Day 2 - Behind the doors

Breakfast was served at 7:30 with fresh fruit, eggs, and oatmeal followed by the devotion led by Dan on challenging us to "leave nothing on the court" during our time in Azua.

The first stop was Pastor Wilfredo's village where the team has a long and deep relationship. Wilfredo is a terrific servant of the Lord and had the children waiting for us with prepared songs. Many of the team members gave a short message. We participated in serving the kids lunch (part of the feeding program we fund) and then spent time with the kids playing ball and painting faces. Wilfredo's village is very poor and, like himself, are mostly Haitian. They had a need for food, bibles, and wheelchairs; therefore, the team blessed them with those items. Realizing how Jesus has blessed him, Wilfredo was in tears upon our leaving.

We returned back to the house for a quick lunch and a 30-45 minute siesta for those that needed it. The days are long, the sun is warm (not complaining, just saying), and the emotional toll is noticed.
Mid afternoon the team headed to El Hefe's (Cesar) with wheelchairs as he knew people in need. He took us to places in Azua we haven't been in a while and we weren't totally prepared when going behind closed doors. Since one of our main projects is the blessing of wheelchairs we get to see much more of the behind-the-door suffering than we would in our normal travels.

This team is relatively seasoned with experiences of witnessing suffering and poverty. We were here and went into Haiti for a brief visit just 5 weeks after the earthquake of 2010. It's always hard to put into words many of our experiences. No words or photos can put you into the dark and filthy bedroom of an elderly man huddled in the fetal position on an old bed frame and blanket (not even a mattress). Having no ability to move or take care of himself without the constant care of his elderly sister he has laid here for nearly all of the past 4 years. There is no nursing homes in the DR. Either families take care of the disabled or they die. That simple.

That's just one story of one image-bearer of our Creator we have visited. Faithful to Jesus even under the worst of circumstances. Praising his name for the blessing of a wheelchair so he can at least enjoy the sun and become a little more "human".  Suffering isn't unique to the DR but in countries like this it takes on a whole different meaning when you are disabled. Families even consider themselves cursed if a member is in this condition. We feel blessed we can be a small part is shining the light of Christ through prayer, encouragement and what to us is the simple blessing of a wheelchair.

Supper was boiled potatoes, fish, steamed vegetables and plantain slices. Pablo spoils us.

The Jesus film was shown in a small village in the hills north of Thursday night’s showing. Because we support the local churches, it was shown in their church under the stars. That means walls but no floor or ceiling. After the Jesus film, a message was given about the power of the cross which was followed by praise and worship. Getting back to the house at around 10:15, we had a debrief, then went to bed, anxious and eager for the next day to arrive.