Our Final Thoughts!

The topic for this blog is for each person to describe their day in one sentence!

Deb (AKA “Ultra Blanc”, “Silver Fox”) was a “gazelle” going up the mountain to Degeance and she got to see her sponsored child, Adeline!

Jean (AKA “Mary Jean”, “Worker Bee Beast”) had PTSD episodes as she inventoried all the dental equipment with flashbacks of 135 tooth extractions this week from ages 3-adult.

Pam spent the day sitting in the waiting room at Pierre Payen with some of our students, some chickens and lizards.

Rene got baptized in Haiti again…. this time with urine.

Vanessa’s audiology office included students, a translator, chickens and a dog.

Crystal and Josh found out that the Pierre Payen hospital is looking for a pharmacist and a businessman…. Hmmmm?

Jameson spent his day talking about belly aches, headaches, and diarrhea… oh my!!

Kem finally got initiated into the group by squatting and peeing in a hole, and thanks “Mean Girl” for being able to get back up.

Joey adopted a Haitian dog.

Kathe was the first one on the truck today after almost being left behind yesterday due to being at “Walmart.”

Kelly got to meet her sponsor student today… no thanks to Kathe or Deb!

Bahi started her morning by getting slapped in the face by Kathe trying to get off her bed.

Sharon had a time-out and was punished by spending the day by the beautiful ocean at the Mission Center.

Emily drowned 10 fruit flies in a student’s ear with a water pik.

Sam was able to join us today because Jameson did NOT lock him in their room!

Ciera wanted to adopt a student… but settled for drinking out of a coconut.

*Sorry for the lack of pictures again... wifi is too slow!*

Friday at MPCA!

We spent Friday at MPCA and it was a great day. Since it is such a big school, we were strategic in how we saw the students. We were fortunate enough to see the sick students, and I think Lydie (our dentist) reported that nearly FORTY teeth were pulled today. WOW! It has been a busy week, but such a great one. Our team got a chance to actually spend time playing and interacting with our students today in a non-medical way, which was refreshing. Tonight we spent time together sharing about how we all ended up here; it was fun to hear the different paths we took & details that had to line up in order for each of us to be here in Haiti serving together. We know that it was all God and that we were hand-picked by Him alone. Pastor Herve shared how he has been involved in different aspects over the last 30-ish years, and it was neat for the team to hear his heart and his vision for this ministry. We concluded the evening by praying over both Pastor Herve and Ruth, as they are each field leaders in Haiti & the Dominican Republic. It has been pouring rain all night, so once we were finished we each had to make a quick dash back to the dining area from the gazebo, some of us losing flip flops along the way! This team has been a blast, always finding new reasons to laugh together and encourage each other. What a blessing. :) 

Vanessa with one of the students that she fitted with a hearing aid. So neat!

Pam giving the dickens to the MPCA students.... just kidding. :)

The students loved Kathe!

Josh looked out for his new little friend today!

The Community Agents gathered together for the final time this trip.

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Chardene!

I thought I’d take a moment from counting the number of mosquito bites I have to update the blog! Our team is in full swing of the second week. Even though there are only two more days of seeing kids and performing medical assessments, there is still lots of work to be done!  Today we spent the whole day at Chardene and saw 200 patients. The line of students seemed almost as vast as the view of the Caribbean Sea from the Mission Center; it appeared to go on for all of eternity. However, our fearless team continued to work together as a well-oiled machine. Any time part of a group leaves and new members join, there can uncertainty to how the team will function. As the posts before mentioned, we have been blessed with two weeks of great team members with one goal in mind – to serve God’s children in Haiti. Please pray for our team tomorrow and Saturday as we finish the work we came to do. Many have been here for more than a week and fatigue can begin to set in at times like these. Pray that we would be focused on our mission and for energy to sustain us as we grow tired.

Personally, today was tough for me as clinic was very busy and there were several children and staff with many medical needs. I could feel myself “hitting a wall” and just needing rest. However, today was also very rewarding for me as I was able to follow up with a patient from last week, who had improved immensely. I also had the opportunity to go to the local hospital and visit a patient that I saw yesterday who required surgery for a broken arm. Praise God that this little boy’s surgery went well!

In the morning, I can easily see small islands off the coast of Haiti from the mission center. By night, their view disappears in the darkness, but it is a wonder to imagine them clear as daylight. In the same way, after our time at the school is over for the day (and even after the trip is over) the vivid images of the students pictured in our minds will be forever engrained, even though we can not physically see them. 

-Jameson (with help from Sam)

*Wifi is too slow to upload pictures tonight, but trust us.. it was a good day!*

Dupin!

Our team started off the day practicing being flexible. We were scheduled to go to Dupin, but it rained during the night and was raining again in the morning, so we decided we would go to MPCA instead. Just as we were gearing up to go there, plans changed again and we decided that going to Dupin would be safe afterall. Our team members were wonderful with being patient with the leaders, which was very appreciated. It was a busy day up at Dupin- approximately 20 teeth were pulled by the dentist, lots of ears were flushed, feet were tickled and checked, and several physicals were completed! Our team is working really well together, which helps us push through our exhaustion. Tonight Balak and Schneider came to the mission center and lead worship for us, which was a really sweet time together as we just slowed down and focused on something different (and more important) than medical-related things. It was a good day!

We had another great day with the community agents this afternoon. Three of the agents presented their capstone projects, which stimulated many questions and good conversation among the group. I am so proud of them for the effort that they have put into their projects. Our session ended with a lesson on scabies. After learning about scabies, the community agents role-played talking to the family of a child found with scabies at their school.  They were very engaged! -- Deb

Shout out to Belinda, Claudia, Steve, and Bekah, who were with us last week. We miss you! Belinda- Kenbelove's dad came to the school today hoping to see you. He says hello and he hopes to see you next time. :)

Emily had a busy day flushing ears!

Bahi checked student's height and weight!

Kem enjoyed her time checking (and tickling) the students' feet!

Balak was very interested in the dental tools!

Kenbelove and his papa with Pam!

Our day at Saint Marc!

The first day with a new team was fantastic.  We spent the day at St. Marc. Everyone jumped right in and found a job.  It’s always amazing to see how God orchestrates putting a team together, with the different personalities and skill sets.   From getting a good hearing check to seeing the dentist, the children received a full range of services.  There were some treatments and dressings to do, ears to flush and medicine to disburse, but overall the students are looking healthy.

We ended our day with one of our interpreters, Balak, playing his guitar and teaching us a few praise and worship songs.  The highlight was when his sister Magdala accompanied him on a duet.  Schneider, another interpreter, even joined in playing the drums.  Singing along with our Haitian friends was such a great reminder that God’s love knows no border.  We all sing praises to the One True God.  It truly was a joyful noise unto the Lord.

We came home to a wonderfully prepared meal by Monita and enjoyed the evening together.

We are all excited to head to Dupin tomorrow and enjoy another day loving on the children and serving together. – Kelly

Wonderful day.  Beautiful children and young adults.  My only regret was not practicing my Creole enough to be able to communicate better.  However, that gave the older kids a chance to practice their English!  --Kathe

Jameson took good care of this sweet little guy at Lanzac!

Kelly got to snuggle a 2-year old student this morning!

Cierra had a big task of assessing our students today!

Josh was brave and held the light so our dentist could pull some teeth. His face says it all. :)

We enjoyed some spontaneous worship today after we finished working!

New team's arrival!

The second week team arrived safely this afternoon! After a long morning at Lanzac, followed by a busy afternoon at Saint Marc, the two-weekers were sure great to see their smiling faces once we got back to the Mission Center! Deb spent the afternoon with the Community Agents as they presented their capstone projects; she was very happy with how well they did! The rest of the team saw several students today and kept extremely busy! With a smaller team it was a little bit more difficult, so we're excited to add the newbies in with us tomorrow. :)

Keep praying!

A day of rest!

Today was a day of rest; just what we needed. After attending church at MPCA together, Belinda, Claudia, Steve and Bekah all headed to the airport to begin their travel home! We will certainly miss them but are looking forward to our next team coming tomorrow. Our day today was full of getting organized for next week, catching up on a few things from last week, meal prepping, handwashing our laundry, swimming, and even a couple of naps. It was wonderful to be able to breathe, re-charge and get ready for what God has for us in this coming week. Week 2 folks- we're ready for you!!!

Final day for the week 1 team!

What a great trip we had going to Degeance today to do physicals on the children there!  We got to the new property for the future MP Degeance School, and were so excited to see so many school children (on a Saturday) there to meet us and help us carry all of our gear up the mountain.  Upon arriving, the children were singing, just as if it was a normal school day. Many parents were there with the children, which was so helpful in getting histories, especially for the younger children. We saw more children today than we have at any other school this week. It was exciting to see Kenson who had been burned last Feb. He looked so healthy and has had an amazing recovery. Likewise, it was a joy to see Angelina, who had the abscessed tooth last Feb.  She, too, looks great and healthy. 

This being our 5^th day together, we were like a well-oiled machine. Our translators pretty much stayed with the same team members they had been with all week. We could not function without them, and it has been fun to share and get to know them even better throughout the week.  Upon arriving back to the Mission Center we took a “team picture”, as next week there will be some new members added to our team.

We had a sweet time of worship and devotions tonight after supper. Pastor Herve shared with us and Belinda gave us each a special verse. Each of us shared who we had been praying for this week and new MP t-shirts were presented to each team member.  It is sad to say “good-bye” tomorrow to Belinda, Rebekah, Steve, and Claudia. We will cherish the memories we have experienced together this week. We pray for safe travels home for them as well as for the new team members that will be arriving Monday.

Thank you for all of your prayers. We are feeling them here and appreciate them so much.

-- Deb

Shout Outs!

Ryan & Laura and kids, Scott, Daniel & Crystal, I miss you and love you! To my church family and friends, thank you for all of your prayers. I will be thinking about you tomorrow as we worship here, knowing that you are praying for us. The first week has gone very well. I’ve enjoyed so much being part of the physicals at each school this week.  Love, Deb (AKA Mom/Grandma)

Hi Wyatt + Ella, I miss you! Josh, I can’t wait for you to get here!

Love, Crystal Ps. Joey, you will be here soon!

Shout out to my family, friends, and coworkers! Your thoughts and prayers are felt here in Haiti! – Jameson

Mesi (thank you) Gordon, Omega family, and friends for all the prayers that are sustaining our team here in Haiti! – Jean

Hi family, Hachemy, & Grady! Hope you’re not all freezing to death. Hachemy, I’m mostly talking to you! ;) – Rene

BIG shout out to Alli, Sam + Charlie. I miss you & can’t wait to see you! Andrea, it’s never the same without you! I miss you too! – Belinda

Shout out to the Wapak and Lima Sertoma Clubs, thanks for all of your support! –Vanessa

Mark – the guards all ask about you and wondered if you were coming, and I miss you too! – Pam

Mom and Dad (Mac and Joan) – It has been a wonderful experience full of blessings. Looking forward to see what God has for us during this next week. Soaking up the sunshine as much as I can and will pack it with me to bring it back for you. Love you all!  - Emily

To our Jesus family, thank you so much for praying for us! We are so thankful for our amazing team, and to be able to help all of the beautiful children! God is good!

Ps. Mom, don’t forget to pick us up;) – Steve and Claud