Haiti Team Update 4 – From Pastor Brent Kaser

After treating so many patients yesterday, we  realized quickly that our supplies were running low.  The first thing the team did today was pray for direction and wisdom in purchasing the much-needed medications for the clinic. Once again, the Lord opened doors. He has been so faithful to this team. We tried a small local pharmacy, knowing one of the best things we can do is to contribute to the Haitian economy. We were overjoyed by the prices, and the owner was fair and encouraging.
We used CCWG Relief Funds to purchase all the supplies we needed to treat almost anything our medical team came in contact with. This gave Dr. Ben & Dr. Yong an early boost as they felt handcuffed yesterday with inadequate supplies. These guys were amazing to see work together; it was as if they had served together in the same hospital for years.

Joe used his emergency training to the fullest today. It’s not everyday you get to see an ex-bouncer treat a four year old little boy’s infected ear with such gentleness…it was the love of Christ in action.

With Adrian & Jay doing all sorts of medical procedures, we must have treated another 200 patients TODAY.  I was awestruck as the team became one united MASH unit. By the way, I am ready to test for my pharmaceutical license, as I spent most of the day setting up and dispensing medications.

This afternoon, Jay was hit with the reality of this demonic society. Demonic possession and oppression have been common, but we have gone out knowing our Lord is more powerful than our enemy.A two year old little girl came in with severe cuts & rashes all over her body. The parents took this child to a local witch doctor and he tied a colorful string around the girls neck with strange knots that were supposed to cure her. At seeing this, Jay wept as he recognized how far from Jesus some people here really are. The team rallied around Jay with scripture and the word of God. The way the team lifted up their emotional brother was one of my highlights from the day.

Tracy, Rick and Bruce were manning the prayer room and every single person who was seen in the clinic was prayed for. Many received the salvation today as the message of the gospel went out to every single person who came to the clinic. We realized yesterday that the most important thing we can do is lead people into the throne room of our gracious God.

We shared with an eighteen year old boy who was suffering from malnourishment. Food is scarce, both his parents have lost everything and have no way to feed their family. This is a common theme as food is becoming harder and harder to find. Pray the relief gets here soon.  We focused our attention to this young man’s spiritual needs, told him to hold onto Jesus, as we silently prayed for God to provide. We asked if we could take a picture with him so we could remember his face and a bright boyish smile appeared. It was as if just being here brought him hope.

In the midst of such despair there has been incredible praise reports as well. One woman who had rejected Christ time and time again shared the testimony of the day the earthquake hit. As her home began to crumble she cried out for help but no one came, then she shouted the name of Jesus, and the help came. After this surreal encounter with God, she has surrendered her life to Him.

We hosted church service tonight and the Word of God went out powerfully, and the people were uplifted as a message of hope was poured out from heaven.

The message closed with Isaiah 61: 1-4

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
Because the Lord has anointed me
To bring good news to the afflicted;
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to captives
And freedom to prisoners;
To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
To grant those who mourn in Zion,
Giving them a garland instead of ashes,
The oil of gladness instead of mourning,
The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting.
So they will be called oaks of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.
Then they will rebuild the ancient ruins,
They will raise up the former devastations;
And they will repair the ruined cities,
The desolations of many generations.”

After the service Mike (from Saving Grace World Missions) was blown away with the love he felt as the entire congregation gave each team member long, sincere hugs. The people in Haiti are so encouraged that we are here. We are so grateful you have been partnering with us through your prayer & financial support.

Tomorrow, we will be heading to “Ground Zero”, a refuge camp, and to a rural village outside of Port au Prince to provide food relief. I am sure it will be another day full of emotional ups and downs as we see the devastation first hand. As always, your prayers are treasured.

Until the last one hears,
Pastor Brent on behalf of the Haiti mission team.