Today we worked out of the clinic and we saw 152 patients.  Throughout the day there were so many kids that hugged us and showed us so much love.  One little boy about 13 years old saw the Creole bibles we brought and pointed and asked me for one.  I smiled and gave him one and he gave me the biggest smile and told me God loves me in Creole then very politely shook my hand and started to read the bible right away.  Just imagine such a simple gesture can make someone so happy.

Tonight a group of us went for a walk around the neighborhood with some of our friends that we have made over the year or so that we having been coming here (seven of us have been here at least three times).  As we tried to maneuver the uneven roads and stones, Helen (this is her first trip to Haiti) said to me, ”This place is not going to be the same in ten years time”  I said “I know and I want to be a part of it”  and she replied “Me too” .  There’s something about this place…..

Nancy

I can honestly say today was one of the most memorable days of my life.  I have been looking forward for almost a year to go to the tent city in Port-au-Prince and serve with the medical team.  This is my third medical mission trip to Haiti with TSC. What the Lord is doing here at the On Call Clinic in Delmas 75 is amazing.

Our day started with praise and worship and I shared the word from Psalm 145.  Through this Psalm the Lord reminded us that we are here to announce His wonderful deeds, His mercy, His kindness, patience and most importantly to tell everyone that He loves them and He takes care of all His creations even when we don’t understand the circumstances.  But the word tells us that we don’t have to understand everything about God, but He asked us to trust Him that He is in charge.

Entering Mega IV, the largest tent city in Port-Au-Prince, was a sobering and humbling experience for me. As we entered, children were running ahead and next to the truck, waving, smiling, shouting Hello and Bon Jour. I was amazed to see the big smile on their faces.  As I looked at the “houses” I had a hard time to imagine living in them for three years.” Living simple” will not justify how it really is and since I am still processing a lot of emotion, I hope the pictures will say a thousand words. Setting up in a larger tent was quick and the team worked together very well.  This make shift tent serves as a church on most days.  The team work was the following: Marie did the intake; Joe “filled many shoes”: took vitals, did wound care and helped in pharmacy;  Dr.Dave, Iseult and Michele did patient consult and treats; Helen, Paul, Nancy and myself were in the pharmacy section all day to fill up scripts. To say that it was hot in the tent is an understatement.  At some point the people were getting inpatient, many were pushing through the line to get in the tent and at one point even Dr.Dave had to address the crowd to calm down and be patient because everyone will be seen. But the work was done and 265 patients were seen for treatment.  I know we could never do it without the Lord and His joy was with us throughout the day. The translators were working with such peace and joy with us and we worked together really well.

Some of us finished the day with going for praise and worship night with the local youth and the orphans from the Child Hope orphanage.  We absolutely loved praising the Lord with the children in Creole, French and English.  All of us will remember this day and how we saw God at work, and praying that every patient seen will remember God’s love, kindness and care that was manifested today.

He said he was about 10, orphaned, living mainly on the streets and squatting in a bathroom when he was lucky. He said he got into a fight with another boy living on the street. He came to the clinic because he couldn’t see out of his left eye. After examination, it appeared that he suffered a fracture of his face that required surgery to rectify it. Tears ran down his face as he narrated his life’s story and situation. We provided him with a referral to a surgical facility and prayed with him. He left with somewhat of a smile but his life and situation remained unchanged as he disappeared behind the gate.

The late evening was spent packing medications and supplies for tomorrow. The translators, pharmacy team, everybody else and the local boys fellowshipped together as we prepared for a hectic day in Mega 4, a tent city. God was glorified, encouragements were passed sincerely, fun was had, and the task was completed.

Joe

During our morning devotion time, Dr. Dave shared a scripture from psalms (121:1-8). The Holy Spirit gave me encouragement through one of the verses that God never sleeps.  I was nervous as this was my first day in the clinic but this scripture strengthened me as He will be with me throughout the day.

Today we saw 82 patients with various complaints such as skin infections, stomach problems, headaches and eye infections.  We also saw more urgent cases such as a young boy who stepped on a nail.  We were able to treat him right away and gave him medications to clean his wound.  Both he and his mother left the clinic smiling.

After a hectic day we enjoyed a great dinner of malanga and other authentic Haitian dishes.  What a day!  I am truly grateful and blessed to be a part of God’s work here.

Helen- 

We visited the Baptist Mission Conservatory, walking through the green pastures with one another, taking pictures, viewing the animals, and speaking with some locals. We next sat in on a choir rehearsal in awe, we couldn’t move, and didn’t want to hear any other song. The lyrics of this song asks the Lord to hear the cry of the one person’s voice inviting Him in, if anyone is hopeless, if anyone does not have anyone to turn to…THERE IS JESUS. They sang the song over and over, and there we sat blessed and refreshed. We then went to the roadside to see the sights of available souvenirs. We viewed paintings, woodwork, hand crafted jewelry, had fun negotiating and conversing with the vendors. We then went home to prepare for dinner. We ate and laughed, joy was more our meal than the sustenance on our plates. Then we went into a time of devotions. Dr. Dave encouraged the team to allow God to do the work of transforming God’s call to us of allowing His chosen fast to become a lifestyle in us and through us is Isaiah 58:6-12. With that closing note we went to the beginnings of work. The crew began organizing the pharmacy and care packages in preparation for Day 1 of Clinic tomorrow.

As I sit typing it is after 9:00 pm and I can hear the sound of worship music coming from the clinic, “I see the King of Glory coming on the clouds with fire…”  I also hear the sounds of the nebulizer machine as our first patient is being treated for asthma.  Yes, our work has begun.

As the team slowly heads toward bed for a much needed night of sleep, our hearts welcome and anticipate the adventures tomorrow and the following days hold.

Nancy

During the day,  I was asked to define my favorite part of this trip.  Undoubtedly,  it would be our amazing local volunteers.  They are not just volunteers, but a joining missionary team.  They have served as evangelists in their own back yard.  Many of the volunteers requested the week off from their jobs while others were balancing classes and other obligatory demands – each one made the medical clinic a priority.  Their dedication was unreal.  It was an absolute privilege to work with them.

In total, our joining teams served approximately 200 men, women, and children in Pune’s red light district – Budhwar Peth.

We have fought a good fight, finished our assignment, and God has been exalted.

[Joette]

Treg McCoy, director of missions for Times Square Church, joined us to see some the work being done in Pune and to help further the relationship we have with PFCC.

Check out Treg and Glenda directly below in addition to pics of some our volunteers.

[Joette]

I’m sure the pictures can do a better job than I can in capturing how precious the children are to us, and more importantly, to Christ.

[Joette]

I can’t describe how blessed I felt from the energy of the volunteers that arrived to help out.   Firstly, I need to address the outpouring of people that gave up their time to help all day.  We had several doctors and dentists from PFCC seeing patients in addition to our medical team from Times Square Church.  Each doctor that was not a native speaker was assisted by a volunteer translator.  We had native-speaking nursing volunteers assisting with registration, and we even had youth volunteers assisting with refreshments and crafts in the waiting area.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen teamwork executed so eloquently.

In the midst of the chaos around us outside, there was God-given order.  From the medical team, to the pharmacy workers, to the volunteers helping those waiting to be served, to the runners directing foot traffic, all the way to the pastors and leaders praying for patients – there was peace throughout and within all of the moving parts.

What a way to kick off a commission.

[Joette]