Another Trip To Haiti

Please let me begin by apologizing for no updates or posts since January. I would like to say this was a time of waiting patiently for direction, wisdom, and most importantly and opportunity to return to Ouanaminthe, Haiti. The opportunity came at a time when I had almost given up hope in my return, as Hopegivers was no longer able to support Pastor Willio's ministry for many reasons I can respect. Still my every waking moment seemed consumed with thoughts of Haiti, hopes for returning, and closure from a very intense previous trip. Then I met Liza... My husband found a group (A Methodist group to boot) heading to Ouanaminthe in April. He sent me the link right away and I called immediately. The group of 7 was being led by Liza Case who had also been on a previous trip to this intriguing city. She too desired to go back on a medical mission trip and had done incredible planning to make this a reality. She eagerly welcomed me, even found a scholarship from her church to assist my travel, and sent off 3 large boxes filled with medications and medical scrubs for me to bring along. I was actually going again! Now I have to say, there was no way to avoid the fear of returning on such a trip. If you take time to read previous posts here, you will find stories filled with moments of anxiety, grief, fear, and definite uncertainty. I will chalk it up---well almost all--- to pure ignorance. Having never served in a 3rd world country, and certainly not to the extent of poverty in Haiti, I was truly taken aback by what I saw. Looking back now, I am beyond thankful for the opportunity to return, not only to serve, but for an entirely peaceful perspective to my previous travel. We were pickup from at the Airport in Puerta Plata by Dave and Pam who are American missionaries serving in Ouanaminthe for the past 3 years. We were driven in a large school bus, which, if I do say so myself, felt much safer than the 10 seat passenger van my previous group of 12 traveled in.

NOT TOO DIFFICULT A CHOICE!

The trip to Dajabon was quiet uneventful. I must admit, I felt unstoppable in this massive school bus. The number of missionaries staying in the hotel were odd numbered, and so I volunteered to sleep alone. Wow, Martha makes a courageous first step into conquering her ignorant fears. I slept like a baby, and awoke to the familiar sound of dogs barking incessantly, the constant hum of motorbikes, and of course that darn rooster that truly does not understand the meaning of "crowing at dawn." It felt like home to me.

The border crossing was smooth, quick and safe. The community had been stirring for hours prior to our early arrival. Locals washing clothing in the river, taxi's anticipating their first morning customers, and small children desperate to shine your shoes for any loose change one could spare.

I suppose I could give you a journal entry of what I did every day, but this update would be too time consuming to read. My purpose on this trip was to assist in eye exams at the COCINA medical clinic in Ouanaminthe. We had an inventory of over 7000 pairs of glasses which could be matched up with the vision prescription of the patient. It was an amazing system to say the least. We also had 3 dental hygienists performing intense and desperately needed teeth cleanings to adults and children, and one nurse doing well checks on school children. It was a mission well planned and certainly well executed. Of course the help of our wonderful interpreters surely helped! Now, if you had followed my previous posts, you will remember the orphaned children I wrote about. I knew I needed to see Pastor Willio during my time in Ouanaminthe as well as hug Widerson and David who I last saw at the bedside of the Dominican medical clinic. I surely needed some type of closure from a certain tragedy.

My wish soon came true as Willio pulled up to the clinic with 5 boys in tow. I quickly swept them into my arms and kissed the healed scars upon the boys sweet heads. It was in this moment I realized my time with these boys was not over. In some way, there was still work to do with Pastor Willio and the orphans. I just need to be patient in seeing where this journey takes me. I have learned the areas I need to be cautious and experienced the need for accountability in serving in Haiti, but my heart is even more sure that Pastor Willio has a passion for teaching children who otherwise would have not opportunity for education. As I gain more clarity, I will certainly keep you up to date, as I am sure I will need your prayers and assistance.

Lastly, I had the pleasure and privilege of meeting Hugues Bastien. He is the founder and Director of Institution Univers, a Christian school which was founded in 1994. In another post, I will share his story which like Willio is anything but extraordinary. “Institution Univers” includes all the academic education programs for pre-kindergarten (students admitted at age 3) up through grade 13. The school is on the French system, so there are 13 grades before graduation. We were astonished at how well organized and excellently run this school is. In their true understanding of the need for education in Haiti, they too will need our help to continue such a high level, and blessed program. During my time with Hugues, I had the honor of participating in a one day planting of 2000 trees which were generously donated by the Dominican Republic in an effort to assist the re-foresting of Haiti. The kids were thrilled to be part of such an important program, and boy were they ever proud to receive and plant their own tree. It is programs like this where Hugues brings experience and education together in a fantastic manner.

So where do I go from here? Back again...and again....and again... I feel more than ever before the calling upon my heart to continue serving in Ouanaminthe, Haiti. I have been introduced to two wonderful ministries who are in desperate need of support. In the coming days, I will introduce several ways you can become involved in this ministry. I thank you for your continued encouragment, support and prayers.