Claire Dehereuse Hospital, Haiti

It was a little un-nerving to land at Port-au-Price Haiti March 20th 2011. After all, it was Election Day and tensions were very high. The first round of elections in December had rocked the country with violence un-paralleled since 1991 coup that ousted Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Aristide had returned home only three days before, and Jean-Claude Duvalier, "Bébé Doc"had also returned some weeks prior. It seemed as though a political powder keg was mounting and God was sending us into the middle of it.

It was a little un-nerving to land at Port-au-Price Haiti March 20th 2011. After all, it was Election Day and tensions were very high. The first round of elections in December had rocked the country with violence un-paralleled since 1991 coup that ousted Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Aristide had returned home only three days before, and Jean-Claude Duvalier, "Bébé Doc"had also returned some weeks prior. It seemed as though a political powder keg was mounting and God was sending us into the middle of it.

CHS had arranged for a surgical team to serve at Claire Dehereuse Hospital in Dessalines Haiti, a facility with a functional OR but without general surgical services. In the preceding weeks everywhere we tuned it seemed we were being told not to send a group to Haiti during this time. We had scheduled this surgical outreach for January but it was cancelled because round two of the election was originally scheduled for that time. After canceling and rescheduling the outreach for March 20ththe second round of elections followed suit canceling and setting the new election for same day.

I was sure the Holy Spirit was saying go as planned, yet the head of the local pastors association, and other missionaries were telling us not to come at this time. Finally, our dear friend who has lived in Haiti for 40 years called the night before our departure, and said the heart sinking words, "We are not sure you should come". When I heard the message from our friend I got on my knees and prayed a simple prayer "Father what should we do?" The hospital had not canceled the group but I was gravely concerned that if we did not cancel this team, we could be placing them, and my family in harm's way. The answer came to me immediately, almost before I could complete the question, and it was in the form of a question. It was not audible of course but extremely clear in my mind, "Do you trust me? Then go as planned".  The doubts never stopped but every time a doubt came to my mind, it was clearly followed by the question "Do you trust me?" On the flight to Miami the American Airways magazine even contained a piece about a man who had been taken hostage at gun point in St Marc Haiti while serving with a medical team. Despite all of doubts, the only thing I could hear was "Do you trust me?"The only answer I could give was yes Lord, I trust you. I was sure the rest of the group was having the same doubts, but they also continued on to Port-au-Prince. 

  
When we landed in Port-au-Price there was a strange quiet, a calm very unfamiliar to PAP airport. The hospital coordinator did opt for us to stay in PAP for the night, so not to encounter possible outbreaks of election related violence on the one road to our destination three hours away. As we went to the PAP guest house the streets were incredibly quiet. There were no riots, no civil unrest, very few cars or people, and as it turned out, there were hardly any reported problems during the election process. The group proceeded early next morning to Dessalines, without incident or problems. I was impressed to see the vast improvements since our last visit, there were far fewer camps and those that were still in place had significantly fewer tents.

As it turned out the Lord used this group to do amazing work. They performed 35 general surgical procedures, 30 + colposcopies, two c-sections and save the lives of two newborns. They also provided requested training for local staff in colposcopy and other obstetrical procedures,  and neonatal resuscitation; all the time witnessing to the God who sent them. Despite their concerns and doubts they were faithful to the mission to which God called them. We hope to see them all again serving where ever God may call them, individually at a remote mission hospital or with another surgical team outreach.

Thanks to all who were faithful to continued on to bless this community with these specialty services: Dr. Joel McCreary Anesthesiology, his father Dr. Dennis McCreary Family Practice, Tina McCreary Surgical Technician, Dr. Michelle Federer OB/GYN, Peggy Wolfe ARNP Nurse Midwife, and last but certainly not least Dr. Dan Liesen General Surgery.  Special thanks to Dr. Dan Snyder the primary coordinator for Claire Dehereuse Hospital and Dr. Johny Fequiere their Chief of staff. Thanks also to Don and Doris Peavey for hosting this group at their home Ebenezer Glenn Orphanage.

 

Thanks for your Faithful Support for our programs and missionaries!

Gregory D. Seager
Director of
TheChristianHealthService

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
       in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

 

CONTACT US for more information about serving at Claire Dehereuse Hospital in Haiti in these or other  mission health programs, or apply today.
APPLICATION FOR SERVICE

 

We are partnering with this facility for medical and surgical outreaches again in
April and May of 2012.