One thing you can count on when going on a medical mission trip is that each trip is unique (different from all others) because we have a very unique God (having no equal) who loves to show up in unique (extraordinary) ways. My third surgery mission trip with Upper Arlington Lutheran Church participants to Ouanaminthe, Haiti was no exception.
Hurricane and the Hand of God
We wondered whether our flight plans would materialize, due to Hurricane Tomas’ presence over the Caribbean region. Our trip leader, Robin Schrock, RN, kept in close contact with the airlines. We proceeded with plans to fly to NY and waited for God’s direction. His Hand pushed the storm farther west, our pilot flew farther east, avoiding much of the wind and rain, and we arrived safely in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.
We made our way via a 4-hour bus ride to the D.R.-Haiti border where we spent the night in a hotel, with plans to enter Haiti early the next day. It rained torrentially all night. By morning, the river bed between Haiti and the DR was flooded, preventing the Univers school bus from coming across the bridge to the D.R. to pick us up.
As we met Sunday morning for a team worship service in the hotel, we prayed that God’s will be done, even if that meant missing a day of surgery across the border in the Univers Medical Center.
Medical Emergency!
But God wanted us in Haiti that Sunday, as a man needed surgery as soon as possible. His Hand moved again—the water receded enough to allow the bus safe passage to and from the DR---to deliver the team to Ouanaminthe. We went directly to the clinic. Dr Eric Browning, using his God-given surgeon hands, performed emergency surgery. This man had a strangulated hernia, which means that some of his intestines had gone down through the hernia sac into the scrotum and got stuck. If it cannot be released manually, surgery is necessary or the intestine may die due to lack of circulation. Fortunately, the surgical procedure was done soon enough that the intestines were
released before that happened. When something like this occurs in Haiti, the person would die from infection if emergency surgery was not available.
Working with Clinic Surgeon
We had the privilege of working with Dr Lamah, a UMC staff surgeon who recently finished his medical training in Cuba. Dr Eric and he performed several surgeries together to sharpen Dr Lamah’s skills. Hopefully, he can be involved with other surgical mission teams, as opportunity to operate is limited with the lack of anesthesia when a U.S. surgery team is not there at Univers Medical Center.
Police Officers with us
One of the highlights for the medical team was the addition of Tony and Dan, Columbus Police Officers who accompanied us with the purpose of training the school and clinic guards in methods of safely controlling unruly people. 
Leaving Haiti After a Week of Surgeries
Because of the ongoing cholera danger, Haitians were prevented from going to market across the river in Dajabon, Dominican Republic. Our departure day was the 3rd week of the ban. Unrest and anger among Haitians were high at the border. No vehicles were being allowed to cross the border that day, so we hired two men and a cart to take our luggage to the border gate. From there, we would carry our bags and remain alert for pick-pockets. As I walked through the noisy, agitated crowd, I felt two hands around my waist. Were these the hands of a pocket-picker? No—the hands were guiding me forward through the crowd, up to the border gate. Haitian hands—God’s Hands kept me safe.
Reflections
Many people ask, “What hope is there for Haiti?”
Corruption, poverty, hate, government instability are common.”
Hope is intertwined …in
faith displayed through service to us
smiles and curiosity of Univers students
Haitian prayers that often inspire me
a shirt worn by a school staff member...
WE ARE THE FUTURE!
