Poem by Suzanne Meece

 

While riding from Barahona to Santo Domingo on the last day, I took time to reflect upon my experience during the week’s mission trip.  As a way to express my thoughts and feelings, I wrote this poem.  It was my interpretation of how we worked together for a common purpose.

– Suzanne Meece

 

We Need a Garden

We need a garden

to value our land

We need a garden

one built with our hand

 

We need a garden

to provide for our own

We need a garden

for the young and the grown

 

We need a garden

to offer food for a meal

We need a garden

to grow medicine to heal

 

We have a vision

of plants lush and green

We have a vision

of a garden yet to be seen

 

We have a vision

A map we create

We have a vision

A focus to motivate

 

We have a vision

of what we must do

We have a vision

of leaders and crew

 

 

Come forward the people,

the young and the old

Come forward the people,

the meek and the bold

 

Come forward the people,

from near and afar

Come forward the people,

by foot or by car

 

We clear the land

We shovel, we rake,

We hoe and we pick

A tool we each take

 

Too many people

not enough tools

I can’t do the work,

says one of the fools

 

To get the job done

you must learn to make do

Use your hands, use your brain,

and then just do

 

To get the job done

you must find a way

use what you have,

don’t complain, don’t delay

 

The progress we see

is quite a transformation

The progress we see

builds more motivation

 

We gather the leaders

to review the design

We gather the rocks

and lay them in line

 

We gather our strength

in the heat of the day

We gather our courage

to finish and stay

 

We reached our day’s goal

We rest and we stop

We reached our day’s goal

Then we climb to the top

 

From a bird’s eye view

we see the creation

Looking down at our work

we feel satisfaction

 

Look what was done

by merely a few

A vision, a dream

that is proven to be true

 

It doesn’t really matter

where you come from

What matters the most

is what you have done

 

We have a garden

a vision come true

We have a garden

because of me and you.

 

Saying Goodbye to Friends

We headed out for our last day in Batey 7, picking up Mark Hare along the way.  Once on the bus, Claudia, a translator with us this week, helped translate a letter for the young men and their President, Juanito, who have worked on the garden this week.  Donn James had printed pictures for us to give the Community Development Committee showing the progression.  Feelings were mixed about the last day from excited to see construction and garden progress and also sad to know we had to say good bye today.

The Medical Team headed out to Aldarone - a batey that is mostly Haitian and where Pastor Jackie lives.  He was the primary Creole interpreter for our team this week which is spoken in the Haitian bateys.  His story is amazing having come from Haiti with nothing, teaching himself to read by reading the bible, and now leading a church and mission teams here.  Biff continued to inject cortisone into knees, shoulders, elbows which has been a huge help to people here.  

Wilfrido had gone ahead to Batey 7 and work was underway when we arrived.  Paul, also known as “El Grande” was pleased to report that all the construction goals were met.  Gwen and Kelly spent the morning interacting with the children.  Beauty shop was held as Gwen had her hair braided and styled by the girls.  Kelly was invited to eat lunch in the home of a young friend she has made.

Over at the garden we were met by a Medical Team out of Winston Salem, NC called Hands of Hope.  Our medical team only saw a limited number of patients in Batey 7 because we knew this team was already planning to come.  The garden was hopping with work when we arrived and we were quickly given jobs.  More tires were turned, the garden path was completed, turned tires were moved to the roof and dirt was sifted.  Moringa seeds were planted in the 100 small bags we filled with the sifted dirt and placed on the roof for sprouting.  Moringa is a tree originally from India that provides vitamin A and is a complete protein.  When eaten raw, it also provides a huge boost of vitamin C. 

At noon we gathered for a meeting with the Community Development Committee.  Each person shared their name, something significant and one thing that most impressed them this week.  Some included Clinton sharing that I am studying and working hard in school for my life to have a better future.  Rubio said I am in 8^th grade and want to be a civil engineer.  Richard Young was most impressed with the garden and that he came over 2000 miles to learn how to garden.  Polivar shared he liked being with us.  Alberto said he was surprised how fast we work.  Santa shared that she is the pharmacist in the clinic.  She will be trained as a CHEA trainer, and hopes God gives her the strength for the training as well as helping her to continue to support her daughter who is studying to be a doctor.  She was very grateful for how we received her at our hotel on Tuesday night.  Heramin shared that he is in high school in Batey 6 and that he is in Christ and will stay in Christ his whole life.  The group gathered agreed that we would be welcome to come back and help continue the garden.  We will stay in touch and the Community Development Committee talking about what needs they have and hopefully we can partner again.  Tears flowed from some during the meeting and especially as it came time to say goodbye.   

Everyone in Batey 7 boarded the bus, ate lunch on the bus and headed back towards Barahona, some seeing the coffee plantation, others a nearby waterfall, and some came back to the hotel.  Mark and Jenny along with their girls joined us for dinner.  Wilfrido and Mark Kemp led a communion service after dinner.  Wilfrido collected donations from individuals and the church which will be distributed to people in the bateys. 

Tomorrow is a travel day and we hope to arrive in Greenville about 10 p.m.  As we leave the Dominican Republic we give thanks for time spent here with new and old friends, for everyone working together as God’s people, for the lessons we have learned on the trip and for the relationships that have been built.  

Birthdays and Sharing

Happy Birthday Wilfrido!  We started our day by singing to Wilfrido.  He told us that celebrating is not a big deal because the best gift he has is his loving and beautiful family.

Paul O’Neal suggested Thursday night that we share something we have learned or a story of a person or situation that has touched us or been meaningful.  As I try to hit the highlights, I encourage you to ask the person to share more, because this merely scratches the surface of experiences and seeing God at work all around us and in us this week.

Suzanne shared an “ah-ha” moment understanding exactly what Mark Hare said earlier in the week, that “sometimes more is less.”  Today Mark Hare gave a presentation to everyone working on the garden about his work in Haiti.  Mark emphasized to us that he was asking us to contribute towards the minimal amount needed for this phase of the garden project.  We asked; why not purchase more to help with the next phase?  After seeing and hearing Mark’s presentation we understand it is best to garden with the resources available to them.  Suzanne also reflected on we can use this same approach in our lives, taking this home and not allowing something we don’t have to stop us from achieving a goal.  Appreciate what you have and use your resources to the best of your ability.

Biff said this same idea resonated with the medical group.  There are small things we can do to make a big difference in the lives of the people here.  Kristen Hamner is helping provide some ideas for us to consider. 

I shared a book suggestion called “When Helping Hurts.”  Every missionary I have met recommends this book for anyone considering foreign mission.  Ryan agreed that often we can think we are doing good and it is not always the case.  The medical team experiences the same challenges.

Christy shared that today the hardware store was interesting to visit.  The market area was very different than riding to  the batey by bus.  She asked Wilfrido a lot of questions about the flood and earthquake as they rode.  Wilfrido shared that he witnessed a school collapse during the earthquake.  He was moved to tears just remembering how sad it was to see the school collapse.  Christy also shared an experience from the afternoon vision screening where a man and wife came to have eyes checked.  The man was nearly blind and wife was helping lead him.  We immediately knew there was nothing we could probably to dot help his vision but we did not turn anyone away.  Christy observed that they were judged and treated different than most of the people who came today.  No one wanted to sit near them.  Christy found a space inside where they could sit and wait out of the sun.  After they were seen, Hugh told Christy they answered the question, “Why are you here?”  with “We are very hungry and have not had a meal for several days.”  We asked this question usually to find out the vision problem, such as “are you here because you cannot see to sew or thread a needle or can you not see in the distance?” It turned out we were not able to help the man but did provide reading glasses for his wife.  As they left Hugh and Christy discreetly gave them food from their bags.  She said “Gracious,” put the food in his hand so that he knew what had been given and both the man and his wife had tears in their eyes as they walked away. 

Bob was mixing concrete for a floor in a home today alongside a man from Batey 7.  Both men kept working on mixing the concrete until they realized (with the help of translator) that neither would stop for a break until the other stopped.  After they finally did take a break the man was so impressed with Bob’s hard work that he said, “Cooco or banana?”  Bob was REALLY excited for coconuts.  The man went and cut four coconuts for Bob.  Cut two open and gave him the other two to take.

Hugh experienced a random act of kindness from Richard at the vision screening.  A woman towards the end of the screening came and she had lost an arm.  After screening her, Richard realized that we had run out of the prescription she needed.  Richard pulled off his own glasses and said, “here try these.”  She said, “These are good!”  Hugh and Richard spent some time clarifying that they were improving her vision.  She told them all she wanted to be able to do was read her bible.  Richard said, “I will give you the glasses but it will cost you a kiss.”  She grabbed, kissed, and thanked him and kissed Hugh as well.  Once back at the hotel Joyce walked up and said, “I forgot to give you all these 4 pairs of glasses I brought to donate.”  Her donation contained a perfect pair for Richard.

Gwen played bingo with the children in Batey 7 today.  Everyone wanted to play bingo.  They loved the competition, winning, and helping each other.  Kelly shared a cooke with Gwen as they played breaking it half.  When a young girl won at bingo, she took her prize of chocolate candy, broke it in half and offered it to the other children. 

Kristen Hamner shared that it has been wonderful to be with our group – when groups like us come things happen – we provide motivation and energy.  She appreciates that we listen, respect suggestions from people working here such as Mark Hare, Jenny, Cici, and Kristen.  She appreciates us for being open to what God is teaching and leading us to do as well as learning lessons from the children here such as during the game of bingo.  It has been a joy to be with us this week and the medical team has been fabulous.

Jim thanked Cici and Kristen, sharing that they have made a huge difference for our medical team.  Things have not been unsuccessful in the past but with Kristen and Cici it has become more effective.  We see that the people who need our help the most appreciate us the most.  Foundation for Peace is the key to connecting us to the people who really need medical help.

  

Roger working on caulking a newly installed door

Hal completing electrical work

The garden is almost ready to plant with seeds

We cleared the area beside the garden today

Steve resting after lunch before more construction work

Wilfrido and Kelly during lunch

Donn makes friends wherever he goes - this is Batey 6 where Vision Screenings were held today

Bob and Kelly work on the second floor block

Everyone who worked on the garden this week minus Quanito and me!

An Awesome Day

Steve, Claudio, Richard and Mark turning a tire for the garden

Team Awesome painters - Kelly and Gwen

Laying the block on the storage building

Jacky and Joanne with girls near the community garden of Batey 7

Bob and Hugh mixing concrete for floors in Batey 7

Clinton cutting a tire to be used in the garden with Jacky helping

Batey Central Church where vision screening was on Wed. afternoon with Michael

Suzanne, Wilfrido, Joanne and Gwen outside the house where Wilfrido was born in Batey 7

Wednesday was another productive day for all three teams.  The Medical Team was in Alte Gracias and saw about 80 patients.  Jim reported that it was a fulfilling day because they saw patients who needed medical care.

The Construction Team announced a new name tonight - Team Awesome.  They had an "awesome" day.  Floors were mixed and poured, along with more wiring by Hal and Paul, and the church of Batey 7 was painted by Kelly, Gwen and their team of helpers where Hurricane Sandy damaged the wall.  Roger worked on a lot of caulking and the second story block laying of the storage building continued today.  Being resourceful is a key trait here in the DR, therefore the sanding of the wall before painting was done with a rock.  The Vision Team continued moving manure, mixing dirt, and moving it to fill tires.  The tires today were on the roof of the clinic.  Additional tires were turned - about 15 according to Richard, but Mark said it felt like 75.  

The Vision Team spent the afternoon in Batey Central which is about ten minutes from where our hotel is here in Barahona.  This is the church for one of our interpreters, Michael.  Wilfrido had let us know to expect a lot of people.  We had a record day with about 80 people for vision screening.  The church is in progress and is a building right now with walls but no roof.  This is typical for buildings and homes here.  Roofs or second stories are added in stages.  

After dinner we shared stories from the day and the devotional tonight was given by Fourth Presbyterian member, Hugh McVeety.  Hugh is with WPC this week to meet Wilfrido and see this area.  Fourth Presbyterian Senior High youth will be coming here in June.  Everyone is excited about the partnerships between three churches and looks forward to continuing to serve, learn, and share with each other.

Progress

Tuesday was filled with progress on many levels.  With a group of 22 it is hard to know where to begin but can say that this is a hard working group.

Today the Medical Team saw about 100 patients in Batey 4.  Biff Dickerson saw a 95 year old patient who he described as extremely sharp and fit – absolutely amazing.  He also shared a picture of the cutest baby ever that was a patient.  Foundation for Peace helped prescreen the patients for the medical care this week, cardio and hypertension – covered by Jim, orthopedics – covered by Biff, and general – covered by Ryan.  Tim has been handling triage and blood pressures.  Joyce and Beth support the team by giving shots, supplying medicines and anything else needed!

The Construction Team today consisted of Wilfrido, Donn, Hal, Bob, Roger, Steve, Kelly, Hugh, and Paul.  They worked in Batey 7 all day on completing the wiring of fans and lights, installing windows and doors, concrete floors for homes in the batey, and they started moving concrete block to the second story of a storage building beside the church.

The Vision Team started again in the garden outside the clinic of Batey 7.  PCUSA Missionary, Mark Hare, was there to help translate so that the young men, Clinton, Alberto, Ruvio, Leo, and several others in charge of the garden that we met yesterday could divide our group into three different work teams.  Mark Kemp, Jacky, Gwen and Richard worked on digging the soil and cutting more tires.  Joanne and Christy hauled manure from areas nearby over to the garden.  Suzanne and I helped cut and haul branches from trees, cut the branches into smaller sticks that covered the bottom of the tires, then sifted sand and manure to making a rich soil to fill the tires.  The hard and challenging work made the morning fly and there was a lot of discussion that time was not the only thing flying around.  The young men complimented our group assuring us they appreciated the hard work.  The afternoon vision screening was several miles down the road at Batey 8.  We set up in the medical clinic and screened about 60 people.  The last man we saw was 78 years old and named Victor.  He sat patiently reading a pocket size bible.  The glasses he received helped him read the tiny print in the bible and he was very grateful.  He said in Spanish, “God Bless you all!” 

I missed the group time tonight because of wrapping up a discussion with the doctor and nurse from Batey 7 who were kind enough to spend over an hour with us after their long day in the clinic.  PCUSA Missionary, Jenny Bent, helped arrange the meeting. Jenny along with her family stayed to also be a part of the discussion and Kristen Hamner, with Foundation for Peace helped translate.  The goal of our time was to gain a better understanding for a long term medical and surgical teams.  Speaking on behalf of WPC, the time together tonight was extremely helpful, we learned a lot in a short amount of time and clarifying many questions.  

Monday - a great beginning

The clearing begins for the garden area

Today was an incredible fulfilling day for all three teams.  Floors were poured, electrical wire pulled, windows and doors installed and a building was painted by the Construction Team.  Supplies were purchased by several in the group with the help of Wilfrido.  

The Vision Team was very excited to see and hear a vision from Juanito, Community Garden President, of the plans for the community garden.  We were able to join together with the implementation of a phase they have been hoping to begin.  Grass and weeds were cleared and rocks hauled to create and define the medicinal area.  Tires were hauled, sidewalls cut away and then turned inside out to create planting areas.  All of this was accomplished by our group working together with the people here.  A teen, named Clinton, helping shared this after our garden work was completed for today, “This reminds me of a Haitian proverb: When hands join together a heavy load can be made light.”  

After lunch the Vision Team screened over 50 people and sight was improved for the majority who came.  The smile of watching someone read small numbers or see in the distance that had not been able without the help of glasses was extremely gratifying.

The Medical Team traveled to a Haitian village that is one of the most remote and least visited by mission teams.  This village is in the nearby mountains and our team strongly feels it is well worth the extra travel time to provide medical care here.  Jim Young was able to check on a young boy with a heart defect who hopefully will have surgery in the near future.  The entire team reported being busy and appreciated the screening help provided by Foundation for Peace.  They ended the day by coming to Batey 7 Medical Clinic to see several patients screened by PCUSA Missionary, Jenny Bent.

Coming back tonight we are all physically tired.  After dinner we had a time of sharing and devotion.  There is a sense of excitement along with being truly thankful that we were able to have an incredible day meeting people, sharing God’s love, and working together to improve the community and lives of our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

Jaunito explaining the garden with PCUSA Missionary, Mark Hare, translating for our group

The clearing is complete!

Stones are added to define the garden areas

Kelly and the painting crew

Gwen provides reading glasses after her vision is screened

Jim checks on the boy with a heart defect.  

As I attempt to hit the major highlights of our day, I must say from my perspective it is wonderful to hear stories and experiences from each person on the mission team.  We look forward to sharing those with you and hope that this gives a glimpse of the good works happening this week with the support and prayers from each of you back in the United States.

Rejoice in the day!

Today started with a delicious breakfast at the hotel served buffet style and offering lots of choices ranging from fresh fruit, muffins, potatoes, bacon and eggs.  The coffee also hit the spot especially served with hot milk.  

We traveled by bus to Batey 7 for church.  As we arrived Sunday school was finishing and worship started after we filled in the nearly full pews in the church.  We could see the damage from it suffered from Hurricane Sandy where water rose to just below the windows.  Our group was warmly welcomed and introduced by Wilfrido.  The singing was moving and beautiful.  Some hymns were familiar and others were not, but everyone sang along by following the words on song sheets.  The children came in and sang several songs.   Not being fluent in Spanish, it was music to my ears to hear their sweet voices exclaim “Alleuia! And Jesus loves me.”  Paul O’Neal spoke on behalf of our group and church.  One part of what he shared included “this week let us rejoice and work together because Jesus has brought us together again.”  Mark Kemp preached from John Chapter 5 where Jesus asked a man “Do you want to be made well?”  Mark also accompanied the “Three Amigos” who played guitar and drum for the service.  Wilfrido and members of the church thanked us for sending funds for food to help them after Hurricane Sandy.  Following an upbeat song in Creole the service closed in prayer.  After visiting with members of the church, we had a little time to meet children, receive hugs, marvel at their smiles and enthusiasm for our cameras while they were intrigued with our hair and glasses.

We boarded the bus riding to Wilfrido’s home and enjoyed a delicious meal prepared by his family.  Following lunch homemade vanilla and chocolate ice cream with chocolate chips was served for dessert.  Several in the group had a chance to hold Wilfrido’s youngest son, Wilmer, who is four months old.  He and his wife have 3 sons, several nephews, and Wilfrido shared, “and also many children in the batey.”

After returning to the hotel, the medical team organized their supplies for Monday followed by the vision screening team organizing supplies.  The medical team is a well-oiled machine – quickly knowing how to sort and divide seven suitcases of supplies.  The vision screening is new for WPC and Wilfrido sent four men for us to test our skills.  We were able to smooth out our system for screening and helped them all receive glasses.  Soon word spread and we had a steady stream of people which allowed us continue to refine and improve our screening. We only had one person who did not need glasses.

During this time PCUSA missionaries, Mark Hare and Jenny Bent and their 2 daughters arrived at the hotel accompanied by Kristen Hamner, missionary with Foundation for Peace.  What a treat to meet everyone and hear about their work while also getting to know them and their family.  Mark Hare and our education portion of the team will assist building a community garden in Batey 7.  Jenny will work with the medical team also in Batey 7.  Kristen will accompany the medical team all week and has helped coordinate prescreening of patients in the locations where the team will offer medical care.  The partnership with Foundation for Peace is tremendously helpful because they know who needs medical attention and where other medical teams have recently offered care.

Mark and the "Three Amigos"

Suzanne and Joanne with children in Batey 7

WPC Group outside the church of Batey 7

Mark and Wilfrido after lunch

Christy and Wilmer

Travel Day

We successfully pulled out of the Westminster parking lot at 5:30 a.m. in route to Atlanta with our group of 22.  Everyone checked in and made it through customs for an on time departure from Atlanta to Santa Domingo.  Just before we pushed back, a request from the flight crew was made for medical help for a passenger.  Jim Young and Tim Miller quickly offered to assist the passenger but soon the airport paramedics were able to come on the plane.   After the passenger’s checked bags were found and removed we took off to Santo Domingo.  Reports of snow in Greenville were coming in as we turned off all electronic devices.  Arriving about 3 hours later, Santo Domingo welcomed us with warm sunny skies, beautiful terrain, and colorful architecture – the Caribbean.  Wilfrido’s smile greeted us and a quick late lunch helped us prepare for the final leg ahead.  I learned that this is new to eat at the airport and ironically the third floor had Denny’s, Burger King and Quizno’s which fed most of the group. Two from the group ventured out for local food which was on the first floor.  Paul O’Neal reports, “this is the last hamburger we’ll see for a week.”  We arrived to our hotel in Barahona about 9:00 p.m. just in time for dinner.   We are thankful for a safe arrival and look forward to church tomorrow with Wilfrido.f

Lunch in Santo Domingo in front of Denny's 

Getting Ready

Commissioning of Mission Team on February 3, 2013
 

On Saturday, February 16, twenty-two adults from Westminster depart for a week-long mission trip to Barahona, Dominican Republic. We will serve the people of the small farming villages (called Bateys) by providing medical clinics, self-sustaining farming techniques, vision screening and construction on village churches.

A new partnership this year is with PCUSA missionary Mark Hare and the community of Batey 7 to help implement sustainable farming techniques. Jenny Bent, Mark’s wife, helps the Batey 7 health clinic and with the development of its program to train health care leaders. Jenny has helped coordinate patients for the medical team to see as well as introducing us to the doctor in the Batey 7 clinic. We are also partnering with Foundation for Peace for the additional medical clinics. Our primary contact is Pastor Wilfrido Susana Perez. Prior to his ordination, Perez served as one of Westminster’s translators when the church began working in the Dominican Republic in the mid-1990s. Having only met Wilfrido in person when he visited Westminster in 2012, I look forward to seeing him in his home country.

Lots of work has been done to prepare our team for the week. Thank you to Dave Sems for leading commissioning the team during worship on Feb. 3.  I am thankful for the pre trip help from PCUSA missionary, Jo Ella Holman, Regional Liaison for the Caribbean Region. I am also thankful for the work by the medical team to order, organize and pack seven suitcases of medicine, construction team leader - Paul O'Neal, our members who were trained by Surgeons for Sight, and especially for the leadership of Mark Kemp.

We will return Saturday evening, February 23. Please keep us in your prayers and check here for updates from different members of the team.