MISSION REPORT OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2012

Greetings to all and wishes for a joyous Christmas and many blessings in the New Year!

This is a somewhat belated report, mainly because Asa had knee replacement surgery on November 12, and all our efforts and thoughts have been directed toward that since our return in late October. He is progressing well and our hope is that he will be fully recovered by April and be able to return to Haiti once more.

We had a very busy three weeks in October. While picking up eye medicines from a warehouse in Port-au-Prince, we learned that a team of ophthalmologists were at a clinic near Gonaives, so we stopped there on our way to Jolivert. They were doing cataract surgeries and they gave us the necessary referral paperwork to send people to them. On our arrival at Jolivert we did our best to notify people with cataracts to come in and get their preparative work done. We only had a three-day window of opportunity available and are excited and thankful that three people were able to have their surgery and are happy.

We had two first-timers, J C and Melanie., with us and Donah returning from last year. It is always interesting to see the first impressions of people, and to see people return a second or third time. Their enthusiasm is energizing for all. JC set to work fixing things that were out-of-order – a full-time job in the mission field. It seems there are always things (plumbing, electrical, structural) that have broken down since the last group was there. Donah and Melanie busily sorted glasses that had arrived and needed to be organized. We are blessed that we have a fairly good supply, even though the barrels we took to the dock in July have yet to arrive in Haiti. Reliable shipping has always been one of our biggest problems.

JC and Melanie Young lovers dominating the world

Asa and Guerby stayed very busy in the Eye Clinic seeing patients and trying to make arrangements for patients to get cataract surgery in Goniaves and at Northwest Christian mission when their team arrives in February. We also prepared for four meetings – two for people to learn inductive Bible Study, one for ladies where a lesson on hope was taught, and one for the children. Twenty people attended the Inductive Bible study taught by Donah and each one received a Bible, a study guide and an embroidered apron. There was interest in learning more. About 50 women came to the ladies meeting on hope which Melanie taught. Christophe and Edlin also presented some films on health and each lady received a toothbrush for herself and family members – thanks to generous donations from churches in the U.S.

Donah teaching her Inductive Bible Study with Jean Dort translating.

The children’s meeting drew about 90 children with lots of adult help – thanks to the Maestro (a pastor who teaches the children chorus and marching), Misses Yvette, Altina, Christophe’s wife Carmel, Karlene and the entire American group. It was birthday party for all the children who, of course, had a birthday during the year. Few children in Haiti have birthday parties and most do not know when their birthday occurs. The Maestro’s choral group put on a delightful program of singing and skits and he followed with a devotional talk. A short health film was shown, a birthday cake for all complete with candles was brought out and some of the younger children blew out the candles. Everyone sang the “Birthday Song”, and another film with a devotional message was shown while refreshments were given out and consumed. The each child chose a small gift from a long table of toys, books, and hair adornments. On departure each child got a balloon and adults and children all had a fun afternoon..

The children’s birthday party.

Donah Greiner fascinating the school children with their photos on her I-Pad

Then the rains began.- we did not know at first that it was Hurricane Sandy – and that pretty much stopped normal activities as heavy rains keep people from clinic, visiting, and the schools closed for a couple of days. Blaud and Christophe were on the phone a lot trying to arrange transportation for us to PAP on Friday, October 26. The driver who was brought called and said he could not come back for us due to the bridges out, high water on the roads, and even the airport was closed on the 25^th. It was decided to take the big army truck with a tarp over it and Widson driving. We give a lot of credit to Widson and Christophe for getting us there safely. We made it, a bit damp and bedraggled, but safe and thankful.. People in PAP were wading in water above their ankles in the streets but God was with us all the way. Did He not say, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with thee, and the rivers, they shall not overflow thee”. – Isaiah 43:2

Jean and Asa

Port-au Prince in the grip of Hurricane Sandy as we struggle to get out of Dodge.