Haiti

Overview:

On April 15, 2011 a team of six from Louisville departed for Haiti. It was an incredible journey that none of us will ever forget. Getting to Haiti was just the beginning of the adventure. Once there, the team traveled in the back of a pickup known in Haiti as a “Tap-Tap” for over 3 hours while traveling only 27 miles through river crossings and mountain passes to reach our final destination, Saline Mayette orphanage.

The orphanage sits high in the mountains with some of the most magnificent sunsets, and star lit nights you have ever seen. As we arrive date the orphanage, we were greeted by the 136 children Hopeful Hearts is supporting with the recent completion of the Hopeful Hearts Medical Clinic. These are the children who have nothing, there is no running water, their clothes don’t really fit or match, they have a look of despair in their eyes. As I was walking the grounds I felt a small tug at my hand and looked down at the biggest brown eyes looking up at me. He just wanted to walk with me, hand in hand. No words were said and none were needed.

The team’s busy week started off on Monday as we prepared the clinic for our 136 patients. Our team consisted of a pediatrician, dentist, and four clinic volunteers to support the doctors, run baseline tests, and facilitate smooth operation of the clinic. We unloaded supplies, stocked the pharmacy, and prepared our lab. Our pediatrician and dentist prepared their exam rooms. Once we felt we were ready, we came together, finalized our plan and prayed for God to use our team to glorify Him.

The primary purpose of the trip was to develop baseline medical files on all the children including photos to aid future medical teams in caring for the children. We learned another use of the files that we would have never dreamed of. We were told that a child’s file will be their only identity records and most likely their only photo of themselves to save as a keepsake. The team also prioritized cases that needed immediate attention so arrangements could be made to take the children to the Hospital in St. Louie DeNord. Many minor conditions were treated on-site. This little boy came into the clinic with a severe tooth infection. He face was swollen with infection, drainage from his eyes, and feverish. Our Dentist, Dr. Bob Dick recommended immediate extraction of the tooth. I cannot imagine going through that alone and scared. Our translator said it best with tears streaming down his face as he tried to offer words of comfort to the boy, “No child should have to go through this without his mother here with him.”

If you have ever been on a mission trip, you know the feelings that the trip will bring out. This trip was no different in that respect. It is physically a very hard trip. Emotionally, it is a life-changer. Ask any one of us that traveled, and they will tell you their lives will never be the same. To see those children that have basically nothing as far as possessions, but yet you also see they have just enough to be happy. These children are learning to love Christ. Hopeful Hearts wants to partner with them on their journey.