Dr. Clean

*written on Monday Oct 8, 2012*

That was my name today -Dr Clean! Rose called me that after our first day in the clinic. Everyone who passed through the door wanted cleanings! If you know me and know how much I love doing what I do, you must know that my least favorite thing is cleaning teeth! It is. I said it. For some people that’s hard to understand because I’m a dentist. But I like to create, build, restore, fix and renew teeth or smiles. I like to help people get out of pain. Cleaning teeth is such an important job. It is. That’s why there are hygienists who do just that! I love my hygienists at my office! They are great at what they do and I’m appreciative of them. Even more so today! Most people here need periodontist or a specialist for gums and bone. Today they had me! They had me and dull cleaning instruments. It was a hard day. I have to say that at one point I was highly discouraged because I felt like I wasn’t productive . But I had to remember that God’s plans are not my plans and I am here to serve the need. If it’s cleanings that is the need… Call me Dr Clean!

Rain Rain Go Away

It’s 12am if the first night in the mission house. Rewind to about 8 pm when I showered and started getting ready for bed. I was checking out the facilities, just amazed at the structure and building that is here and looked up and saw that we have a tin or metal roof. “Ahhhh ” I say to myself , “bet that’s pretty loud when it rains”. Well… it’s 12am and I am awakened by the sound of a trillion rain drops per second on this lovely metal roof that is keeping us nice and dry. It sounds like I’m in the depths if the ocean or lying immediately under railroad tracks. It’s loud! And then there is the thunder! I’ve heard some loud claps of thunder before, but here when it thunders you feel it rattle in your chest! But thank you God for protection from the storm. Thank you for providing shelter in the time of storm! Meanwhile I will probably be up until this storm passes.
I got a little apprehensive because of the intensity of the noise but God reminded me if something special He showed me on the plane ride. Just as we were flying over the island, we flew past a large storm cloud and you could tell that it was dumping some intense rain over the region. The cloud looked angry and slow moving over this particular area, but if you looked THROUGH the storm a slight little rainbow was visible! God is here! He is at work! And even through the dark angry storms in our life, God is in control! So I will just pray through this storm right now and get some rest on the other side of it I think.

Mighty Rock in a weary land
Cooling shade on the burning sand
Faithful Guide for the Pilgrims band
A shelter in the time of storm.

By the way, the next morning…. We saw this! A double rainbow!

Touch down Ayiti (Haiti)

Not sure if I’ve told you but I have always wanted to be on a mission trip to Haiti, it’s never happened for one reason or the other. I’ve planned to go on many a mission to Haiti and always, always, always something happened and I’ve never gotten to go. That is until RIGHT NOW! I’m in Guitton, Haiti at an SMI Haiti mission house. (Link) I’m on a mission trip with Bellevue Baptist Church and I am hoping to be able I do some dental work while I’m here. (The details of setting up my “clinic”or a clinic, or working at the local clinic have yet to be worked out. ) Anyhow, we landed this afternoon and I must say, Haiti is B-e-a-utiful! It’s absolutely gorgeous! I’ve had friends tell me or years that if I ever get to go I’d love it because its beautiful and of course the wonderful people. I must say its lives up to all the hype! Mountains, mountains and more mountains! I didn’t realize how much of the landscape was made up of mountains! Simply amazing.
Driving from the airport to the city where we were staying was a bit of a drive but I was in love! Listening to l the kreyol being spoken, trying to recall my vocabulary and phrases, watching the kids on the side of the road notice when you’ve waved at them and then just flash those awesome smiles up at you, and finally seeing the infamous “taptaps ” of the Hatian roads- I felt like I was visiting a long lost friend! Haiti you and I finally are getting some time together!!
Apparently since the earthquake and new president, a lot has been accomplished. The major or large “tent cities” have been evacuated that existed right outside of the airport in Port Au Prince. The land is cleaned up and grass and things are growing. There was an area a but north of Port Au Prince where they had a mass grave for all the “unknown” dead that were lined up for miles and miles. It’s all grown over and you’d not know where it was anymore if it weren’t for a lonely marker at the top of a hill in the shape if a cross. Some areas are still populated with tents or temporary housing that has turned permanent for many. This is all disheartening. But when you hear of what it was like before and see how things have changed, I’m encouraged that things are looking much better for the Haitian people.
As we pulled into the compound where the mission house was I got so excited! This is one fabulous mission home! Running water, (I said running water-not warm water!this means nice COLD showers,- praise God though), real beds to sleep on, many rooms, full kitchen, and electricity! Wow! I did a little exploration after finding where I was going to sleep and then I found a balcony…. The scenery was breathtaking. Haiti…. I think I’m in love!