May 18, 2013

It has been a different kind of week - but every week here in Haiti carries its own surprises, joys, and frustrations. Today I was cooking on the stove and listening to our cook sing a hymn while she peeled carrots on the back porch. The medical team was back from Bonabite and recuperating from seeing many patients in the country-side. Dr. Ken was draining a cyst from a midwife's arm that she had had for 27 years and she was happy she was finally going to be rid of it. Mirline, one of our teachers, was studying placenta previas and acretas at the classroom table. I thought about all the lovely souls in this place- from the laundry lady to the volunteer midwife from New Hampshire that puts her heart into teaching our students.

The stories of the patients break our hearts sometimes. Both Sarah and Maribeth have worked hard to find a place for a 19 year old who birthed last week and has not talked since she was raped at age 14. Her sister says she has been raped repeatedly since then and that is why she also does not feed herself and is incontinent. Maribeth is being persistent in trying to find an alternative to her going home to a certain fate of more sexual abuse. There is actually a social service department here in Hinche but the resources for dealing with this woman are not here so there seems to be no solution to where to put her for care.

Maribeth's persistence is what Jesus meant by caring for "the least of these". As women, we cannot fail to fight for our sisters who are oppressed or we will lose our very lives and souls.
Sarah's continued return to Haiti to teach midwives and care for Haitian women with gentleness and love is another example of someone whose soul is rich and vibrant. Dr. Ken's listening ear and love for the Haitians who need medical care is legend here so they wait at the gate for him to see them.

I am blessed to know these servants.

Nadene Brunk