I believe the Haiti earthquake occurred on January 12, 2010. So we are approaching the 6 month mark. From the Antioch Community Church reports, I know that the relief efforts have shifted from medical to rebuilding.
I had the privilege of being a relief worker one week after the earthquake. I was part of a medical team that included two other doctors, a physician assistant, some nurses and a bunch wonderful non-medical folks who did the organizing and back-breaking work to pull-off a mission like that.
Overall, the trip was a blending of awfulness and intermittent expressions of goodness. I learned quite a bit about the human spirit, about Haiti, and about disaster medical care. Most importantly I learned that God doesn’t abandon those who are hurting:
- I saw teams of medical workers from all over the world. Signs of relief aid were everywhere.
- I saw people who had lost close family members break into broad smiles after I patched up their injuries and prayed with them.
- I witnessed a miraculous coordination of resources that saved a 15-year old girl’s life.
- I saw several young men who found meaning and purpose after they joined our team as translators. They are now in training as church planters.
From Habakkuk, a paraphrase: “Though there be no food in the fields, and the flock cut off from the fold, yet I will exult in the Lord. He has made my feet like hinds feet, and He makes me walk on my high places.”
I have more stories about my experience posted at BrianinHaiti.blogspot.com.
Though here in America our systems are much better, there are still so many, even in our Tarrant County communities, who are hurting and suffering. If you are reading this blog, you may be going through the difficulty of watching a loved slowly die. Or maybe you recently lost a close family member.
Let me invite you to join us this Wednesday evening, July 7, for some wonderful food, and a group discussion on losing a loved one. Chaplain Mike Shreve will coordinate the meeting. You can reach him at mshreve@texashospice.com, or 817-263-8808 to rsvp.
We will meet from 6-8 PM at the Culinary School of Fort Worth on Camp Bowie Blvd. Don’t miss a chance to get the help from people who are co-sufferers, and from two chaplains whose hearts are with you.
