Another trip....and what?

We want to start by saying thanks to all who were a part of our trip to Haiti this year. There is no way that we could make this each year without all of our family, friends, and supporters helping us along the way. And now that we have returned, we once again take time to reflect on our trip, what went right, what needs to change, and what else we can do to help those that we have come to care so much about, in a country so far away, sometimes forgotten by others.

We stepped up our team this year, adding one additional team member. For him, it was his first effort in medical missions, and we hope that he will be willing to write a little about his experiences, because the first one is always such an eye opener. Not everyone comes away feeling as if this is right for them, and that is ok. If your heart isn't touched, if you don't desire to return with a force that surprises you, if you don't wake and wonder how to make each trip better, and if you are not humbled by what you see, than this might not be what you are directed to do. Only each person can make that choice, only each person can do what they feel called to do.

Each year, clinics are different, for a variety of reasons. The situation changes, your outlook changes, your feelings change, and what you hear whispered changes. The goal is to take all of these things, to combine them into something which works, and to return to institute the changes, and hopefully make a difference in the lives of others. This year was no different.

We started by having a formula drive. So many of the children in the Carrefour area are malnourished, and so many of the mothers can not produce enough milk to provide the nutrition these babies need. We can't afford to buy a lot of formula, so we did the only thing we could do, turn to social media. We posted for donations of baby formula (powdered) to take with us on the trip. And the people around us didn't let us down! More than 40 cans of formula, some premixed formula, baby cereal, some toddler meals, some diaper rash cream, and some jars of baby food. All presented to Children's Health Ministries to help supplement their supplies, and to make a difference in these little lives. So to all who donated, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

But the trip is over, and we have returned. Returned to our lives where we are surrounded by the comforts lacking while we were gone. We can turn on the lights and not worry about the (solar) batteries running down. We can flip on the faucets and drink from the tap, not worrying about getting sick from parasites that might be in the water supply. We can sit around in our houses with the air conditioning running, and not sweat while watching the television. And we can take a hot shower without having to turn the water on and off, because we don't worry about the water running dry. Hot coffee, iced tea, cold water, milk, or juice. Oh ice! Such a simple thing, but so rare in a land where the temperatures rarely dropped below 80, and often were in the mid-90's.

And as I sit here thinking of all of this, I also reflect on what we left behind. Of the people we saw, of the lives we touched. Of what we were able to accomplish, and of what is left undone. And as always, I reflect on whether we are doing any good at all. Do we do these trips for the right reasons? Are we trying to make ourselves feel better? Or are we bringing temporary hope to a land where often there is none? Would our efforts be better served somewhere else, in doing something different, or by just donating the money to another charity and letting them worry about others in need? Sometimes my head tells me one thing, sometimes another. But my heart always leads me one direction. But is it the right direction? And is it something that I should continue doing? Or should I just let it go and go on to the "next big project in my life?" Does this take too much time away from my family, from my other projects, or from my life in general? Sometimes it is hard to decide what to do, which path to walk down, which way is right.

Our team has grown over the last few years. And in doing so, it gets more costly to send our team to Haiti. This means more fundraising, more events, more presentations, more thought and worry. Not to mention the recordkeeping! To try to promote our team on social media, on our website, and in our blog posts. These all also take away from life in general, time where we could be visiting with family and friends, sitting under the stars, watching a baseball game, or sitting around a fire at night. So much to think about. So many questions. So many decisions to make. Trying to know what is best is a hard task at times, so hard.

During this writing, I keep changing from I to we...there is a reason for that. These thoughts written here are mine and mine alone. But without the other members of my team, I am nothing. I can't do this alone, and wouldn't even try. No one is more important than the next person on the team. We succeed, we fail, we do it as a team. I don't make a difference, WE make a difference. For those that feel it in their hearts and souls, it will always be a WE.

We have started talking about another trip, but what would be the point? Would it make a difference in lives? Did this one? Everyone has to make that decision, and whether they will continue. We have been blessed to be a part of this medical effort, in conjuncture with International Medical Aid. With each person doing what they do best. They handle the logistics, we bring the muscle. And together we classify the clinics a success. But were they?

During the clinics, one thing became very clear. There is a need for education. In eating habits, in hygiene, in controlling chronic disease processes. We know this is a long-term plan, one that won't be accomplished in a single trip, or even in a few. But as healthcare providers, are we not suppose to try to make the attempts to educate. And by education, the future becomes better. And eventually things will improve for the next generation. So what is our plan? Only time will tell. See, told you there were a lot of decisions to make. But we know that God will lead us where we need to follow, of that I have no doubts.

And as for this trip, did we make a difference? There were not massive amounts of high fevers to treat. We didn't see a thousand patients. We didn't have a trauma patient come in, nor did we make any earth-shattering discoveries while there. We saw regular patients, with regular problems. High blood pressures, skin irritations, coughs, worms, malnutrition. So this was another trip, and what difference did we make? What life did we touch? What good did we do? If there was one person who experienced a difference for us being there, the trip was a success. The prayers over sick babies that one of the Pastor recited, the blessings that were given to the parents as well as the child. The knowing that someone cared for them, and that God is so aware of their pain and trials. And for one little girl, another chance at life. A child who, even though not out of the woods yet by a long shot, has a fighting chance because this clinic happened. Who would probably be dead now without God's intervention which brought her to us those days. And who remains surrounded by the prayers of thousands, that she will continue to improve and grow up into a beautiful young lady. And who we know will always be surrounded by God's love and His angels.

So will there be another trip? For this team member, the answer is a resounding yes. All the hard work, the worry, the efforts...they are all worth it. To make a difference in one life, to touch the lives of others, to remind them, and ourselves, that God is always in charge of what happens. To make new friends and to renew old friendships. And the prayer that some day, these trips will no longer be necessary. And that the families will have all the things they need to survive, and the added things we enjoy which make our lives so much fuller. To God is the glory, and to Him I thank for all He has given.-Sharon