First of all, thank you to EVERYONE who helped raise the money for us (and many of our other team members!) to get to Haiti and provide so many needed supplies!! I also cannot underestimate the power of the prayers that followed us there. We were able to serve in many different capacities from loving on malnourished infants at the orphanage to building a new facility for them to caring for the caretakers and people in tent cities. In all honesty, being back home has been a struggle as the needs are still so great there. My heart is torn. I’m pretty sure there will be another trip in the near future.
Kites fly over every tent camp and in every concrete mess of a neighborhood. To me, the kite represents the hearts of the Haitians. Battered, pieced together, hanging on by a thread, with an uncanny ability to soar.
In honor of Anderson Cooper’s interview with Sean Penn this evening on CNN, the first batch of photos is from our time spent at his organization, J/P HRO, nestled within a tent camp of 60,000 residents. Shortly after the earthquake, I began following Alison Thompson on twitter (@lightxxx). She quickly became my hero. Alison is the epitome of a girl who knows how to get her hands dirty serving others. Following the tsunami in 2004, a two week medical mission turned into a year of serving the people of Sri Lanka independent of any aid organization. Can’t wait to find a copy of the video. Aside from the independent awards, it received a great review by Grand Rapid’s very own Spout. Alison is now on another long term mission serving the patients that come through the J/P HRO medical tents (not to mention living life in a tent herself). She graciously welcomed us into their camp where we were able to talk with some of their patients and nurses at the women’s clinic that Sean briefly discussed in his interview with Anderson Cooper the night before we were there.
A very small portion of the camp. The tents on the side of the hills are in grave danger when the rains come. When wet, the sand turns to a slimy mud and threatens to wash all the makeshift tents down the hill in a deadly snowball effect. As of Thursday, they received permission to evacuate 6,000 people off from the side of the hills and into the country.
The photo on the left is of an elderly woman begging from all who walked up the hill towards the medical clinic. Food distribution has stopped leaving 60,000 people hungry. Those who manage to find food through small NGOs do so at their own risk... the elderly and weak are at a severe disadvantage. There is simply not enough to go around. Even with hungry bellies, there is a joy that just astounds me that is obvious in the young family living in a tent on the right.
Fifteen year old, Junior, was one of my personal favorites. His home was destroyed, he lost many friends when his school collapsed, lost an aunt and uncle, and yet, you couldn't wipe this smile off his face. He speaks five languages: French, Creole, English, Hebrew, and Latin. He wants to become a doctor. Junior might be this American soldier's favorite too as he gave Junior the pair of sunglasses he's wearing. We also watched as the soldier taught Junior his best dance moves. I love the US Army.
A young mother waits in line to be seen at the women's clinic and another young girl begs on the side of the path. The adults with the younger girl were not her parents. Generally, not a good sign.
This young man has picked up some great English phrases... my favorite, "I love you."
Fellow team members Crystal (in the Cubs hat) and Candice (in the Cubs shirt) led a couple of group counseling sessions where they explained Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Many of the medical problems they complain about are direct symptoms of it. This was new information for the women. Candace and Crystal gave them practical techniques to deal with the symptoms and treat the causes. Good time of Q&A too. Even though we were only able to be there for a few hours, I know these women went back to their tents and talked to the other women in their lives. It validated them and helped them to know that what they are experiencing is a normal response to a traumatic experience.
A quick snap of the women's clinic. This small tent is a safe haven for hundreds of women every day. Please pray for strength for the nurses working here... the burden they carry is so heavy.
A team member we adopted from the orphanage, Vivienne, who acted as our translator when Candice and Crystal counseled this beautiful 18 year old nurse from J/P HRO. She survived the earthquake with her aunt and uncle and was in her first year of medical school, now she lives in the tent city and is serving her neighbors in the clinic. After counseling another woman who tried to kill her baby with bleach, the nurse began talking through her own nightmares as she tries to hold herself together. There is such a great need for counselors for the caretakers! If you know of any trained counselor who is interested -- we can put you in contact with an organization at this tent city who desperately needs the help. Please continue to pray for this sweet girl too.
Another young Haitian nurse that received counseling for her own horrific experience which included the death of her father among so many other things. She's so broken, yet so strong... and continues to care for so many. The most heart-wrenching thing was after we were able to encourage her, she asked, "You're coming back tomorrow, right?" This 17 year old has a long, long road ahead. Pray that she'll remember that God's hands are big enough to hold her too. The gorgeous 42 year old woman on the right is a mother of 6 kids. She has not eaten in a while and was hoping we'd be able to give her food. There is apparently an organization that is distributing food to the women and children, but she has become too weak to withstand the pushing and shoving. When asked where she gets the food she does eat, she simply said, "I eat what God gives me." The sad reality is that like the elderly woman above, there is a large number of women who fall into this category.
Crystal is a great hugger. 
Knowing what this girl has been through, this smile brings tears to my eyes. This is the definition of being the hands and feet of God.
Driving out of the tent city. Sadly, the orphanage needed the car back so we had to leave at 2:30. The three hours we spent there were way too short. I am so thankful for every minute... these people rocked my world.
To make a world of difference to one family, you can provide a tent for a family living in a makeshift home of tarps, curtains, sheets, and corrugated metal. The tents are obviously still needed. Visit A Home In Haiti for more information.
