June 2 - ESC

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I have been asked about the Emotional and Spiritual Care component of my responsibilities here in Haiti. Briefly, I am responsible for support for the staff here. Essentially, this means daily devotions and prayer with the team prior to our evening team debriefing. This occurs at 5:30 p.m. with dinner following. Also, there are many opportunities to come along side staff on a daily basis. We are all far from home and family and sometimes this gets hard. Internet connections are dicey at best, making communication difficult. Just ask my husband John! There are also many frustrations in accomplishing what we would consider to be a simple task. On a daily basis, we see the miseries and the destruction and work to do our very best to help in any way we can.

Additionally, there are many Haitians who support our staff, as translators, as drivers, supporting our logistics efforts, our projects, camp security, camp committee members and so on. These gentlemen have been through the trauma...have experienced personal losses...and are hurting people. They have pulled themselves up by the bootstraps and want to work to help the SA in any way they can, to be a part of the recovery process. It has taken some time to establish trust with them and just recently, some have been willing to talk with me, to share their experiences, and to accept support and prayer. I have become very close to some of our drivers; one even gifted me with a keyring with a brightly colored taptap on it. I treasure that gift because it came from his heart.

Most of my conversations and ESC experiences must remain confidential, of course. However, I think I can share this one with you. A young Haitian gentleman came to the office last week, explaining that his sister was very ill and cried all the time. He wondered if someone could come and talk with her and pray with her. Of course, he was pointed in my direction. One of our translators, Richard, from the Dominican Republic, speaks 7 languages, including English. I asked him to accompany us back to their place. We actually rode a taptap (my first experience!). I sat with this 15 year old girl, talked with her through Richard. She opened up to me and we talked for a very long time. Her brother sat with us. Her father had kept a distance for some time and then began edging closer, closer, until he became a part of this small group. We finished by holding hands and praying together, me in English, and Richard in French. There was much hugging with each family member before Richard and I left to catch a taptap back to DHQ. After we returned, Richard asked me if I noticed the other tent residents reaction to my presence. I had not, because I was focused on the girl. Richard explained that the women at the tents surrounding us, who were washing clothes in large pans, kept re-arranging their pans and moving closer to see me and hear what I was saying. He pointed out that my witness and caring went beyond this girl and her family. Humbling experience. It was obvious that the girl needed to be in the hospital but the family had no money. By the Grace of God, the money was provided. On Monday, the brother returned and asked that I go with them to the hospital, which I did as emotional and spiritual support for all 3 of them.

I hope this gives you some idea of how I serve God here in Haiti. As always, I appreciate your prayer coverage for me...I rely on the strength, wisdom and direction that those prayers provide for me. God Bless you all!

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Comments

[Dave Martin]

Myrtle: You are truly a blessing. You are certainly giving of your heart . . . . . . I am proud to be associated with you. Dave

[Jolie]

It is not surprising for me to hear that you were able to bring comfort and support as you share the love of Christ with all those you encounter. We continue to lift you up in prayer and look forward to getting together for lunch when you return.