| If the experiences of Haiti Team 6 could be
summed up in one statement, it would be “God’s faithfulness
amidst obstacles”. Getting to Haiti was fraught with difficulties
as one part of the team faced the prospect of having to wait
in New York for the next flight 5 days later due a flight that
was cancelled due to a snow storm, while another member of the
team (Derrick) had his flight mysteriously cancelled and had
delayed baggages enroute!
Despite this, the first clinic opened on Sunday 28th March,
although it had to be stopped after only 2 patients were seen
due to an impending riot in the vicinity of the clinic. Subsequently,
the clinic was run for the next 4 days with an average of
150-200 patients seen each day. At times, we had to send patients
with critical medical needs to the nearby German Red Cross
Hospital, and it was encouraging to see the different NGOs
and aid organizations sharing resources and helping each out
under challenging circumstances.
In contrast to the chaotic and uncertain circumstances in
Port-Au-Prince, our accommodation at Pastor Gary’s house
from Light Ministries was a haven of rest, good food, creature
comforts like wireless internet access and hot running water,
and warm fellowship with the local church, many of whom had
lost their homes and were camped out in the courtyard of the
house.
The scale of the destruction in Haiti was evident everyway
we went, but it was not until we had the opportunity to drive
up the hills of Port-Au-Prince on Tuesday, 2 March to view
the full extent of the damage to the city. It looked like
decks of cards that had fallen, with many lives lost or impoverished
in the process. In the midst of physical destruction, it was
also evident that the Holy Spirit was moving powerfully amidst
the Haitian people as witnessed by the vibrancy of the praise
and worship during the 2 services we attended at the local
church and also the testimonies we heard of increased numbers
of people coming to know the Lord and miracles occurring.
On the final night of our stay, we had the privilege of praying
and prophesying over our Haitian brothers and sisters for
them to rise up to lead the church into victory over the spiritual
darkness that was prevalent in that country.
The trip back was particularly eventful for some members
of the team (Hui Shan, Derrick and Koon Jin) as they had very
tight connections due to missed or delayed flights and had
to spend an extra night at Narita. But thank God for the journey
mercies that brought everyone back to Singapore safely. God
is indeed faithful through all circumstances, and we look
forward to returning to Haiti in the near future to carry
on the work that has begun.
|
