Bruce's Takeaways

I have several take a ways from the mission trip this year.  First is that there is a universal language among children in all parts of the world and that is love for each other and laughter.  Sitting up in the “pharmacy” this year all you could hear for the first two days was the laughter of the children of the orphanage and you would have had no idea that they were orphans or that you were in an impoverished country.  Maybe it is the innocence of youth but they were having fun and not concerned with the condition of things around them as they were just grateful for what they did have and the care that they were receiving.  You witnessed this same thing every day during our lunch breaks as the younger children played and the older ones went about their chores but with smiles on their faces.  I was not able to engage with the kids while they were all at the boy’s orphanage but I heard from others that it was the same as they colored or played basketball with Mel’s home made hoop.

Secondly, you can not help but be amazed and have admiration for the compassion and dedication exhibited by Emily, Cliney, and Pastor.  These individuals truly have the spirit of Christ in their hearts and genuine concern for the well being of “their kids”.  As much as I may like to, I am not sure that I could do what they do every day.  Their mission and vision for what they want to accomplish is very clear and they will not be deterred.  Spending a week of our time there is so small in comparison to what they do not only for the benefit of the kids but also for the future of Haiti itself.  

Lastly, I would like to thank all of you for the example you set for me in giving unselfishly of yourselves to help others in need and the Godlike way in which you did it.  Some of you I had just met for the first time but I do consider you to be friends and would be more than happy to go on the next mission trip with all of you.  

Additionally, I would like to thank Mark for his leadership and all the effort he put in to make this trip the success that it was and to Mike for his patience with me in the pharmacy until I was able to grasp the right way to fill prescriptions. 

God bless all of you and our friends in Haiti,

Bruce Landino     

Kathy Ledtke: You are all in my prayers

The people we served in Haiti were so grateful and felt we were doing them a favor...but they will never know that in my heart I can see so many of their faces; I continue to pray for them; I love them and I know I will see them again.  They were the ones that were a blessing to me!  

I have never been on a trip with such a cohesive, caring, cooperative, fun and kind group.  I love and respect each of you and just as I carry the faces of those sweet orphan children, I will always cherish the memories I have of our delightful team.  God's best to each of you always!

All my love, Kathryn Ledtke

Photo: Jen Wride and she says the little boy Kathy is cradling is named Peterson.

Ambassadors of Christ from John

This fourth trip to Haiti was, in many ways, the most meaningful for me.  God really blessed this trip in so many ways.  First, He molded together just the right people to make a group of individuals from several different churches and many different backgrounds and skillsets into a team that he knew before the foundation of the world.  How neat is that!  Second, He brought us together with a remarkable group of translators so that we could minister to those that needed our help.  Third, He kept us all in good health and good spirits, so that we could minister to one another.  Finally, we attended two worship services where you really felt God's Spirit (expertise in Creole not needed!), heard from Pastor Esau and a real prayer warrior and marveled at how 70+ orphans ranging in age from 2 years to almost 20 readily participated in and benefited from God's Word and music.

I will never forget the many ways that God uses all of the many and varied gifts that He has blessed each of us with, so that the body of Christ is served in His name.  As ambassadors of Christ, it was truly a blessing to ask so many who came to us for healing if we could pray for them and have them light up and say "Oui!"  And the orphans showed us a level of love and acceptance that we felt from the first day entering the orphanage until the final day when we said goodbye. 

And ... special thanks to Emily, Pastor Daniel and Cliny for their help, support, smiling faces and Haitian hospitality!

John Zamzow
Short-Term Missions Coordinator
Faith Lutheran Church

Photo credit: Sarah ;}

Sarah's humbled and thankful....

As I transition back into my daily life, I find my mind constantly wandering back to my time in Haiti. I wonder if my little patient's seizures have subsided or if the worm medicine has helped the babies' tummy aches. The people of Haiti have made such an impact on my life, and I am so grateful to have had this experience. Someone advised me before the trip to "open your heart up to each and every moment," and that became my goal for this journey. I was humbled when I learned that my patients waited 12 hours in the sweltering heat to be seen. I was saddened when I saw the infections and diseases that were caused by a lack of clean food or water. I was amazed when the children's voices rang throughout the church, singing praises to God, thankful for everything that they had. I can only hope that we touched the lives of the people of Ouanaminthe in a fraction of the way that they
have touched mine.

I am also especially thankful for the team of people that went on this trip. My faith has definitely been strengthened through each member of this team in some way, and I feel so blessed to have spent this time with all of you. I want to especially thank Dr. Tim & Dr. Elizabeth for their constant support and guidance as I attempted to see my own patients and act as a physician. You both were amazing examples and role models of the type of physician I hope to become -- attentive to each and every patient while demonstrating God's love through your work. Thank you to everyone for such a great experience, God Bless! :)

Tim looks back....

As I return to my normal life I am thankful for every moment of my journey to Haiti. My faith has been strengthened by being in the presence of a group of people for whom God is such a central figure in their daily lives.  I have been humbled by the devotion of Pastor Daniel, he, like his name sake, stands surrounded by peril but remains protected by his faith in God.  To see life thrive in soil that is barren, enriched through prayer and faith, is a true miracle. I will always remember the simple dignity of the people of Haiti who waited hours in the midday heat to seek care for their children, then were quick to raise their hand in praise to God for their blessing.  It is easy for me to get lost in this life, in the pursuit of success and the daily grind of my life, I will strive to raise my hand as quickly to praise and thank God for my many daily blessings.  I will be forever grateful for the moments of clarity and grace that God gave me on my mission to Haiti.  I pray that I was able to give half as much as I received during my time there.  Tim Blanchet

Suzie's song and dance....

The song Jezi renmen tout timoun (Jesus loves the little children) is forever stuck in my head as well as images of Ouanaminthe: roosters, cactus fences, motorcycle taxis with five people on them, beans and rice, Haitian roadside food huts, and those laughing, smiling children.....all 73 of them. Handfree walking not allowed! If they see your hand is empty, they slip their's into yours, even on those sweltering days.

I'd been to Haiti before, but never to this corner and never have I been a part of a working orphanage, nor even part of a medical team! It was a unique and humbling experience.

God has gifted me with the ability to learn languages easily, and my French skills came in super handy as most of the orphans could understand moi. But, I would have been nothing without my great team of helpers...especially Janet and Kathy with all the crafts and games they came up with and medical team volunteers, Sandy, Ashley, Jessica, Rosie, Sue, Mel,  Lauren, Greg and X-Ray. Who would have thought the kids would so enjoy jumping rope in 90 degree heat?

When I wasn't working with the kids, I spent spare moments blogging about the trip and throwing up photos on our site so that friends and family back home could see what was happening day by day and continue to pray for us. Thanks to those who gave me their cards to download pics: Dr Tim, Rosie, Sue, Janet (above photo ;)  and Jen Wride.

This ragtag team that our fearless leader Mark brought together worked side-by-side in a very loving and efficient manner. Hats off to Pastor Paul and Cliny in their loving care of the orphans and visions for the future school and to whom I call the Mother Teresa of Ouanaminthe, Emily. To God be the glory. Ke Bondye beni ou.

Robert's Reflections

This was a remarkable mission trip in that there were so many people who have opened their hearts to do missions for the first time. I really enjoyed our evening devotions and sharing and felt as if this was an extremely cohesive team. I know that the transition back home is difficult and requires a lot of patience but I have realized over the years that those who stayed home did not experience the same things we did. I was very proud of Jessica in seeing a change and growth in her in the short week that we were there. I hope everyone will reconsider going again so that we can serve the Lord in our humble ways that we do.

-- 

May God Bless Your Day

Robert Antolak