Day two of the medical clinic, we arrived to a full “waiting area” of Haitians, both young and old, anticipating American medical and dental care. We served an estimated 80 patients in 4 hours the day before and unfortunately walked away with many left untreated at the end of a day we had already extended beyond scheduled hours. Those same people, with the addition of new as word spread, awaited us.
Just as the day before, the work day was begun by our Bohoc community leader, Jerome. In true Haitian style, he opened, once again with prayer, a song and a word from God. As we spend time and years on these trips, we begin to appreciate the Haitian way, not so American. He asked us to continue to be patient. Unfortunately in America, and as Americans on these trips, we are so focused on the agenda, the task at hand, that we forget our purpose to love and engage. This culture reminds us that we are not always right, that there are other ways. And that often times, other ways, although uncomfortable for us, are better. We are all slowly learning or relearning on this trip, as always.
We decided to extend our day another hour in order to serve more patients the second day. Amidst the beautiful, organized chaos, we lost count. We watched many patient Haitians, waiting hours without complaining. We learned not to complain, again. On this day, I was both a pharmacy tech and a dental assistant, neither of which I am in the States. All of us moved outside of our comfort zones and many of us worked in many areas. As expected, Haitian brethren came along side us to perform our duties, including physicians, nurses, dentists, community leaders and translators. It is always a beautiful joining of hearts, minds and bodies.
After a brief break and lunch to refuel in order to pour out again, we went out as a group and divided. Half of our group taught a Bible lesson and story to the community children. One of the activities taught the children they could pray to God to ask for help. Since their community is a very dry deforested area (despite the recent hurricane and rainy season), it remains very difficult to grow anything here. Therefore the children made a prayer chain with our team and prayed for rain as a group. Next door, the other half of the team was educating on First Aid, CPR and HIV/AIDS. Little did we know that when we heard a gentle rain begin on the tin roof of the building, that the children’s prayer for rain had been answered by a loving God, literally pouring a blessing.
Bon Nuit.
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