because Haiti's like that

In any country there are places that make you frustrated and discouraged, and places that make you thankful and blessed.  

For me and Haiti, the richest places are usually the poorest, the mountains where I remember again how beautiful the culture is, how generous the people are.

Friday was the muddiest, slipperiest, most challenging climb I've ever made to Coup-a-David, each of us laden down with prescription meds and water for the sterilizer, duffel bags full of tools, even a dental chair.  We'd warned the team the hike was tough, but never imagined how high the water would be, how muddy the climbs and how difficult it would be to climb and descend in such slippery conditions.  Some of the equipment weighed over 100 lbs, and men and women from the church took turns in carrying the heaviest bags.

I got to visit with my triplet friends and give them some school supplies and medical mamba (thank you Molly!)...they are doing SO well.  Their parents just continue to be the kindest couple, and have never once even hinted at asking for one thing, though children and poverty are theirs in abundance.

As we walked, 6 o'clock in the morning, we passed countless barefoot school children, hiking through the mud with their school shoes, socks and books on their heads...walking who KNOWS how far in their perfectly pressed uniforms.  Older siblings carried younger ones on their backs, a few young mamas doing the same.  

Maybe volunteering at your church doesn't look like this:

Maybe loving your children well and wanting the best for them doesn't mean hiking through the mud in your bare feet over mountain tops.

Maybe working hard to provide for your family doesn't mean weaving your home with your own two hands, doesn't mean working the stains out of your children's clothing by hand in the river, doesn't mean carving out the mountains by hand in the Caribbean sun to plant pois congo and manioch, patat.

But if that's what it means in the mountains of Haiti, people work HARD, love WELL, volunteer SACRIFICIALLY, community BEAUTIFULLY.

It was a real joy to minister to over 250 of them Friday, providing consultations and medications, tooth pulling and teeth cleaning, games with the children, love and prayers.

I love days when we can pair humanitarian aid, practical physical help, with spiritually rooted and faithful ministry.

 

This man said his biggest problem was a fear of spending eternity without God in hell...I was so thankful to have brothers and sisters like Walnique and Enick and Phida so anxious to spend as much time as it took with anyone who would listen to share the Gospel, and to know that Enick and his co-workers are still there today and everyday.

Phida, skillfully engaging a whole lot of kiddos.  

Working under brothers Enick (pastor of Coup a David, grad of 2009) and Walnique (pastor of Fev church plant, grad of 2014) was the greatest joy for me personally.

Right around here the team was thinking they were very VERY ready to be there...but it just ain't over till it's over!  The 11 Canadian team members and 11 Haitian co-workers really were fantastic...not complaining, muddy and sweaty and truly "doctors without borders".  I was super thankful to have Haylie helping get everyone there and back and translated for and cracking me up along the way.

We finally got back to the pick-up spot and Phil and Emily hadn't arrived yet when lighting and thunder and pouring rains began.  Quickly, people came out of the woodwork, grabbing medical equipment and hands and pulling everyone through the sugar cane and into their little porches and under awnings.

Because Haiti's like that.

and I'm grateful.