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The team arrived home tired, but all smiles about what they'd done, how they'd seen God work. While there, God tought me alot about hope.

Rom 5:3 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,
Rom 5:4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
Rom 5:5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

The people of Haiti have amazing character. These are people who endure things on a daily basis that would put us into therapy. Yet when you speak with them and live with them they have no complaints. They look for the smallest good and focus on that. They look for God in everything around them and they find Him in the worst places.


Romans 8:24- Hope that is seen is not hope. Who hopes for what they see.
Hope is something that happens when you believe you will receive something you don’t yet have

Thank you, God for the team, for return to their home, their safety, and for using them to glorify You. Amen!

~M

Visitors

There were 2 visitors who stood out among the rest; a young girl and an older woman, one leading the other by the hand. Just to hear the description I, like most people, would imagine the woman holding the hand of the young girl, with the young girl following. But, no. I was wrong, again. The young girl, the child, was holding the hand of the woman. The woman could not see very well. She followed the child, the child led her. There has to be love here. And with love, then there can be life.

The woman could not have made the journey alone. We all have limitations that prevent us from making the journey alone. Live in Love and you will never walk alone.

Torn shirts, broken sandals, dirty faces, and runny noses. But always smiling and thankful for the fact that we were there. How great is that. And the smiles on our faces showed how thankful we were to be there as well. Having nothing and having everything...it can happen, when we realize that having nothing is all the "stuff" that we thing we have until it's taken away from us, and having everything is simply having a faith in the one who is our Father. I saw it all today. The have's and the have not's.

I have been thinking about that child alot since yesterday and then later the child with progressed bone cancer in her femur whose mother Glenn had to tell there is nothing more that can be done for her baby. Or the pregnant mother who came in early in the morning in pain and on a day that was supposed to be joyous, ended in tragedy as the baby did not survive. Or the little girl with the third degree burns that we treat everyday. Hearing her screams and cries for help as we change her bandages will forever haunt me. And the fact that she leaves the clinic STILL with a smile and waves to me is beyond anything I can grasp. Without medical attention this child would have died. A life taken, a life given. The one given as a grace from God. I have to believe that the people are inherently good people, with good intentions, and virtues. I believe all that, is hidden under the hardship of living in poverty and abondonment. Sometimes people do things to survive that are not very pleasant. But there is something more that we intend to do and that is to make ourselves aware of who we are, not what we are: vulnerable, fallible, and weak souls, who struggle every day to do the best we can, knowing that He is in control of everything. Just like the mob of people today whose only mission is to survive today. And for all of that...

....we give thanks always...He is in control and we believe in Him. Simple as that.

We Need Haiti

WE NEED HAITI
On the Haiti Foundation of Hope Website:

June 25, 2008 | Melanie Thomas, RN, June 2008 Team
A report written from Haiti:
The moment we set foot in Haiti last Friday night our senses went into overload. It reminded me of the very first time I traveled to Haiti. There is so much to absorb.
Traveling up to Terre Blanche on Saturday we saw the overwhelming poverty. We smelled the charcoal fires burning, the garbage burning, and the food cooking all in one spot. You could almost taste the smells.
We passed many small streams and could see people gathering drinking water from the same source their animals were drinking from and defecating in. This is also the same water that the women bathe their children in and wash their clothes and dishes in. I remembered thinking, back in 1994 when I first traveled here, "Why on earth would someone move to Haiti? Let alone go into a community with a compassionate heart and a selfless smile? How can I really make a difference?”
Then I began to understand the compassion and love. I began to understand this driven desire to help a hurting people who seem to have been forgotten. As we drove to Terre Blanche on Saturday my eyes were once again opened to the good of Haiti.
Everyone needs Haiti. Among its poverty is a wealth of faith, a gem of God's goodness and the innocent love of Jesus Christ. Everyone needs Haiti. We need Haiti to remind us of the abundance of God's blessings. We need Haiti to humble us and to bring us closer in our relationship with Jesus. We need Haiti for transformation.
The team is absolutely wonderful. The cohesiveness among everyone here cannot be outdone. As exhausted as everyone was tonight coming upstairs from the busy clinic day, we all are filled and have smiles on our faces.
Much love to all our friends and family.

Monday evening

I am absolutely exhausted. We worked alot of hrs today. Joe estimates we saw 250 people. And one surgery, which I JUST got done helping with. We removed a huge mass from the breast of a woman. The lighting poor so I held a lamp up in the air by Joe while him and Joan performed the surgery THE ENTIRE SURGERY.. I had sweat pouring off my face and by the time we were done my arms were shaking. But the young lady did great and is in recovery. Joan and I take turns going downstairs to check on her. I had lots of malaria cases, a very sick baby with typhoid fever... lots of H Pylori, ear infections in kids, did alot of prenatal care and one young lady with turbucolosis. We came upstairs tonite worn out but completely filled. Darcy is amazing. She helped Joe in OB this morning. She's not the wound and smelly stuff kind of gal, so she found her niche, with the babies. We suspect we will be delivering some babies while we are here... Woohoo... I've been journaling every chance I can, lots of good stuff.. reflection, you name it. If I get a chance I will post some of it later. Ok, off to bathe and hit the sack. Tomorrow is a new day..

Be Blessed,
~M

PS Did I mention I absolutely LOVE my team?? :o)

Bon Swa!

It's Sunday afternoon here in Terre Blanche. We slept ok, lots of sounds, roosters, donkeys, people singing. I was also awakened a few times with a nudge from Darcy. :o) Who says I snore... I took 2 Melatonin last nite, and apparently could of only taken 1, as I was OUT. I was awakened this morning to the sound a man singing. I realized a farmer was out behind the clinic in this Mellit field and although singing in Creole, I recognized the tune. And wow, what a voice he had. He was singing Blessed Assurance in Creole and I layed there with tears in my eyes as I looked out the window so see the crystal blue sky, sun coming up, and the perfect breeze coming in. We went to church this morning which was held in the clinic and there were so many people, that the clinic yard outside was also filled up. Church Service was wonderful and lasted 3 1/2 hrs. We were nice and hot and sweaty by the time was over. Today is Ann's Birthday so we all brought cards with us to give her. She was pleasantly surprised. What an incredible woman with a beautiful spirit. We were treated to a nice Haitian lunch of beans and rice, goat, and plantains... Yum!!!! It was delicious!!

Bon Swa

Bon Swa from Haiti! We arrived last nite. Traveling here proved interesting and had lots of gliches. As a team we had 34 big bags we checked in of medicine and supplies. NONE of them followed us to Haiti so we spent 2 hrs at the airport last nite in Port au Prince trying to track them down. The system didn't even have record of them. Fortunately all of our personal luggage we carried on with us, so that made it here. And tonite we are told they found our bags and they have arrive in Port au Prince tonite, so HFH have sent someone down to get them. We arrived up here at Terre Blanche this afternoon, lots of rainstorms, cool lightening and loud thunder. There are rolling green hills, filled with mango, pomegranite, and tons of banana trees.. Just breathtaking. The clinic is amazing and we are all set up to sleep upstairs. They have quite the setup and all of the staff is great. Tomorrow we pray our bags will be here and we can start unpacking and getting meds ready for clinic. There are already people gathered outside the gates for clinic. Haiti is just as I remembered it, a hidden gem... It's hot and muggy, and we are sweating.....alot. I will try and post more tomorrow. Much love and many blessings ~M

Leaving

Faith goes up the stairs that love has made and looks out the windows which hope has opened. ~C.Spurgeon

This morning I leave to head up to Portland which is where we fly out tonite. I think I'm ready... no I know I'm ready. With the help of some friends who helped me get packed to fit everything into one carry one bag. That was much harder than I anticipated.


Please pray for us all as we seek to serve as the Lord calls. Pray for safe travels for our team. Thank you for your prayers, fellowshiop and for comments, it’s encouraging to know we are supported in this.



Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says...I'll try again tomorrow.

2 Days........

Woohoo!! 2 Days til we leave. Wow, it's almost here. I'm packing (yep still packing). And getting everything in order here on the homefront for my family. There's been a change of plans for my children as my son made the baseball all stars team and so he and my daughter will be staying home with my husband getting ready for that as well. I'm going to miss my husband and them so much. I'll miss everyone here. I'm so grateful to the support I have from those around me, family, friends, church, coworkers. And the fact that I can go on this mission is such an honor and priveledge, and especially to be able to do it with my friend Darcy. She has such a big and kind heart. God is going to use her mightily. A friend called me last nite and said she had some children's vitamins she was dropping off today for us to take with us to Haiti. Awesome!

We started our malaria pills. Yuck, not fun, but worth taking if it to prevent malaria. I have our preventative personal meds, epipen, antibiotics for travelers diarrhea, all that fun stuff. I just have to get it all packed. Today I am working my last day, tomorrow I am off and can finish packing.

Happy Father's Day

I hope it's a wonderful day for everyone. Celebrate your father if you have one and honor his memory if he is no longer with us. And in some cases, if he never was there -- celebrate the person that filled in for him.

Happy Father's Day!!!
______________________________________

What Makes a Dad
Father's Day

Today we celebrate you,
fathers. You know who you are:
the husbands and the single dads
you are the real deals, the MVPs,
the Hungry Jacks and Manwich men.
Whether you have a full head of hair
or are losing it strand by strand
we celebrate you,
because you value a woman’s opinion
because when the going gets tough, you stay
because you know how to leave the cave
kill something and drag it back
every day.
Thanks for changing a diaper,
doing the 4 a.m. feeding,
playing catch after a 10-hour workday.
To the fathers, the dads, the pops, and the papis,
those who raise boys to be
brothers, husbands, and fathers
and girls to be sisters, wives, and mothers,
thanks for being super men
even when you feel like Clark Kent,
mild mannered as the paint on the walls.
When you think your opinion doesn’t matter,
it does. When you think we aren’t listening, we are.
For all who say, “one day you’ll thank me for this,”
thank you.



I also want to say Happy Fathers Day to my Dear Husband. You are the other half of me and where I lack as a parent you pick up. I hope you enjoy your day. I love you.

~M

Bon Swa!!

Got this from HFH this morning:


Dear Friends,

Bon Swa! This is just a reminder to take your chloroquine tomorrow, Sunday. Take both of the pills and when we get to Haiti we will provide the rest of your pills.

Also, even though we’ve had cold weather here, I can guarantee you that it will be HOT in HAITI.

Lastly, please try and get some sleep this week and take good care of yourself … next week will be very different and require you to be in your best condition!

There is much excitement in Terre Blanche welcoming team (below) are getting ready for you!

Love and Bondye beni ou (God Bless You!

~Linda
Haiti Foundation of Hope

7 days.........

Wow, I am getting so excited and a lil anxious. I think I ALMOST have everything.. I went to Boise earlier this week to finish my shopping. Got my skeeter net, and all that fun stuff. I've even pulled out my carry on bag to start the packing and hopefully by this weekend packing will be complete. I have a plan, and think I can get my scrubs, stethoscop, bp cuff, otoscope, and everything into the bag, God willing! Hope everyone is having a good week.

Many Blessings,
~M

Reason, Season or a Lifetime

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person.
When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you
with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or
spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be.
Then, without any wrongdoing or at an inconvenient
time, this person will say or do something to bring the
relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire
fulfilled, their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.
Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.
LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons,
Things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional
foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson,
Love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other
relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.


Thank you for being a part of my life,
Whether you were a reason, a season or a lifetime.

Are you there God? It's me, Melanie...

I've been on edge for a couple days now. Snippy and testy. All traits I love in myself. No, not really. I knew I was in trouble when I met a girlfriend for lunch the other day and when asked what I felt like eating I replied with "A deep fried salt lick dipped in sugar and chocolate."

With our upcoming leave date getting closer and closer. I'm starting to get a bit anxious. Mainly, I'm trying to make arrangements for my family, get the fridge stocked, etc, etc... On top of that, everyday I remember something I still need to get for my trip in 12 days. Yikes. And with the busyness of life, baseball, husband and kids, I feel stretched. Spending time with my husband and kids have been my main focus lately, although schedules haven't always allowed it. UGH!!!

Brokenness. Something I've been journaling alot on and it’s something that’s been on my heart for a while, and a word that is having a major impact on my life.

Brokenness breeds humility. When I start to realize who God is in comparison to who I am, I really have a hard time holding my head up trying to brag about the things that I have done. More and more I am realizing that the things in my life that I have done that are good, are things that God would have me do. At some point we are all humbled before God, either by confrontation or destination. I am tired of being humbled by confrontation. Why do I wait for disasters for God to show me who He is, and how He works through the toughest of times? Maybe I should purposefully seek God out before I am in need, before tragedy. I think of all the people that came to Jesus to get healed, and how they came before Him completely broken. Lepers ostracized from their families, cripples confined to the dirt streets, they were broken. And because of their faith, their humble faith, Jesus healed them.

Brokenness leads to healing. I learned in nursing school how human muscles are odd. In order for them to grow, they must first be torn apart. But when they do heal, they come back stronger than before. If we never own up to anything being wrong in our lives, how will we ever get better? I hate going to the doctor. It’s a last resort option for me. I don’t know why I am this way, but I will try everything under the sun, including ignoring the pain, before I break down and go to the doctor. But that is what they are there for, to prescribe what we need to be healed. Here’s the amazing thing about the people that Jesus healed, they always got more than what they asked for. A blind man comes to get his sight restored and not only does he walk away with vision, but a clean soul as well. We ask Jesus to make things in our lives better, and He forgives us of our sins.

I've also seen how brokenness builds community. Those who are farther along share their struggles with those who are still weak. In the book of James it says that when we confess to God our sins are forgiven, and when we confess to each other we are healed. Jesus said that a hospital is for the sick.

I am broken, and often I tend to make things harder than they really need to be. And yet, the end result? Love, pure and simple. It may take me longer to get to my destination, but I'm thankful, that although I may veer off the road, the road doesn't end, and always merges back on where it needs to.

I have a wonderful husband (wonderful, not perfect. Not psychic either, which has made his life a little less enjoyable this week) and two children in whom I am well pleased and whose smiles make my day. Instead of looking at my brokenness as a handicap, I'm trying to view it as a strength. And not for myself... Because out of brokenness, comes compassion. Compassion for those who may also be broken.

Have a blessed weekend..
~M

From the pastor in Haiti who awaits our arrival..

Dear Precious Friends in the love of God,


Greeting to you in the wonderful Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus who call all of you to come to Haiti and bless our poor people at Terre Blanche.His always great in faithfulness,He is with you ,He will be with you for travel mercy in the way to Haiti,He will there to wellcome you with His angels and at Terre Blanche to bless your stay.


Church at Terre Blanche,my family and I are praying for you.With you presence,we will celebrate one year anniversary of the dispensary this month,we supposed to do it last February 25,but we are for your presence to make it together.It will more than wonderful to celebrate it with Mrs Ann's Birthday.


May the Lord continue to shower His blessing upon all of you!



In His service,

delamy

My Lifesong

I’ve been listening to a Casting Crowns song entitled “And Now My Lifesong Sings”. It’s a song of prayer, and right now as we are preparing to leave in 13 days, it's my prayer...


And Now My Lifesong Sings by Casting Crowns

I once was lost, but now I’m found
I once was lost, but now I’m found
So far away, but I’m home now
I once was lost, but now I’m found
And now my lifesong sings

I once was blind, but now I see
I once was blind, but now I see
I don’t know how, but when He touched me
I once was blind, but now I see

And now my lifesong sings
And now my lifesong sings
And now my lifesong sings

I once was dead, but now I live
I once was dead, but now I live
Now my life to You I give
Now my life to You I give
Now my life to You I give

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Let my lifesong sing to You

“I once was lost, but now am found”. Sound familiar? Sound like Amazing Grace? Sound like what happened in your life? Sound like something you would like to happen in your life?

I once lived a totally dedicated life. The problem was that it was dedicated to myself. I didn’t know it at the time. I didn’t understand what it meant to be lost. But lost is the best way to describe just where I was.

God had been calling out to me, but I just hadn’t really listened. I didn’t know that God wanted me to have this close connection with me. I didn’t know that Jesus wanted to abide in me and be not only my Savior and Lord, but also my friend.

I was lost, but finally God’s call connected. And I was found. I hope that many of you have a similar story…about being found I mean. And if you’re still in the lostness, know that God doesn’t give up…even if we think we’ve given up in Him. He loves us so much that the bible tells us “…He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, shall not perish.”

But as the song goes, that’s only half the story. When we are found; when we’re no longer dead, but alive, we are to give our lives to Him. He doesn’t want our lives to rule like Kings of old who took control by force. He wants to rule our lives like someone who truly cares for us. He wants to see us succeed. He wants to show us His peace and mercy and love. And He wants us to live our lives sharing these things with others.

And I'm thankful for Grace. For once I was blind, but now I see. Once I was lost, but now I'm found!


In the love of Christ,
~M

Thought for the day...

Hair is so overrated....Self is too

~M