead a team, and felt horribly unprepared. But friends both in the States and in Haiti were praying for me and the team, and so many people here in Haiti were kind enough to fill in the gaps that I couldn’t fill. Lyndon Miller at Blue Ridge got the truck ready to go, and has done so many other things for us that I can’t even think of them all. Jeriah Mast at CAM went to the airport for the team, and took us back to Potino where we spent the greater part of the trip. I didn’t know most of the team at all, but had but had met the team leader, Dr. Dassow twice before. But they all were wonderful, and I have some good friends and fond memories now. I wouldn’t trade those two weeks for anything. God answered the prayers, and blessed us abundantly with each other, patients to see and help, mostly good health, safe travels, and good weather.
God also did something for me that I was not expecting. You know I asked for prayer to be able to find a tutor; well, I had talked to one girl, but it wasn’t really a good solution. During this trip into the mountains, and having to be the connection between the team and the Haitians, something broke loose in my mind and speaking Creole is no longer a struggle. Sure, I get words wrong, and need to expand my vocabulary, but I believe I am finally on the way to becoming fluent. It was very encouraging to be able to translate for the doctors when they needed a female translator. Also to have Haitians ask “Where did you learn to speak Creole? You talk like a Haitian.” I think this trip was the tutor I prayed for. I also spent a day with the cooks in the kitchen, and learned a bit more of Haitian culture. I missed Michael and Breanna so much, and as much as I want Michael to have his job back, this trip was good for me, and I’m glad I went on it. It is a wonderful example of God working all things out for good to those who love Him.
Breanna had surgery that Wednesday evening, and is on the way to total recovery. It looks like she had a virus and gallbladder problems. Michael and Breanna are flying back tomorrow. Please pray for their safe travels.
So, I’m not sure what all to tell you about the details of the trip, there was so much that we did, and it was all so medical that only some of you would enjoy the details, and some of you might be horrified if I wrote about it. We spent most of the time in Potino, in the mountains, then we spent Saturday and Monday in Cazale at Real Hope for Haiti. There we did women’s health, I think we saw around 120 women. I did a good bit of translating there, and I really enjoyed it.
I will tell you about the pictures below though. I title them “The Hands of Christ”. This middle-aged man came in and could move his legs, but he couldn’t feel them. We suspect he has something pinching his spinal column in some way. Anyway, we talked to him, and gave him some money to go out to the hospital in hopes that it was not too late to do something for him. But I was touched by the loving care of Dr. Dassow and the young man on the team (Hamilton), as they helped this man out the door and down to the road, then lifted him onto his donkey. It isn’t only medicine that we can give, loving care and strong arms can bless and heal hearts even if medicine is useless to the body.
The doctors did several minor surgeries, and anyone who wanted to learn was taught how to do various things. The doctors even showed me how to do some things, and I LOVED it! It almost makes me want to go back to school to learn something more than just what an LPN knows. At the second clinic, there was a microscope, and that was fascinating! We made lots of slides; the “micro” world is so interesting!
I don’t have many pictures, but at least this has given you a glimpse of our trip. I am back at Blue Ridge waiting for Michael and Breanna to return on Thursday. I just heard the team made it safely home this evening. They were to leave yesterday, but due to a manifestation (a whole bunch of Haitians walking down the road blocking it off because they are upset about something) they missed their plane. God provided them a place to stay for free last night, and they got to the airport plenty early today only to leave an hour later than scheduled. Such is life in Haiti.
And here is a couple pictures of our garden which I am ready to see how it is after 2 weeks. I hope the weeds haven’t grown too fast!
That is all for now, thank you for your prayers for us, and your interest and support!
