Wednesday, March 17- Battle with "Le Croix Rouge"

Today we set-out to work in an area that suffered significant damage. I had the opportunity to sit next to the driver in front. For the first time, I was able to see the damage and destruction of my beloved Haiti in full-view. In the back of the "tap-tap" one is almost "sheltered" from the realities outside, as we only had tiny air-vent slits to peer through. It was an overwhelming scene, that brought me to the brink of tears, especially as we passed through areas of Delmas, an area I was familiar with from my previous trip. Delmas was nearly unrecognizable! Buildings pancaked, crumbled, or on the verge of toppling. These homes, schools, churches, places of business once ebbing with life, were now mass graves with people yet to recover from the rubble.

Yet Haiti continues to press on... I saw lines of women carrying huge bags of rice on their heads coming-out of an aid delivery depot. Merchants peddling their wares on the streets, music sounding from public tap-tap radios, and children playing in the streets. Yes, they are still under a lot of stress. Yes, they are still morning the loss of loved ones. And yes, they are filled with uncertainty about where they will live and get their next meal. But I know many (not all) put their faith, hope and trust in God.

I heard it from the drivers radio as we approached the tent city we were to work in... Hundreds of people were calling in to the radio station just to praise God at the top of their lungs! "Benisse Soie Eternelle! Benisse Soie Eternelle!" ("Praise God! Praise! God!") they would repeat over and over again, thanking Him for sparing their lives and for His daily blessings. I also viewed a gentleman reading his Bible on he side of a dirt road. The Haitians' faith truly is the personification of I Timothy 4:10: "This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers."

When we arrived at the tent city, we had trouble finding a safe area to set-up. We noted a tent from Le Croix Rouge (the French Red Cross) that appeared to no be in service at the time. Perhaps they were out of supplies? After asking permission from the village leaders, we set-up within an abandoned UNICEF tent. A touch of hostility began to arise as we prepared our things. Our team waited patiently in the tent to see what would transpire. The villagers were voicing their contempt for us, as they thought we would be charging for our services. Where were they getting that silly idea from? When they realized we were there to help for free, they provided us with security personnel to keep things in order.

About midway through our workday, a French doctor came charging-over from the Croix Rouge tent about cut off poor Kristin's head, yelling at her in french! Apparently, they had been charging for their services and we were now taking away their business! Someone talked to her, and she soon left, but we were greatly disturbed by this. I'm not sure that I'd ever trust my donations with that organization again!

I delivered a number of Rocephin shots (one to a brave little 7 year old girl who was by herself!), did a lot of wound care, and helped make a make-shift sling for a woman whose collar-bone was displaced. One of the security guards had just gotten into a tussle and had me dress the injuries to his eyebrow and hand. I did a little pharmacy work and collection of histories as well when things got backed-up in those areas. It was VERY hot in the tent, even with the windows open for ventilation. The watering-team kept us well-hydrated once again! Brad, Denny, and Kristin faithfully prayed over each person before exiting the tent... A few people came to faith in Christ that day!

About midway through the day, an older woman arrived with a tiny infant who had insect bite marks all over its body and was rather dehydrated. She had found the baby in a pile of garbage just a few days before and was trying to care for it, but had nothing. We gave her formula and a make-shift bottle, prayed for her and the child, and thanked her for what she was doing for that precious little life... Bobby, our amazing team leader, could identify with this child. He too was found in the garbage by a Jamaican orphanage matron. She raised him until the age of seven, when he was adopted by a Christian family. Now he's pastoring a church in Indiana and has been leading teams to Haiti through GCOM since 2004! He is living proof that every life is precious and has a divine purpose, weather born in wealth or the depths of poverty.

Our MOST MEMORABLE (probably for the whole week), was our little 18 month old boy, brought in with his mother, who had a factured right femur (thigh bone). His cast rested from the top of his right hip to his toes and had been on him for TWO MONTHS!! It was absolutely filthy, wrapped poorly, and this growing child risked losing his leg if it stayed on much longer! It was frustrating to think that all this time, the Red Cross stationed in this child's village could have done something were it not for the fact that they were demanding payment from patients who had NOTHING!! Jason, Nicole and I tried our hardest to pull the thing apart with pliers, scissors, and our bare hands with no success. Jason was determined to get it off, so we packed-up our things and brought mom and baby along with us.

We stopped at a hospital, that strangely enough, was quite empty despite the needs outside their doors (i believe it was a for-profit hospital, but regardless, it was frustrating to see this). We asked for a cast saw, and after a bit of waiting, an OR nurse brought one over. Jason and Nicole did a marvelous job sawing it off... i tried to help by holding the baby and cast still. We were so relieved, and so were mom and child! We sent them home with some money to catch a taxi. (Jason and Nicole, my heroes!) ; )

Today's patient count: 400+