Before ever going to one, clinic was this vague idea in my mind where all these medical professionals that we ship in got together to give people check-ups. It was probably indoors somewhere official like a churches “fellowship hall” or some other kids of community building (clearly I had not traveled in the developing world). This past week I had the privilege of joining some particularly awesome medical professionals on a trek into the mountains to dispense some medical knowledge and Christ-like compassion. I’ll do my best to take you there with me.
Bright and early we loaded two gigantic duffle bags and a sweet, early-90’s hound’s-tooth suitcase, each loaded down with medicine, vitamins, and a variety of wound care supplies into the back of our white pick-up and left Montrouis for the mountain village of Sachwonn (sounds like szechwan, the Chinese food). Our crew consisted of our fearless driver, Dago, two translators, two EMT’s, a PA, a doctor, and two extra sets of hands (that’s where I fit in). After a 30 minutes drive we turned off the main highway and onto the gravel road that would take us to the top of the mountain. Haiti’s coastline is always stunning but the views that opened below us as we climbed above the villages and foothills were absolutely breathtaking. Haiti is very mountainous with only a few miles between the foothills and the beach. As we rose valleys spread out below, the air became chilled, and ocean rhythmically shimmered in the sunlight. But there are also sharp contrasts across the landscape. Some areas shone bright green , looking lush and healthy but large dry plains separated the growth giving much on the area the feel on California in August when everything is dry and golden. We climbed the mountain for half an hour and then stopped on the side of the road to unload. Sechwon is a small collection of rock and clay buildings scattered on the side of the mountain. Before we got started we walked over to the one room schoolhouse. The students gathered at the door and sang us a welcome song in both English and Creole. When they headed back to their seats we got a clear view of the school. The one large school room holds three classes, each facing a different wall with 15-20 students per class. Each group was studying a chalkboard with the days lesson written in French. Amazingly, the room was completely silent, even as we walked through and took pictures. As a teacher this was amazing to me because if visitors walked through my classroom my students would be filled with questions for them.
After our sweet welcome we walked over to the location of our clinic for the day. That day we were working out of one of the few concrete homes in the village. There was a porch out front, about 4’ by 10’ with a table and two chairs. The table became our dispensary where we set up an array of antibiotics, allergy meds, painkillers and vitamins. We posted the EMT’s in front of the porch to take vitals while the PA and doctor waited on the porch to see patients. After we prayed over the time we would spend there we began to see patients. Many of the people we saw were mothers who wanted to make sure they and their children were healthy. Many of the children had scabies which we unfortunately did not have any treatment for. We let Pastor Remi (our Haitian host) know that we were expecting to get some treatments soon and we would return to the village to distribute them. One of the local school teacher was gracious enough to put together a list of everyone that wanted to be seen and he kept a steady stream of people checking in with the EMT’s. Thankfully our little pharmacy was right next to our doctors so rather than having to discipher their writing they could just call out to us what they needed and we would bag it up and hand it out. As we worked the house was surrounded by a crowed that ebbed and flowed but stay around 75 people. After school was over the local children came to watch us work. There were fevers, aches and pains, and itches that were easily treatable by our standards but difficult when you remember that there is no CVS down the hill. The worst cases that came through were infections that were causing swelling and oozing pus. We were able to clean things up but for real healing the people would have to come down the mountain. In about five hours we saw around 150 people.
Before we left we were invited into Pastor Remi’s house where he had prepared a delicious lunch of beans, rice, and chicken. His home was a simple rock and clay structure, 8’ by 20’ divided into two rooms. A year and a half ago he lost his wife to cholera leaving him to raise their five children in there small home. Knowing his story made it even more humbling to receive such a blessing from this man and his family. In a village crowded with malnourished children we were eating like kings.
More than anything I pray that our visit brought hope to people that have so many reasons to feel forgotten. The medicine we dispensed will run out and new illnesses will arise but I hope that our presence and clinics that we are able to run in the future reminds people that they are not alone and forgotten. I pray our compassion reminds people that there is a good God that sees them and knows them and will lovingly walk with them through the trials and victories of life.
To God be the glory.
Bright and early we loaded two gigantic duffle bags and a sweet, early-90’s hound’s-tooth suitcase, each loaded down with medicine, vitamins, and a variety of wound care supplies into the back of our white pick-up and left Montrouis for the mountain village of Sachwonn (sounds like szechwan, the Chinese food). Our crew consisted of our fearless driver, Dago, two translators, two EMT’s, a PA, a doctor, and two extra sets of hands (that’s where I fit in). After a 30 minutes drive we turned off the main highway and onto the gravel road that would take us to the top of the mountain. Haiti’s coastline is always stunning but the views that opened below us as we climbed above the villages and foothills were absolutely breathtaking. Haiti is very mountainous with only a few miles between the foothills and the beach. As we rose valleys spread out below, the air became chilled, and ocean rhythmically shimmered in the sunlight. But there are also sharp contrasts across the landscape. Some areas shone bright green , looking lush and healthy but large dry plains separated the growth giving much on the area the feel on California in August when everything is dry and golden. We climbed the mountain for half an hour and then stopped on the side of the road to unload. Sechwon is a small collection of rock and clay buildings scattered on the side of the mountain. Before we got started we walked over to the one room schoolhouse. The students gathered at the door and sang us a welcome song in both English and Creole. When they headed back to their seats we got a clear view of the school. The one large school room holds three classes, each facing a different wall with 15-20 students per class. Each group was studying a chalkboard with the days lesson written in French. Amazingly, the room was completely silent, even as we walked through and took pictures. As a teacher this was amazing to me because if visitors walked through my classroom my students would be filled with questions for them.
After our sweet welcome we walked over to the location of our clinic for the day. That day we were working out of one of the few concrete homes in the village. There was a porch out front, about 4’ by 10’ with a table and two chairs. The table became our dispensary where we set up an array of antibiotics, allergy meds, painkillers and vitamins. We posted the EMT’s in front of the porch to take vitals while the PA and doctor waited on the porch to see patients. After we prayed over the time we would spend there we began to see patients. Many of the people we saw were mothers who wanted to make sure they and their children were healthy. Many of the children had scabies which we unfortunately did not have any treatment for. We let Pastor Remi (our Haitian host) know that we were expecting to get some treatments soon and we would return to the village to distribute them. One of the local school teacher was gracious enough to put together a list of everyone that wanted to be seen and he kept a steady stream of people checking in with the EMT’s. Thankfully our little pharmacy was right next to our doctors so rather than having to discipher their writing they could just call out to us what they needed and we would bag it up and hand it out. As we worked the house was surrounded by a crowed that ebbed and flowed but stay around 75 people. After school was over the local children came to watch us work. There were fevers, aches and pains, and itches that were easily treatable by our standards but difficult when you remember that there is no CVS down the hill. The worst cases that came through were infections that were causing swelling and oozing pus. We were able to clean things up but for real healing the people would have to come down the mountain. In about five hours we saw around 150 people.
Before we left we were invited into Pastor Remi’s house where he had prepared a delicious lunch of beans, rice, and chicken. His home was a simple rock and clay structure, 8’ by 20’ divided into two rooms. A year and a half ago he lost his wife to cholera leaving him to raise their five children in there small home. Knowing his story made it even more humbling to receive such a blessing from this man and his family. In a village crowded with malnourished children we were eating like kings.
More than anything I pray that our visit brought hope to people that have so many reasons to feel forgotten. The medicine we dispensed will run out and new illnesses will arise but I hope that our presence and clinics that we are able to run in the future reminds people that they are not alone and forgotten. I pray our compassion reminds people that there is a good God that sees them and knows them and will lovingly walk with them through the trials and victories of life.
To God be the glory.
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