REFLECTIONS OF HAITI by Julie Perry

June 30th-July 9th

1John 3:17-18 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love in words or tongue
but with actions and truth.

Hannah read these verses to me over the phone before she came home in June and was somewhat troubled. She expressed that she felt God was convicting and challenging her regarding the many Haitian people she came in contact with every day who were in great need. I didn’t realize the magnitude of the situation until I was able to witness the many heart-wrenching interactions for myself. I began to feel an urgent sense of responsibility to help. The verse Hannah shared in her blog Luke 12:48 “From everyone who has been given much, much more will be expected” came to mind many times throughout my stay in Haiti. The country is much poorer than I expected and their basic needs are overwhelming. They seem only to be "surviving" in the midst of disease, hunger, extremely poor sanitation, lack of running water in many places, limited health care, violence and the list goes on and on. I read that 7 out of 10 Haitians are jobless and many have had little opportunity for education. It costs 100.00 per child /year to send their children to school which is a fortune for these people. I met many parents who are sacrificing all they have just to pay for their children’s schooling. I felt ashamed for the many times in my life I thought I needed more.

Despite their many hardships, I found the Haitian people whom I met to be warm, friendly and always quick to laugh. They value relationships much more than material possessions and their faith is blatently evident in how they live out their daily lives. They trust God in every area and for many, He is literally all they have. The irony of it all is that as Christians, Christ should be all that we need in this life. I was truly humbled by these precious friends of Hannah and felt so honored and loved by each of them. I also loved meeting the other OMS staff and was greeted with open arms. In the beginning, as a Mother, I had mixed feelings about Hannah going to Haiti for a year but after this life changing visit, I have no doubt that this is exactly where God wants her at this time in her life and I know He is holding her in the palm of his hand. I can’t explain the peace that I had while I was in Haiti and I will cherish forever the special time that I had with my daughter watching her pour out Gods love to these wonderful Haitian people.

God has also blessed Hannah with her roommate Julie, a kindred spirit and sister in Christ. I am so amazed at how the girls have immersed themselves into the culture and are committed to helping these people (as well as the OMS staff) both financially and tangibly. Both girls are adored by their Haitian friends and are in some ways treated more like Haitians than foreigners. Julie is fluent in kreyol and Hannah is catching on. I tried to learn a little kreyol while I was there as I love the language but made a fool out of myself many times over. I was definitely their source of entertainment. I have had such a hard time trying to process my feelings about my trip to Haiti. I feel like I left part of myself there and long to go back at some point. I have written these people and their country on my heart and I will never forget them.

HIGHLIGHTS

July 1st-Arriving at the OMS compound after 2 days of travel by plane and bus. We were greeted enthusiastically by Hannah’s roommate Julie and Dave Graffenburger. He and his wife Marilyn have been serving Haiti with OMS since the early 70's. They are very special people and have a hugw heart for the Haitian people.

July 2nd- The graduation of the seminary students who have become some of Hannah and Julies closest friends. These young men and women have such a pure love for God and are fully committed to bringing the gospel of hope to their people. July 3 rd- A trip to Kormier beach with Julie, Hannah, Dr. Rodney, his wife Vedane, their children Wood(6) and Olly(2), and Freddo(17) a nephew who is living with them. I love this family!! Dr. Rodney is one of the doctors at the Bethesda clinic and also serves as a pastor in his church. He is an man with great vision for his country and a big heart for the Lord and his people. Once you meet this wonderful family, you feel like you have known them all your life. They have befriended both girls and they all love spending time together. July 4th- Hannah and I attended the Vaudreuil church on the compound where Dr. Rodney and his family attend. I did not understand much but the passion in their worship and preaching was so inspiring.

July 5th- I worked at the clinic with Hannah doing vital signs and helping in the depot putting away mediactions. The Nurses and other co workers were so much fun and overjoyed that Hannah had returned. I really felt loved and accepted by the staff. July 6th- Morning- Julies sisters Claire and Leah arrived from Ireland the night before and we ventured along with Vedane to the Citadel, a fortress built by a General from Grenada back in the fourteen hundreds after helping free the Haitians from the French. The day was extremely hot and humid but the mile hike up was worth it. Oh what a view!

July 6th afternoon- On the way back we stopped at Milot Hospital to meet co workers and visit with the earthquake victims who are living across from the hospital in large tents, receiving ongoing care. Hannah and Julie have been working there since February and have become very close with many of them, trying to help as much as they can. Everyone we met was so happy to see the girls and excited to meet the rest of us. I was really touched by these people. They have all lost so much and yet are still smiling. I saw many cots with bibles and was deeply humbled by their faith in the midst of tragedy.

July 7th- Girls day to the market with our guide Vedane. We stopped at an air conditioned fast food place and ordered ice cream. I don’t think it is a favorite on the menu as the ice cream was so frozen it took 45 minutes to be able to scoop it into cups. It was really good however and worth the wait. I had a blast hanging out with the girls and wished only that Em could have been with us. Hopefully she will be able go back with Hannah after Tom's wedding in September.

July 7th-evening- My last night we had a party with Dr, Rodney and his family and had a blast watching his two boys break dance to Michael Jackson’s “Beat It.”July 8th- morning(0740) It had rained hard the night before and we needed to be at the bus by 8:00 am to ensure that I got a seat. The roads were so bad from the rain that they did not even resemble what they looked like the day before. We definitely underestimated the traffic and congestion from the rain. The driving situation there is crazy at best but that morning it was insane. We had cars, trucks, tap-tap (taxis) and droves of motorcycles coming at us from all sides. I was so amazed at how well Hannah maneuvered the stick shift forerunner and remained so calm like she had been driving these roads for years. We got there in record time with minutes to spare. I can’t tell you how hard it was for me to leave Haiti and especially to leave Hannah. I Am in awe and so grateful for what God has done and continues to do in her life through her obedience to follow him. I loved my visit and have been forever changed by this experience.

More pictures of the the beach, Citadel, Milot, girls day out, etc. :
http://picasaweb.google.com/HannahMichellePerry/MomJulieSSistersVisit#