Emails from Haiti Team 3

2/20/10
No rain Friday night so we slept well and were up early. There is a cat here who thinks he's a rooster so there is a whole chorus going on each morning. In fact, there are goats and pigs and dogs everywhere...all scrounging for food. After devotions led by Annie we headed out for Carrefour and brought some extra food for Patrick Jean and family. Then we went to a neighboring camp called the Camp of the love of Jesus. It was a fairly small camp that had asked us to come and give them medical care. The camp was half way up a mountain so when we pulled in we were greeted by an amazing view of Port au Prince and the harbour. You know I had to pull out my camera! I just don't think the lens can do it justice. In fact, I haven't had as much of a chance for photos as I would like because we have been so busy, but I am not sure I could even capture all the devastation. Just when you think you've seen it all, there's more. Just when you think it couldn't get worse, it does. The saddest ones for me are all the schools destroyed. So sad to see the desks and chairs hanging off the buildings and the levels crushed...and now the children have nothing to do and it hinders their future. To get back to the camp, Annie and I saw patients and Pastor Mimsie and Michel ministered to people. We saw a case of the mumps and diabetes and a lot of dehydration. The pastors asked the people if they were mad at God for the earthquake and the people looked at them like they were crazy. They said no, not at all, they love Jesus. Wow, how amazing! Then we went back to Carrefour to pick a woman we saw yesterday who had a possible femur fracture. She was injured in the earthquake and hadn't had any medical treatment in the 5 weeks since! She was reluctant to go to the hospital because she thought they would amputate her leg. She brought her son and sister for comfort. The blessing is they also get fed at the hospital. Again, wonderful doctors! They took her in and X-ray her leg. It was a femur fracture and the bones were side by side instead of in a straight line. When Celemese (patient) saw her X-ray she freaked out and thought they would definitely take her leg off. The doctor asked her to wiggle her toes, and she could, so he told her she could keep her leg! She was so happy! The put her in a cast and scheduled her surgery on Wednesday when the ortho docs come to put a rod in her leg and straighten it out. So wonderful! Another life changed. When we were finished at the hospital with Celemese our team realized we hadn't eaten all day! So we stopped for food and went back home. We spent a few hours re-packing and doing inventory for the next group. We also ate Mama's signature soup for dinner and a cake we bought to celebrate our last night at Mama's house. Carla asked Annie to examine some of the people staying at her house, which she was happy to do. Two young women lost their mother to breast cancer last year and were afraid they would get sick. Annie examined them and she was able to show them how to do self-breast exams. What an amazing privilege! Annie has been such a God send to this team, to this family and all the camps. We finished packing and off to bed...big day on Sunday!


2/19/10
Today was a looooong day! We got up and out on time and headed back to Carrefour. We were there from 8am to 12 noon providing medical care and ministry. As we began we prayed with those on line. One woman came forward and began leading worship...it was so beautiful. The funny thing is they pronounce Jesus as JayZ...sounds really funny, especially if you don't know what they are saying. Before we started seeing patients. Pastor Michel called people off the line who were feeling depressed and wanted prayer. Half the people came off the line! Many people were just battling the emotional effects of the earthquake. We were able to see over 60 patients, most of the same complaints, some impetigo and 4 people serious enough to transport to the hospital. We brought Max who has elephantitis (really large swelling) on his face, he is scheduled for surgery tomorrow. Little Patrick is 4 years old, but looks like 8 months. He was so malnourished and basically failure to thrive. They gave him pedialyte, vitamins and food. He began to perk up on the ride back home. He loved the dried cranberries I gave him...man after my own heart. Everyone who saw him fell in love with him, even the nurses and doctors at the hospital. BTW...the nurses and doctors at the hospital were awesome!! So helpful and caring. Many of them were from the Southern Baptist Convention International Relief Team. Big Paul, who ran the inventory, was a huge help loading us up with all the supplies we needed, he was from Arizona. The third patient was Pascal, who got a small piece of wood lodged in her ear. It was so far in that they couldn't remove it (too close to the eardrum), so they gave her drops and antibiotics. Patient 4 is our miracle of the day. She was not actually seen or assessed by Annie, she is the sister of patient 3 (Pascal) and we thought she was just riding along to be with her sister. She did say her chest hurt on the way over, but again we did not think it was serious. All four patients were registered and examined relatively quickly (thanks Paul). When they examined Sybile (patient 4), they had her take her shirt off. Annie said she could see the lump in her breast from across the room! Sybile is scheduled for a life saving surgery on Sunday AM. She will have a radical masectomy, which is tragic for a 26 year old woman, but due to lack of radiation or chemo, this is the best chance she has for survival. God only knows what her fate would have been if God did not bring us together. As Annie and I stayed at the hospital, the rest of the team brought more food to Delmas 62. We met back at home base, ate, de-briefed about our day and are now ready for bed. Still can't see the stars...too cloudy. Oh yeah, both Carrefour and Delmas made out OK in the rain. Today was hot and sunny so it dried everything up.
Goodnight from Haiti!
Tara, Annie, Mimsie and Michel

Emails from Haiti Team 3

2/18/10
There was crazy rain and wind last night and the mosquitoes ate me alive! Because of the mess the rain made we were delayed in getting out. We had devotions and prayer and then headed for Carrefour. We had to drive through the capital and got a first hand look at the devastation. Unbelievable. There are more fallen buildings than ones standing. And people have taken up residence in tents anywhere and everywhere...local parks, empty plots, even in the middle of the street divides. So many camps of displaced people, so much need. We got to Carrefour (basketball court camp). Annie and I set up the medical triage and the pastors began to sing and pray and preach with the people. Again we saw many people with headaches and stomachaches since the earthquake, several children with diarrhea and dehydration. One child was almost motionless he was so weak. We went to the hospital later and were able to get some re-hydration formula for him and bring it back. The line for medical attention was endless, mostly people wanting some attention and care. The weather became threatening so we had to leave. On the ride back Pastor Mimsie shared that he was able to gather a group of men and pray for them and share the gospel. Several men accepted Christ including one man who spoke perfect English. Turns out he was an English teacher before the earthquake and has now lost his home and his job. He and his family are now living in a tent. Pastor Mimsie had a good time ministering to him. We left Carrefour and went to the hospital. Big Paul was gracious enough to give us everything on our list so we can now go back to the camps and provide the children with much needed medicine. We had a chance to stop in town for some lunch, Annie and I had some local fare, crepes. Then back home to pick up food and Bibles for Carrefour. We were also able to use the baby bottles that were donated to help dispense the re-hydration fluid to the infants. We got to Carrefour and met with the committee and again there were more families than expected. The camps are growing quickly. We provided 52 buckets of food, water and Bibles to the families of Carrefour. It was a long day and we arrived home just as it got dark. We were able to eat another delicious meal of fish and rice before the lights went out. Now we are all sitting in the dark under tarps (its raining again) talking about the day. Thank you for your prayers. Team 3


2/17/10
The night air was perfect for sleeping last night. We were well rested even though we slept outside on concrete with pads and sleeping bags. We started the morning with devotions from Isaiah led by Pastor Mimsie and then prayer. Before we left Pastor Mimsie was able to share the gospel and pray with Didier, Carla's husband. We left our home base and headed to Jephte's church. Many were there digging thru the rubble and attempting to clear the site. They invited us to their Sunday service they hold just outside the church site. From there we headed to the first camp, Delmas 62. We went to the Madame, who had a foot injury, and Annie changed her dressing. Thankfully her injury was healing well. Then Annie and I set up shop and starting seeing patients, almost all children. James was our amazing translator. Annie took a lot of vital signs, listened to people's lungs and assessed their needs. There were mostly minor fevers and coughs, except on girl with a heart mumur, but the most common diagnosis was sadness. Children who did't run or smile or play anymore. If only there was a pill for that. But there is hope and we prayed with each one that God would bring them that hope. As Annie treated people and I kept the medical log, Pastor Mimsie and Pastor Michel shared the gospel with the camp. Several people accepted Christ and almost all of them asked for Bibles. So thanks to a generous gift from Pastor Mimsie's church we were able to go to Petionville and purchase 200 French Bibles to distribute with the food. Over a wonderful lunch of rice and beans we wrote "From One Life Missions With Love February 2010" in each Bible. After lunch we returned to Delmas 62 with the buckets of rice and beans and water the Bellevue family had packed. James went ahead and got a police escort because the crowd was getting large. Although there was some confusion because new families had not registered with Madame and others had come off the street looking for food, God provided us with safety and a system and we were able to complete the mission successfully. As we drove home you couldn't help but notice the life on the streets. Vendors were out with their colorful ware, buses were full and many had returned to work. Unfortunately, schools are still out and will be for some time. We got home and de-briefed the day and made plans for tomorrow. This is my first time in Haiti. Back home I have several Haitian friends who I consider angels walking on earth (mostly because they put up with me as a friend), and now I am surrounded by a household of angels. They are so kind and so sweet and treat us like royalty. Did I mention that MaMa is a chef...mmmm! Another great dinner! This "ground team" is truly a godsend and a blessing. Thanks for your prayers! Team Three...Mimsie, Michel, Annie and Tara

Team 3 has arrived in Haiti

2/16/10
At the end of day two we are at Carla's well fed and in line for showers. It has been disappointing in that all of the shopping and travel were delayed and so we have yet to get to the camps. Carla and her team were delayed getting to SD and so we had to purchase food after the airport. We were at the store for over three hours because of trouble with the transaction and packing the truck. Then they couldn't find half of the buckets we paid for...so Annie prayed and the buckets were found! We stayed in SD for the night, 5 hours sleep, and back on the road. Somehow we got separated from the truck of supplies and other van and so we were temporarily lost. Carla and Woody decided to go to the local bus depot and hire a guide. After some discussion and several men jumping in and out of our van (flashbacks to Kenya) one man settled in and we were on our way. As God would have it, Cornego, our new friend, also had some mechanical skills which came in handy as our van had a little trouble along the way. We got to the Haitian border and waited about an hour for the other van and truck to arrive. We were only stopped at the border for a few minutes and we were back on the road. We arrived at Carla's home around 4pm. Jephte's brother and father came over to greet us and talk with us about the mission. It was great to see Daniel again after first meeting him at Infinity just a few weeks ago. As we were praying together I was in awe of how God could bring all of these people together. Our common bond was Jesus and it was beautiful. We are packed and prepared for tomorrow, thankful to be of use and humbled by our God. Good night to all.

More pics from Team Two

Here are some pictures from the week that Team 2 was in Haiti

Team 3 is on their way!

We thank God for the team He has risen up to minister in Haiti this week. Please pray for Tara, Annie, Mimsie and Michael as they make their way into Santo Domingo this afternoon and onward into Haiti tomorrow. Pray for their safety as they make the 5 hour or so trek to the Mission Center. Pray for needed wisdom and strength throughout the week. They will be visiting the same camps that the previous two teams ministered in; to establish relationship and continuity. They will begin worship services in these camps, and will provide medical aid as well as 3,000 lbs of rice, 1,500 lbs of beans, and 1,000 liters of water, along with other miscellaneous items.

We are excited for what God is doing in Haiti! This past weekend outside the Presidential Palace and throughout the city of Port-au-Prince there was fasting and praying taking place. Hard core calling out to God! Jesus is alive in Haiti! Please continue to pray for this country and people. Prayer changes things and Haiti needs change!

Stay tuned...