Whoever said the shortest distance between two points was a straight line, clearly was not interested in the value of taking the scenic trip of miracles God has in store for us when we put our lives and plans in His hands…
Monday, January 18, 2010
Barry Henning, pastor of New City Fellowship Church (PCA) in St. Louis, MO, emailed Tim Rice, M.D., a Saint Louis University (SLU) associate professor of pediatrics and internal medicine to explore leading a medical team to Haiti. Dony St. Germain, a Haitian PCA pastor and founder of El Shaddai Ministries International (ESMI), was reaching out to the PCA churches to be part of the response effort meeting the needs of severely injured earthquake victims in and outside of Port-au-Prince.
As Tim began to consider the task of finding coverage for his attending responsibilities, and the unlikelihood that this call would come at a time when his plate was not as full as it could be, his heart was moved by the possibility of God’s plans for him and this unknown “team”. Finding coverage for his teaching responsibilities in the office and at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital was a huge obstacle, but Tim began receiving enthusiastic support from those at SLU and in his community.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Tim was given the green light to proceed with planning a trip even though the final details of his work coverage had not been worked out. He had made contact with the stateside folks who have been scheduling teams into Haiti through the assistance of Jim Hatch, who works with Mission to North America (MNA) and was already aware of the great work being done by the St. Germains just outside of the devastated Haitian capital.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Tim wrote:
“Today I have been feeling like I am standing at the edge of the river with my feet wet wondering how I can cross this river. Now the way is clear to cross the river. I am looking forward to encouraging brothers and sisters who, every day of their lives stand on the river and the only way to make it through to the next day is by God’s divine intervention.”
Little did Tim know, God would lead Him to a deeper understanding of that truth before he ever left the country.
By now, e-mail had begun to come in from interested doctors, nurses, and non-medical personnel hearing God’s call to their heart as well. Two of these doctors were Leah Swartwout and Jessica Bowers. Both practicing physicians and friends, they had been planning a group trip to Disney World with their families. With five children and two husbands among them, they realized that although they were stirred by the Lord’s calling, there were plans in place that many little people had been looking forward to for the past year. They committed to gather to pray about God’s call and their choices. An 11-year-old who was eagerly awaiting the vacation in Florida said to his father, “You know, Dad, there’s no way I could have fun on those rides knowing that there were people dying.” The commitment was made.
Another on the team, fourth-year medical student Marie Miller, PhD, was in the Netherlands for an elective course when the earthquake hit. “I feel an absolute calling. Turning on the news and seeing what’s going on in Haiti, I can’t imagine not wanting to go and do something.” Her supervisor encouraged her to take this opportunity, saying he would give her credit for the remainder of the time spent preparing and serving in Haiti.
After this serious interest began to be revealed, Tim began the charge of putting feet to this call. He assured the group, “The Lord will make a way.”
The information about transportation was abundant. Some had said American Airlines might fly medical staff for free, but this turned out to be an internet hoax. Another option was Missionary Flights International (MFI) who is in the business of getting missionaries to South America and the Caribbean Islands.
After debunking rumors, Tim emailed MFI. Later that day Marie Miller let him know that MFI was making flights out and the team would qualify for discounted flights. There was limited information about flights for February 4th through the 11th but they would be put on the list of eligible groups! Hallelujah! Marie was hopeful and so was Tim… “I am hoping her boss [at MFI] knows more about the schedule of flights that are leaving because obviously we we can’t wait till the last minute to arrange all of this…”
It was later that evening that ESMI returned the email stating the startling details of our reality. The Port-au-Prince airport was closed to all commercial flights until February 19th. Bus rides to Haiti from the Dominican Republic had spiraled to an unheard-of $1,600 round-trip. ESMI was urging the team to put their plans on hold.
Other realities that unfolded were that two of the team members—Jeff McGee and Leah Swartwout—had expired passports that could only be renewed in person in Chicago.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Keri Johnson, a pediatrician who had been on two medical mission trips with Tim in the past to Kenya, was also prayerful about becoming part of the team. Encouraged by her husband Brian, her choices and call were becoming clearer. Keri shared this word of encouragement to the potential team Wednesday morning:
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
Eph 3:15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
Eph 3:16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
Eph 3:17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith–that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
Eph 3:18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
Eph 3:19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Eph 3:20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
Eph 3:21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
It was evident to Tim he needed help from others to organize the team and to pursue all of the options for getting into Haiti. Tim’s response to ESMI and the team was “The team will continue to actively prepare… there have been many times this week I felt it would take a miracle to get us there… we are waiting for God himself to make a way. He cares more than those suffering in Haiti than we ever can.” Marie Miller began the effort to organize the team members and all of their information. The team needed shots, documents, contact information, and supplies. She also began the search for alternative transportation. Also behind the scenes was Mark Bowers (Jessica’s husband), who took the initiative to participate in the search for transportation. An article about this trip was published on Saint Louis University’s website.
Wednesday was a day of prayer and the revelation that miracles would need to happen.
Thursday January 28, 2010 At 8:28 a.m. Tim wrote: “Miracles become more obvious when what you face is truly impossible. We all have experienced many impossible obstacles to date and have seen God open the doors. There are still many doors currently closed that only God can open for us to bring comfort and healing to Haiti.
“Reply to this email with the miracles you have seen so far.”
- Tim Rice has coverage for you Cardinal Glennon Pediatric Floor team while he is gone.
- Jeff McGee had the time to travel to Chicago and was able to get his passport renewed in one day.
- Marie Miller was able to return early from her elective in the Netherlands to help organize the the team.
As the day progressed, order was beginning to unfold. We had finally and officially named the team:
1. Keri Johnson
2. Leah Swartwout
3. Jessica Bowers
4. Tim Rice
5. Marie Miller
6. Gretchen Heim
7. Jeff McGee
8. Kristin Pirrie
The team was made up of five doctors, one nurse, a pastor and a counselor. Each one had been led by the Lord’s calling to Haiti. God had ordered their steps and lives to this opportunity. When an e-mail was sent, responses were prompt. Shots, documents, supplies were beginning to accumulate quickly and miraculously. Commitments from hospitals, office staff, and friends for supplies were beginning to be named. Karla Svoboda, a 2nd grade teacher from The Freedom School, had her students working on letters and art to send with the team for children in Haiti. Behind the scenes, there was encouragement in e-mail and phone calls between team members.
Suddenly, there was movement in the transportation plans. Marie wrote:
“I just spoke with MFI in Fort Pierce and asked about the status of our team and the availability of flights leaving next week. Although they are currently very busy dealing with the flights from this week, they assured me that we are on the list to go next week and that as far as they know, the planes are still planning on flying next week. I am not sure where we are on the list and how many other people are trying to get on flights next week, but we are on the list. We wanted to do everything in our power to make sure that we are on their radar screen, so we thought it would be best to go ahead and proceed as if we are leaving on a flight with them next week.”
More enthusiastic and hopeful than ever, the team continued to entrust their plans to God’s will.
Leah and Jessica were on their way back from Chicago and the team’s plan was to gather and pray at Carrie Jones’ house on Friday night.
Friday, January 29, 2010 Feeling renewed and excited, everyone was “standing in the water making our way across” and then they noticed the movement of the river… Mark wrote to the team: “The situation in Ft. Pierce, Florida, has deteriorated fast. The last flight out from [MFI] is today. They have no idea what to do with all the folks on the list, estimated to be 2,500 now. I have no idea where we are on the list.”
As it turns out, MFI had been using charter jets borrowed from NASCAR, but because the motorsports season is about to begin, those jets were no longer available to the transportation ministry.
Mark had been calling state officials in Jefferson City, MO, and exhausting every available option for travel. It seemed now that our options were going to lie in God’s hands—the “author and perfecter of our faith”. What a perfect place to be.
The team gathered that night for prayer, reviewing all that had happened until this point. The team prayed for patience, for the ability to “enter into God’s rest”, and that God would help them to seek His justice and righteousness in everything they do.
The options to get to Haiti seemed limited, but the team was committed to continue to glorify God in each circumstance.
Saturday, January 30, 2010 Mark has now defined three travel options for the team:
- Fly directly into Port-au-Prince, Haiti, using a private plane
- Fly into the Dominican Republic on Spirit Air
- Fly into the Dominican Republic with MFI from Ft. Pierce, FL
The team has put the details in God’s hands as they continue working to create the packing list and supply list for the trip. At this point it is unclear which one of the options will materialize, but we are confident God has a plan.
Today Jessica’s devotional read from Psalm 112:7:
“They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.”
