People often ask what I do and what my days are like. In a word I “PRAY” often.
I usually begin my day at the clinic operated by the mission. The clinic offers free health care and medicines to all who come. There can be close 70 people who come in on Mondays. Wednesdays are also busy particularly for prenatal care. When I arrive I greet everyone, patients and staff alike. First I find out whether there is anything pressing I need to address then I walk the grounds of the clinic and pray God’s covering. And I pray for everyone who comes in because most are in dire need by the time they decide to seek medical treatment. I also make it a point to touch each child within my reach and as I do I pray God’s covering on them.
I usually leave the clinic around 11am and head over to the school. Again as I walk the grounds of the school yard I pray God’s protection and provision. If they are still serving lunch I will assist the volunteers to pass out the prepared plates. As I hand out the food I take a brief moment to pray for each student I serve.
After lunch the children have recess and I do everything from chasing kids around to hugging everyone I can. Occasionally I will buy them snacks. Sometimes that’s an issue because I purposefully only keep $500 htg (Haitian dollars) on me. When they say, “Mr Vernon I didn’t get anything” I give them my sad face just as the bell rings signaling the end of recess.
Just before noon I arrive at the soup kitchen. Usually I try to get there in time to have prayer with all assembled before the food is served. Again I pray for God’s provision as this is the only meal many will receive. I also pray over each plate of food I serve…that it will be enough nourishment to sustain the recipient until their next meal. And finally I pray that the Lord will fill their hearts just as their bellies are filled. Last week a young man said he was glad to see me in the village and at the kitchen…that he appreciated me being here and what it means. My son Paul reminds me often that my presence alone means a lot to the people here. Pastor Wesley’s words about the “ministry of presence” rings true once again.
I hang around the soup kitchen until everyone is served and we begin the clean up process. I really enjoy serving the school children who stop by later to get a meal. These are not children from the Missoon of Grace school but another school in the village. I recognize a couple of the students from past years. And I see this guy pictured to the left everyday. He is a slow eater but seems to savor every morsel of food.
I have a break between 2pm and 4pm then head over to the orphanage. By 4pm most of the children have finished their homework and are eager to play. I try to spend time with Jobez who, though confined to a wheelchair, is the happiest kid on the planet. As I approach him he smiles, starts rocking back and forth and will sometimes get up even though his legs will not sustain him. I pick him up and we literally walk the entire perimeter of the orphanage. He is delighted to be in my arms because it affords him the opportunity to get out. Sometimes I catch him looking at me and that causes him to 
laugh and giggle even more. Immediately after I carry him back to his wheelchair there is a chorus of “Mr. Vernon. Mr. Vernon” from the little kids who want my attention. Of course I oblige them and teasingly try to bite their fingers. Next it’s the older kids turn to play. And yes we chase each other around or go over their homework. But every time I hold a little one or touch a child I issue a quiet prayer over their life.
On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays I end my time at the orphanage receiving Kreyòl lessons from Marie France. She is 17, speaks English well, and is one of the people many of the children look up to. I was drawn to her outspokenness the last time I was here and I am looking forward to getting to know her better as I learn to speak her language. Girlfriend has some attitude from time to time but I realize she is at THAT age so I cut her some slack…most of the time but not all.
Yes, I have a full day which is a challenge for someone who has been enjoying a leisurely life since retirement more than 9 years ago. What used to be rather fluid days have a lot more structure to them in Haiti. Notably I have had to forego my lazy mornings and afternoon naps. However, I will take the rewards of my sacrifice over anything else. I thank God He has me in this place during this season of my life.
In a previous post I neglected to give a shout out to my other church family at Grace United Methodist in Fort Washington, Maryland. I linked up with Grace UMC through my friend Iris Rogers after she suggested I bring my mother to their weekly senior’s program called The Busy Bees. Well the Busy Bees embraced mom and I as if we had known each other for a lifetime. When they found out I was going to Haiti they got the entire church involved and loaded up my truck with donations. And they have been doing this since consistently since 2016. Members of the church have even given me monetary donations 
and sponsored some of the children at the school. This year Mrs. Rhoda Slade, the pastor’s wife, gave me with a rather large donation for the mission. It seems their family decided to forego exchanging Christmas gifts in 2019 and instead pooled the money they would have spent to made the donation to the mission. I was blown away at this and Mrs. Lynn was overjoyed to receive this donation. She spoke of how timely it is as the mission is still struggling to get back on its feet. Thank you Grace UMC for all you do for the kingdom through this humble servant and missionary.