We are back from an exhausting two week-trip to Haiti and we want to thank you for your support and prayer. The first week, we were in a region in the South East of Haiti trip at the border of Haiti and the Dominican Republic called Anse-A-Pitres. The second week we went to our base in Camp-Perrin, the area our volunteers call home. When God send you, you cannot resist and should not complain. Reminding me of the story of Jonah, in fact this story resonate in our ears throughout our first week.
Anse-A-Pitres is a though environment to even visit. The main highway from Port-Au-Prince to Anse-A-Pitres is built on edges of mountains upon mountains with cliffs on one side. It is a narrow, dusty, rocky, dirt track, strewn with boulders eroded down to rough bedrock on stretches that seemed designed to torture wheels, hooves, and feet. It seemed like a forever six-hour ride to our destination from the airport. Getting there we waisted no time after dinner opening the barrels and getting ready for the next day ahead. Poor roadway might be one of the reason that Anse-A-Pitres seemed so deserted and detached from the rest of Haiti. Their closest city is Pedernales, DR; unfortunately separated by the border of the two countries and strict security at their gates. People travelled to and fro the Dominican republic with their stamped passport but for the “illegal immigrants” it is impossible.
Who are those illegal immigrants? they seemed to be illegal immigrants in Haiti too since they have no Haitian papers and no Dominican Papers. They were living in the DR for years without papers and some were born in the DR with no family in Haiti to help them integrate into the system. So they sit at the border under cardoard tents in extreme poverty and depressing humane conditions. It bordered me much to see them getting used to their situations; it is just their way of life, some sitting under their tents waiting for handouts, some walking around in the dust-filled hot ground doing not much, others sneaking under the fence of the border everyday trying to find jobs. They looked pale, weak, dehydrated, and of course malnourished. Some suffered from Diarrhea, Cholera, common cold, pneumonia, tuberculosis, skin rash to name a few of those we evaluated.
I feel a bit disappointed that I could not help change their situation or help them integrate into the country of Haiti. We did very little to ameliorate their cause. It was with great sadness to leave them But I know that the seed the LORD sent us to plant HE will water it and make it grow according to His plan for His people. We left Anse-A-Pitres by 7:00 AM through the Dominican road because it was a paved road and we figured it would be better. Well it was a lot longer and we were stopped at frequent interval in different check points by Dominican officers to see if we were crossing legally and if we were not bringing any illegal aliens in their country. Custom services were long and torturous and we finally made it to the Haiti Airport by 5:00PM. we picked up a few more volunteers at the airport and we proceed for the second week of our trip to Camp-Perrin. It was the longest day, we finally made it at 11:00PM. We took the following day slow; we woke up later and we open the barrels and set up for the next day. Our journey then continued the following days and we did what we always do; we pushed to the end. With GOD’s help and strength and the spirit of obedience to God’s will we were able to minister to His people in the medical clinic, in counseling, prayer stations, day camp, donation of school supplies,food and clothing.
It was a difficult trip but I will not hesitate to do it over again if GOD send me. To GOD be the glory!
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