Every Waking Minute

Like everyone else, I am overcome with compassion for the people of Haiti. In fact, I think of them every waking minute. Having traveled to the Dominican Republic with Medical Ministries International for the past several years, I have had the pleasure of assisting with medical care and surgery for many Haitians. What a wonderful people! Each and every patient was appreciative of the care they received as well as many being very receptive to the presentation of the gospel. I specifically recall the young man, barely in his twenties, who came to see us, thinking that he had a severe tooth abscess. The whole side of his face was swollen and deformed. Sadly, he did not have a tooth abscess but a cancerous tumor. Because of the extent of the tumor, limited surgical and treatment facilities (the hospital we work at has no intensive care unit/ventilators, etc), we were not able to perform surgery. We asked him what we could do to help him and he replied, "I want to get back home to my family". So, our group gathered some food and water, placed them in a back pack, gave him some money, prayed with him, and sent him on a scooter to cross the border back into Haiti--to go home to die. Now, if this young man had been in the U.S. it is likely we would have performed radical facial/neck surgery followed by chemo and radiation. Instead, we knew as he left, that he would die a very painful death, slowly starving or suffocating as the tumor grew larger, placing pressure on his esophagus and trachea. As I watch the current suffering of the Haitian people, I am reminded of this young man's bravery and acceptance of his bleek situation. Suffering is not just a word to many Haitians, but a day to day experience. My heart is breaking!How I wish I could be there to help!! I will be traveling to the Dominican in March and will, I'm certain, have the joy of caring for some people of Haiti. Lord, have mercy on these suffering people. Please give the relief workers wisdom in finding a quick and efficient way of distributing the desperately needed supplies. And may we, as Christians, practice generosity and intercession on their behalf.