I spent a few hours (sort of) by myself yesterday. Alone in my head anyway, with only my cycling playlist to guide my thoughts. Quality stuff like Friendship Business and Switchfoot and others, which always give me insight that I totally I miss otherwise.
Yesterday, Switchfoot says to me "if it doesn't break your heart it isn't love".
"hmm ok, so this broken heart of mine that have been nursing since July 16th when I was dumped like an ugly prom date, is about love?"
"Why yes, Debbi, it is" said Switchfoot, (maybe Jesus was talking here too... not sure).
I knew it! I knew there was something very precious to me that had been lost, I thought it was 'the job'... but it wasn't. It has been the identity of love all along. I miss loving on my people. I have said it since the day I got the boot, and it is as real as it was on that day. I miss them like family, just torn out of my life like a divorce or something really nasty, ugly and painful.
It hurts so bad, because it was love. Ok... simple I know, but clarifying.
My patients downtown have often told me that they love me. I always said back, "I love you too". Robin and I always thought that they said it because they needed to hear us say it back. I have found that I miss loving them so much. I miss being a person that makes the difference in their life. I miss telling them how precious and valued they are by caring for them, like no one has in a long time, or maybe forever. I miss praying with them and all the hugs! That was such a significant part of my life for so long and I have not had an easy time letting it go.
Understanding this love that God shared with me, and I am to share with the world is simple, yet complex... because it involves that darn human element that is full of emotion and words that can't be taken back once they have been spoken. Events happen and change the course of a situation and people that have limited understanding but can altar outcomes surely impact they way things shake out. But a few things do not change.
#1. You can't think about love without thinking about forgiveness.
I have forgiven you P.T. I know this has probably not kept you up at night, but it has me and I gotta move on. Finding the things about this job loss to let go and the things I want to keep with me forever has been a struggle. It is easier to be offended and angry and hit back... oh man, do I want to! But that does not feel right, so I choose love, and by this, forgiveness.
#2 God has always taken care of me. He does not change. I trust him, with this and all things precious to me. I know he is working in my life and in the lives of those that I pray for.
#3 I can take some time to focus, get my eyes squared on God again and move on. I have done it before and know I can do this again. Living a life pleasing to God is a process, that is why they call it a walk... and there is something to be learned in every step. I am learning so much about myself, about God and about who I am right now. Not all pretty, but true nonetheless.
I am humbly thanking God daily that I have a healthy family, and we love and support each other like crazy. Thankful that I have a strong church and amazing Pastors and friends all around me. I am so grateful that I have a wonderful new job, working with talented and blessed people and precious new patients.
I still have a big bandaid on the front of my heart, not planning on ripping it off anytime soon... but know that the brokenness is starting to heal from the inside out and God is making it something beautiful in me, that he can use for his purpose. What a relief.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.
Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Phil 4:6
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Blog neglect and love
We have all seen it. The blog that just sits. This is not 'that blog'. Honest, I lost my power cord somewhere in Africa the day after my last post and just got mentally home enough to consider what to say. I know, I know... lost power cord, somewhere in Africa... a lame excuse. But this time it is the truth. Please forgive.
So, my last post was just after the visit to the dormant hospital. That was hard to witness and I have processed the ideas and had dozens of conversations regarding the possibilities already. A hospital that closes at night because they do not have staff. All the patients are sent home for the night or if they are too sick they are transported to another hospital in Kafue, about 40km away. (Not sure how that is paid for, but know that this little hospital does accept in-kind payment such as chickens, grain or vegetables in exchange for care.) The hospital had a dental chair, not used for a looooong time, because of no staff. The labor and delivery suite door was locked and all the equipment put in storage because it had not been used in such a long time. The need is extremely evident and all around to clearly see. My mind is flooded with the names and faces of friends, colleagues and students and partners that would jump at the opportunity to serve here. Lord, please do that thing you do and use me in any way you see fit to make something happen here. I have prayed it everyday since and will continue. Friends, please pray with me on this one, and btw... if your name is Joey, Paul, Teresa, Regina, Sheila, Robin, Dianna, Kate, Jordan, Michael, Allie, Timmie, Katie, Lydia, Brett, Dan P. or Dan B., and about a dozen others....you might have come to mind as someone that is just perfect for spending some time at this hospital or in the mobile clinic that could potentially come out of this partnership. The mobile clinic effort that we have been developing over the past year has so much potential working out of this location. God, it's all you.
The good-byes at the work site are never fun, and Chipongwe was no different. On Friday afternoon we gave gifts and sang and prayed and took pictures... and said our goodbyes with many promises of returning to work together again. What you can't help, is to take the memory of our friends and co-workers home and tell their stories. They are hard-working people, trying to take care of their families, trying to make ends meet and stay strong when life gets tough. But life is always tough in Africa. There does not seem to be any other way to say it. Life is always tough in Africa. What confounds anyone that visits there is the deep joy, love and reliance on God that permeates every relationship. They seem to have a deeper understanding and deeper value for what is important. God, family... relationships. You can't say hello to a friend without being asked "how is your family?" I can't help myself, and have asked this question several times since returning home. It feels so good to care enough about someone to care about what is important to them. Try it. How is your family?
On Saturday we drove in a bus, with a governor beep-beep-beeping all the way down to Livingstone. Road trip! Good times... sleeping sitting up, eating muffins at a roadside stand, hitting our heads on the roof of the bus a few times and of course... seeing the countryside. I love it.
Our last two days in Livingstone are always one of the highlights of the trip. Of course seeing the Falls, the bridge jumping, the game drive and this year, a sunset on the Zambezi complete with the devil-eyed croc, the hippo playground and the mommy and baby elies! .... are things that we will never forget. But... worship with Pastor Smoke and our Livingstone church is one of my utmost fav times in Africa. The music is like none other and they friendship is so precious to me that I hurt when they hurt. Pastor Smoke is discouraged. He was not feeling well and feared that he had malaria, again. He shared with me his struggles and his frustrations... and I did my best to encourage him with the best pep talk I could muster on the spot. But in my heart, I know that anything I said would be inadequate. This is the Lords work to do in him. Lord, continue to give my friend Smoke everything he needs to love his parish and the passion he will need to continue the work you have for him to do. It is not pastor frustration like money, theology, politics and personality stuff... but real-life stuff like water, food and AIDS. Lord, help my friend and let him know that it is YOU who has called him and YOU who will not forget him.
The 2010 team was without a doubt, unforgettable. Each one with gifts and energy that God turned into wonderful ministry in partnership with our African brothers and sisters. This just never gets old. Two 2011 teams are already in the works. One work team at Chipongwe, including medical and dental projects and one special ops visit to nail down all the details of our Community School Partnership.
God is so good and faithful and patient... to honor us with his presence and provision and protection on so many levels. I remain humbly amazed and awed at the way he works and weaves us into his purpose for his children. He takes something so feeble as our plans, and makes it something even more beautiful than we can ask or imagine... a friendship and a shared love for him that goes deeper than our understanding.
This God is love and love is good.
So, my last post was just after the visit to the dormant hospital. That was hard to witness and I have processed the ideas and had dozens of conversations regarding the possibilities already. A hospital that closes at night because they do not have staff. All the patients are sent home for the night or if they are too sick they are transported to another hospital in Kafue, about 40km away. (Not sure how that is paid for, but know that this little hospital does accept in-kind payment such as chickens, grain or vegetables in exchange for care.) The hospital had a dental chair, not used for a looooong time, because of no staff. The labor and delivery suite door was locked and all the equipment put in storage because it had not been used in such a long time. The need is extremely evident and all around to clearly see. My mind is flooded with the names and faces of friends, colleagues and students and partners that would jump at the opportunity to serve here. Lord, please do that thing you do and use me in any way you see fit to make something happen here. I have prayed it everyday since and will continue. Friends, please pray with me on this one, and btw... if your name is Joey, Paul, Teresa, Regina, Sheila, Robin, Dianna, Kate, Jordan, Michael, Allie, Timmie, Katie, Lydia, Brett, Dan P. or Dan B., and about a dozen others....you might have come to mind as someone that is just perfect for spending some time at this hospital or in the mobile clinic that could potentially come out of this partnership. The mobile clinic effort that we have been developing over the past year has so much potential working out of this location. God, it's all you.
The good-byes at the work site are never fun, and Chipongwe was no different. On Friday afternoon we gave gifts and sang and prayed and took pictures... and said our goodbyes with many promises of returning to work together again. What you can't help, is to take the memory of our friends and co-workers home and tell their stories. They are hard-working people, trying to take care of their families, trying to make ends meet and stay strong when life gets tough. But life is always tough in Africa. There does not seem to be any other way to say it. Life is always tough in Africa. What confounds anyone that visits there is the deep joy, love and reliance on God that permeates every relationship. They seem to have a deeper understanding and deeper value for what is important. God, family... relationships. You can't say hello to a friend without being asked "how is your family?" I can't help myself, and have asked this question several times since returning home. It feels so good to care enough about someone to care about what is important to them. Try it. How is your family?
On Saturday we drove in a bus, with a governor beep-beep-beeping all the way down to Livingstone. Road trip! Good times... sleeping sitting up, eating muffins at a roadside stand, hitting our heads on the roof of the bus a few times and of course... seeing the countryside. I love it.
Our last two days in Livingstone are always one of the highlights of the trip. Of course seeing the Falls, the bridge jumping, the game drive and this year, a sunset on the Zambezi complete with the devil-eyed croc, the hippo playground and the mommy and baby elies! .... are things that we will never forget. But... worship with Pastor Smoke and our Livingstone church is one of my utmost fav times in Africa. The music is like none other and they friendship is so precious to me that I hurt when they hurt. Pastor Smoke is discouraged. He was not feeling well and feared that he had malaria, again. He shared with me his struggles and his frustrations... and I did my best to encourage him with the best pep talk I could muster on the spot. But in my heart, I know that anything I said would be inadequate. This is the Lords work to do in him. Lord, continue to give my friend Smoke everything he needs to love his parish and the passion he will need to continue the work you have for him to do. It is not pastor frustration like money, theology, politics and personality stuff... but real-life stuff like water, food and AIDS. Lord, help my friend and let him know that it is YOU who has called him and YOU who will not forget him.
The 2010 team was without a doubt, unforgettable. Each one with gifts and energy that God turned into wonderful ministry in partnership with our African brothers and sisters. This just never gets old. Two 2011 teams are already in the works. One work team at Chipongwe, including medical and dental projects and one special ops visit to nail down all the details of our Community School Partnership.
God is so good and faithful and patient... to honor us with his presence and provision and protection on so many levels. I remain humbly amazed and awed at the way he works and weaves us into his purpose for his children. He takes something so feeble as our plans, and makes it something even more beautiful than we can ask or imagine... a friendship and a shared love for him that goes deeper than our understanding.
This God is love and love is good.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
God is working in Lukamantano and Chipongwe
We are having an amazing week and I am here with an incredible team. I have heard nearly all the of the team members, at one time or another, talking about the next trip and who they want to bring with them. This is very cool to hear and to imagine the next team.
On Thursday I had the opportunity for a meeting with the director of the Zambian Helpers Society Hospital. The hospital is located across the road from our Chipongwe project. This is a beautiful facility, lacking something very important...staff and patients. The hospital is understaffed and unable to provide the cafe that the community desperately needs. They have a dental chair that has not been used in at least a year. The have a labor and delivery suite that has been emptied of equipment and locked up due to the lack of staffing. This is a wonderful opportunity for us and I am praying that God will lead and guide and we will seek and follow. Trusting God with the details and putting calls out to colleagues... can't wait to see what is next.
We made a visit to the Chipongwe Village, also across the road from our project. This village has very limited resources and no school or water. We see many, many opportunities for us here and look forward to conversations in the future about how we can strengthen this community.
Today we work, visit another clinic and say goodbye to our friends at the work site. We do not look forward to leaving our co-workers that we have worked shoulder to shoulder with all week. These guys are amazing and we love them.
Today is going to be a good day.
On Thursday I had the opportunity for a meeting with the director of the Zambian Helpers Society Hospital. The hospital is located across the road from our Chipongwe project. This is a beautiful facility, lacking something very important...staff and patients. The hospital is understaffed and unable to provide the cafe that the community desperately needs. They have a dental chair that has not been used in at least a year. The have a labor and delivery suite that has been emptied of equipment and locked up due to the lack of staffing. This is a wonderful opportunity for us and I am praying that God will lead and guide and we will seek and follow. Trusting God with the details and putting calls out to colleagues... can't wait to see what is next.
We made a visit to the Chipongwe Village, also across the road from our project. This village has very limited resources and no school or water. We see many, many opportunities for us here and look forward to conversations in the future about how we can strengthen this community.
Today we work, visit another clinic and say goodbye to our friends at the work site. We do not look forward to leaving our co-workers that we have worked shoulder to shoulder with all week. These guys are amazing and we love them.
Today is going to be a good day.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Our school in Kenyama is well
Finally, Wednesday we visited one of my favorite ministries... Kenyama West Church of the Nazarene Community School. We arrived yesterday morning as the kids were coming to school and we were warmly greeted and welcomed by Pastor Benson Mweetwa, his staff and about 300 precious kids.
They wanted to play and hug and hold hands. They sang for us and each teacher on the team was asked to teach a class. It was cool to watch the team teach school in Zambia. How many times in life do you get that opportunity?
The Kenyama West teachers were the same ladies that we met one year ago. They still get paid a small amount, irregularly. The school serves about 300 students in the morning session and 300 students in the afternoon session. One of the teachers, Rose, proudly reported to us that all 16 of her 8th grade students had passed the grade this year. This is hugely significant because 8th grade is the highest basic school level. Beyond 8th grade in Zambia is considered Secondary School and is very expensive. Kenyama West school has big hopes that they will expand their school to 12th grade. We share that hope with them and want to be a part of their growth. Last year it had been 4 months since they were paid. We have known this for one year. It is time to do something about this, and we are ready. Josh and Angie worked to put together our kids profiles for our partnership to ensure that all 9 Nazarene Community Schools across Zambia stay open and prosper. We can't wait to be a part of this effort. If these schools did not exist, these kids would not be able to attend school and they would also not have the one hot meal a day served at the school. This is definitely something we want to be a part of.
The work continued at Chipongwe yesterday and floors and walls are impressive! We worked on the foundation on the extension of the building and several of us hauled 40lb block... all day.
We walked to a little community store today for a cold drink and a cookie. We met the owner, Christine. She is a warm lady and has a huge smile. She is very happy that we can shop in her store everyday and we are very happy to keep it local ;)
I had a very interesting conversation today with Davis. He is a Radiologist that lives in Kafue and commutes to the Zambian Helpers Society Hospital across the road from our Chipongwe project everyday. This hospital is in Lukamantano village.... (another story). He told me of the excommunication of an Archbishop, a possible partnership with South Korea and the present level of care being delivered at the hospital. No staff, no care. It is an interesting situation and I was able to arrange a visit to the hospital today. I am interested to learn more... and see if God is leading us toward a partnership.
It is going to be a good day.
More later...
They wanted to play and hug and hold hands. They sang for us and each teacher on the team was asked to teach a class. It was cool to watch the team teach school in Zambia. How many times in life do you get that opportunity?
The Kenyama West teachers were the same ladies that we met one year ago. They still get paid a small amount, irregularly. The school serves about 300 students in the morning session and 300 students in the afternoon session. One of the teachers, Rose, proudly reported to us that all 16 of her 8th grade students had passed the grade this year. This is hugely significant because 8th grade is the highest basic school level. Beyond 8th grade in Zambia is considered Secondary School and is very expensive. Kenyama West school has big hopes that they will expand their school to 12th grade. We share that hope with them and want to be a part of their growth. Last year it had been 4 months since they were paid. We have known this for one year. It is time to do something about this, and we are ready. Josh and Angie worked to put together our kids profiles for our partnership to ensure that all 9 Nazarene Community Schools across Zambia stay open and prosper. We can't wait to be a part of this effort. If these schools did not exist, these kids would not be able to attend school and they would also not have the one hot meal a day served at the school. This is definitely something we want to be a part of.
The work continued at Chipongwe yesterday and floors and walls are impressive! We worked on the foundation on the extension of the building and several of us hauled 40lb block... all day.
We walked to a little community store today for a cold drink and a cookie. We met the owner, Christine. She is a warm lady and has a huge smile. She is very happy that we can shop in her store everyday and we are very happy to keep it local ;)
I had a very interesting conversation today with Davis. He is a Radiologist that lives in Kafue and commutes to the Zambian Helpers Society Hospital across the road from our Chipongwe project everyday. This hospital is in Lukamantano village.... (another story). He told me of the excommunication of an Archbishop, a possible partnership with South Korea and the present level of care being delivered at the hospital. No staff, no care. It is an interesting situation and I was able to arrange a visit to the hospital today. I am interested to learn more... and see if God is leading us toward a partnership.
It is going to be a good day.
More later...
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
YAPYA and such...
I can't believe it is already Wednesday!
Once again, the week is flying by.
Church on Sunday at Mapepe Church of the Nazarene was A-Mazing! They can sing. nuf said.
This is known as a the 'pipe church'... because the pews are pipes. Pastor Victor is young and energetic and has an amazing warm smile. We happened to be there on Pastor Appreciation Day and watch the procession of gifts. The process was also a gift :)
They had to extend the offering to raise the full district budget. They were $52,000 kwacha short. We were so happy to help them meet their budget. This was about $12. You know we did that!
We could not work on Sunday, so we had to shop. It is so fun to see the markets and buy for those at home. Hope and Gavin will be sporting some nice little dreds with beads the next time you see them, thanks to a couple of awesomely cute hats I found. Can't wait to see them.
Oh yeah, on Sunday...OUR LUGGAGE ARRIVED! That was cool too.
Monday was our first day at the work site. No words for the amount of progress that has happened in one year. Pictures soon, and an loooooong explanation of why this is so evidently God working.
Paparazzi Josh arrived safely, with luggage and we were all glad to see him. Can't wait to see what he sees.
Tuesday was another super productive work day at Chipongwe. We took a group over to Mapepe Compound to play with kids in the morning and another group in the afternoon. I will never forget Andrew teaching the kids 189 ways to say bubbles. He is such a teacher, and it was so fun to watch the team love on kids and be loved by them.
We had a meeting downtown with the NYI Field Coordinator and an amazing new partner at YAPYA. God is making a wonderful connection and we can't wait to see what comes of this.
The team has gelled and we are making memories that will change us forever.
More later.
From Zambia, with Love....
Once again, the week is flying by.
Church on Sunday at Mapepe Church of the Nazarene was A-Mazing! They can sing. nuf said.
This is known as a the 'pipe church'... because the pews are pipes. Pastor Victor is young and energetic and has an amazing warm smile. We happened to be there on Pastor Appreciation Day and watch the procession of gifts. The process was also a gift :)
They had to extend the offering to raise the full district budget. They were $52,000 kwacha short. We were so happy to help them meet their budget. This was about $12. You know we did that!
We could not work on Sunday, so we had to shop. It is so fun to see the markets and buy for those at home. Hope and Gavin will be sporting some nice little dreds with beads the next time you see them, thanks to a couple of awesomely cute hats I found. Can't wait to see them.
Oh yeah, on Sunday...OUR LUGGAGE ARRIVED! That was cool too.
Monday was our first day at the work site. No words for the amount of progress that has happened in one year. Pictures soon, and an loooooong explanation of why this is so evidently God working.
Paparazzi Josh arrived safely, with luggage and we were all glad to see him. Can't wait to see what he sees.
Tuesday was another super productive work day at Chipongwe. We took a group over to Mapepe Compound to play with kids in the morning and another group in the afternoon. I will never forget Andrew teaching the kids 189 ways to say bubbles. He is such a teacher, and it was so fun to watch the team love on kids and be loved by them.
We had a meeting downtown with the NYI Field Coordinator and an amazing new partner at YAPYA. God is making a wonderful connection and we can't wait to see what comes of this.
The team has gelled and we are making memories that will change us forever.
More later.
From Zambia, with Love....
Saturday, July 31, 2010
We are here! Our luggage is still traveling....
Oh my stars!
I am in Zambia with some of the most amazing people. 26 hours of traveling and now 24 hours in-country... with no luggage.
Get this... no whining yet.
I have never seen people display such high flexibility and low maintenance!!
We left OKC as scheduled... but that is where the predictability stopped.
We hovered over DC for about an hour waiting for a storm to clear so we could land.
We had to refuel in Harrisburg, PA and then go back to DC to land. We agreed, fuel is good, so this was a good plan.
By the time we landed we had already missed our flight to Johannesburg. Well... we thought we had missed our flight. There were 50 planes backed up to take off, and ours was one of them. There was an airline person that met us at the gate and literally ran us through Dullas airport to our gate... we walked on our connecting flight and sat down. UN-BE-LIEVABLE!
We flew all night, stopped in Dakar for fuel and headed on to Joburg. Once again, we knew we were going to miss our connecting flight in Joburg. Once again... our speedy airport guide, sent by God, was waiting for us as we walked off the plane. We were escorted , again, to our connecting flight, and somehow landed pretty close to on-time in Lusaka a few hours later.
Unfortunately, our luggage did not get the same speedy guide service in Joburg and has been there ever since. We are hopeful, but not convinced that it has left SA. We are however, extremely thankful to be laying our head on a pillow in Africa tonight.... even if some of us have had the same clothes on since Thursday.
Church tomorrow at Mapepe. A church we have visited before. Affectionately known as 'the pipe church'... because the pews are made from surplus pipe. Can't wait!!
How did I get this life and such wonderful people all around me? I sure do not know, but I am so humbly thankful to be in the middle of it.
Good night. weet peas. (ask one of my kids)
I am in Zambia with some of the most amazing people. 26 hours of traveling and now 24 hours in-country... with no luggage.
Get this... no whining yet.
I have never seen people display such high flexibility and low maintenance!!
We left OKC as scheduled... but that is where the predictability stopped.
We hovered over DC for about an hour waiting for a storm to clear so we could land.
We had to refuel in Harrisburg, PA and then go back to DC to land. We agreed, fuel is good, so this was a good plan.
By the time we landed we had already missed our flight to Johannesburg. Well... we thought we had missed our flight. There were 50 planes backed up to take off, and ours was one of them. There was an airline person that met us at the gate and literally ran us through Dullas airport to our gate... we walked on our connecting flight and sat down. UN-BE-LIEVABLE!
We flew all night, stopped in Dakar for fuel and headed on to Joburg. Once again, we knew we were going to miss our connecting flight in Joburg. Once again... our speedy airport guide, sent by God, was waiting for us as we walked off the plane. We were escorted , again, to our connecting flight, and somehow landed pretty close to on-time in Lusaka a few hours later.
Unfortunately, our luggage did not get the same speedy guide service in Joburg and has been there ever since. We are hopeful, but not convinced that it has left SA. We are however, extremely thankful to be laying our head on a pillow in Africa tonight.... even if some of us have had the same clothes on since Thursday.
Church tomorrow at Mapepe. A church we have visited before. Affectionately known as 'the pipe church'... because the pews are made from surplus pipe. Can't wait!!
How did I get this life and such wonderful people all around me? I sure do not know, but I am so humbly thankful to be in the middle of it.
Good night. weet peas. (ask one of my kids)
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Home again... or not
We are home now about 30 hours from trip two into PaP Haiti.
As always, re-entry is challenging.
Not for the same reasons each time, but nonetheless challenging.
Too soon to speak specifics, but for sure... it has messed me up.
I am restless again.
Restless with what I thought, and now wonder if I really know anything.
Fellow Americans, my biggest question:
Why do we have so much opportunity and why do we get to choose how, when and where our life can change? Why do we have so much RESOURCE to squander? WHY?
Ok, more questions...
How do we live without regard to the struggles that exist to survive around the world as though we know nothing? HOW?
When will be be sure that we have done all we can in this life to share the grace and forgiveness that has been shown to us. What does that look like? How much of ourselves can we yet give away? How can we make that happen, how can we make sure that happens?
How can we get our neighbors to care for others and hurt for others when we, as a people, are so distracted by stuff that does not even matter?
How do I fit back into my life and work as though I have not seen what I have seen, and know what I know. How do I fit, when I am different?
Not sure yet.
But know that God is stirring something up in me, and as unpleasant as it is to figure it out, I like it when God does something transformational in me. It always turns out nice.
Things that have not changed:
I love God more than ever.
I love my family more than I can express.
I love this life that I have given God, and he has given back to me.
I do not know what is next, but know that God is already there.
I miss Haiti.
As always, re-entry is challenging.
Not for the same reasons each time, but nonetheless challenging.
Too soon to speak specifics, but for sure... it has messed me up.
I am restless again.
Restless with what I thought, and now wonder if I really know anything.
Fellow Americans, my biggest question:
Why do we have so much opportunity and why do we get to choose how, when and where our life can change? Why do we have so much RESOURCE to squander? WHY?
Ok, more questions...
How do we live without regard to the struggles that exist to survive around the world as though we know nothing? HOW?
When will be be sure that we have done all we can in this life to share the grace and forgiveness that has been shown to us. What does that look like? How much of ourselves can we yet give away? How can we make that happen, how can we make sure that happens?
How can we get our neighbors to care for others and hurt for others when we, as a people, are so distracted by stuff that does not even matter?
How do I fit back into my life and work as though I have not seen what I have seen, and know what I know. How do I fit, when I am different?
Not sure yet.
But know that God is stirring something up in me, and as unpleasant as it is to figure it out, I like it when God does something transformational in me. It always turns out nice.
Things that have not changed:
I love God more than ever.
I love my family more than I can express.
I love this life that I have given God, and he has given back to me.
I do not know what is next, but know that God is already there.
I miss Haiti.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
The New Normal
O Happy Day! The internet is working today and I am glad to finally blog about our week.
Haiti is working hard to survive the earthquake and busily finding the new normal. You cannot miss the resiliency of the Haitian people that is evident all around the city. Although the city looks nearly the same as it did 3 weeks after the earthquake, the people seem to be looking for ways to begin again.
Not much has changed in regard to the rubble or the rebuilding. Some areas look exactly the same as it was in January. No large equipment has been rushed in to clean up and begin rebuilding. Hand excavation is still the main method of clean up and Haitians working with Haitians still seems to be the way things are getting done. Some commerce has returned to the streets and some of the city appears to be what I imagined pre-earthquake PaP was like, with street vendors and all types of produce for sale, among the seas of people, mud and a rubbish on the street.
There are still vivid reminders that much of the city 'fell down'. There is no denying that there was deep loss and death here. I am not sure it is evident to those that were not here immediately after the quake, but that is right where my thoughts go when I see a downed building. I think of those that I met that suffered the deep personal loss of family and my heart aches for them again.
We have spent our week working on the Seminary grounds helping Curt and Franz organize the workshop and finishing additional space in the workshop. We hope to put a new roof on the building tomorrow. This is work that they have needed to finish for a long time and we are honored to help them in this way. We hope that our time here has been good for them. We have commented that we feel we are here to serve the servants, so they can continue to do the work the Lord has put before them. We have enjoyed being a little part of the big picture and just spending time working busily for the betterment of the church in Haiti and supporting our church here. The work we have done this week will equip many to continue ministry in Haiti... what an honor to be a part of the big picture.
On Wednesday we visited the BelAire Church and clinic. Mark, JonWeiss and Calixt were there and had big hugs waiting for me. It was so awesome to see them and the growth of the Heart to Heart clinic since we were here. What a blessing to have been a part of this work and to have these Haitian friends.
Mark and Calixt walked down to Sandy's house with me. She was not there! How awesome is that? She was out and about (on crutches) with her external fixator and all :) She is to have another surgery to remove the hardware from her femur on July 16th, and her mom reports that she is doing well. I left her a years worth of vitamins and calcium to help with her recovery and Mark promised me that he takes someone from the clinic down to her house about once a week to check on her.
Curt, Beth, Grayson, Jennifer, Franz and Alise are our team in Haiti. They face many challenges today and in the months to come. Please pray for them.
Today... we will attend church in PaP and then a short visit to the beach. What a great Sunday.
What an honor it is to have a front row seat to so many awesome things that the Lord is doing. How did I get this life... I sure do not know.
I miss my family like crazy today.
From Haiti with love...
Haiti is working hard to survive the earthquake and busily finding the new normal. You cannot miss the resiliency of the Haitian people that is evident all around the city. Although the city looks nearly the same as it did 3 weeks after the earthquake, the people seem to be looking for ways to begin again.
Not much has changed in regard to the rubble or the rebuilding. Some areas look exactly the same as it was in January. No large equipment has been rushed in to clean up and begin rebuilding. Hand excavation is still the main method of clean up and Haitians working with Haitians still seems to be the way things are getting done. Some commerce has returned to the streets and some of the city appears to be what I imagined pre-earthquake PaP was like, with street vendors and all types of produce for sale, among the seas of people, mud and a rubbish on the street.
There are still vivid reminders that much of the city 'fell down'. There is no denying that there was deep loss and death here. I am not sure it is evident to those that were not here immediately after the quake, but that is right where my thoughts go when I see a downed building. I think of those that I met that suffered the deep personal loss of family and my heart aches for them again.
We have spent our week working on the Seminary grounds helping Curt and Franz organize the workshop and finishing additional space in the workshop. We hope to put a new roof on the building tomorrow. This is work that they have needed to finish for a long time and we are honored to help them in this way. We hope that our time here has been good for them. We have commented that we feel we are here to serve the servants, so they can continue to do the work the Lord has put before them. We have enjoyed being a little part of the big picture and just spending time working busily for the betterment of the church in Haiti and supporting our church here. The work we have done this week will equip many to continue ministry in Haiti... what an honor to be a part of the big picture.
On Wednesday we visited the BelAire Church and clinic. Mark, JonWeiss and Calixt were there and had big hugs waiting for me. It was so awesome to see them and the growth of the Heart to Heart clinic since we were here. What a blessing to have been a part of this work and to have these Haitian friends.
Mark and Calixt walked down to Sandy's house with me. She was not there! How awesome is that? She was out and about (on crutches) with her external fixator and all :) She is to have another surgery to remove the hardware from her femur on July 16th, and her mom reports that she is doing well. I left her a years worth of vitamins and calcium to help with her recovery and Mark promised me that he takes someone from the clinic down to her house about once a week to check on her.
Curt, Beth, Grayson, Jennifer, Franz and Alise are our team in Haiti. They face many challenges today and in the months to come. Please pray for them.
Today... we will attend church in PaP and then a short visit to the beach. What a great Sunday.
What an honor it is to have a front row seat to so many awesome things that the Lord is doing. How did I get this life... I sure do not know.
I miss my family like crazy today.
From Haiti with love...
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Extreme Home Workshop Makeover
Today was the real day 1. We worked, got super dirty, oh yeah, and it was HOT.
We spent the day working here on the Seminary grounds. There is much to do here, and we are here to help in any way we are needed.
Poor Franz, I organized his workshop for him today. I am sure it will make sense to him, eventually. The Josh, Mike, Jeff and Matt finished pew boards all day, until the rain shut them down, and Judy worked in the house cleaning and packing linens for the next team to travel.
Spending time with Curt, Graysen and Alise today reminds me why I love Haiti... because God is here and is evident in those that serve here.
Looking forward to a trip downtown tomorrow to see BelAire clinic and how the city is recovering. God loves Haiti and it seems, from this view, that life is moving forward... with or without buildings.
We spent the day working here on the Seminary grounds. There is much to do here, and we are here to help in any way we are needed.
Poor Franz, I organized his workshop for him today. I am sure it will make sense to him, eventually. The Josh, Mike, Jeff and Matt finished pew boards all day, until the rain shut them down, and Judy worked in the house cleaning and packing linens for the next team to travel.
Spending time with Curt, Graysen and Alise today reminds me why I love Haiti... because God is here and is evident in those that serve here.
Looking forward to a trip downtown tomorrow to see BelAire clinic and how the city is recovering. God loves Haiti and it seems, from this view, that life is moving forward... with or without buildings.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Packing for trip #2
We are preparing to head back to Haiti. I am anxious to see the church and the city. I am anxious to talk with Haitians and hear how life is for them. I am anxious to see what has happened in the 3 months since I was first there.
I am expecting to see miracles in the form of spiritual restoration and HOPE.
I will let you know what I find.
I am expecting to see miracles in the form of spiritual restoration and HOPE.
I will let you know what I find.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Be hungry.
This Lenten season is bearing down on me like never before.
I think I was close enough to God is Haiti to gain some clarity that I did not know I needed.
God is telling me to 'be hungry'.
I am.
I want to see more, do more, and know more about what this life is for and what it means to have lived for Christ.
More than ever before I want to see God moving around me daily and be in the middle of something He is doing. Not by my hand, but his.
I cried out to God in Haiti and asked him to do something.
I understand, he is and will continue.
How did I get here? I do not have a clue... but so glad I did.
I love this life.
I think I was close enough to God is Haiti to gain some clarity that I did not know I needed.
God is telling me to 'be hungry'.
I am.
I want to see more, do more, and know more about what this life is for and what it means to have lived for Christ.
More than ever before I want to see God moving around me daily and be in the middle of something He is doing. Not by my hand, but his.
I cried out to God in Haiti and asked him to do something.
I understand, he is and will continue.
How did I get here? I do not have a clue... but so glad I did.
I love this life.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Home. Sort of...
After a long, long trip home and a night on the floor in the Atlanta airport, we were welcomed safely home into the arms of our families on Sunday. With that, we began the task of fitting back into our nicely orchestrated American lives.
Sounds easy, but it is not.
I struggle with this so much that I actually dread it. The last good-bye before leaving home to my kids, grandkid and husband are #1 the hardest of any trip. But no question , #1.1 is leaving Africa in Africa and of course, Haiti in Haiti. The good-byes are tearful on that end too. The God-forged friendship that grows in one week is nothing short of phenomenal. This is true love, the way God intended, in the church. They need hope and we have an abundance and we feed off of each other... both getting just what we need and growing in love and respect each day. Then it ends and we come home, changed AGAIN... and trying to figure out what is next.
The easy and obvious next step is to go back. Which I would love to do, and have worked on since before leaving.
The not so obvious is how to be home and function. But, God gave me an epiphany yesterday.
Poverty looks different here.
But it is still poverty.
The poor in spirit is who I have equipped you to serve.
The poor in spirit cover the planet.
Serve the poor in spirit... wherever I put you.
Once again Debbi Ann... bloom where you are planted.
This is so, so, so good. I know this and I have learned this before and actually gave me this personal perspective about 10 years ago... so this is not new to me, but rather an update. A reminder of what my attitude should be.
God is so good to his people, both here and in Haiti. He mourns with us when we hurt and knows our suffering and he has not forgotten Haiti. This is a time like no other for God to be glorified and revealed to Haitians. Pray that His Kingdom will come, in Haiti and His will be done among Haitians. We will count ourselves honored to be a part of it in some way, and willingly suffer with the Haitians in their immense sorrow for the loss of so many lives.
Lord, reveal yourself to Haiti and be glorified through the servants you have called, equipped and sent. Send more and more and more to serve the poor in spirit. Comfort the Haitians in their time of sorrow and pain. Be near to them in their loss. Minister to them by your Holy Spirit, like no other god they have known. Call to them as their God and pour your love out among the rubble. Infuse the cities with your peace and presence. Be glorified in all that is said and done in your name in Haiti , for decades to come.
On earth as it is in heaven.
Sounds easy, but it is not.
I struggle with this so much that I actually dread it. The last good-bye before leaving home to my kids, grandkid and husband are #1 the hardest of any trip. But no question , #1.1 is leaving Africa in Africa and of course, Haiti in Haiti. The good-byes are tearful on that end too. The God-forged friendship that grows in one week is nothing short of phenomenal. This is true love, the way God intended, in the church. They need hope and we have an abundance and we feed off of each other... both getting just what we need and growing in love and respect each day. Then it ends and we come home, changed AGAIN... and trying to figure out what is next.
The easy and obvious next step is to go back. Which I would love to do, and have worked on since before leaving.
The not so obvious is how to be home and function. But, God gave me an epiphany yesterday.
Poverty looks different here.
But it is still poverty.
The poor in spirit is who I have equipped you to serve.
The poor in spirit cover the planet.
Serve the poor in spirit... wherever I put you.
Once again Debbi Ann... bloom where you are planted.
This is so, so, so good. I know this and I have learned this before and actually gave me this personal perspective about 10 years ago... so this is not new to me, but rather an update. A reminder of what my attitude should be.
God is so good to his people, both here and in Haiti. He mourns with us when we hurt and knows our suffering and he has not forgotten Haiti. This is a time like no other for God to be glorified and revealed to Haitians. Pray that His Kingdom will come, in Haiti and His will be done among Haitians. We will count ourselves honored to be a part of it in some way, and willingly suffer with the Haitians in their immense sorrow for the loss of so many lives.
Lord, reveal yourself to Haiti and be glorified through the servants you have called, equipped and sent. Send more and more and more to serve the poor in spirit. Comfort the Haitians in their time of sorrow and pain. Be near to them in their loss. Minister to them by your Holy Spirit, like no other god they have known. Call to them as their God and pour your love out among the rubble. Infuse the cities with your peace and presence. Be glorified in all that is said and done in your name in Haiti , for decades to come.
On earth as it is in heaven.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Dega Je...
Life goes on in Port au Prince. They have a saying here... Dega Je "make it happen". We understand it a little more every day. It is how this place survives.
People are afraid to sleep inside, so they sleep outside even if their house is still standing. If their house has 'fallen down', they sleep on the street.
At first glance, food seems to be everywhere, but it is not available. Food is along all the sidewalks for sale by vendors... fruit, bread and even medicine. The food distribution lines are all around the city and peace is kept by the presence of the US Marines, the Canadian military the UN. But people are hungry. Many of the patients we saw today have not eaten or have eaten rice once a day. Clean water is not easily available, or not available at all. The people that have come to us are suffering on many, many levels.
Everyone has lost someone, and most have lost everything.
Since starting our new clinic at BelAire on Monday, we have already bonded with the community and feel like this is where we should be, partnering with the church, to be the church to the community. Good stuff. This is where the permanent site for the H2HI clinic will be located and the neigborhood is starved for the care. I asked some of the men in the church to hang the H2HI banner on the front of the church yesterday and they scurried up the stairs to get it up with huge smiles on their faces.
Tuesday Paul, Joey and I saw about 100 patients in about 5 hours at BelAire, and today Joey and I saw 80 patients in 7.5 hours. We were our own pharmacists and spent a special few minutes with each patient. All our patients know they are loved.
The most common chief complaints are diarrhea, vomiting, headache, itching and pain. I have heard my translator say many, many times "She is having pain in her back because she fell down in her house during the earthquake, then her house fell down".
When I ask about the family, I have heard my translator say too many times "Her husband is died" or "Her parents is died". All I can say is "I am sorry". They look me in the eye and I look back and I hold their gaze... long enough for me say with my eyes.... my heart is breaking for you. I touch every patient gently during my exam and hold their hand and pat them on the leg or the shoulder and with every touch, I want to be sure to say... you are loved.
Joey and I worked in tandem today seeing patients and dispensing meds. We started at 9am and decided at 3pm to take a quick break. A man had come by early this morning to ask if I would come to his house to see his wife. I promised I would, so once we decided to take a 15 minute break, we ventured out into the neighborhood to make a house call. The house was just down the street from the church and we found his wife just inside the front door. Her name is Sandy. She fractured her left femur during the earthquake (1/12/10), and had surgery on January 25th. She was not in the hospital until the day of her surgery, and suffered with a femur fracture for 13 days until they screwed her femur back together and applied the external fixation device. Today, she is laying 10 feet from the street in the middle of Port au Prince, next to an open doorway in the lower front room of her house. She is on the bottom story of a large concrete building with an external fixator on her left femur. She has a beautiful smile and a lovely spirit. Her husband wanted me to check her and change her catheter. That is all, just check her. She is doing so well and her family is taking very good care of her. Joey and I changed her catheter as her little 3 year-old son Mike, stood close by and watched us intently. We all held hands and prayed around her bed before we left. It was so very special and one of those things that can only happen when you are right in the middle of something God is doing.
One of my patients today came in bleeding and holding his wrist. He had a large laceration and needed sutures. Once I got him into the clinic and began to suture his wound I was able to ask a few questions. His name is Snider. He is 19. His parents and grandparents died in the quake. He has been on the street, alone since January 12th. He has not eaten in 2 days.
I have a 19 year old son and it is so painful to think of Kaleb alone on the streets of Port au Prince for the last 29 days with no where to go and no one to help him. Snider is out there tonight. I want to be his mom. I want to be the mom to so many kids I have seen is Haiti.
I have seen the same very elderly little old man on the street outside the church every day. He walked up to me when we were leaving today and held his hand out to me. I leaned forward and whispered in his ear "Jesus loves you". I am sure he did not know what I said, but the men from the church yelled at him to leave me alone. He was talking and talking and when I asked one of the men what he said he replied "He said if he does not die out here tonight he will see you tomorrow". I said, I will see you tomorrow.
Tomorrow is already Thursday. As much as we love and miss our families, we are not ready to come home. There is a massive amount of work to be done here and we want to do it.
Lord, work out your will for Haiti... and use us please.
People are afraid to sleep inside, so they sleep outside even if their house is still standing. If their house has 'fallen down', they sleep on the street.
At first glance, food seems to be everywhere, but it is not available. Food is along all the sidewalks for sale by vendors... fruit, bread and even medicine. The food distribution lines are all around the city and peace is kept by the presence of the US Marines, the Canadian military the UN. But people are hungry. Many of the patients we saw today have not eaten or have eaten rice once a day. Clean water is not easily available, or not available at all. The people that have come to us are suffering on many, many levels.
Everyone has lost someone, and most have lost everything.
Since starting our new clinic at BelAire on Monday, we have already bonded with the community and feel like this is where we should be, partnering with the church, to be the church to the community. Good stuff. This is where the permanent site for the H2HI clinic will be located and the neigborhood is starved for the care. I asked some of the men in the church to hang the H2HI banner on the front of the church yesterday and they scurried up the stairs to get it up with huge smiles on their faces.
Tuesday Paul, Joey and I saw about 100 patients in about 5 hours at BelAire, and today Joey and I saw 80 patients in 7.5 hours. We were our own pharmacists and spent a special few minutes with each patient. All our patients know they are loved.
The most common chief complaints are diarrhea, vomiting, headache, itching and pain. I have heard my translator say many, many times "She is having pain in her back because she fell down in her house during the earthquake, then her house fell down".
When I ask about the family, I have heard my translator say too many times "Her husband is died" or "Her parents is died". All I can say is "I am sorry". They look me in the eye and I look back and I hold their gaze... long enough for me say with my eyes.... my heart is breaking for you. I touch every patient gently during my exam and hold their hand and pat them on the leg or the shoulder and with every touch, I want to be sure to say... you are loved.
Joey and I worked in tandem today seeing patients and dispensing meds. We started at 9am and decided at 3pm to take a quick break. A man had come by early this morning to ask if I would come to his house to see his wife. I promised I would, so once we decided to take a 15 minute break, we ventured out into the neighborhood to make a house call. The house was just down the street from the church and we found his wife just inside the front door. Her name is Sandy. She fractured her left femur during the earthquake (1/12/10), and had surgery on January 25th. She was not in the hospital until the day of her surgery, and suffered with a femur fracture for 13 days until they screwed her femur back together and applied the external fixation device. Today, she is laying 10 feet from the street in the middle of Port au Prince, next to an open doorway in the lower front room of her house. She is on the bottom story of a large concrete building with an external fixator on her left femur. She has a beautiful smile and a lovely spirit. Her husband wanted me to check her and change her catheter. That is all, just check her. She is doing so well and her family is taking very good care of her. Joey and I changed her catheter as her little 3 year-old son Mike, stood close by and watched us intently. We all held hands and prayed around her bed before we left. It was so very special and one of those things that can only happen when you are right in the middle of something God is doing.
One of my patients today came in bleeding and holding his wrist. He had a large laceration and needed sutures. Once I got him into the clinic and began to suture his wound I was able to ask a few questions. His name is Snider. He is 19. His parents and grandparents died in the quake. He has been on the street, alone since January 12th. He has not eaten in 2 days.
I have a 19 year old son and it is so painful to think of Kaleb alone on the streets of Port au Prince for the last 29 days with no where to go and no one to help him. Snider is out there tonight. I want to be his mom. I want to be the mom to so many kids I have seen is Haiti.
I have seen the same very elderly little old man on the street outside the church every day. He walked up to me when we were leaving today and held his hand out to me. I leaned forward and whispered in his ear "Jesus loves you". I am sure he did not know what I said, but the men from the church yelled at him to leave me alone. He was talking and talking and when I asked one of the men what he said he replied "He said if he does not die out here tonight he will see you tomorrow". I said, I will see you tomorrow.
Tomorrow is already Thursday. As much as we love and miss our families, we are not ready to come home. There is a massive amount of work to be done here and we want to do it.
Lord, work out your will for Haiti... and use us please.
Monday, February 8, 2010
New Clinic at Bel Aire Church of the Nazarene
Today we drove into area of downtown Port au Prince to open a new clinic at Bel Aire Church of the Nazarene. We drove through what has to be some of the worst damage in the city.
There are what used to be four story buildings that are completely pancaked and no higher than one story. Nothing is left in many areas of the city, but people and chaos.
This church is right in the middle of it all.
Teresa and I had the honor of opening the clinic for these precious people that have been injured and displaced for nearly 4 weeks. Many still had injuries from the quake that had not been treated, many now suffer with conditions that come with living on the street. Scabies, diarrhea, parasites, headaches and unrelenting stress.
Today we saw children that were undernourshed and dehydrated, that are living on the street, covered with parasites that may have one meal a day. Some are with a parent, many are with grandparents and some seem to be with no one.
We cried it out on the way home.
I do not have the words yet.
My prayer today.... Lord please help these people.
There are what used to be four story buildings that are completely pancaked and no higher than one story. Nothing is left in many areas of the city, but people and chaos.
This church is right in the middle of it all.
Teresa and I had the honor of opening the clinic for these precious people that have been injured and displaced for nearly 4 weeks. Many still had injuries from the quake that had not been treated, many now suffer with conditions that come with living on the street. Scabies, diarrhea, parasites, headaches and unrelenting stress.
Today we saw children that were undernourshed and dehydrated, that are living on the street, covered with parasites that may have one meal a day. Some are with a parent, many are with grandparents and some seem to be with no one.
We cried it out on the way home.
I do not have the words yet.
My prayer today.... Lord please help these people.
A baby with a facial fracture...
Yesterday afternoon we opened the clinic here on the Seminary grounds. There are about 500 displaced people living here on the grounds and it was announced in church that we would open the clinic at 1:30. By 1pm the line was starting. There were 4 of us seeing patients and by 6:30 last night we had seen over 200 patients.
I will never forget two of the babies that I saw in clinic last night.
One is a 10 month old that I believe has a facial fracture. His mother laid over him to protect him and she was killed when their house came down. Later in the day he was pulled out of her arms, out of the rubble. There was a large concrete slab on his head and the outward injuries have healed and all he has now are scars. But his right eyelid is drooping and there is swelling, he is not feeding well and there is obvious obstruction in sinuses and upper airways. I fear he has a facial fracture and a nerve entrapment. I have a number to get back in touch with them and hope to figure something figured out today to get him helped. But I had to send them away last night with no immediate help.
The second baby is a 2 month old baby girl that was wheezing. She was working to breathe and needed medication. We did not have the medication she needed. It broke my heart to let her leave the clinic. The are sleeping outside and it is very, very dusty here and the air quality is very poor. I am so worried about her. I am crying out to God today that she will return today and we will be able to help her.
I have a new prayer that I have prayed several times in Haiti and God seems to be ready to supply. Jesus, I need some help here, please......
He has not let me down yet.
My prayer is that God will move in the lives of these babies and make a way for them.
This is so hard to see, and not change with an easy fix.
This is a big situation, with a long term need.
What will we do?
I will never forget two of the babies that I saw in clinic last night.
One is a 10 month old that I believe has a facial fracture. His mother laid over him to protect him and she was killed when their house came down. Later in the day he was pulled out of her arms, out of the rubble. There was a large concrete slab on his head and the outward injuries have healed and all he has now are scars. But his right eyelid is drooping and there is swelling, he is not feeding well and there is obvious obstruction in sinuses and upper airways. I fear he has a facial fracture and a nerve entrapment. I have a number to get back in touch with them and hope to figure something figured out today to get him helped. But I had to send them away last night with no immediate help.
The second baby is a 2 month old baby girl that was wheezing. She was working to breathe and needed medication. We did not have the medication she needed. It broke my heart to let her leave the clinic. The are sleeping outside and it is very, very dusty here and the air quality is very poor. I am so worried about her. I am crying out to God today that she will return today and we will be able to help her.
The other 45 patients I saw were all precious and many with stories of loss and fear that stop you in your tracks. This is a desperate situation.
There is no ER that they can go to. There is no safety net that will take care of these babies. They have to pay first to go to the hospital and these families have no money. This is so hard.I have a new prayer that I have prayed several times in Haiti and God seems to be ready to supply. Jesus, I need some help here, please......
He has not let me down yet.
My prayer is that God will move in the lives of these babies and make a way for them.
This is so hard to see, and not change with an easy fix.
This is a big situation, with a long term need.
What will we do?
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Saturday... in Haiti
Well, not much happened today.
We were allowed to drive right into the interior of the miliary controlled airport, drive our vehicle out onto the tarmac and load our cargo into a brand spankin new Kodiak plane to be piloted by a Mission Aviation Fellowship pilot from Holland.
When it was time to leave our ground crew pushed us out to the runway and we took off.
We flew South to Jacmel. Over Haiti. A-MAZING... is all I can say.
I am scared of heights and was mentally prepared to die... but we did not crash and I did not die. (I was seriously thinking that I was glad I had watched so much Bear Grills with Kaleb, and I think I could survive and hike out... if the sudden stop of the crash didn't smoosh me).
We arrived in Jacmel 25 minutes later. We were greeted by the Canadian miliary and whisked away to the church to start clinic. Within 20 minutes we were seeing patients. I saw 30 patients by 2pm and prayed with every one. They know they are loved.
I only cried with one family today. She is a single mom with 4 kids. They are sleeping outside and she is afraid and feels unsafe. She is grieving the loss of her husband, who died in September. Her name is Melielle. Friends, please pray for her. She broke my heart.
We had to be back on the plane by 2:30, so we made it back at 2:29. Our pilot flew us safely back to Port au Prince and the mountains, cities and the sea look amazing from 5000 ft.
I am still scared of heights, but I loved this anyway.
All in a days work, in Haiti.
We were allowed to drive right into the interior of the miliary controlled airport, drive our vehicle out onto the tarmac and load our cargo into a brand spankin new Kodiak plane to be piloted by a Mission Aviation Fellowship pilot from Holland.
When it was time to leave our ground crew pushed us out to the runway and we took off.
We flew South to Jacmel. Over Haiti. A-MAZING... is all I can say.
I am scared of heights and was mentally prepared to die... but we did not crash and I did not die. (I was seriously thinking that I was glad I had watched so much Bear Grills with Kaleb, and I think I could survive and hike out... if the sudden stop of the crash didn't smoosh me).
We arrived in Jacmel 25 minutes later. We were greeted by the Canadian miliary and whisked away to the church to start clinic. Within 20 minutes we were seeing patients. I saw 30 patients by 2pm and prayed with every one. They know they are loved.
I only cried with one family today. She is a single mom with 4 kids. They are sleeping outside and she is afraid and feels unsafe. She is grieving the loss of her husband, who died in September. Her name is Melielle. Friends, please pray for her. She broke my heart.
We had to be back on the plane by 2:30, so we made it back at 2:29. Our pilot flew us safely back to Port au Prince and the mountains, cities and the sea look amazing from 5000 ft.
I am still scared of heights, but I loved this anyway.
All in a days work, in Haiti.
Friday, February 5, 2010
We made it!
It took 24 hours, but we made it to Haiti. The commute from DR into Haiti was 9 hours and there were literally thousands of people lined up at the US Embassy trying to get a Visa into the US. The traffic in Port au Prince is like none other.
We met up with the rest of our team once we arrived and there are now 11 on our team. Part of our team has already deployed to Leogane today to work in a clinic there.
Myself and one of the docs will fly in a small plane to Jacmel tomorrow with Misson Aviation Fellowship to work in a clinic there for the day.
The remainder of our team will stay here in Port au Prince tomorrow to work in the clinic at the stadium.
Saturday... who knows.
I have not slept in 36 hours, but I have had a shower, and my new Haitian freinds are fixing beans and rice and chicken for supper.... homade Haitian rice and beans.
All is well and I look forward to clinic tomorrow.
Thank you Lord for today and for this opportunity.
I am so grateful.
We met up with the rest of our team once we arrived and there are now 11 on our team. Part of our team has already deployed to Leogane today to work in a clinic there.
Myself and one of the docs will fly in a small plane to Jacmel tomorrow with Misson Aviation Fellowship to work in a clinic there for the day.
The remainder of our team will stay here in Port au Prince tomorrow to work in the clinic at the stadium.
Saturday... who knows.
I have not slept in 36 hours, but I have had a shower, and my new Haitian freinds are fixing beans and rice and chicken for supper.... homade Haitian rice and beans.
All is well and I look forward to clinic tomorrow.
Thank you Lord for today and for this opportunity.
I am so grateful.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Hi Haiti, its gonna get better.
Today is the the day.
I can't wait to get there and tell my first patient in Haiti they are loved and cared for beyond what they can see or understand.
And, it's gonna get better.
I can't wait.
I can't wait to get there and tell my first patient in Haiti they are loved and cared for beyond what they can see or understand.
And, it's gonna get better.
I can't wait.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Welcome
If you live with me you know "look it" it something I say when I want your attention. I think I heard this from Ali McGraw in the movie Love Story in the 70's, and I have said it ever since.
On January 14th, when I really learned of the expanse of the devastation of the earthquake in Haiti a full two days earlier, I could not look away and all I could think is "I want to be there". Not only be there, but get there as quickly as possible.
I leave for Haiti in 10 days.
God has given me the desire of my heart, again.
Thank you God.
I will do my best to tell the story here.
On January 14th, when I really learned of the expanse of the devastation of the earthquake in Haiti a full two days earlier, I could not look away and all I could think is "I want to be there". Not only be there, but get there as quickly as possible.
I leave for Haiti in 10 days.
God has given me the desire of my heart, again.
Thank you God.
I will do my best to tell the story here.
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