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The plans for today were dramatically changed as things in Haiti do often. Mike had gone to the prison located in Miribalais to make plans for our team next week. After arriving there, he called me with some bad news: The prison had an epidemic of some unknown illness that had already killed 2 prisoners and had left many others sick and possibly life-threatening. Kim, Nancy, Mike, and myself packed our medical supplies and headed to the prison unsure of what were would see once we arrived. An hour later, we were in the prison infirmary bringing us the firs patient: a 39-year-old man who was unconscious and convulsing. He had started vomiting and had diarrhea all morning leaving him severely dehydrated. The prison guards were panicked and had no idea what to do. We saw the line of sick prisoners waiting outside the infirmary, some barely unconscious and vomiting repeatedly. We quickly concocted a hydrating drink with sugar, salt, water, and a little pedialite. We began to give the prisoners the drink through syringes since most of them were unable to drink on their own or were still unconscious. Mike began to preach to the healthy prisoners who were still in their cells, some already beginning to show symptoms. Within a few hours, some of the prisoners began to show signs of improvement from hydration while others continued to deteriorate.

The first man who was unconscious regained consciousness and began telling me his story. He was in a prison in St. Mark for 26 days when the outbreak originally started. He and a few other prisoners were transferred out of that prison to Miribalais to try and keep them healthy. Two of his friends died yesterday and he didn’t look hopeful when we first arrived. I asked him if he was a Christian and he said no. After speaking to him about how the Lord brought us to the prison today even though it was unplanned, God had given him another chance at life. Tears filled his eyes and he said he wanted to repent and receive Christ as Savior. We prayed for him and by the time we left, he was able to stand up on his own and well on his way to recovery. Before we left, a Haitian doctor arrived from the local hospital and arranged for the sickest prisoners to be taken to the hospital. In the midst of the chaos and crisis, God still received glory and many eyes were opened to the truth of salvation. Around 30 other prisoners received salvation today. Please keep this prison in your prayers as many of the men are still very sick and some are fighting for their lives.

October 2-8, we had an awesome team down from Lancaster, Kentucky who worked hard treating patients, showing the Jesus film, doing electrical work on the new houses, taking an adventure to northern Haiti, preaching the Gospel, and blessing our kids. Over 400 people received medical care, around 1,000 people saw the Jesus Film, 80 bags of rice were distributed, and over 110 professed salvation through Jesus Christ in just a week! We will be posting more details about their trip in the next post. Thanks Lancaster team for all your hard work, great attitudes, and service to the Haitian people! You were truly a blessing!

For the past week, Kim (our intern from Tennessee) and her mom, Nancy, and Andrea have held 2 medical clinics at 2 other orphanages and the clinic in the prison today. So far, Nancy has seen and treated over 150 people, mostly sick children who couldn’t afford proper medical care. Nancy and Kim have worked very hard this week to hold the clinics and gather all the medicines. She has treated everything from scabies, head fungus, bronchitis, pneumonia, a bad staph infection, and the mysterious illness in the prison. Thank you Nancy for your service to heal the sick and needy here in Haiti.

We have several upcoming teams from all over the US coming to stay with us in the next 6 weeks. We ask for you to be in prayer for these teams and for the work they will be doing. We will be doing more prison ministry, medical clinics, construction on the new land, leadership training, and serving the Haitians any way we can.

Mike and Andrea will be in Tennessee from December 8-January 4. We are currently working on our schedule. If you would like to have us come and speak to your church, Sunday School class, small group, etc., please email us at ReachHaiti@gmail.com as soon as possible. Thank you all for your continued support to make this ministry possible!