returning to Haiti

Five days ago, I booked my flight; I will be leading a medical team down to Three Angels on Saturday. I am very thankful for this opportunity to travel to Haiti. I look forward to the work that God has planned for this team. This team was formed prior to January 12. It seems this team of 10 are doctors, nurses, lab technicians, and other volunteers who have never been to Haiti. I have been to Haiti 8 times, but this will be a different Haiti. Haiti can be an emotionally hard place to visit; I'm sure I will feel the depth of pain even deeper. I do pray that God breaks my heart for this country and that I never become immune to their pain. I also look forward to spending time with Nicky. Mike took this photo of Nicky in January.

A photo Mike took of the devastation. I do not know where this building is located; somewhere on Delmas judging from the letters on the wall. I can only imagine what my eyes will see.

These are some of the cracks in the structure of the orphanage. Behind this crack is where the older children slept and played. Praise God that it didn't collapse.

Behind this wall is where the guest staff room is located. It where Kaitlyn slept for the three months she was in Haiti. The specific cracks are attached to the newly installed bathroom.

Mike and Nicky. Sometimes I cannot believe how brave Mike was to travel to Haiti with not much of a plan. I am looking forward to giving Nicky a HUG when I see him on Saturday.

missing haiti

Today it's been one month and two days since the earthquake devestated Haiti. My heart grieves for this country. I am missing this country; my friends that live there and call this country their home. I miss the resilience that my friends have. I miss their joy; I miss hearing about their faith in God. I miss the smells; the sights; the sounds.

I long to spend time there again. I captured these photos just over two months ago. I suspect that this wall is no longer standing.
This is a photo I took at the Baptist Mission. It is in the mountains that are above Petion Ville.

This is the gift that Haiti has given to me. Guerwens, my first grandchild. My first grandson. He is love. He is Haiti.

Be Still and Know that I am God

Update: just heard from a missionary friend of mine, Megan, that Nicky is alive and his family are all okay. I am so thankful! Thanks for your prayers!

Here is a photo of Nickenson Pierre (Nicky). This was taken just 5 weeks ago in Petion Ville at at the Methodist Guest House. Nicky cried so hard when I left as he was so worried he would never see me again. He was literally sobbing big time tears! The poor guy; I tried to reassure him that I would be back. A Haitian man, John Bellefleour, who is an English translator, was there and tried to help Nicky understand that it was in God's control. If God desired it, we would meet again. Thank you, Mr. Bellefleour.

(Nicky with his mom and little brother)

Dear Lord: I pray that I will see Nicky again on earth, but if it's Your will, please comfort Nicky. Let him know that we love him and that we are praying for him. Please comfort his Mom and brothers and his grandmother who lived with them.

What is happening in Haiti is so tragic that no words can rightly be expressed. This small island nation has nothing. When they talk on CNN about it being dark and now they have no electricity... well, most Haitians do not have electricity at all, and the ones that do, well, it is only operating a few hours in the night. My big concern is also the water. Clean water is not readily available for many Haitians....now this is made worse. There are so few hospitals on a good day that do not efficiently operate to help the sick. Now, this is compounded by the injured and then the collapse of some of the hospitals.

But, I know that God is in control. There are stories from our friends down there that in the early morning hours, the only sounds that you could hear were Haitians singing and praying to God.

Please consider coming with me to Haiti sometime. It is a country that will never leave your heart.