I have to admit I got to my breaking point today.
I could not hold back my tears as we saw the people at the clinic today. We saw many people affected by the earthquake - many injuries, including one man whose leg, while not broken, was still very swollen and painful to walk on; 2 baby boys who were being cared for by neighbors - both of their parents died (one baby was found in his dead mother's arms); and many many others with serious need and malnourishment. I just kept praying for them, asking the Lord to encourage their hearts and fill them with supernatural hope and joy.
I enjoyed being one of the pharmacists again today, and I also got to give out small toys, bracelets and lollipops for the kids. I kissed the babies on their sweet little cheeks, gave as many smiles as I could manage, and basically poured out all of the energy the Spirit gave me.
Last night I painted a lot of little toe and finger nails, and got to help the little girls here at the mission to make some crafts. They are so funny because they love to have their pictures taken and they pose like they are little supermodels. I laughed so hard that I almost cried. They just keep hugging me and kissing me and I just keep hugging and kissing them back. I know some of the hugs and kisses are from you too!
It's hard for me to organize my thoughts right now, but I hope you can hear my heart. It is so broken, so full of love, so inadequate, and so joyful all at once. It is what I expected to be, only so much more magnified.
Of everything I have to share, I'll leave you with this. I saw a little boy today that absolutely wrecked me. He is about three and had no shoes, which we quickly remedied, and both his parents died in the earthquake. His neighbor is now caring for him, but she already has four of her own children. How is she going to provide for him? How he must still miss his family! Oh, if only if I could do more than give him a smile and a lollipop. All I can think of tonight is how Josiah asked me if he could have a Haitian brother to keep and sleep in his bunk bed.
I know God can answer my prayers for him, but I cannot keep my heart from hurting and my eyes from crying. To see it and to touch him, to hold him and kiss him - please just take my word - it is so much heavier in person . . .
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
it was amazing!
I was able to meet with Pastor Fleuridor today as well as his council members and one interpreter. The meeting was amazing and I was honored to have their time and attention. They all told me some amazing stories of God moving and also some very tragic and sorrowful ones of pain as well. God's presence was among us and I was able to give Bibles, a tent, blankets, and more. What they gave me was encouragement, priceless information, many prayer requests, and the beginning of a beautiful friendship, and I'm praying a successful ministry partnership as well.
After my meeting I proceeded back to my "position" of prayer, but the patients had already been prayed over, so I assumed position of pharmacist, which I loved. It was so awesome to see to the needs of the people, earthquake related or not, and be able to give them medicine and treatment for it. We saw a lot of kids too. We also gave out vitamins and food, as well as hygiene kits.
MORE people tomorrow for Dr. Bob and the nurses to see. Thank you for your prayers and please do not stop!
More love from Haiti.
I would love more comments - I miss you all. I can think of about thirty of you who would love to be here.
Robyn
After my meeting I proceeded back to my "position" of prayer, but the patients had already been prayed over, so I assumed position of pharmacist, which I loved. It was so awesome to see to the needs of the people, earthquake related or not, and be able to give them medicine and treatment for it. We saw a lot of kids too. We also gave out vitamins and food, as well as hygiene kits.
MORE people tomorrow for Dr. Bob and the nurses to see. Thank you for your prayers and please do not stop!
More love from Haiti.
I would love more comments - I miss you all. I can think of about thirty of you who would love to be here.
Robyn
longest day ever!
So much happened yesterday that I could blog about for the next two hours and not tell everything. I felt last night at 8:00 that I had lived enough in that day to last for about a week! A few highlights . . .
Miami airport wanted to charge us thousands for our overwieght bags and extra luggage (14 extra bags). After pleading, praying, and waiting, they finally decided to only charge us for 7 extra bags and waive all overweight fees. Praise God - all of that money is now in Emmanuel's hands to reimburse him for the food he bought which we will bag and give at the clinic.
When we arrived in PaP, it was a madhouse trying to find and count all of our bags, which we did, then negotiate a price for help into our 3 vehicles that were waiting for us outside the security gate.
It was very stressful because I could not drive my cart very well (I think it was broken) and needed help, but we were not supposed to let people on the street help us because we had already negotiated to pay a few men to help us. But one man did have to help me and I did end up paying him a few dollars. Another man kept asking for money too, but I let someone else on my team tell him no. "No pay" she said. I wish I could have given more and let more help. I had to fight back tears when I escaped into the sweltering 15-passenger van.
After a frightening journey through the hectic and rubble-strewn "streets" where we saw so much devastation that was still so shocking, even after viewing all of the pictures from our media, we finally arrived at our hotel. This too is frightening. One building is reduced to nothing more than a pile of rocks, another seems to be teetering on pillars that are left at sick angles (which I have to walk past each day to get to the street), and the last is in good condition, where our rooms are located. The room is fine, nothing special, but I come to realize I might as well be staying in a palace in comparison to where everyone else in the nation is sleeping. A boy tells me today that he wants a tent for his mother who is too frightened to sleep in the house.
After dropping off our personal items, we headed to the mission to sort and unpack our luggage contents and ministry supplies. Medicine, clothes, toys, crafts, etc. Then I got to help pack some food bags in a sauna of a room that held sacks and sacks and boxes and boxes of food and had about 12 people as well. I think the room was the size of Josiah's bedroom. (Crowded much?)
After this I got to give Kori's sparkle jeans to a sweet little girl named Jennifer. She hugged me and kissed me and said merci several times. Today she is wearing them and I took her picture. Can't wait to show you, Kori. She is so special. She likes to give me hugs, even today. I showed her a picture of both Kori and Josiah and she wanted to keep it. I might give it to her before I leave, but I'll keep it for now to show everyone else.
I was also able to give out many of the Bibles I brought to the older girls here who lost theirs in the collapse of their dorm. They were so thankful and insisted that I sign each one. I wrote a prayer and Psalm 20 reference because it has become my prayer for the trip. What a privilege to deliver God's word to hungry hearts!
We had an organizational meeting and then headed back to the hotel to sleep. I slept well once I went to bed, but got up early because I was anticipating my meeting this morning. I'm so very anxious and I need to get off for now and pray for God's will and favor.
Love from Haiti!
Miami airport wanted to charge us thousands for our overwieght bags and extra luggage (14 extra bags). After pleading, praying, and waiting, they finally decided to only charge us for 7 extra bags and waive all overweight fees. Praise God - all of that money is now in Emmanuel's hands to reimburse him for the food he bought which we will bag and give at the clinic.
When we arrived in PaP, it was a madhouse trying to find and count all of our bags, which we did, then negotiate a price for help into our 3 vehicles that were waiting for us outside the security gate.
It was very stressful because I could not drive my cart very well (I think it was broken) and needed help, but we were not supposed to let people on the street help us because we had already negotiated to pay a few men to help us. But one man did have to help me and I did end up paying him a few dollars. Another man kept asking for money too, but I let someone else on my team tell him no. "No pay" she said. I wish I could have given more and let more help. I had to fight back tears when I escaped into the sweltering 15-passenger van.
After a frightening journey through the hectic and rubble-strewn "streets" where we saw so much devastation that was still so shocking, even after viewing all of the pictures from our media, we finally arrived at our hotel. This too is frightening. One building is reduced to nothing more than a pile of rocks, another seems to be teetering on pillars that are left at sick angles (which I have to walk past each day to get to the street), and the last is in good condition, where our rooms are located. The room is fine, nothing special, but I come to realize I might as well be staying in a palace in comparison to where everyone else in the nation is sleeping. A boy tells me today that he wants a tent for his mother who is too frightened to sleep in the house.
After dropping off our personal items, we headed to the mission to sort and unpack our luggage contents and ministry supplies. Medicine, clothes, toys, crafts, etc. Then I got to help pack some food bags in a sauna of a room that held sacks and sacks and boxes and boxes of food and had about 12 people as well. I think the room was the size of Josiah's bedroom. (Crowded much?)
After this I got to give Kori's sparkle jeans to a sweet little girl named Jennifer. She hugged me and kissed me and said merci several times. Today she is wearing them and I took her picture. Can't wait to show you, Kori. She is so special. She likes to give me hugs, even today. I showed her a picture of both Kori and Josiah and she wanted to keep it. I might give it to her before I leave, but I'll keep it for now to show everyone else.
I was also able to give out many of the Bibles I brought to the older girls here who lost theirs in the collapse of their dorm. They were so thankful and insisted that I sign each one. I wrote a prayer and Psalm 20 reference because it has become my prayer for the trip. What a privilege to deliver God's word to hungry hearts!
We had an organizational meeting and then headed back to the hotel to sleep. I slept well once I went to bed, but got up early because I was anticipating my meeting this morning. I'm so very anxious and I need to get off for now and pray for God's will and favor.
Love from Haiti!
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