Bethesda Evangelical Mission

Update From Haiti, February 26th 2010

Friday, 26 February 2010 12:53
 
 
 
 

To our faithful friends and partners!

As we are getting ready to start yet another in Les Cayes to serve the people of Haiti, we have you in mind. We know many are thinking about us and are praying for us, and for this this we are grateful.

Yesterday was our first day of service, and we had the opportunity to serve the refugees from Port-au-Prince now living on the soccer field in Les Cayes. We had a late start, but we had a good day. We saw people with all kinds of problems, from simple heartburn to severe infections. Due to the seriousness of some of the cases, about 10 people were sent to hospital immediately to receive more specific care. We saw 111 people ranging from age 6-months to 96 years old.

Our oldest patient had a broken arm from approximately 2 years ago, and is a case that no one can explain medically. He is able to do virtually anything he wants and yet the bones are not even connected. This man's joy brought life to the clinic and our team found strength and encouragement from him.

This is how Chris and Jen explained the experience:

 
 
 
 
I treated a 95 year old man at our clinic in the soccer field in Les Cayes. This man had more spirit than any man I have ever encountered. He entered and left our clinic with a smile and rejuvenated every person he interacted with. Toward the end of the day when everyone was tired and in pain, this man came into our clinic and into our hearts. We did not treat him today, he treated all of us as we shared in laughter and love of life and for Jesus.
  Chris Rusate, RN
 
 
 
 
This man also touched my heart with such sincerity and joy. I walked back into the clinic from a break and saw this lovely little graceful man sitting humbly, when yet I had no idea what kind of beautiful, jovial spirit he had and was about to share with our team. The first words out of my mouth were "Oh my goodness! This man is adorable!". I walked over just to lay my hand on his shoulder and offer a kind gesture when he embraced me and the team with precious smiles and joyous pictures  with the teammates. For a geriatric nurse, this man was a heartthrob! When asked about where his family was, he replied that his only family that remained was his church family. Quite the blessing for the first day of a most needed mission week.
  Jen Hansen, RN
With a well-organized team, one in-taker, one taking blood-pressure, four nurses seeing patients, three at the pharmacy, and one prayer warrior, we were ready to serve and deliver basic health-care to some of those in need in Haiti.

At lunch time, because we had the financial support of Casimir Pulaski Elementary School of Meriden CT, we provided food for all the residents on the field. The children from Pulaski collected coins, talked with their parents and along with the support of their teachers and the principal  Mr. Tom Brown, collected $2,100 to help the victims of the earthquake. Thank you Pulaski, you have made a tremendous difference!

Today we will be at one of the most needy areas in Les Cayes, the village of Brefette. Its only 5 miles from the city. Please pray for the patients and the strength of the team. We are grateful to the Lord that our team in healthy and strong, we have meds and we are buying more every day. We are anticipating seeing 150 patients (or more) today and we need your prayers.

It was a great sight to see after our clinic yesterday, everyone including the town Mayor were praying over the medical cards of all the patients we just saw, knowing that the Lord is the healer and not us. It was simply wonderful!

May God bless and keep you as you continue to serve him daily, until the next team update.

Your servant in the field,

  Pastor Lubin