Saturday Morning

After a long day of travel, a few frayed nerves, Twilla's determination, and God's favor, we arrived in Cap-Haitien around 8:00 last night. The poverty here is unimaginable. The despair in the people's eyes is gripping. The openness and welcoming - heartwarming.
Being so used to the "mañana" culture and way of life in Mexico, it has been fairly easy for me to slip into the pace and way of life here. If you like to plan and have a structured day, this would be a difficult setting to adjust to.
This morning after breakfast some Hatian men/boys will go " scout" the hospital and a nearby gym to help find the best place for us to work. A gym near the hospital has been converted into another hospital, and currently has over 1,000 injured people housed there. I suspect that is where we will end up working today.
There are seven of us on the trip that will stay in Cap-Hatien providing medical care - not sure if that is symbolic, but so far we seem to be growing close.
Keep us in your prayers. The danger is palpable, even more though is the presence and protection of God. We were able to arrange a charter yesterday from Provo on Turks and Caicos despite the assurance from the locals that it would not be possible. God is leading us, I guess a better prayer would be for the people and country of Haiti. This earthquake seems to not only have injured, maimed, and killed so many; but even worse, it seems to have severely damaged the already very fragile fabric that was holding this country together.
They are going to need help for a long time to come.
Peace.

Getting Ready

What a day! I woke up with the expectation of saying "no", but was so touched by God that I had no choice but to "yes" instead. Peaceful. Fearful. Awestruck. Excited. All words that can describe the range of emotions I am going through.

As dissatisfaction with my life's direction was nearing its peak, God literally stepped in. After being invited to visit Haiti and help provide medical care in the aftermath of the tragic earthquake I was told by my manager that my territory needed me much worse than Haiti did. Word for word. If I were truly a salesman, I probably would have bought it and would be looking forward to another day on the treadmill tomorrow. Instead, my very being and reason for being a caregiver, a Registered Nurse, screamed no to the manager, and yes to God.

So many freak things have happened in the past two days to show me the way I should go, I honestly think I may have been struck by lightning if I had failed to listen to His call. Out of the blue two different people have told me that when you open the door to God, be ready. He will take your life and do some amazing things.

In seeing Him work in my life the last two days, I have come to know what it means to "fear the Lord". After getting off of the phone this morning when my no had become a yes, I was literally trembling. I have never in my 51 years felt the unbelievable power of God at work in my life as I have in this time.

I leave for Haiti in the morning. In reality I know I am leaving for something much bigger. My own personal Haiti. My own earth shattering, volcano erupting, hurricane strength journey with God genuinely in control. Right now - I am just along for the ride. Learning faith by saying yes.