iTeam Haiti - Intersection

FoH,

The NWHCM main campus was a junction for comings and goings. By 6:45am, Elaine B, Kathy C and Mike O were on the mission bus heading west to Port de Paix and an MAF chartered flight to PaP. They expected to be on a 1pm to Miami, then on to Phoenix or Kansas City.

In the mission front gate began to arrive Haitian eye patients. They had come from various towns nearby SLdN, but also several from PaP. One couple came from the Capitol city with their 3 year old who just Nov 29 had her left eye taken out due to cancer. They came here for our occularist, Carolyn and Joe, to create a prosthesis for her. She left with a wonderful craft of art that makes her look like her playmates.

After we had been working a couple hours, our Tortuga team returned. They had been forced by storm to remain on the island overnight. The wind made the eight mile passage too treacherous to chance on Sunday. After the idea sank in, they were surrounded by the love of a church there who fed them, gave them blankets and a place to stay inside. Uniformly, the group praised their impromptu hosts. Thankfully, "Jonah and the Ninevites" came back eager to join the labours here.

Dental patients came, with Emily in the dental hygienist chair greeting them with pointy tools, floss and a bright smile.

We also had two non-iTeam groups, some of whom we saw on prior trips here.

All told, about 160 patients were seen in the eye clinic with 30 surgical procedures and two optical prosthetics created. Glasses were dispensed and lasers reformed eyes with glaucoma damage.

It was a pleasure to see the undersized team due to departure and Tortuga tolls bring eye health to so many new friends. Tomorrow, we expect even more patients, as the morning rains dampened some eye health spirits. We are on the path to another successful trip.

Mark Lancaster

Notes:
-Lindsey O says ...hi mom! Miss you dearly & the dogs. Hello to my students, miss you so much, and all of my friends! All is amazing in Haiti, I'm running the front of the operating room.....oh my goodness is it a great time! God is working miracles here each minute! Love each of you tons. God bless & chat soon. Xoxoxo
-Dennis sends love and prayers to Diane.