Mission Trip to Mombin Crochu, Haiti January 21-28, 2011

The aftershock of the tragic earthquake that struck Port-au-Prince, Haiti in Jan. 2010 continues on, with suffering and loss a daily occurrence, as the world tries to understand how to help this desperate country.

Stories of the loss, the pain, the sadness occasionally appear on the news, as time pushes this event into history.

But what of life in the rest of Haiti?

What of life in the mountains, where time has stood still for generations, and the struggle to survive another day continues?

We have just returned from another visit to Mombin Crochu, a village in the northeast section of the country. Electricity and running water do not exist here, as daily survival is carved out of the hard earth with machetes, raw strength and endurance.

After the earthquake, there was a small flurry of help for outlying areas, but this has slowly faded with time, and life continues on. The epidemic of cholera has hit this area as well, and, with little help from outside, the villagers and hospital workers are trying to deal with this additional assault to their country.

But in the quiet strength of these people lies hope, and in the hope there is healing.

Nine of us traveled to this village. During this time, over 70 patients received dental care, 28 surgical procedures were performed, 140 patients were seen in the outpatient area, and over 100 pairs of glasses were distributed. Education of protocols for the cholera patients and caregivers was done, both at the hospital and in the village, and an isolation fence was built. Bleach treatment for washing those exposed was begun, and the need for separation of these patients from the population was stressed. Funding was supplied for the construction of special separate latrines, which will begin within 2 weeks.

Education classes were given to hospital personnel, and one on one instruction was done with the physicians and a local dentist.

The Food for Healing program was expanded to include those patients in the cholera tents, and has made a significant impact on the well being of the patients at the hospital.

But what of those in the mountains who have no food? What of those who have lost their husbands, and must try to feed their children?

An initiative to begin a pilot program, working with the Catholic church in the village, was developed. For $25/week a family of 7 can be fed--just 25 dollars! How can one say “no” to helping those who cannot find even the barest resources to feed their children?

We cannot.

This trip showed us hope. This trip showed us courage. This trip showed us miracles, and the unfolding of God’s love.

For God speaks to each of us each day, asking help for His children.

We must only be open with ears to hear, eyes to see, and hands to reach out... and what a gift to us to see His love unfold.

There is much in Haiti that is wrong. There is much is Haiti that will never change.

But in the small village of Mombin Crochu, at the small clinic located there, hope grows.

For God is at work in Mombin Crochu.

Thank you to the team members who shared their hearts to bring hope and healing to those so far away, yet so close: Dr. Sigsby Gayle, Dr. Ron O’Neal, Jeanne Gres CRNA, Maureen Doyle RN, Karen Muniz RN, Rev. John DeBevoise, Terry Deal, and Jack Hower.