Sep. 2023
Many years later, as I look back on that moment on that clear morning, I can still feel the gentle touch of the first rays of dawn on my face, as if God Himself had unveiled the curtain of this mysterious and beautiful land for me. It was my first time setting foot in Haiti, and as a Chinese-American doctor from the United States, my heart was filled with worry, curiosity, and anticipation. However, I could never have anticipated that the first impression of that morning would ignite a flame in my heart, inspiring love and compassion for this land.
Since then, every morning as a volunteering doctor in Haiti, I have always climbed to the top of the hospital building at least half an hour before sunrise. As the night has not completely faded, the eastern sky gradually takes on a faint pink hue. It’s a gentle and dreamy pink, like soft silk covering the sky, slowly erasing the backdrop of the night.
When the first rays of pink light appear, the roosters start to crow joyfully, their morning calls filled with vitality and anticipation, as if heralding the beginning of a new day. The sound of their crowing echoes between the rural huts and fields, infusing the entire village with life.
The Haitian land peacefully basks in this soft pink light. Mountains gradually reveal their contours under the glow of the sunrise. Trees and vegetation also begin to awaken, swaying gently as the breeze rustles the leaves, creating a soothing rustling sound.
As time passes, the colors of the morning sky change gradually. Pink gives way to orange, gold, and purple. These colors intermingle in the sky, creating a magnificent spectrum. The sun has not yet risen, but its radiance begins to penetrate the horizon.
At this point, I can hear the chirping of birds, and I can see a few cows leisurely strolling through the fields, occasionally lowing as they search for food. They appear particularly tranquil in the morning sunlight. Cats and dogs also join in the symphony of the dawn with their joyful barks and meows.
When the sun finally rises, it emits a dazzling brilliance, illuminating the mountains and fields as if they were flowing gold. Gradually, the entire land is bathed in light, and the outlines of the mountains and houses become clear, while trees and flowers blossom in the sunlight.
Morning in rural Haiti is a picture of nature coexisting with humanity, displaying the rhythm and harmony of life.
Standing on the rooftop, facing the morning light, I felt the presence of God. Each beautiful sunrise seemed like His masterpiece, meant to remind us that even in the darkest moments, kindness and compassion still exist. In that moment, I understood why I came here, why I chose to become a medical missionary. My heart was instantly filled with love and compassion for the people of Haiti.
In the river of time, looking back at the history of our homeland more than a century ago, I seem to hear the profound whispers of the years and feel the legends of that era. It was the time when Western medical missionaries embarked on a challenging journey to come to China, injecting new vitality into this ancient country. They spared no effort, even sacrificing their youth and lives, to create a legend of their time.
Today, the wheels of time are taking us on a new journey. As Chinese-American doctors, I can’t help but ponder: If time could reverse, would we also follow in the footsteps of those medical missionaries, continuously going forward to help the impoverished, to establish more hospitals, schools, and homes of hope?
Now, we Chinese-American doctors find ourselves on the other side of the Atlantic, facing another challenging and needy place—Haiti. This land is enduring the torment of poverty, natural disasters, and political turmoil, and its people need care, medical services, education, and hope. Many of us Chinese doctors are willing, like those medical missionaries, to come to this beautiful yet impoverished country and strive for the health and happiness of the Haitian people. Perhaps, this is also God’s calling for us, guiding us onto a challenging but fulfilling and meaningful path in life.
Every new morning signifies new hope and opportunities. In this noble mission, we are willing to convey God’s mercy and compassion to the souls in Haiti who need help. We will bring medical care, education, and hope to those in need, striving for the dawn of hope and the warmth of life. Let us together, in the river of time, write more enduring legends for Chinese-American doctors.
