| Haiti |
 |
 |
 |
|
2009 "What's hurting you?" "Open your mouth wide." "You'll feel pressure, but let me know when you feel pain." These were  phrases repeated hundreds of times during this past week with the dental teams that went to 3 different locations in Haiti. The team of 29 included 15 dental students, physicians and dentists, who encountered some unusual emergent situations (a finger amputation that had to be cauterized with an oil lamp, hernia repairs and cyst removals).This was probably the most difficult and intense trip ever. One of our teams was in a very remote location in the mountains when 6 men with automatic weapons broke into the compound and stole the solar panels off the Cyber Café where they were staying. The police wouldn't come because they only had side arms. Bruce McMartin, the missionary we were partnering with, prayed with his church leaders that God would show His power in retrieving the panels and God would get the glory. “I prayed harder than I really felt inside, knowing that solar panels are never recovered,” Bruce admitted. But over 300 people in the community, in an uproar, fanned out and found them in a nearby ravine. They were incredibly heavy, and had been hidden in order to pick up later. Although the 6 men were eventually found and arrested, there were some sleepless nights (with blankets for doors in the sleeping quarters). The Haitian people not only received the gentle, healing touch of our medical teams, but also experienced the miracle of answered prayer. The medical teams also gave more exposure and credibility to Pastor Johnny, who is ministering in a new community that has been closed to him and his message. We were able to spend time with mayors of various municipalities and also provided much needed lab jackets to the dental school in Port Au Prince. What separates Medical Relief International from other medical relief organizations? We empower the missionaries who are in the daily grind, enabling them to reach more people with their message of hope and redemption, in a God who desires a personal relationship with all people, not willing that any should perish. |