Haitian Adventures

Bon Jou from Haiti! We have had a wonderful weekend full of fun and delighting in all the Lord has shown us this week. On Saturday the team took a hike up the mountain range behind the OMS campus, led by two very patient Haitian men and one of their sons. We chased five year old Das up the mountain and were in awe of God’s landscape with each step. One of our fearless translators joined us for the hiking adventure which allowed us to get to know him outside of the clinic and on a more personal level to develop greater relationships. Saturday afternoon you could find us all sitting by the pool at a beautiful resort just down the street. With palm trees providing shade over the lounging chairs and sounds of victorious yells by the water volleyball net. Our team, the Haitian therapists, and local missionaries with their families thoroughly enjoyed our relaxing evening. Later Saturday afternoon, we made our way to the beautiful Emmaus University campus and enjoyed a Haitian pasta dish and celebrated Bev’s birthday again with some delicious chocolate cake! We spent the night catching up with Julie (the OMS missionary and physical therapist) and enjoying fellowship with each other. Sunday morning we woke up to drink coffee and watch the sunrise over the trees. We ate fresh pineapple, homemade bread, and got ready for church. We attended a Haitian church where Bill (Julie’s husband), a Canadian missionary and Emmaus professor, preached in Creole. Luckily we were able to get the English notes prior. We swayed to the handmade beats of their worship and enjoyed the melodic singing. We enjoyed the rest of Sunday relaxing and preparing for the unknown of the week ahead. Please pray for energy, wisdom, and perseverance as we work through the week.

-Abbey

Lessons from Haiti: don’t stand under an avocado tree

Today, we got to take our mission on the road via a mobile PT clinic! This is something the Bethesda clinic and our team leaders have been praying about and planning for years. Thanks to God’s plan and timing, He was able to make this dream become a reality today.

At the clinic, we triaged about 70 patients of all ages. We saw a wide variety of impairments; from back pain after an avacado fell on their back, to complex neurological patients. Overall, it was incredibly rewarding to help people who don’t have easy access to health care.

On the drive into the mountain town, it was awe-inspiring to see God’s beautiful landscape creations here in Haiti. It was also really powerful to drive through Haitian towns and learn more about their culture and lives. 

It’s evident that God hand picked every person on this team. It’s been less than a week, and the teammates and translators already feel like family. We spend every night with sore cheeks from laughing and smiling so hard. Each person has played such a special and unique role in the team, and it has been incredible to be a part of it. 

Please pray for our team for wisdom, guidance, safe travels, and to continue spreading the love of God. 

-Tara 

Sounds of Haiti

When I sit back and reflect on our time in Haiti so far, the most resonating part is the sounds. The sounds of waking up each morning (or middle of the night) to rooster calls right outside our window. The sounds of our mealtime prayers of gratitude for the food and our wonderful cooks. Sounds of music blaring in the background, and cars honking on the roads. Even quiet sounds, like the crickets at night or whispered prayers for a patient in the clinic. 

“And all that believed were together, and had all things in common.” Acts 2:44

It’s not anything deep, but this is what fills my head when I think of our time in Haiti.  

-Zach

The next couple of days we will be experiencing life in the community around Bethesda. Please pray for us as we have the opportunity to extend our reach to people that don’t have the resources to get to the clinic.

P.S. Today was Bev’s birthday. We won’t say the age, but we enjoyed every moment to love on her, sing to her, and eat cake alllll day long. Happy birthday Bev!

You don’t need to be successful, just surrender

Bonjou family and friends! It’s day 3 here in Haiti and we are absolutely LOVING IT. Has each day been easy? No. Has everything gone accordingly to plan? Of course not! But even still, God has found so many ways to work within us, the OMS and Bethesda team and the people of Haiti. Today was full of surprises and overwhelming moments BUT God turned the mess into a Milkshake. God turned pain into peace. God turned overwhelming to overflowing blessing. How? Because He is not looking for us to be 100% successful and 100% perfect. He is looking for us to surrender 100% to use us accordingly to His plan and to work out the situation for OUR (the team, the people of Haiti) good! 

One of the goals of the trip was to get increased collaboration between the physical therapy clinic and the medical clinic.. Each morning our team has provided the medical center nursing staff with education regarding common health issues seen in Haiti (like Diabetes and Hypertension), and how physical therapy can help to treat and prevent those conditions. It can be unnerving and discouraging to not know if the education is meaningful and making a difference. 

Today, God showed us that a difference is certainly being made- the PT clinic had the VERY FIRST REFERRAL of a patient with Diabetes from a head nurse at Bethesda clinic, and it was AWESOME. The patient got an individualized plan, just for her and her condition and she left with a smile on her face and encouragement in her heart. 

Our team had a fun day, bonding with each other, our translators, growing in our faith and our profession. We are looking forward to the rest of the trip. Who knows what God has in store!

 -Jay

An Adventure in Cap Haitian - Day 2

Today the team had a great experience in Haiti as we treated patients in the clinic and made house visits. The day began with Bev and Wick giving education to the medical staff about Diabetes and how diet and exercise can help. Many Haitians struggle with this issue. Zach and Jay lead a devotion to the medical staff about being present in the moment with God and read a few passages from the Bible. The team proceeded to begin seeing patients and giving out exercises for them to work on at home. We prayed with patients that their condition may improve and to give them strength to perform the tasks they need to do on a daily basis. After eating lunch, the team split up in three groups and traveled to three different Haitian homes for home health treatment. Groups were split to cover more ground as Tara, Julie, our translator Junior, and I traveled up a mountain to treat a patient with a stroke. It really spoke to me about the will of the Haitian culture as the husband of the patient we were seeing would carry her on his back for treatment in the clinic down the mountain they live on, traversing rocks and creeks to allow her wife to receive medical services. After hiking up the mountain through a trail, we were able to treat the patient and pray with her. The day was filled with great experiences from the entire team and we hope to continue to help Haitians and spread the grace of Christ.

- Will

We’re Off to Haiti!

Our team took off like a herd of turtles but landed in the deep end! After a 15 hour flight delay, we finally arrived at the Bethesda PT Clinic. We were met by a huge line of patients who had waited all morning for our arrival today. Everyone jumped right in and did amazing work. The team is already working smoothly and pouring out their best. 

Please pray for us to be able to rest well and catch up on our sleep. Also pray that we would be effective ministers each day and that our hearts and minds are fully present here.

Wrapping up Peru 2019

After wrapping up this week in Lima, we got up early Saturday morning to catch our flight to Cusco. Then we rode a train to Aguas and the scenery was absolutely breathtaking. We also did some shopping in the market and had supper in Aguas. 

While looking back on this week, all I can think about is how many lives we have impacted in such a short amount of time. This trip has been so humbling. We are so incredibly thankful for MMI for showing such hospitality and for providing true teamwork to reach such a great goal of providing physical and spiritual healing. I also can’t imagine this trip without Heath and Katie, they have been such a vital part of the team and what they’ve taught me is invaluable. Although we’re sad to say goodbye to MMI, Heath, and Katie, we’re excited for this new adventure. 

-Kala