May Team 2014

“We cannot truly be who we are until we recognize others for who they are.”

~Unknown

     Greetings from Little by Little Team 23. We’ve arrived safely back in the states after a bountiful mission. Our group of 19 began a journey of service in the mountain village of Gramothe Haiti just 8 days ago. We are a unique and multidisciplinary team. Many of us strangers to one another when first we met, each of us ‘called’ for his or her own reason. Unbeknownst to us as we bid our farewells; strangers no more, we would share an extraordinary bond forever.

     That bond began with daily prayer. We stood in a circle, hands joined, one hand giving, and the other receiving. Through our hands and the grace of God came strength and camaraderie that grew stronger as each day passed until the team of 19 worked as one. We traveled each day to the clinic. The land of Haiti lush and green surrounded by its mother mountain. We arrived to hundreds of people in need of care. They had come from near and far dressed in clothing of many colors. The people, places and faces a photo could never capture. A smile of gratitude after just receiving a new pair of reading glasses, a mother’s relief her young daughter would get well just mere examples. In the evenings we joined together to reflect on the days behind us and looked forward to the days ahead of us. Emotions were raw but we found strength in one another and through the enduring support of our team leader Sue Walsh. We contemplated abundance, resilience and reciprocity.

     By day 5 we began to tire. There was more work to do, more patients to see. We were blessed with sunny days during rainy season so the Haitian people they came and they came. The very old, the very young, big and small could we see them all?

     Sunday, May 25^th the Haitians celebrated Mother’s Day. Bònn Fèt dè Mè. For me the strength to persevere would come this day. We joined the village people as they worshiped. Although the service was entirely in Creole the faith was palpable. You needn’t speak Creole to understand the devotion. What the Haitians may lack in material goods there is abundance in their faith.

They sing, they sing

Halleluiah-Halleluiah

The Haitian man, so tall, so tall. He stands at the pulpit. He closes his eyes.

Head in his hands he prays to God.

They shout, they shout

It is loud but the sound is joy, the sound is hope.

They lift their hands to God

Such faith!

Little by Little Team 23 grew accomplishing BIG work this week providing care to over 700 deserving souls.                        

Mary Ulery