| So Little... So Much |
By: Arianna N. Linder
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 June 30, 2010: Hope Force sent medical personnel to Haiti shortly after January’s devastating earthquake and continues to place Reservists with other aid agencies reaching out to Haiti’s people. Dr. Lilian Linder spent time in Port-au-Prince recently contributing her skills as a surgeon and reflects on her time there in an interview with Arianna Linder:
Q: When you were in Haiti, were you anxious to go and help out, or were you worried about your family?
A: I was afraid I would not be able to help adequately because their loss was so great. I worried that I would be heart-broken by the pain and suffering. I felt empowered by God, though, he comforted me.
Q: During your time in Haiti, did your perspective change once you got to work?
A: I had so much work to do and the people were so appreciative that I was energized. I felt encouraged because my children and husband back home were strong and supportive. It was a relief to have such a strong family.
Q: How did the people in Haiti respond to your being there?
A: The patients were so trusting and calm. They tolerated so much and even shared a bed when we were full. The hardest part was seeing the children without parents. Several children had written a note in English stating that they were orphans and asking to be adopted. It broke my heart to have to say no, but we all felt better when I prayed over them. As other children saw me praying, they also wanted to be prayed over, and it was very touching.
 Q: What kind of work did you do?
A: I saw patients in the emergency room that needed to be hospitalized; I did some surgery for cancer patients, fixed hernias, gave immunizations and did emergency surgeries. But most importantly, I explained to the patients that were still in the hospital that they would be able to heal and lead normal lives.
Q: How did you feel at the end of the week?
A: I was exhausted but joyful. I felt so blessed to be able to help these people and work with such a great group of volunteers. As I sat in the airport waiting to go home, I knew I was going home to a loving family and yet I knew I would return again. The Haitian people had lost everything - their homes, jobs, schools, hospitals and families but they were so full of love and grace. They have so little and yet so much.
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