The air was thick and heavy when we first crossed the border from Dominican Republic into Haiti. There was a palpable difference between these neighboring countries, some say it is a result of some pact with the devil many years ago… it is tough to explain the “whys”…. Nonetheless it is not as important as the message of hope we carried into Haiti along with thousands of dollars of medical supplies.
Hearts Afire Medical Team July 2012 with Caring4Haiti Volunteers
The medical team consisted of a variety of personnel that had decided to come together with a joint enthusiasm for this mission. Some members had never had the joy of providing a medical mission to a third world nation. However, with the leading of the Holy Spirit they had the courage to obey the Lord and step into another reality.
The poverty that surrounded our team was stifling. The rudimentary structures the people called home was nothing short of shocking—the buildings were made of nothing more than mud or poorly created cement with dirt floors and old tree branches surrounding each small plot of land. But the smiles that were thrown at us each time we passed the Haitian nationals was humbling. The children would run towards us yelling, screaming and laughing each trying to just get a glimpse of our team. Many of the children were naked and just seemed to be oblivious to the world that existed outside of their borders, which seems to be a convenient blessing for them.
There were so many story lines that occurred each day that many others have already shared so I would like to offer up what the Lord had shown me while on this trip.
It comes with the story of the Samaritan woman at the well. Jesus had asked her for a drink of water—such a simple request for a commodity we take for granted everyday in the United States. Water does not seem to come easy in Haiti… especially clean water. And the unhealthy water seems to be the cause of numerous serious medical conditions. Glory to God, we were not there to merely give out clean water or good medicines but to share the living water that would flow like a fresh water well springing out from the souls of each person we touched. It is an everlasting water, an eternal healing offered by the hands of the Great Physician.
It was privilege to serve together with such a wonderful team. There were also many volunteers that pitched in—or should I say jumped in—to help our medical team accomplish the task. People that, although they have never worked in that capacity, they let the Lord use them without any hesitation.
As I sit here the final night getting ready to eat and drink clean water and a hot meal I will try to remember what the Lord has etched in my spirit and soul and do my utmost for his highness.
In His Service,
Ken Cetin PA-C
Team Leader Haiti Mission July 2012
