Somewhere I read: “Until you feel it, until you smell it, it just isn’t real.”
This applies 100% to my experience in Haiti. There are still, after more than 2 years, thousands living in tents with little sanitation and no running water. Filth is rampant, the stench is overwhelming. The far-away mountain regions are in even worse conditions. We needed to get there! Here is why…

I had promised Dr. Luc Cestelyeyn (the Belgium Maxilo-Facial surgeon) the needed follow-up with the kids living in a remote region in Haiti. Cilene, a 12 year old Haitian girl, had been previously hiding in a corner of her parent’s hut. Now she no longer needs to hide thanks to a bilateral (both sides) cleft lip palate surgery. She is so brave to decide to stay in the city of Carrefour. She is staying there with the nurse that accompanied her. Her goal is to learn how to read and write, become a nurse and go back to help her crippled brother and the whole community of Manceau deep in the Haitian mountains.

Her older brother Alidieu (who is mentally handicapped) also received a cleft lip palate surgery. He wanted to go back to his parents as soon as possible, to stay with his parents in their hut. I and the medical team went there to find him. In these places, houses (if you can call it so) have no numbers and streets have no names…anyway, we went to look for him with our medical team and found him in a hut together with his parents!

It took us hours of driving through winding mountain roads that could only be reached by our medical team by hiring a float of cyclocross bikes. Still we had to stop and hike a lot when these tracks became too steep. We only had one bike accident. Our oldest nurse, 50 years, landed badly in the sand and on rocks but – praise God – there was no major damage.

While in Manceau, we saw more orphans than we could believe. Many of them are living in misery and in very poor health. We witnessed all kinds of diseases. Malnutrition and parasites are common in these parts, but we also came across many tropical diseases and infections. The cholera epidemic is spreading further due to the poor sanitary conditions and has hit these communities the hardest. There are already more than 500,000 cases counted. Reports from Doctors without Borders show that between 10,000 and 15,000 have died; the majority of these are children.

The many homes we saw were too bad to imagine. Many of the Haitian communities we visited knew far less than we about what happened in their own country! Since there is no electricity; there are no means to communicate. Of course no newspapers or anything like this can be found there. The only thing they knew was that there was a terrible big quake… because they felt it and saw the results…

I was the very first “white man” that visited their village at they told me this again and again. When I was walking around and all kids were shouting “a blanc!” “a blanc!” They wanted to touch my skin and some were even scared to approach me, at least in the beginning. A few jokes helped to them feel more comfortable with me.

I couldn’t believe what I saw when I entered the local church’s humble but pretty extensive church. There were about 200 kids all dressed in flawless white dresses. They had prepared an hour “choir” presentation for me! I didn’t know about it but found out later that they had been waiting 2 or 3 hours in the church to sing for me. These children have such a lovely voice. It was a real Gospel choir concert!

I saw diseases which are not seen in the West, such as elephantiasis, Typhoid fever, several fungal infections over the entire body (mycosis), children whose faces where covered with bacterial infections and almost all were infested by body lice as well as parasites.

Taking a shower in this heat is something special. I have experienced this in other regions. Yes they are very much needed to take sweat off. But the inland « Haitian » shower is unique in itself. You are standing with your feet in the mud while people surround you with sheets, politely looking the other site. Other people then fill a bucket of water and throw it over the sheets on your head…while laughing.

The church service was great! When the worship started; everyone (the very young to the very old) began to dance with their hands spread out like the wings of a bird. Then they let their hands wave and it’s like they were flying. It was beautiful and when you dance with them, you become one of them!

There were approximately 800 people in the church and all they wanted was the “white man” to bring the message. It was a great service as it was all guided by God. The experience was so natural and beautiful too. I must confess, I got there the best sleep in many months. So far away from all busy life, all these emails, administration, project issues, etc..

The local pastor of Manceau, a clever but very humble man, has an amazing vision to help the orphans of his and other surrounding communities. He showed me the property where he wants to build a school for kids 1 to 12 years old. He also showed me the place (just beside the school) where he wants to build an orphanage also for kids 1-12 years old.

From there he showed me a place a few hours from the mountains near the ocean, called Arcahaie. Arcahaie is a small town located 2 hours North of Port-au-Prince. He and a friend started to build an orphanage there. He told me that the orphans, who are 12-18 years old, could stay there and go to high school or learn a job. If some wanted to study further in University Port-au-Prince is only 2 hours away and by that time there will hopefully be some serious reconstruction.

I was very moved by what this man is trying to do for the orphans of his region. I knew God had sent me to this place for a reason. God had not wanted me to hear his vision just to say, “Well, God bless you man, I will pray for it.” There was a real purpose in all this as I personally had been so touched by all the orphans there.

A lot of people who have seen me know that I started to tell (and write) everybody that – to me – Haiti is THE island of the LOST CHILDREN, certainly in the deep inland.

There I stood in 110 Fahrenheit sweating, face covered with dust, but with more conviction than ever that this was the opportunity to start something that was burning in my heart.

The question is as always, who is still willing to help?

My dear brothers and sisters, let’s not just say, “God bless you, we will think and pray about it.” We really need your help. This is one of the biggest prayer requests of Doctors On Mission. We are only surviving thanks to a reserve fund that has been made by one faithful couple. This reserve fund will soon dry out as we currently have a shortage of around 10.000USD each month!

Let’s love in Word and Deed! (1:John:3:16-18).

God bless you all,

Rik

Rik Celie, MD – Missionary
www.DoctorsOnMission.org
FB “Mission Doctors”

PS : In the next update, I will tell some more about Bolivia and Pakistan.



Our expedition went very well. We undertook went to very remote areas. This was possible through the use of “motorcycles” with the whole team … hours and hours on dusty dangerous paths through the mountains.



Thank Points:


We brought the gospel to hundreds of people in the isolated mountain region.
We met many of their needs despite appalling conditions related to infectious tropical diseases.
We found Alidieu – (a boy who had surgery in Belgium). He is looked great.
Also the bilateral cleft lip surgery for Cilene went very well. She stayed in the city to learn to read and write.


Prayer Points:

For the establishment of Haiti’s financial and medical records so that everything can be monitored and adequate coverage/accountability can be given to those who give.

For the stop of spreading tropical diseases emerging such as Malaria, Elephantiasis, Dengue Fever, Typhoid Fever, Cholera etc…

For a solution to the problem of orphans. Especially those located in remote areas. Ideas abound, vision too … but we are looking for “hearts”, which are sensitive to God and realize that we cannot do anything without the necessary support in word (prayer) and deed (financially).

For ministry transportation. Currently we do not have our own and this means expensive transportation costs with no air conditioning. Often our team ride in the back of an open truck with personnel covered with sweat and dust by arrival. This is a bad situation for the medicines.

Bolivia:

Thank Points:

That I have arrived safe and sound…still… Also, legally, we are standing correct concerning the “Amazon” situation. There is only still some fear of actions by criminals who don’t look if a situation is legal or not. They work outside the law.

For the work of Dr. Ino. He is the new director of DM Bolivia. I am worked 17 years with him and he is the perfect deal. We have seen hundreds of children together also with Dr. Oscar, Dra. Esther and 2 Odontologist’s of our Southern team.

For the great cooperation of being able to work together with Compassion International. We do the medical work and they take care of all administrative issues.

Prayer Points:

That the administrative “reform” within the mission may continue smoothly.

That we may retain the right vision and get back in the Amazone via alternative “routes”.  The strategy is there already….

Pakistan

Thank Points:

Ability to purchase wheelchairs for Doctors On Mission. This is particularly appreciated by the Pakistani Christians since the mobility of many disabled people have for years been left to chance.

For our safe expedition to the mountains northeast of Islamabad (Texila, Atkin).

Prayer Points:

We need much prayer for the Pakistani team. There is infiltration of Muslims …

We also need much prayer for wisdom regarding financial and medical records of our Pakistani team.

Also for ministry transportation in Pakistan. As of current; we still do not own means of transportation.

The follow up of financial and medical administration is a big concern for me in Haiti as well as in Pakistan. I need to get (and keep) them on the right track.  Almost no attention is paid to it. This leads to problems because I want to work as conscientiously as possible to follow up everything month by month, even if I am on a different mission field like now in Bolivia.

The biggest general prayer request for Doctors On Mission is that we have – compared to the monthly income – a loss of about $ 10,000 each month. Till now, this could be absorbed by our Belgium reserve fund but this fund is going down very fast now with the European crisis. Something must be done to counteract this further. It would be unfortunate if this work should be stopped completely by a shortage of funds.

Rik Celie, MD – Missionary
www.DoctorsOnMission.org
FB “Mission Doctors”

It was in Gojra where, not so long ago, 300 houses and seven churches were burned by a mob of more than 10,000 fanatical Muslims. As if this was not enough, eight Christians were burned alive! After viewing some video footage of the attacks; I am forever haunted by some of the scenes. I particularly remember a young girl (not yet fourteen years old) who had her left arm cut off and then set on fire! No words can describe such a tragedy. This only reinforces my call to do everything possible to help these people. We hope to continue helping by medical outreaches, pastoral support, and building Christian hospitals, churches and orphanages…

As the foreign missionary; I was invited on stage to testify in an “open air forum” with more than one thousand people there. I knew that it would not be difficult for a sniper to shoot me from one of the surrounding buildings. These buildings are, after all, kind of pigeon houses built on each other sky high.

Normally, Christians may not carry arms in this region. Yet they received permission (for one night) from the local police to arm themselves and create their own “security” service. I was shocked when I saw armed men to my left and right, until my friends convinced me that they were Christians.

I was strengthened by the many prayers of support for me and this event. I even received “Psalm 91” from one of our DM Facebook friends. After reading this, I had not only peace, but also the much needed courage to go boldly for it.

The event was held on the day when Muslims make the annual sacrifice of goats and sheep according to the covenant made between Abraham and God. I have a hunch that the Epistle to the Hebrews could very well have been the Epistle to the Muslims. It is the letter in the New Testament that demonstrates clearly that the sacrifice of Christ was once and for all. His sacrifice was enough for everyone who believes in Him.

CHRISTIAN CONFERENCE IN GORJA WHERE NOT LONG AGO 7 CHURCHES, 300 CHRISTIAN FAMILY HOMES AND 8 CHILDREN WHERE BURND ALIVE.

More than one thousand people came to Gojra and many responded!It became a great celebration! An invisible protection was all around us. The peace we felt was overwhelming. Yes, we could joke and laugh and dance and thank! I tell you, we have a new Jesus movement in these countries. It’s great to be part of it!

We then went to an area northwest of Islamabad for an important medical expedition. While there; the situation was anything but safe. The peace, however, remained at all times in our hearts. The team spirit was so good that it looked like a trip to the Rocky Mountains. So much joy surrounded us and we felt safe!

However, I became very ill suddenly and had to return. Despite the fact that I had bought the cheapest ticket, they gave me a first class seat. A very kind man sat beside me. Feverish as I was, I told my story with my last bit of strength. The man was very impressed about the work of Doctors on Mission in Pakistan. Then, he confided to me that he was a senior official of the U.S. government, but with Pakistani roots. He was also the founder of Project Hope in the U.S. They had built thousands of houses in flooded areas.

He also knew that no “infidel” (non-Muslim) could enjoy good treatment in Muslim hospitals. He promised to help Doctors on Mission in building a medical mission base with a hospital in Toba Tek Singh. I will be meeting with him soon.

CHILDREN SERVICE IN TOBA TEK SINGH

Life was going out of me… My illness was serious. Large blue-black colored spots colored my skin. Then, the worst came. I felt lightning and electric shock in my head. I knew it was small intra cranial bleedings. I went to a good hotel to rest and had the necessary medication with me to treat myself. I called in an Interpreter (who turns out was a Christian). I received a wonderful touch of the Lord and my whole body miraculously recovered quickly! A great peace came into my heart and soul. After 1 week of rest, I could travel to Belgium.

Click here to make a donation to Doctor´s On Mission work around in Pakistan.

Pastor Viktor described it as follows:

“In cooperation with Voice of the Martyrs (the only Organization with which we can work together there), we brought blankets, literature and other supplies to a specific region. We wanted to show God’s compassion in the actions we do. Afterwards we had a wonderful prayer meeting in which the Gospel was explained. The “enemy” was clearly not happy with this action. When we were back on the way home we were suddenly ambushed and shot at by at least 6 radical fundamentalists. They shot at us with automatic weapons. I could look in their eyes and saw nothing but hate. But God may be praised because we did not only come safely through the ambush, there was not even one bullet that had hit us!”

Two weeks ago, some fundamentalists kidnapped two Pakistani pastors. Our young team (that knows no danger because of their strong faith) followed the kidnappers trail but lost their tracks in a densely wooded area when it became night. Also, a 12-year-old Christian girl fell in a 7-foot well while on her way home from school. She died instantly. Our team visited her poor family and brought gifts (food, clothing) to comfort them.

Click here to make a donation to Doctor´s On Mission work around in Pakistan.

After Pakistan I began the Haitian children cleft-palate surgical project. The children arrived in Belgium one week early! It absorbed more time and energy than I expected, but it was a great success! Our many thanks go out to Dr. Luk Cesteleyn and his medical team.

Our great thanks also go to some great families who helped in hosting and caring for the Haitian kids.
The results are great! Celaine (11 years old) no longer needs to hide confined to a corner of her parent’s hut in the Haitian mountain area. She got a bilateral (both sides) cleft lip palate.

Alidieu

Alidieu had a unilateral cleft lip palate now has an almost completely normal face. Because of his lameness and mental retardation, he will have a difficult life in a country like Haiti that has no shelters for such children. In his region, there are hundreds of orphans who are naked and ravaged by disease. They wander around and their situation is worse than American pets. In this region (Artibonite) and the surrounding areas there are now more than 465,000 cholera patients! About 10,000 people ̶̶ mostly children ̶̶ have already died. It looks still like the quake happened just yesterday!

The kids were back in Haiti by the end of the year. There, they were greeted with great enthusiasm. Our team there in Haiti and friends was astonished to see the “new” faces.

Click here to make a donation to Doctor´s On Mission work around in Haiti.