Day 4 Cap Haitian/St Michel

Today was a long day but fortunately my Café Via kept my energy and my spirits up. We packed up and left the university in Limbe at 700 am to head to Cap Haitian for our first project (Project 4) an hour away. Memories flooded as we entered the church where I was just 10 months ago, dealing with the after math of the earthquake. WE saw many refugees and were deeply saddened by their stories. But as Michael recalls many came to the Lord that day. Today was very different, but in a hopeful way. We saw only Project kids (sponsored by Mission of Mercy). Many of them looked well nourished with minimal medical issues. We had the same lay out: cholera education, nutrition assessment, medical assessment and pharmacy. Only 45 kids showed up so we were finished in 2 hours and were able to check into hotel early and get lunch. The hotel is nice—has running warm water for showers and we don’t have to share with 9 other girls. With that said, we were very happy.

The next project was in Fort St Michel, also called the “slums” of Cap Haitian. We went there last trip to meet the Pastor and pray for His church. I remember longing for the resources to help this community, many of which are refugees or orphans. David gave us a tour of their stomping grounds-which consisted of huts surrounded by muddy swamps mixed with garbage and toxic waste. It was devastating! How anyone can live in these conditions I don’t know. But I must say the kids were my favorite group yet so far. The smile on their faces and yearn for touch and attention made me see the kind of impact we make. My translator told me “I like the way you talk to my people.” He said I care about them and it shows and he wouldn’t change how I do it. That is how I yearn to be viewed and I believe that is why God has me here. My gifts may not necessarily be limited to medical, but how I interact and show love. The children of the slums have more joy and more gratitude than any American child would or could ever have. And that’s the reality. It puts my ailments and my necessities into perspective. When I see these children laughing and singing to the Lord, my heart leaps with joy. They can take pleasure in the simplest things. God will reward that someday I know. I have already seen so much progress from the last trip in the kids but also in the flow of the team. The more efficient we are, the better we can care for kids. I have a feeling this week will be very efficient. On a side note, we got to meet the President of Mission of Mercy tonight and a baseball player and his agent. They are here to check in on us but also visit the Dominican Republic MOM project. I talked with him for a while at dinner and it turns out he is a radiobroadcaster, I think the same one my mom heard on the radio when she first told me about Medical Mercy. What a pleasure to have him. He reminded me that impact may only start in one child but will be passed on from generation to generation. And we may never see much change in the country, but God transforms in the hearts of the people. And that’s where the hope lies. Another long day tomorrow. Thank you for reading and please consider helping me fund my trip or sponsoring a Mission of Mercy child. “One Child Matters.”

God Bless!!

Michelle