The men’s team arrived safely in the Mole! Two of them arrived around 9am and the other two arrived around 2:30pm. They did not get a chance to blog … because it’s been a super busy day.
BUT – do not fear! I have their #ProofOfLife photo so all their friends and family know they really are doing great! LOL!
They are in great spirits – we are SUPER excited to serve alongside them this week!
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From the Nursing Team… Megan, Julie, & Kelly
This trip has brought the unexpected, to say the least. After long travel days and a sketchy flight, we finally arrived to Mole St. Nicolas. We set our stuff down in our room and immediately started seeing patients in the clinic. We saw several pregnant patients, but due to excessive rain not many women ventured out. We then proceeded to go out into the surrounding communities and do home visits. All of our plans have been thrown out and everything is just up in the air.
We planned to stay in Mole St. Nicholas until Tuesday and then travel to St. Louis. As of now, we are not sure where we will be or what we are going to end up doing because the roads seem to be impassable right now.
The unexpected has pushed us to really rely on God. We have to trust that God has a plan for us and that He will use us wherever we are and whatever we are doing. Although challenging, it has really pushed our faith to grow. A devotion that we read talked about how worship, working, and waiting all go together. We have definitely been able to see this during our trip. We are in the unknown as we are waiting to see what will happen and what we will be doing. Regardless, it is vital that we continue to worship and work in this process. We cannot let the unknown and the constant change of plans discourage us or hinder our time here in Haiti.
Ephesians 6:14-16 says “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” We need to be ready and willing for whatever God presents us with. In faith and with the armor of God, we are empowered and Satan will not overcome us.
We can’t wait to see all that God has in store for us and are so thankful for this opportunity to be here in Haiti and serve these people.
Megan
FYI…Today Kelly led a Labor & Delivery Seminar at 11am for lay people – and another one for our medical professionals at 1pm. It was an incredible time of learning for all of us. The medical professionals were able to earn a certificate for this training which is a big deal here.
We are so thankful for their willing spirit. It has rained non-stop since they arrived but it hasn’t kept them from serving – from being the Hands, Feet, & Face of Christ!
What a great looking group of God fearing men… especially the one in the glasses 😉 Praying for your light to shine, you guys are the best!
My HEART is seriously exploding with joy seeing this photo for so many reasons!! Thanks for keeping our anxious hearts updated! Beyond blessed to know that those little hearts in the orphanage get to feel the love of a Heavenly Father through the hands and feet of some great Dads and 1 great fiancé 🙂 And to know that the selfless missionaries who serve the beautiful people in the Mole and surrounding communities get a little extra help for a short period of time. All 4 of you guys are such strong leaders in our community and to your families and I am so incredibly proud of each of you for taking that strength miles away to a place that is so very dear to my heart and giving a bit hope to men that fight off Goliath’s daily. What an amazing sacrifice made by all! Thank you guys from the bottom of my heart! I REALLY REALLY DO LOVE the MOLE and it’s people!!! Praying for you guys daily! The work you are doing I’m sure can feel taxing and exhausting, but I pray that each of you can find strength and continue to let your light shine in places of darkness!! Love to all!!!
BRIAN AUSTIN- I am forever grateful for the team we have created. For the unity that we have and the calling we feel to serve a God that calls out into the deep. He knows what makes our love for one another grow. If I have said it once I have said it 100 times the last 2 days, “I really feel like my right arm is gone” You know, the strong hand, the one that makes life easier and better…. especially since I am right handed. It is a very different perspective being back home and wondering if you made it, or did the weather and your ears corporate, or to even hear how your day is?!? Its so sweet, every time Ellie says “da da” Chloe responds with ” Daddy not here, he’s at the beach with our friends in Haiti”. Its so very cute! We are all doing well here. Poor little Ellie is at the end of the flu with an ear infection and what I thought was pink eye but seems to be from all the sinus drainage. Quite a few of our friends have checked in on us, which brings great comfort. Chloe went to school today and the first thing she said when I picked her up was “Daddy still at the beach?” We are staying busy and missing you immensely. I am so happy you get to see with your own set of eyes what I have been talking about for almost 2 years and where a little piece of my heart is. Make sure you give the Castillo kiddos big hugs from me! And those sweet little ones in the orphanage. I keep picturing having the girls there and Chloe and little miss ‘Bebe’ causing chaos. Or her and Izzy running the show, all while Ellie tires to keep up!! And Zach playing endless amounts of basketball and gaga ball with all the boys!! Have lots of fun. You are loved and missed!! We can’t wait to see the updates!
Love,
Lelia
Hey Daddy, we won our basketball game 49-13. I scored 7 points. I hope that your ear is feeling better. Have a great rest of your trip. Oh and Kentucky plays Texas A&M tonight. The Pacers also beat the Bucks. I love you.
Hey Daddy, Kentucky won 74-73. It was a really good game. We got away with a foul at the very end. Hope you had a good day. Alabama won the National Championship 23-20. Their 5 star backup quarterback got offensive MVP. I love you.
Kelly G Glad to see you all arrived safe. Blessings each of you.
Cathleen