Dr Steve's favorite story

On Thursday the medical team went to an orphanage in a village called Sourcemalta.  We saw many children dressed in their school uniforms under a large white tent.

Raquel (MOH nurse) Dr Kelly, Gay Linda and Dr Steve

Steve, with Pastor and Franz

 

Some adults from the village came with their children--some by themselves.  Some were elderly--some middle aged.  I saw a middle aged man whose chief complaint was trouble sleeping.  I inquired about his medical health and found it unremarkable.he told me it was between him and the Lord.  All we had with us for sleep was some children's benadryl and I gave that to him.  I asked if I could pray with him.  He said ok.  My prayer for him was that the Holy Spirit would enable him to overcome whatever was causing his oppression.  After I prayed for him,he asked if he could pray for me.  I said sure.  His prayer was in Creole and Franz the interpreter interpreted. :)  His prayer was gentle and flowed out smoothly.  It was comforting even though I did not know the words.  He prayed that we would keep coming to Haiti and said how much it meant that we came to care for the Haitian people.  After we prayed we embraced--I was touched.  I was reminded of a book Linda and I had read recently.

David Platt in his book RADICAL asked the question--Would it make more sense to just send the money to needy missions rather than spend the money to travel to be with them for a week?  He wrestled with that question until he got to Sudan.  He was talking with a fellow from Sudan who had known war since he had been born.  He had faced persecution and suffering his entire life.  He told him about organizations that had brought in supplies.  But then he said to David"  Even in light of all these things that people have given us, do you want to know how you can tell who a true brother is?"  "A true brother comes to be with you in your time of need"  He then looked David in the eye and said"David you are a true brother!  Thank you for coming to be with us"