Sam and I woke up early Monday to get the goats milked so that I could open clinic early. Finishing in record time I cleaned the clinic and then rushed to shower myself.  A cup of coffee and devotions got my head in the game. Clinic started with 10 patients. My goal was to be done in 2 hours so we could start our road trip to the Dominican. I needed my passport stamped and to stay out of the country for a night. As Claire and I got into rhythm of the day patients continued to show up. My 10 patients turned into 25 quickly. I struggled with impatience and worry about reaching the border in time.  I told Claire we were just going to see one more then I needed to close. It was an hour past when I said I would leave. 

Kervin, Max, Wisley

       Then a 14-year-old boy walked in with a towel covering his head. He removed the towel to reveal a grossly swollen jaw and eye.  What caught my attention was the tears and fear that filled his eyes. My heart sank and I prayed. I confessed my impatience to the Lord and thanked Him for reminding me that I am not here for my own purposes, but instead to serve those whom He brings. Selfishness so quickly draws people into themselves and then they can’t see those right in front of them that so greatly need them. After figuring out a treatment plan I took the extra time with this boy to pray with him and was encouraged to find that he knew who Jesus is. He needed to not be afraid.  Several patients later we had reach the end of our workday, and I was off for another adventure.

  The Drowleys and I loaded into the Toyota for a 4-hour drive to the Dominican boarder. After getting our passports stamped we drove to the first checkpoint. They looked at our license plates and said "you can’t drive this car into Dominican you need papers." The only place we could get those papers was an hour away and it was already 4pm. We were told that we could park our car in the police yard and walk across the border. Ken backed the Toyota into the locked parking lot. The Police chief then came out of the building yelling and waving his gun.  We were not to park out car there.  Quickly we vacated the parking lot. 

      Now we were in a dilemma, because it was not safe to leave the car outside on the road. Brainstorming Ken mentioned sending me with a motorcycle across the border. While we debated the police chief walked out to see what we were still doing there. We explained to him our situation and that we were missionaries. His whole countenance changed. “Your missionaries! No problem! Park you car in our lot.”  Now while Ken again backed the Toyota into the parking lot an Angel named Nicalia came. “I can get you and your car across the border, No problem!” The police chief still standing their talked quickly in Creole to him. "Yes, no problem take your car to Dominican for the night." Wow, Praise God!

            

       That was the first two checkpoints just three more to go. The next was another Haitian stop and they were angry because the Police chief had not notified them we were coming. After some discussion they requested our passports and then walked away. Ken attempted to follow but got a metal door slammed in his face. Marla and I sat in the car praying with all our might. Here we were in between Dominican and Haiti in an unauthorized car, no passports, and with for all we knew a Smuggler. 20 minutes later plus a few American dollars we retrieved our passports and were passed through Dominican customs. Nicalia, gave us a tour of his town before depositing us at the only hotel in town. We were very thankful for a hot meal and safe place to sleep.  The next morning he arrive right at 8am to take us safely back through customs.

Moringa Trees

         Arriving back at EGO is always a refreshing because it’s such a haven.  This time was bitter sweet as we knew Sandy was on her way and we needed to get ready.  Praise the Lord she came through with much less force then Isaac.  She also brought cooler weather making it almost feel like fall here, i.e. 77 degrees.

          I received word from home this week that a very dear cousin of mine had passed away.  This was the first time I really struggled with wanting to return home and be with my family. Being in Haiti surrounded with struggle, Home quickly becomes a heaven. In my mind, I figured everything at home was guaranteed safe. Surely since we face so many trials here God would give us a break from trials at home. Going to the Bible for comfort I opened to Luke 9:61-62 ”Still another said, ‘I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.’ Jesus replied, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.’” Now I don’t think this means I am not allowed to grieve for my dear cousin. It is however a reminder that with service for God comes sacrifice. My work is currently here with these precious little ones. I can’t begin to count the blessings I receive back from God through them each and everyday.

        Friday we had a team coming to take a tour of EGO. A group of five guys arrived in a truck. As I shook Mark and Will hands I learned they lived in Tennessee and come to Haiti about once a month. The kids asked Mark what he did for work, He replied “sing and play guitar.” His voice was hoarse so clearly he couldn’t sing for the kids. Innocently, I asked if he had a CD the kids could listen to. Not on him currently, so we went about our tour of EGO. They were very encouraging and excited about the work here. After they left we looked on the website of their mission Hand and Feet. We discovered that we had been in the company of Audio Adrenaline. Silly me, I have their Cd to play for the kids! 

Check out their website, I love their new music video! handsandfeetproject

Taking our rice to be milled 

“Jesus specifically warned His followers not to try to minister in His Name without His power. As I found out from my experience in Basel, trying to do the Lord’s work in your own strength is the most confusing, exhausting, and tedious of all work. But when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, then the ministry of Jesus just flows out of you.” 

Corrie ten Boom

“…greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

Esther

 Before leaving for Haiti, my dear Grandma gave me her book Tramp for the Lord  by Corrie ten Boom. I also received These Strange Ashes by Elisabeth Elliott from a dear friend. God has used both of these books to help me keep perspective. Haiti is hard. Hearing from these wise women what difficulties they went through has been an eye opener to how easy I have it. The faith they displayed is an inspiration! 

First week of school is finished. I cannot believe how fast this week went. EGO’s population expands to over 300 people when school is in session. Kids start school at age 2. We are told this is because they learn how to behave in school and speak correctly. They are adorable running around in their required white and blue uniforms. The first few days a constant hum of unison crying could be heard. It is tough for the little ones to adjust being away from their families at such a young age. 

Starting at 2 years old doesn’t mean they graduate any earlier. Poor teaching and overcrowded classes make failure common in high school. Failure to pass one class means having to start the entire year over. The soonest kids graduate is 19 years old. Most kids are delayed in graduating if they are ever able.

 The older kids are in school so chores get cramped into early morning and late afternoon.  Just like in the states when school starts up the kids catch sickness from their classmates. My goat milking aides picked up a severe fever. Samantha and I had some early morning this week picking up the slack. I am so thankful for her constant Joy and mutual love for adventure. It has been a busy week! Thankfully Wisely recovered quickly and is back helping us milk!

Adding to the ill list several of our workers have been very sick and unable to come to work. I made several treks to houses to deliver medications and prayer. Madame Cherishal had Malaria and is recovered now and back to work. 

      John Sony and I drove to check on Madame Suze. Doris received word that her face was badly swollen. We drove to the other side of town and parked. We then walked threw narrow trails between houses built one on top of another straight up the mountain. Several of the houses had garages built on to them even though there is no potential for roads ever being built this far up. 

        Walking threw a door that consisted of only a sheet I was impressed with how neat the house was. A dinning room to the left contained a beautiful table with 6 chairs. Behind the table was a china cabinet filled with a full dinning set. Straight ahead a television played Shrek with French subtitles. To the right was a very American living room. It contained a worn floor rug, three couches, and a sickly Suze lying on the floor. Her face was grossly swollen due to an abscessed tooth. I encouraged her that we need to see her dentist and that I would take her.

        We waited 20 minute before leaving because her clothes had to be ironed and hair done before leaving. As we made our way down the steep path back to the car she covered her face with a cloth as we passed neighbors. My heart churned for her and I wished for a road closer to her house. Beauty and image is very important in Haitian culture. People live in meager homes, but come special events are dressed to the nines. This is the major factor as to why Suze didn’t seek help sooner. “I can’t leave the house with my face swollen.” We found the dentist. Suze received relief from discomfort and another lecture on seeking help when needed.

Through out town rice is being laid out on tarp for drying. They lay the rice in middle of the road so it gets turned when cars drive over it. Not real sanitary!

Hand washing clothes

This is our hand pump where all 55 kids currently get their baths. They also hand wash all kids clothes here. A team is coming is November to build a bathroom Facility. This will be a HUGE blessing!

This was encouraging for me to be reminded of this week.

“I cannot save and sanctify myself; I cannot make atonement for sin; I cannot redeem the world; I cannot right what is wrong, purify what is impure, or make holy what in unholy. That is all the sovereign work of God. Do I have faith in what Jesus Christ has done? He has made the perfect atonement for sin. Am I in the habit of constantly realizing it? The greatest need we have is not to do things, but believe things. The redemption of Christ is not an experience, it is the great act of God which He has performed through Christ, and I have to build my faith on it.” Oswald Chambers

Prayer & Praises

1.    EGO received a donation for chickens and was able to buy 103 broiler chickens.

2.     I was able to use extra support to buy a computer for Clinic. It will arrive this month, and I can begin training Clinic staff on how to use computer!

3.     Please pray for the sick here at EGO. Jame, Nigule, Magdula, Madame Suze. Yousline, Rose….

4.     Please pray for director of EGO school, as there are a few bumps in the beginning of school.

5.     Praise Moringa trees are growing strong, and we have started large seed beds with veggies!

6.     Praise, The road to EGO is getting paved. We now have paved road all the way to Port.

7.     Please pray as we are making many changes in required duties for staff. Change always comes with some growing pains.

Market

Wednesday night after I helped feed the kids, we went to the outhouse. This included 1 flashlight, 20 little ones, 8 outhouse holes and myself. They all wanted to hold on to me while walking, and I almost lost my skirt twice. :-) Each took their turn and after finished gave me big hugs with their unwashed hands as they lined up outside. They are so cute, but such stinkers! I showered directly after!

Today Sam and I ventured to market to buy supplies for salsa. I have been told that Americans pay triple what Haitians pay. I was ready to do my best bartering. The first lady we came to gave a high price for tomatoes. I knew this because my Haitian friend told us so. We moved on to another vendor for better prices. She agreed on a better price and picked out 10 tomatoes and 4 peppers. After, I asked her to throw another pepper in for the same price. She obliged looked at my friend and said, “She barters like a Haitian.” As Sam and I walked home, we calculated that for 3 dollars American we had purchased 5 avocados, 10 tomatoes, 5 oranges, 3 limes, 3 bananas, 5 peppers. Perhaps I could have been a little easier on the bartering!

Matthew 10:16 “I am sending you out like sheep among the wolves. Therefore be shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”

Harvesting Tilapia at EGO

I love Haiti and the people. They are incredibly resilient having lived in such a hard country for so long. Understandable they are very efficient at getting what they need. Most are incredibly hard working and honest. Others are looking for anyway to get ahead. It saddens me the even within the walls of EGO at times food is stolen and supplies disappear.  People everywhere are sinful not an exception here. Pray for wisdom and discernment among staff. Also that hearts would be softened to hear the truth of who Jesus is.

One of out older girls, we’ll call her Bee, had a lump removed from her breast this week. She was to follow up with the doctor on Thursday in a city an hour away. Doris called on Wednesday to see what needed to be done and if it was necessary for us to travel so far. The doctor she talked to said “no problem, just change the dressing.” 

Thursday afternoon, as I walked past the girls’ dorm I saw all the girls very upset and crying. Bee had received a phone call from her surgeon. He said because she didn’t come in this morning he was going to cut off her breast. He insisted that she come in Friday morning. This got my blood boiling! What sort of doctor would say this to a 13-year-old? I spouted off in creole to the girls about how wrong it was for him to lie to them. They all started grinning from ear to ear. Pastor John said, “You talk like a Haitian.” Here I was all fired up about the situation, and they were all excited to compliment my Creole. The tension of the moment was released. Praise the Lord for the gift of Humor!

Later, We sorted out that Doris had called a different doctor the day before. I called the right surgeon again to explain the situation. He offered no apologies but said he was fine with us handling taking the drain out. Bee was still very upset. To reassure her nothing was going to be removed we ended up driving to see the doctor anyways. There is so much superstition down here that many of the kids struggle with fear.

The Lord was working through this experience. At the hospital we met up with a different doctor who loves the Lord. He has a very extensive public health program in Haiti. He is passionate about serving in Haiti, and was excited about coming to help us at EGO. It is encouraging to remembering that even in ordinary frustrating circumstances Christ is sovereign and working things out for His purpose.

First day of School

 ^"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

Halfway Mark

“Faith is a radar which sees through the fog—the reality of things at a distance that the human eye cannot see.” Corrie Ten Boom

My Moringa trees are growing!

Halfway mark…although this has been a tough couple days, I am already dreading having to leave this clinic and my little ones. It has been rainy and unusually cool this past week. The damp air has made a resurgence of illness. I have many kids with combinations of coughs, runny noses, diarrhea, ear infections, scrapes, and burns. Every time I turn around another little one has something new. To top that off they love the attention from me so the ones that are healthy make up illnesses to have an excuse to find Miss Elizabeth.  I love them so much its hard not to smile. Today I came back to the house with one on each hand, under each arm, and hanging on to the back of my skirt. Ken said “Where did you leave your flute?”  I am not the pied piper, but I certainly don’t get lonely down here.  

Marla, Ken, and I have been present at many meals this week. We are pushing to make sure the kids get their food on time. Also are working on what they eat. Figured out that with what they cook they use a gallon of oil everyday. They use a lot of oil because it’s their culture, but also because it takes longer to digest. This way the kids don’t feel hungry as often. No wonder these kids get sick so often.  We are working on bringing about change, but it takes time. 

My Moringa trees are growing! Samantha and I cheated by cutting some branches from the old Moringa this week. It is better to use young Moringa leaves, but with all the illness I have been desperate for more vitamins for my kids. The Moringa dried well, and I now have Ken very excited about the Moringa. We discovered that it takes a large amount of leaves to get the powder to amount to anything. So hopefully, once we get our goat situation taken care of we will start a bigger grove of Moringa by the back wall.  Ken is going to build me a drying box for the Moringa when the container gets here. That is another prayer Item. We need Food for the Poor to approve our container, so we can receive many needed supplies.

Taught the high school girls how to make pizza this week. My goat cheese made a great topper!

Claire and my favorite little lady! Even in Haiti we have frequent flyers. 

Clinic Story of the week. This lady had been to a hospital for an umbilical infection. The Doctor had given her an oral antibiotic and sent her home. She then came to my clinic the following week complaining that her infection had not cleared up.  "I am using the medication the doctor gave me. I crush it and put it in my belly button." Simple miscommunication!

“It is good and proper for a man to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life. . . . God enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift of God” Ecclesiastes 5:18-19