Mission to Haiti 2012
from Charly Hood & Reiley Heaberlin

Our day started off early as our little rooster friend woke us up at 3am. We ignored him as best we could until breakfast was served at 6am (where we had spicy peanut butter.) We then prepared for the day, loaded up our open cage truck, and headed up the mountain.

We traveled about an hour through rough terrain, holding on for dear life all the while. Thankfully, we had a beautiful view to distract us. The mountains, the trees, the crops, the houses, the animals, the water, and the people were absolutely beautiful to see. Once we made it to our sight for the day, Mt. Sinai, we unloaded the truck and hiked about a quarter of a mile to the church at where we would be setting up our clinic.

The church was a wooden shack with a tin roof and tarp out the front for people to sit underneath while they waited. Before we started we got the privilege to sing and pray with the local pastor and then did the same with the people waiting outside. We were all moved by the Haitian’s French version of “How Great Thou Art.” God hears and understands all languages the same and we were so blessed to be a part of it.

We served 53 people today, ages one month to 98. We took vitals, history, and performed assessments. We diagnosed and treated (with what we had) a goiter, hypertension, multiple pregnancies, and different infections. We were even able to hear a fetal heartbeat. It was so great! Julia was games instructor and taught some sweet Haitian kids how to play frisbee, something they had never done before!

After a long day on the mountain we hiked back, held on tight as we rolled down the mountain, and made our way back to home base. A hot meal and cold shower never felt so good! I think we’ll all fall asleep quickly tonight. Little rooster better watch his back! =)