From a man's prospective

         “Declare His glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all people” (Psalm 96:3)

It’s almost incomprehensible that it’s been over 35 years since I lived in Hay River, NWT with Martin Tracy and Ruth worked in the Hay River Hospital with Sharon Tracy…. We weren’t even married back then and Martin and I worked for a shipping company that sent goods & services all over Canada’s Arctic.  Martin was a welder, while I did various jobs for NTCL.  To be able to reconnect and work together after all these years @ Haiti Arise has been truly remarkable!

As you’re no doubt aware, we’re supposed to be part of a Medical Mission Team, utilizing Haiti Arise’s new Clinic facilities for the first time.  As you can guess, Martin and I fit the description of medical personnel like 2 ducks out of water.  But believe it or not we’ve found our niche as handymen… Martin could be described as ‘Tim the Toolman Taylor, while I’ve served the role of Al Borland, his quirky assistant!  Throughout the week, we’ve tackled all sorts of diverse projects… everything from taking out the garbage to counting pills, to modifying steel doors and frames that were installed backward, to erecting a make-shift ‘shade frame’ to make the long wait more bearable for the close to 600 patients our medical team has seen thus far!  Martin and I are also working on creating and installing the new metal fence that will eventually surround this amazing medical clinic that Dr. Antoinette and our nursing team are doing such a professional job of running in the midst of some pretty adverse conditions by Canadian standards!!! 

 

It’s been a blessing and a privilege to serve with Martin in this capacity after so many years!  Sharon still thinks  Martin’s as handsome as he was 35 years ago (except for a few gray hairs), and Ruth still  says the same about me (except for a few less hairs)!!!!

Making a shade for the waiting areas

The other part of my role has centered on preaching twice during this past week! I haven’t preached on demand and via interpreter for 12 years since I spent 2 months in Lebanon & Jordan.  Church services happen a minimum of 3 times a week at Haiti Arise!  I had nothing prepared before I came, as I wanted to experience the culture and where people were at, before seeking the Spirit’s guidance on what to share.  After an hour and a half message last Sunday, and a few groans by the local, I felt my 1^st message Tuesday should be a wee bit shorter.  Mark described my message as ‘short and sweet!’  It was such a blessing to see people actually respond when you preach and the worship was so much more lively and exuberant than anything I’ve experienced anywhere else in the world (especially Canada)!  We could learn much from the Haitians.  Today’s service started at 9 am… we forgot all about daylight savings time, but the usual    500 + still showed up. The church is bursting at the seams, to put it mildly.  After an incredible time of worship, the Spirit had led me to share a message from Romans 12:1,2 on the topic of ‘Our Greatest Spiritual Act of Service’ followed by a moving Communion Service led by Mark… an incredible experience that lasted nearly 3 hours!!!!

Martin & Gord making curtains for the public bathrooms

In closing, what a blessing to be a part of such an awesome team and to see what God is doing to rebuild the country of Haiti from the inside out!!!!   Gord

Martin assembling an IV pole

Gord preached in the Sunday service

Gord working on this blog

Making 10 lbs bags of rice for distribution