End of Haiti mission trip 2011

As the days go by, we start to get a good rhythm going. I re-organized the supply cabinet and found some new dental hygiene instruments… a little too late.

On our last clinic day, I am finally able to use them and it goes much better. We work until 7 PM to see as many patients as possible. Since we do not have overhead lights, our nurse friends and interpreter, Mackindi, hold flashlights to help us see and swat away the flies (and chickens 😆) that are coming through the open windows!

It’s Harvest Day (Halloween celebration) so in the evening we have some children over and we all dress up in whatever make-shift costumes we can put together. I become a gypsy. The kids go on a scavenger hunt with our help and we come upon a large dead tarantula floating in a water well!! Ewwwwee!😧 We then had them bobbing for apples, guessing how many candy corn are in a large glass jar, someone did a magic show, and had a bag throwing contest. Anna, a mission doctor from Europe, and I are partners and spectacularly and hilariously bad at bags😂

It was great fun with the kids and our mission ‘gang’ for our next to the last night in Haiti.

The next day is Sunday and most all of the people from the village come to worship. And when I say “worship”, I mean dressed in their best, standing with arms raised high, singing songs of praise for ONE HOUR!!! The children flock to us and want to hold our hands or sit near us. I am overwhelmed and brought to tears to see men, women and children so joyful in such impoverished circumstances.

After church, we have a quick lunch and then get to the clinic to repack and identify the supplies so when other dental mission staff come they can find things easier. As the nurses and I are working, someone comes running in needing help. There was an accident with a machete! Another day in Haiti.

The next day is our last day but since we are not leaving until late afternoon, we visit the children in the school and do tooth brushing instruction and hand out new toothbrushes. The children are so well-behaved! Even the 3 and 4 year-olds sit in chairs with their hands clasped in their lap.

It’s time to go so with goodbye hugs and tears, we promise to return. We have our crazy drive to the airport, almost get into an accident 😰, go through our 4 check points and make it home at midnight.

On this mission trip, I learned to work with those who come from different parts of the world… using whatever gifts God gave them ….to work tirelessly ….and unselfishly love…. a community of persons in need.