Progress

I am frequently asked "How are things in Haiti?  Are they getting any better?"  For first time visitors driving through Port Au Prince, they would think no.  In reality progress is being made - some big steps and some baby steps.  The city is DIRTY but it is noticeably cleaner than it was 4 months ago, there are still people living in tents and many areas with broken down buildings, but the tent neighborhoods are smaller, debris is being cleared away and there is new construction.

On a more personal note - the walls of the eye clinic are built up to the bond beam at the top, the bond beam is nearly finished.  What does that mean?  The roof is ready to go on!  The trusses need to be made and then they will be put in place.  The finish surface is going on the walls.  We should be ready for paint and tile before the end of the year!  Praise God for His provision!

The temporary clinic continues to see 40-50 patients per day (thank you Dr. Ryan!).  Highlights for you clinical types - glaucoma, a suspected brain lesion, someone hit in the eye with a rock and another one with a fist.  Every day is something new.

I praise God for how He is providing for the needs of the Haitians and for allowing me to be a part of the work He is doing here!

You Make Beautiful Things

So my time in Haiti is drawing to a close.  It has been a productive 1 1/2 weeks.  Not always in the way I expected.  Clinics have gone well,  I am getting better at understanding and speaking Kreyol, relationships have deepened, and I have been blessed beyond measure.

God has answered many personal prayers for strength, health, and wisdom.  I had a beautiful time of worship at church yesterday - even understood a lot of the service.  I have been loved on by so many! I am always amazed how blessed I am when I come.

Even amidst the poverty Haiti is a beautiful place with beautiful people!

As I was dusting equipment in the clinic today I was listening to " You make beautiful things out of the dust"  The continual dust is one of the annoyances that is hardest for me to not be annoyed with -  I was reminded that I am but dust also.  I am looking forward to bringing the beautiful dust of Haiti home with me!

Little Encouragements go a Long Way!

I have reached the end of week 1.  I am feeling far more encouraged and have felt the love of God in so many little things this week.  In clinic I had at least 1 little baby (under 1 year of age) every day - nothing wring, moms just wanted them checked.  There little smiles as they watched my lights brought joy to my heart! I have had several notes from friends letting me know that they are praying. Madam Eugene (the housekeeper/cook) and Beni (the day time gate guard) have been making sure I get fresh mango every day - they both know I love the mangoes.  Sara, Herrold, Christian, Marsha and Ken greet me with joy and hugs every day.  God has filled my week with blessing.

Today I went in to Port Au Prince to see a friend who lives on the north peninsula of Haiti.  Wesner is full of the joy of the Lord.  His contagious smile and true joy, not to mention his awesome hugs radiate the love of God to everyone around.  Had an awesome time with him, his wife Ingrid and their little baby Lyric.

I am looking forward to Monday morning when once again I will be greeted with a line of patients waiting patiently to be seen.  Please pray that the love of God would be seen through me as I smile and speak my very limited Kreyol, pray that they would walk away feeling the hope and encouragement that comes from our loving father in the little things every day.

Bonjou tout moun.  It is 5:30 am here in Haiti - there is a lot on mind.  Had a good clinic yesterday - saw 50 patients.  There was one young man who broke me heart - his complaint was that after receiving an injection of some sort for vomiting his vision became blurry and then he lost his sight.  He now sees only light.  This happened about 1 week ago.  Please pray for this young man.  It is hard to be blind and even harder in a country such as Haiti.

How many of us are spiritually blind and yet try to navigate life on this earth?  Without God there truly is no hope.  I look at this young man and ask why?  I don't know why, but I do know that I serve a great, all knowing, loving God who has a reason for everything He allows.

I am also struggling with the question of am I making a difference?  Why am I here in Haiti?  There is so much need and so little that I do.  Most important - with my limited language do the people really know that it is my faith in God that brings me here?   That without God there truly is no hope?  Do they see the love of God through me? Am I really loving my patients or am I just going through the motions?  Pray  that I would make a difference in someones life today.

Mesi and Bondye beni ou!

Day 1 of clinic.  Started by sleeping through my alarm -  I guess I was tired after a full day of travel.  Still got myself to breakfast - fresh mango! and scrambled eggs.  Saw 40+ patients, I didn't see anything I wasn't sure what it was (this almost never happens) and I was done by 1:00.  I was happy because I was still feeling the time change!

Went home to an amazing lunch prepared by Madame Ejenne- rich with veggies, fried chicken, PIKLEZ!!!!!!!!!!, and fresh mango.  Also fresh squeezed fruit juice of a kind I don't know but surely enjoyed.  What a treat.

I am enjoying reconnecting with many of the people who are here.  Hoping to spend time building on those relationships this week.

Please pray that I would get rested and have a servants heart.  Also, that I would get good time in the word and with God.

Thanks and blessings.  Did I mention the fresh mango and the piklez?

Spring Break

I don't actually have a spring break anymore and my time off of work is less scheduled according to school calenders but it is the time of year for spring break.  I am traveling again to Haiti.  This trip most of my time will be spent seeing patients in the eye clinic.  I will also be checking on the ongoing construction of the new clinic building - excited to see what progress is/will being made!

I am also looking forward to reconnecting with friends - Haitian, American and Italian!

I am also apprehensive - Is God really using me?  Am I making a dfference? What is the impact beyond just doing an eye exam and helping, maybe, with a temporary physical need?  I know that God will work in me, I pray that He will use me for His glory.

Thank you all for taking the time to read this and for your prayers!

Lori

Our first week has come to and end.  We drove Dean and Darrell to the Port Au Prince airport this morning.  The 17 mile drive took only 1 hour and 40 minutes.  We did hear that they had safely arrived in Florida.

David and I were able to go to the grocery store with our friend Ryan Price (he was kind enough to drive the two D's to the airport).  In the middle of PAP is a huge supermarket, as nice as going to Byerly's and with as much variety as Cub.  There was also a bakery that served delicious pastries and espresso.  Such a contrast to the incredible poverty that they are in the middle of.  It is like a picture of the riches we have in Christ vs the poverty we have without Him.  Only the select can come in.

As we begin our second week here we will be meeting with a second optometrist  who has been involved with the eye clinic for many years.  He arrived today.  We will also be meeting a 3rd time with a proposed contractor.  This week will also consist of more clinical work as we work both in the eye clinic and doing some screening of school children.

Please pray for wise decisions regarding building the clinic, for some repair work to get done on the optometry house, for David and I to be able to show Gods love and mercy.

Bondye beni ou.

Lori

How Firm a Foundation

How Firm a Foundation is one of the hymns we chose to sing for group worship last night.  We have spent this week learning more about the need for a firm, adequate foundation as we have been digging around a totally inadequate foundation and modifying plans because what was put in was in adequate.  We have seen many answers to prayer through this whole process and are ready to pour the initial footings today!  Praise God!

We have had 3 very hard working Haitians to work with, they have accomplished a lot, we have enjoyed working with them.  We had the excavator for an extra day which was a huge blessing as we had much rock to move and clay to dig through.

Please pray for 1. Salvation for Sara (italian) and Meer (bangladesh) both are graduste students working here, also that we would be able to continue to cultivate those relationships  2. That we would be able to show love and respect for the men we are working with  3. For wisdom as we make decesions about the eye clinic moving forward  4. Praise for an on the ground project coordinator and also 2 bids from contractors

Thank you for your continued prayers - we are feeling Gods love and His control over what we are doing.

During our group devotions las night we discussed the events of Ezra chapter 1-5 - the Israelites were returning to Jerusalem from exile.  Ezra talks specifically about the rebuilding of the temple, how they were met by opposition through questions, taunts, undercover enemies and even a royal decree.  Because those involved were relying on God, obeying and trusting God, God was with them and they were successful.

This is very much like how our first day on the building site went.  The site which was supposed to be clean and ready for interior footings (below ground support) was full of trash and weeds, the exterior foundation was completely not up to specifications.  We needed to start over.  There were many questions about how to proceed next. 

At the same time we have seen numerous answers to prayer.  We spoke with a haitian who is a builder and we have worked with many times.  He is able and more than willing to help us get supplies and laborers.  Tingue is his name.  He also has supplied us with a small backhoe to dig up a lot of rock (not something we wanted to do by hand).  There is an American here in Haiti who is a respected builder, he has agreed to work for us.  His name is Dale, he comes highly recommended and he was willing to come out this morning to help with the decisions about how best to proceed  - he and Dean have been invaluable thus far.  There is also a US crew coming in on Saturday, they will have some construction people with them so we will be able to get more work done next week.

Please pray that we will continue to have patience and perseverance through these hurdles, that we would show Gods love to the Hatians we are working with and that we will be in tune with Gods leading.

Bondye beni ou!

Lori

I have a new blog with a slightly new name as google wouldn't let me into the previous blog.

As I said, we arrived safely with no excitement which is just fine with me.  There are a number of familiar faces here - residents at the mission and also a team from Pennsylvania, many of whom were here last year when David and I were here. 

I will hopefully be able to get myself logged on here and update frequently.