We arrived in Dèyè Mòn on the evening of November 2nd after a long day of driving. We were shocked to see how things looked after the hurricane. Even though we saw videos and pictures on television, it was still very different when we arrived in Dèyè Mòn. The village looked completely different. Most of the trees were down and I could see the village from the house we were staying whereas before it was covered with vegetation. We were all sad to see the devastation after hurricane Mathew.
As always, we were greeted with a warm welcome and everyone was very happy to see us and we felt the same way! Even with all the devastation, they still had beautiful smiles on their faces. This was such a testimony of their faith! After meeting everyone, we picked one of the new houses and set up for the 3 day clinic we were having for the locals. The medical team included a nurse practitioner, two flight paramedics,
an RN and 3 translators. I was honored to work alongside this medical team. Once we started seeing patients, the team did not want to stop! Over the course of three days, we saw and treated over 320 people. Most of them were dehydrated, had pain from hard labor, malnourished, or infected sores and disease. We saw a few cases of rotten teeth, pneumonia and herniated discs. One of the worst cases we saw, was a woman who recently lost her baby after giving birth four days prior. She was very weak when she arrived because she had lost so much blood. It was evident she was in severe pain and it broke my heart and reminded me how most of the women in Haiti have to go through this. The infant death rate is very high in Haiti and they are in desperate need of training on maternal health care.
In addition to running the clinic, we were able to give away 6 houses in Dèyè Mòn. There were so many we met who desperately needed shelter after losing everything in the hurricane. After much prayer, Dr. John Leininger and another team member, Jean Axtell walked for miles each day looking to find those in need of a home. The last house we gave was on our last day in Dèyè Mòn. A woman had stopped us as we were walking and asked us to 
come see her house. We followed her there and did not see a house anywhere, not even any remains. We asked her to mark where the house was, which she had difficulty doing. Then one of her sons marked where it had been with a stick. Sure enough, she wasn’t lying to us. He showed us two sticks that were planted into the ground to hold the house together. The family here was small. The dad worked in the fields and the mom cared for their five children. She was very malnourished and was trying her best to breastfeed her baby, who was also malnourished. After talking to them for a while, we found out they had been living under an old tarp since the storm. It was evident they were in need and because of God’s grace and plan, we had met them. We asked the mother if she would like to move into the village and of course, she was delighted. They quickly put on what clothes they had, piled into the car with us and we drove them to their new home.
We were all so blessed to be a part of this miracle God did for this family and for so many others we met in Dèyè Mòn. For this family, receiving this house was an absolute miracle and will transform their life. Not only does it give them a peaceful place to call home, they now no longer have to worry about all their belongings getting wet and molding. They don’t have to leave their ho
use when a storm comes, but instead it will be a sturdy shelter. They now live in a community with a church nearby. We hope to also one day bring Threads of Blessing embroidery to this village as well. So yes, receiving this house was quite the miracle! Like we always tell the people in Haiti, it was not Mercy International who did this, it was God. He tells us what to do and we listen the best we can and then do His will. All the glory goes to Him.
Even though it was emotional, returning to Dèyè Mòn was something we were all very excited about. There is nothing like greeting the locals here with hugs! They are always so happy to see us and we feel the same way about them. 
No matter what happens there, they stay positive and have faith in God. These people have been knock down time and time again by natural disaster, but their faith and trust stays strong with the Lord. As we helped with their physical needs, their example of faith and resilience was such an encouragement to us. They gave us so much back spiritually, it’s hard to even put into words.
Thank you friends of Mercy International for your generosity and prayers after hurricane Matthew. God has used your generosity in incredibly ways, and we are so grateful to watch Him work! Houses were built and given away, a medical team was deployed in Dèyè Mòn, food was given and so much more will continue to be done in the coming months. We are so thankful for God’s continued grace. We also want to send a huge thank you to Angel Staffing Inc. They got a medical team together, put their lives on hold, brought over numerous supplies to Dèyè Mòn and put on an incredible clinic that helped so many hurting people. What a blessing they were to so many people!
God is at work and we can’t wait to see more of His glory shine in our lives and the people of Haiti!
Psalm 145:11-12 “They tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, so that all people may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.”
Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
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