Journey of Compassion to Haiti 2014 First Report Impact Nations has been coming to Haiti since the 2010 earthquake. However, this is our first trip to the north-west. We have been conducting medical clinics among a series of very rural and isolated communities 30-60 minutes from the city of St. Marc. Going to a new area usually means breaking new ground spiritually, and this Journey has been no exception. The team has done an outstanding job; in just two days we saw over 600 people in the clinics. Meanwhile, every one person was invited to receive prayer––almost all said ‘yes’. After two days of orientation, we were scheduled to conduct a clinic in the maximum security prison in St. Marc. Although all of the paperwork was in order, after keeping us waiting for an hour outside on the bus, it was decided not to let the team in. However, three of us were permitted to come into the prison with water filters while the rest of the team conducted an impromptu clinic in a village about 30 minutes away. The team has been flexible throughout the trip, so they jumped right into the unplanned clinic and had a great time. Over 100 people were seen in about 2 ½ hours. Meanwhile, we began to install the much needed filters in the prison. We went in with 6 filters and twelve buckets which we thought was enough for every prisoner; however, we discovered that the inmates spend all day, every day in their crowed cells. Since there are 19 cells, we agreed to return a few days later (which we did on Sunday). The conditions in the prison are very bad. There is always a great deal of sickness. There are 462 prisoners, one cell of which is filled with women. We were able to set up the filters just outside the cell door so that the prisoners could reach through the bars and fill their cups. When we explained that, if well maintained, the filters and buckets would provide an ongoing supply of safe drinking water, both the prisoners and guards were delighted. Imagine: from now on, no more cholera, typhoid, parasites or other water-borne diseases! The next two days we conducted all-day clinics in a remote village. There was a great deal of sickness among these people and we were their only option for medical care. On Thursday evening after the clinic, we prepared to conduct an outdoor meeting, only to have a huge thunderstorm come up in just a few minutes. Thus endeth the outdoor meeting. On Friday, we were back to the same village for a clinic. Meanwhile, our water guys––the two Mikes––took out some of our team and installed water filters in a school and in the community. In the evening we invited people to come to the outdoor meeting. People came from all directions. As the local musicians played, we began to dance with the children. Before long most people joined in; it was a great celebration. But as we danced, another sudden thunderstorm came. In a few seconds the heavens opened. Behind the band was an open door. The team ran in to get out of the rain, followed by the locals. Now the room was filled with wet, laughing people. My Haitian friend Reg and I shouted over the pounding of the rain on the metal roof and invited anyone who had pain to raise their hand. All but two of our translators had run away when the rain started and had no idea that a crowd had gathered in the school building. As a result, for the next hour or so, people used sign language to indicate their need and the results of prayer. We had a wild, crazy, joyful time with lots of healing. After a while, Reg and I invited people to receive Christ. Many hands went up all over the room. We then connected each of them with two local pastors that had been in a two day training I had done, so we could rest assured that these new believers would be connected. And then the trip home… When we stepped out of the building into the rain, we stepped into about nine inches of water. The bus had had to go down the long slippery road without the team while we were inside. So, everyone joined arms and walked, slipped and slithered about a half mile to where the bus was waiting. A great time was had by all.
Posted on: Tue, 08 Jul 2014 11:58:31 +0000
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