(Image courtesy of Baptist Haiti Mission)
Haiti (MNN) ― Some might call it providence; others would say it's just a coincidence. But one week after Sandy ravaged Haiti, a medical missions team is setting up shop with Baptist Haiti Mission.
"From a human perspective, it would seem coincidental that they just happened to be going down in the week following [Sandy]," said BHM spokesman Ron Sparks. "But in God's providence, He may well have arranged such things well ahead of time because we don't know exactly what kind of medical or surgical needs may be required as a result of the hurricane."
Two families from West Michigan are making the short-term mission trip--one for the very first time.
"The doctor is an orthopedic surgeon; he was down there with a team following the earthquake 2 1/2 years ago, and he's going again with an anesthesiologist doctor," said Sparks. "They're actually taking their families, too.
"The second family has never had such an experience before, so that'll be a good experience for them."
Sparks wasn't sure what they would be walking into, as the storm's damage has been keeping BHM teams busy in Haiti. The latest reports put a mark at 54 deaths resulting from Hurricane Sandy. Sparks said any injuries resulting from the storm will come in addition to those waiting for routine medical care.
"There's always quite a few broken bones and injuries that the Haitians experience from working on the mountainside," said Sparks. "They lose their footing or fall down a hill. It's not just a little fall--it's usually pretty significant."
In the face of such tremendous need in Haiti, what can you do? First of all, pray. Pray for the medical workers and the first-time missionaries on this team. Pray, too, for the BHM teams serving long-term in Haiti.
"The missionary team is overwhelmed, so to speak, with all the needs that are going on," Sparks explained. "There's all the physical needs, from housing and farm animals and gardens and possessions that are lost because of flooding, as well as personal loss--in many cases, loss of life."
Ask the Lord if He wants you to give or go. Find opportunities here.
