Sarah O and I are headed to Haiti soon! O is already in FL and I will fly out and meet her there tomorrow. Our flight into Haiti is Weds morning. We are eager to get there and get a better sense of what our work in post-earthquake Haiti looks like. We are unable to take teams at this time. Providence Guest House collapsed in the earthquake, and with it our ways of doing Haiti trips…so until we figure out a new rhythm, new place for teams to stay, new work to be involved in (the Sisters’ orphanage collapsed and the kids are still in tents so it is hard for the m to manage volunteers) and reliable transportation, it will be just the two of us.
O is filling in for one of Heartline’s midwives, so that midwife can go to the US and be with her family for the holidays. So we will be on call for births (O delivering, me translating and cleaning/dressing babies). We will living in an apartment at the Heartline birthcenter, and missing Gertrude (our usual host). Heartline is starting a program (that we really believe in) for teen moms, and so we’re hoping for some deliveries around Christmas to give us a better glimpse into the Christmas story. You can read more about the teen center here: http://teenmomhome.blogspot.com/
We are also eager to connect with many of our Haitian friends, and will send updates if/when we are able.
Some of you have heard about the election violence that shut down the Port-au-Prince airport last week. We are really hoping to be able to catch our flight in Miami on Weds am into Port-au-Prince. Once we get into the
country we will be picked up by Beth McHoul from Heartline ministries (who has lived in Haiti for over 20 years). They will take great care of us, but we need the airport to be open. ;) If you’re the praying type, we’d welcome your prayers to that end (pray for peace, or pray for rain…if there’s one thing Haitians hate more than not having their votes count, it’s rain!).
O & I will return to the US after the anniversary of the earthquake (we fly back Jan 13th). I know I speak for both of us, that we are filled with gratitude to have the time off, the means, and flexibility to be in Haiti for three whole weeks this year! J
I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year! We’ll be in touch…
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