iTeam Haiti - The Peak?

FoH,

What is the highest point on a trip like this? Of course, that varies from one person to another.

It is satisfying watching for reactions along the way. Some were thrilled just landing in their first foreign country, or maybe their first third-world environment. There is a mixture of adventure and compassion and fellowship when seeing Port au Prince and its teaming masses and landscape.

The visual and aromatic escapade of riding thru the streets of PaP or from Port de Paix to SLdN is another engaging experience. Describing it to many is easier starting with contrasts than trying to paint a realistic picture, like: No traffic signs, no center strip, dump trucks and donkeys two feet apart at 20 mph, trash totally ignored and covering the earth in places, rusting corrugated roofs on many structures, rusted rebar ascending the top floor of most cinderblock structures, no 7-11 or chain stores anywhere and no ATMs. Welcome to Haiti!

Another lofty moment is speaking creole for the first time getting an appropriate response, not like my first attempt to speak French. I was in SW Switzerland in Geneva with wife, Mary, in 1991 and in a shoestore when a clerk asked me a question and my response (later explained to me) was "You don't speak French!" No wonder the woman walked away with a quizzical expression. A hearty BONSWA in the morning or a graceful MESI in gratitude or a high five with your translator when you call your friend ZANMI is a break over moment.

Today was a big one for our occularists giving a beautiful matching eye to a 12 year old, savoring his reaction when he first saw his completed face in a mirror.

Some of the peaks can be professional in maybe completing a surgery of a certain type for the first time. I have heard repeatedly how an eye malady of the textbook kind regularly presents itself. We have seen oddities, some engulfingly sad, others barriers that are overcome for good.

It does not fail to be a thrill reuniting with former travel mates and staff and translators who have a place all their own in our hearts.

Twice this week, during the bench time Haitians spend moving from station to station at the eye clinic we have had a breathe taking event. Two new souls can call themselves children of God, as they confessed Christ as their Lord and Savior. There is no higher peak. Those of us who have given ourselves over to the compelling call of the Holy Spirit still marvel that failed, flawed sinners such as Mark Lancaster even give pause to our well-being. Better than that, Jesus draws us by the hand to stand with Him in the presence of our Heavenly Father. The air is thin, our knees are buckling, but we are at the peak with Him.

When we return with our stories, we share them as a byproduct of God's love. Stunning view from here!

Mark Lancaster

Notes:

Dennis says everything is well here. Last messenger given out. Great experience. The highlight of the trip. Looking forward to Saturday. Much love, DKH