Monday morning we were up at 5 AM and off to the airport by 6 AM.
After a long delay in Port Au Prince we finally arrived in our homeland and to the hotel around 8PM Monday, night. We were weary from a long day of travel; we had one last dinner as a team. Afterward Joan presented me with a lovely Hatian painting as a thank you for leading the team. It was a very thoughtful gesture. This team of Leonard Lowe, Christa Repas, Dave Toth, Joan Shaw and Mark Rychel was a delight to travel with and look after. We cooperated, prayed, worked and laughed a lot together. Each person truly represented the body of Christ in each physical and spiritual skill and talent they brought. It was my honor and blessing to have served in the capacity I was called to do.
Until the next trip….
Respectfully,
Jackie Rychel
Faithful Whitness
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Sunday Worship
Sunday in LesCayes means 2 church services. The first begins at 9:30 with the musicians calling the village to church with music and song. The service is fairly traditional as we know it. The choir sings, the pastor officiates, lay readers read, a collection is taken, communion is served and a sermon is given. Pastor Toulutte always asks the teams what they would like to do in the service. We sang two songs. We chose “The Cry of my Heart” for the first. The second selection was “Here I Am to Worship” which we asked the congregation to sing along in their native language of Creole. It was very lovely and the smiles coming from the pews told us the congregation enjoyed it as well. Pastor requested someone speak or share a message. Mark graciously accepted the challenge and shared his journey to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He invited the congregation to pray for salvation as well. All this was translated by the pastor so if there was any doubt, we all heard the invitation twice.
After church we walked a few blocks to the boy’s orphanage to string Christmas lights donated by a St. Mark member. The boys will get a big surprise when the lights come on as we did not have power when we initially put them up. We then walked back to the Church compound and got ready for a little party for all the children. We had activities such as making Christmas decorations from precut shapes of angels, snow flakes and Christmas trees. Leonard brought the cutest pink flocked tree and fancy ornaments for the girls. He assembled it and had the girls decorated it. Oh, and did I mention he was dressed as an elf the whole time? I don’t think the Hatian kids had seen that before! We provided cookies (not home baked) and soda and small gifts of lip gloss and neon glow stick bracelets. It was lots of fun for the children and adults.
After dinner another service began at 6:30. This service is more of a praise service with lots of singing. The musicians as well as a song leader really get the congregation on their feet and participating. It was a great ending to a very joyful day. We said our goodbyes and went off to pack for an early morning departure.
After church we walked a few blocks to the boy’s orphanage to string Christmas lights donated by a St. Mark member. The boys will get a big surprise when the lights come on as we did not have power when we initially put them up. We then walked back to the Church compound and got ready for a little party for all the children. We had activities such as making Christmas decorations from precut shapes of angels, snow flakes and Christmas trees. Leonard brought the cutest pink flocked tree and fancy ornaments for the girls. He assembled it and had the girls decorated it. Oh, and did I mention he was dressed as an elf the whole time? I don’t think the Hatian kids had seen that before! We provided cookies (not home baked) and soda and small gifts of lip gloss and neon glow stick bracelets. It was lots of fun for the children and adults.
After dinner another service began at 6:30. This service is more of a praise service with lots of singing. The musicians as well as a song leader really get the congregation on their feet and participating. It was a great ending to a very joyful day. We said our goodbyes and went off to pack for an early morning departure.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Clinic on the Isle of Ile a Vache
We sailed off to Ile a Vache, about a 45 minute boat ride, Friday morning. We hiked up the hill to the new school. It is now a free standing 5 room building waiting for a roof. As I neared the school a young boy apporached me and grabbed my hand. He was a schoolboy evidenced by the uniform he was wearing. He kept looking up at me and finally said "Catsile!" which was his name. As soon as he said it I recognized him as the little boy who latched onto me on the trip in March. When I found out in March he was not sponsored to go to school, we asked his parents if they would like him in school and sponsored him. I was so astounded he was watching for me and found me. The other children were in class but he managed to escape and look for the "Blancs" (white people) coming to Grand Plains, Ile a Vache. He once again clung to me most of the time we were there. I had brought a backpack for him since he was now a schoolboy. As he accepted it he was so moved I believe he was crying. I was told that he probably could not believe anyone would do such a thing for him. Can you imagine such a small token making such a big impact?
We held a foot clinic under a mango tree. Young men brought benches out from the school for the patients to sit on. More people were interested in having their blood pressure taken than feet fixed. I think they were intereste in how the blood pressure machine worked.
On Saturday we went to an orphanage run by an elderly nun. She was a frail little woman that cares for 20+ handicapped children. I cannot describe the conditions. I hope you will all have a chance to see Mark's pictures. The children are well cared for, but medical attention is scarce. The Sister asked that the Orphanage in Les Cayes bring medication to her if they can spare some.
After leaving the Orphanage we were treated to "a little corner of Heaven" in a beautiful sand bar. It was right in the middle of the ocean! We could pull the boat up and get out and walk on it. There was drift wood, sea erchins, starfish, shells and lots of coral. As I walked to the center of it I noticed a piece of coral in a familiar shape. As I picked it up it was very clearly the shape of a cross. What a wonderful souvineer to bring back home.
We returned to Les Cayes safely and look forward to Church tomorrow.
We held a foot clinic under a mango tree. Young men brought benches out from the school for the patients to sit on. More people were interested in having their blood pressure taken than feet fixed. I think they were intereste in how the blood pressure machine worked.
On Saturday we went to an orphanage run by an elderly nun. She was a frail little woman that cares for 20+ handicapped children. I cannot describe the conditions. I hope you will all have a chance to see Mark's pictures. The children are well cared for, but medical attention is scarce. The Sister asked that the Orphanage in Les Cayes bring medication to her if they can spare some.
After leaving the Orphanage we were treated to "a little corner of Heaven" in a beautiful sand bar. It was right in the middle of the ocean! We could pull the boat up and get out and walk on it. There was drift wood, sea erchins, starfish, shells and lots of coral. As I walked to the center of it I noticed a piece of coral in a familiar shape. As I picked it up it was very clearly the shape of a cross. What a wonderful souvineer to bring back home.
We returned to Les Cayes safely and look forward to Church tomorrow.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Off to the isle of Ile a Vache
We had no power last night so I couldn't transmit. We are heading to the dock to catch a boat to go to the island. We will do more foot clinics there.
We saw nearly 50 patients here in Les Cayes and are wondering how many will be on the island. The island people do not wear shoes very often so it should be interesting. We learned this was the first foot clinic here so people didn't know what to expect. They didn't realize there were doctors that just cared for feet!
Gotta run. I will not take my computer to the island so you may not hear from us for a few days.
We saw nearly 50 patients here in Les Cayes and are wondering how many will be on the island. The island people do not wear shoes very often so it should be interesting. We learned this was the first foot clinic here so people didn't know what to expect. They didn't realize there were doctors that just cared for feet!
Gotta run. I will not take my computer to the island so you may not hear from us for a few days.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Toth Clinic
Day two in Les Cayes was event packed! We sorted and organized medical supplies in anticipation of our patients arrival for treatment. Clinic was scheduled to start late morning so we toured the primitive kitchen where the cooks prepare lunch for 500 students. Very large pots sit over charcoal fires and rice is cooked for lunch.
We walked 4-5 blocks to the hospital where we visited the children's ward. We delivered stuffed animals sent down by a friend of the Orphans. One of our own, a new young man named Stephanson, had a little mishap that landed him in the hospital. He is doing well and coming home soon. The children in the ward were very sick but encouraged by the toys. Nora, Mark and Joan took pictures.
When we returned we opened the clinic. Dave treated 20 patients. Most had fungal infections. A few complained of knee and hip pain. It was most satisfying to help those that came for treatment. One lady said to Dave "My prayers were answered. I was in such pain and then you came." We have Clinic all day tomorrow.
As we held Clinic, Christa and Lional (our interpreter) went to the boys orphanage to work on letter writing in response to letters from a third grade class in Chicago. This will be an ongoing project as we are squeezing it in between other activities.
So long for tonight!
We walked 4-5 blocks to the hospital where we visited the children's ward. We delivered stuffed animals sent down by a friend of the Orphans. One of our own, a new young man named Stephanson, had a little mishap that landed him in the hospital. He is doing well and coming home soon. The children in the ward were very sick but encouraged by the toys. Nora, Mark and Joan took pictures.
When we returned we opened the clinic. Dave treated 20 patients. Most had fungal infections. A few complained of knee and hip pain. It was most satisfying to help those that came for treatment. One lady said to Dave "My prayers were answered. I was in such pain and then you came." We have Clinic all day tomorrow.
As we held Clinic, Christa and Lional (our interpreter) went to the boys orphanage to work on letter writing in response to letters from a third grade class in Chicago. This will be an ongoing project as we are squeezing it in between other activities.
So long for tonight!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
We've Arrived!
We have arrived in Les Cayes after much lifting and moving of luggage and plane and vehicle changes. We were met by familar faces in Port Au Prince and transported to the small airport that services Tortug Air for the commuter flight to Les Cayes. Upon arriving in Les Cayes Israelson and several others were standing by to welcome us. As we approached the Luthern Church complex Nora was standing at the gate waving! What a delightful sight. We were happy to see her and she felt like a little bit of home had arrived. After settling in for a few minutes dinner was served, followed by a team meeting and devotional with songs and stories to share. We weary travelers are heading off to bed. Tomorrow will be a busy day with clinic, auto repair, working with the children and church in the evening.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Off to Haiti December 2008
With great joy and anticipation we are off to LesCayes, Haiti again. St. Mark Mission Team is packed and ready to go. Team members are Leonard Lowe, Christa Repas, Mark and Jackie Rychel and David Toth. We plan to help our fellow Lutherans at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church and Orphanage in LesCayes and Ile-A-Vache, Haiti spiritually, medically, educationally and physically. Through sharing our faith, servicing a foot and ankle clinic, exchanging Christmas traditions with the children in creating greetings to bring back home and completing odd jobs around the orphanage, we pray the love of God will shine.
Our trip will begin Monday morning with a drive to the Detroit Airport then a 3 hour flight to Miami. We will overnight in Miami and fly to Port Au Prince Tuesday morning. We then transfer to a smaller airport in Port Au Prince and fly in a very small jet to LesCayes, arriving late afternoon.
We are packed to the max carrying such things as car parts, medical supplies, a solar panel, computers, christmas trees, clothes, shoes and personal items requested by those residing in Haiti. Thank you to all that donated, shopped, packed, participated in any way to the fundraisers and prayed for us! Please continue to do so.
I will try to blog daily as long as I have power to transmit. Please take a minute to respond. Click on "post a comment" in the lower left of the page. It is wonderful to get news from home!
We will return to the US December 8th and back to our homes December 9th.
Our trip will begin Monday morning with a drive to the Detroit Airport then a 3 hour flight to Miami. We will overnight in Miami and fly to Port Au Prince Tuesday morning. We then transfer to a smaller airport in Port Au Prince and fly in a very small jet to LesCayes, arriving late afternoon.
We are packed to the max carrying such things as car parts, medical supplies, a solar panel, computers, christmas trees, clothes, shoes and personal items requested by those residing in Haiti. Thank you to all that donated, shopped, packed, participated in any way to the fundraisers and prayed for us! Please continue to do so.
I will try to blog daily as long as I have power to transmit. Please take a minute to respond. Click on "post a comment" in the lower left of the page. It is wonderful to get news from home!
We will return to the US December 8th and back to our homes December 9th.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
