Day 4

I have a correction to make. Yesterday we went to a school not an orphanage. We were told we were going to an orphanage initially but when we arrived it was a school.  We went there again today and saw some of the older kids at the school. The ages ranged from about 8-14.  We saw about a total of 80 children today.  They mostly complained of ringworm of their scalp, stomach pain and headaches.  The older children are starting to learn English and they were very proud to walk up and say "Hello, how are you?"  

After the clinic we headed back to MOH and spent some time bagging up vitamins to hand out tomorrow.  

The truck we have been riding in. 

The entrance to MOH emergency room

Nikki and Amelia ready to take on day 2 

Waiting to see us

The kids loved giving "high-fives" 

We worshiped tonight in the Church of Hope after dinner.  It was amazing.  They were mainly singing praise songs.  They would post the words in English on a screen so we could sing along.  Then all the sudden they all started singing " Bless The Lord oh my soul, oh my soul, worship His holy name..."   It was beautiful. We kept singing louder and louder.  Just when I thought I couldn't sing and praise any louder they put up on the screen Psalms 100:1 " Make a joyful noise until The Lord". It was like rolling thunder hearing all the voices singing in unison at the top of their lungs.  After this they called us up front to the stage and prayed over all of our MOH group. They praises The Lord for sending us, for us obeying and for our service. They prayed for our health and protection.  They thanked us for serving their people. The love I felt tonight was amazing. I came here wanting to share God's love with the Haitian people but here they are showering ME with God's love. People, Jesus is ALIVE in Haiti! " Sing like never before, oh my soul, I worship His holy name!"  

Day 3

Sleep was a little better last night but still woke up quite a bit. About 4:30 realized I needed to use the "little girl's room" and had to try to figure out how to get down from a top bunk while under a mosquito net without disturbing the complete stranger who was sleeping beneath me.  I did not succeed.  Knocked over her water bottle. Doh!

The rooster started to crow at 5:10.  I then went up to the rooftop to do my morning stretches. There was quite a breeze and the sky was clear.  It was so peacful stretching under the stars and seeing the outline of the mountains.  

Sunrise at 6:19

After breakfast we loaded up on a truck and headed down the hill to the MOH clinic to pick up the supplies.  It took about an hour to load up all the supplies and get all the translators there.  While we were there we toured the inside of the clinic.  It's awesome to see how it is growing. They have big plans of eventually having an operating room and maternity room!

Our translators are so funny and friendly. I worked with Williamson today. He has been working on the MOH for the past 2 years. Didn't have time to find out much more than that.  We were busy!

Nikki and Jen on the truck

Shelby, Laura, Amelia and Pat

It took us about 30 min to get to the orphanage in Caberet.  It was a very bumpy, dusty ride.  On the way we saw women washing clothes in the river, up to 5 people on one motorcycle riding and kids running around without pants on.  I did notice that the block homes seemed a little bigger and nicer the closer we got to Caberet.  I also noticed that the goats, donkeys and pigs didn't look as emaciated. 

First view of the orphanage

Figuring out how to set up the clinic 

We set up a weight/height/arm circumference station at the door. Then we had 3 nurses taking vitals and history from the children and teacher.  The patient was then sent one of the two doctors we have.  After that they were sent to the "pharmacy" for their meds and then finally to pray with the preacher. We saw 68 patient between the age of 3-8.  Most the complaints were of stomach pain, cough, headaches and ringworm.  Lots of constipation.  Nikki did find one child that significant infection to both ears.  Another child had a significant skin infection. Overall the children looked very healthy.  We gave them all medication for intestinal worms and sent them home with vitamins.  

One classroom

Our first 3 patients 

Cheese!

Nikki with a patient and her translator 

Jen working

Yes, I was working too 😉

Today was a great day!  We will go back to the orphanage again tomorrow to see the older kids. 

Day 2

The medical orientation went well last night. We learned that two of the mobile clinic days will be in a local orphanage that MOH has never worked with before. Lucky for them this medical team consists of a pediatrician, 2 pediatric nurses and 3 high school girls that are crazy for kids.  God definitely had this planned! 

I didn't sleep very well last night.  It started off very hot but then changed to freezing in the middle of the night.  Nikki grabbed us all an extra sheet this morning so hopefully we will be more comfortable tonight.  By the way, we are sharing one bathroom with 14 girls.... Can you imagine?!   We were literally sitting on the floor waiting in line for showers last night. 

This picture doesn't do the room justice but after seeing the villages today - this is the Marriott!

The bathroom 😳

After breakfast we went for a tour around the central campus of MOH.  I heard so many amazing stories. I can't wait to share them but it's way too much for his post 

After the tour we went to church.  It was an amazing experience to celebrate Easter with the local Haitians.  I couldn't understand what they were saying but could definitely feel their passion for Jesus!   A couple children sat with us and played with our sunglasses and took pictures with our phones. 

After lunch the medical team worked on getting bags of vitamins together to hand out at the clinic tomorrow. 

Then it was off to see Bercy which is another campus of MOH that houses a school. 

Finally we went to a small village called Leveque.  MOH has built 450 block homes for them.  150 other families currently live in tents. They have been in them since the earthquake 5 yrs ago.  They were only suppose to stay in them for 6 months.  

Here we had the opportunity to play with some of the children

Amelia found a buddy immediately

Nikki sharing her camera

Some of the block houses built by MOH

She stole my sunglasses! 

He would let go of the phone long enough to get a selfie. 

Ok. Well that's enough for tonight.  We are doing great. Tomorrow is the first clinic day so be praying that everything goes smoothly!  

We made it!

SssWe arrived in Haiti around 2:30 this afternoon and immediately felt the heat and humidity.  We immediately regretted not filling up our water bottles in the Miami airport.  We were greated at the door by cheerful music consisting of banjos, bongo drums and maracas. The scene was beautiful at the first window we stood by.  The mountain range was so pretty.  It took about 30-45 minutes to get through customs.  Then the madness started in trying to get all our bags from baggage claim and then finding our transport.  Once we got on the bus it was a mad dash for Mission of Hope campus.  There were a couple times when our bus was playing "chicken" with the oncoming traffic.  The scenery was an eye opener....to see the tiny huts made from sheets of metal.  We saw chickens, goats and cows roaming freely.  Once we got to MOH campus we were able to turn in all the medical supplies and get situated in our room.  We have already met so many friendly women.  Everyone has been so welcoming.  After getting set up in the room we went upstairs to sit on the roof of the guesthouse.  There is an amazing breeze!  

I'm currently standing in line for dinner and we will have orientation afterwards.  It has already been quite an experience.  Can't wait to see what the rest of the week has in store!  

First glimpse of Haiti

Nikki and Amelia in tax collection line.

Supplies laid out

View from the rooftop. 

The roof is the "hangout" area 😜

First meal in Haiti

Day 1!

So the day started early. I woke up at 3 am. Could not sleep with the excitement and anticipation for today. Cory and Parker took me to the airport to meet Nikki and Amelia at 5am.  The flight to Miami was quiet and peaceful and we landed safely around 8:30am.  We have a 4 hour layover and then will be on our way to Haiti.  

Another "God moment"

ISo I woke up this morning to do my stretches like I normally do and while I was stretching I was running through my check list of things to do before Saturday.  In just 2 days I will be flying out to Haiti.  This week I have been experiencing all kinds of emotions about this trip.  Excited and scared at the same time.  My biggest fear is that I will not know how to care for the people we will see in the clinics.  For this reason I have been studying flash cards on different diseases.  This morning around 6:10 I was in plank position and trying to run through the signs and symptoms of Cholera in my head when Cory turned on the TV. Immediately a preacher on the tv said "if God calls you to do something, he will equip you to do it!"  All at once I went from a feeling of anxiousness to joy and peace. I am amazed at how perfectly God set that up.  From the timing, the words, and the way the preacher said it.  It was almost as if I could hear God saying " I've got this, I'm taking care of you ... Why do you not trust that!"   God thank you so much for opening my ears to hear your message this morning and for being so patient with this hard-headed servant of yours.  

On a side note, I just want to thank each and everyone that contributed towards this trip through donations and prayers. Our wonderful women in our bible study contributed half of the medical supplies we need to carry.   I feel so blessed! 

Some of the supplies that I brought home

Supplies that Nikki collected.  And this isn't all of it!

Bottoms up

It's getting real. Just took my first dose of my malaria medication.  Praying for no side effects. I can't believe that next week at this time I will be sitting in the Miami airport waiting for my flight to Haiti!