A New Team Of Doctors And Nurses Arrives
Again, let me begin by thanking you for all your prayers, support, and words of encouragement. It means a lot to me, and I can share that others feel very much the same. No one who has come to Haiti in support of the relief effort will likely return the same person, as many of you know who have welcomed home loved ones from their mission here. Many people have resolved to return, as is evidenced by some people who have now returned for a second time since the earthquake.
So much happens on a day-to-day basis that it is hard to remember or reconstruct things. Our team of doctors and nurses from Austin switched out on Saturday and both arrived safely at their destinations. The bus ride was a bit exciting when the outgoing team discovered that the bus driver spoke only Creole, and didn't know how to reach the airport in the Dominican Republic (which speaks Spanish). Fortunately someone on the bus could speak Spanish and had mastered rudimentary Creole, and he had the bus driver stop, found someone who knew how to get to the airport, paid him $10 to hop on the bus and be the guide, and translated from Spanish to Creole for the driver. Although they arrived an hour late, since it was a charter flight there was no real issue. The incoming team arrived late that night and quickly settled in. The team is made up of folks from all over Austin, and has picked up where the other team left off. Although OR traffic has been somewhat less for the last couple days, there continues to be a flow of people via helicopter from downtown. Post-op has actually swelled, and currently has 17-18 people occupying 3 classrooms in the schoolhouse. There are still many cases of people who have had no treatment since the earthquake, but there are many people who are coming in to follow-up on earlier surgeries or procedures.
Food deliveries have resumed, and hopefully will continue uninterrupted. I believe the general consensus in the aid community is that food is being made available, although not in a routine and consistent manner. While no one is starving, there are many who have limited means to get food and often it is a single meal a day. Shelter is harder to assess, and will probably be the biggest issue to solve. When the rain season hits it's going to be really messy. I have noticed an increased number of lean-tos and other makeshift shelters in the hills and fields around the Mission, and suspect that will only increase.
I have had the opportunity to speak with many agencies and churches that have sent people to do an assessment of the need, and are looking for appropriate partners here in Haiti. That really has encouraged me, because these people are going the extra mile to ensure that they are being good stewards of the funds that people are giving them. They also realize that this is going to be an ongoing effort, and they are interested in projects and support they know that they can sustain for a long period. I hope that you will find an appropriate entity to support finanancially, but more importantly I hope you find one that you can partner with to come here and serve for a week. It will be a transforming, life-changing event. Pray about it.
Many have asked what I have been doing specifically, and it's hard to answer. In short, I have been trying to assist wherever I can to help with systems and processes, and to try to keep an eye on the future needs and possibilities. As I have identified needs or found people who can meet needs, I try to facilitate a partnership or agreement. I have also been working with several people to review the Mission and site strategic plans, since many buildings have been damaged and will have to be torn down (meaning there will be opportunities to rebuild in other locations on campus with better buildings and more appropriate layouts). The Mission also has unique opportunities to establish, strenghthen, and expand strategic partnerships with other non-profits, with institutions, and even possibly with government. In short, the playing field has not only changed dramatically, the game has even changed. That said, the Mission is still committed to its goal of reaching every man, woman, and child in Haiti with the Gospel, and that has to drive any and all decisions and partnerships.
On Sunday there were over 1000-1200 people at the service. It is a real testimony to see people worship who really love the Lord, and who do so on the heels of a very tragic event. After praise and worship I had an immediate appointment with a group and could not attend the children's church, but I did manage to sneak over quickly to give a hug to my girls. I will sure miss being here next week.
Don't know if I'll get another missive off before I leave (probably on Wednesday afternoon), so I'd better take the opportunity to thank you again for your prayers. And yes, my ankle is much better, though somewhat black and blue, and while tender still I am again able to tromp about. It will probably take several weeks to wade through all your emails to which I want to reply, since I'll be heading to Washington on Sunday morning for a week. But eventually I will! If I find that there is an information flow that continues that might interest you, I'll pass things along.
Please continue your prayers for all Haiti and its people. Pray Isaiah 35:3 - "Give strength to hands that are tired and to knees that tremble with weakness." Pray for food and water distribution networks to be established and maintained. Pray for the hundreds of Haitian pastors who are emerging as the community leaders, and who are working tirelessly to feed their increasing flock both physically and spiritually. Pray for the orphans and the elderly, who have been hit especially hard. Pray for the medical staffs around the country who are working long hours in primitive conditions. Pray for disease to be muted. Pray for fathers and mothers with families to provide for, but who now have no home or job. Pray for the response that God is asking you to make. Pray for obedience, courage, and strength to follow through. And pray for Hope - Mission of Hope Haiti. Pray that God answers the prayers of his people by opening the floodgates of heaven and showers them all with blessings!
God bless you all.
Ray Lindner