After lunch a small group of us accompanied Maureen on a brief trip down the street outside the mission to visit a family with 3 blind members. Maureen wanted to make sure they were getting along and if they needed any help. The house was small, messy, stale, and dark. It had 2 rooms, better than some there. It was very humbling to see the grinding poverty of their everyday life. And 90% of Haitians are in similar circumstances.
Along the way we were swarmed by several kids, including a few older ones who were very persistant in asking for dollars. They weren't rude, but they were persistant, which made in a little tough to just enjoy their company.
It really is hard NOT to give out a dollar to these kids but the missionaries were very clear that it is a bad message to sen to these kids. They are right of course. The mission has feeding programs for these kids and any others of need. We were told the mission feeds 2000 per day. But perhaps the wisest goal of NWHCM is to try and give a hand up to these people, not just a hand out. Handing out money would never be enough and it would not foster a work ethic among these kids. In all ways, this mission has the people of Haiti in their best interests!
At 4:00 we got togther another group for a walk down to the shut-ins of St Louis du Nord, led by Seramone. About 10 of us went down to the city. The images I saw I will never forget. The crushing, filthy, and abject poverty these poor souls survive in....my mind can't even start to comprehend.
The third stop was down by the ocean through a stinking, smoking, filthy day market. The oceanside is where the poorest of poor live (so opposite the USA!). The building by the ocean are crumbling and un-owned, thus providing shelter for the squatters. One of the ladies we stopped and gave rice and beans to was missing half a leg and sitting on a filthy stool. Her shack had holes everywhere and a torn blanket for a door. A couple of rats were by the doorway. Just after we stopped there a woman who was literally bent over and walking like a crab came up for her food. She couln't have been more than 3 feet tall anymore. She was literally bent over in half and walking with her feet wide apart like a crab. We were told she had Mott's Disease, essentially TB set into the spinal column. TB eats away the spinal stucture, thus causing the severe disability. It is unheard of in the states and entirely treatable, though too late for this women. I wanted to take a picture but I couldn't bring myself to patronize her like that. My heart breaks for her.
The alleys and market nearby are filthy and smell of smoke, rot, and urine. EVERYTHING is the image of poverty: the destitute charcoal sellers, trash everywhere, run-down decrepit building everywhere that were homes to these people. Rancid water running in rivlets everywhere you look. Dried fish, meat, and veggies for sale, covered with flies and fermenting in the heat. People in worn out clothing all with a look of quiet desperation.
Dave Simmmons had a great point during devotions! Even though we directly fed only 12 or so that afternoon, we were seen representing Jesus to countless others. Sometimes it seems like we can only do so little. But the important thing is to be the hands and feet of Christ!
After dinner, I was emotionally and physically exhausted. Lisa and I hadn't had any alone time in days to we both went up to the tent about 8:30. It was good to to be able to share our experiences with each other. Unfortunately the wind was very strong again that night and we slept in the "dorms".
I got up for prayer time about 1:45. At first I prayed outside, the voodoo drums and chanting present but definitely farther away this time. The wind often drowned them out. It was downright chilly with the wind. I slept well that night, until 6:30, the latest on our trip.
Up next, Day 7, our last full day.
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