Update on Me in Haiti

 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Elderlie on playground

 

 Its been great the past few weeks here in Haiti. I feel as though I’m doing my job and excited about doing it. You see, on my the third day in the clinic I came in contact with a dirty needle. Foolishly enough Aubree and I did not tell Dr. Edmund of this when it first happened; to be honest I never really thought about it. NVM however was prepared. Prophylactic HIV meds were already available in the clinic for situations such as this. It was a learning experience for Aubree and I. Needless to say, I had been on the prophylactic HIV meds for four weeks, morning and night. Anyone who may be familiar with these types of meds know how awful they make you feel. Many days after clinic I didn’t really care to do anything other than sleep and some other days I just stayed in bed all day.  Not all days were bad I had some real enjoyable days too.  Like when a group of us learned the “Salty Dog Rag” dance, card playing and scrabble.  But now, Freedom at last for both me and the two nurses (Aubree and Leslee) who have been caring for me. I feel like me again. I am even more cautious now in the clinic.

Last Monday not knowing we three nurses showed up to work with no patients, no doctor and no Natacha. Confused as ever we weren’t sure what was going on. Considering we are the nurses we figured we would have been notified. After talking to a few employee’s on campus they told us that the clinic was closed today and later we found out that it was because of a Catholic holiday, not exactly sure which one it was. So that day we tagged along with Aaron, Shelli and our Mercy Chef Lisa to the grocery store. I enjoy going when I get the chance. You get to drive ride around a bit watching the Haitian culture at work and it’s a little time off campus.  And who can say no to fried plantanes. On average a journey to the grocery store happens once maybe twice a week. 

Since our clinic had been closed on Monday, we had seen 50 or so patients on Tuesday our longest day of the week. The rest of the week we had seen anywhere from 17-35 patients daily. Those days we spent lots of time cleaning and reorganizing the clinic and loving on the little ones; feeding, swaddling, laughing, playing,hugging and so much more. In which all of us nurses are very passionate about.

 

Me with a little girl from Chambrun

 Weekends have also been great! Two Saturdays ago Aubree, Leslee and I spent lots of time in the garden. It was bonding time. The weeds unfortunately have not stopped growing and I refuse to let them to take over, as of right now. Aubree and Leslee helped all afternoon until it was time for English class and then I continued working why they were teaching our NVM Haitian staff English. Gardens are a lot of work in Haiti. No wonderful rototillers like at home, but we make do.

After I finished up in the garden and Aubree and Leslee finished with English class we headed to Chambrun for a visit. We try to visit at least every other day. Because of the relationship Aubree and Kacie have made with the village they often call out Aubree’s name on site. They get so excited when they see her. It is obvious how much time they’ve put into building this relationship. On occasion I am beginning to hear mine too: ) When we arrived it was bathing time for the babies, my favorite.(more to come) Then as always we sit and interact with the children and socialize with women.

Bath time for NatamaraNow this past Saturday we started in the garden...as I said before this thing is a lot of work. About an hour in or so suddenly we had a visitor, Elderlie one of our patients and her father. She came to play on the playground for the day. So for a larger part of the afternoon we played tag on the playground. Elderlie is diagnosed with dermatitis herpetiformis, an autoimmune disorder that can be controlled by a gluten free diet and medications. It is so nice to see the little girl who could barely walk a month ago to running, climbing and sliding down the slides. I don't think she stopped smiling that whole afternoon. It's a win as Aubree puts it. Elderlie's dermatitis herpetiformis prior to Dapsone treatment

 We then ended our afternoon in a water war. Leslee and I filled a bunch of water balloons, that lasted for about ummmm…yea 10 secs. That may even be pushing it. I think Leslee would agree with me that it was a lot more work filling them. We all really had a good time, it was like being a kid all over again. I am not sure the last time I was involved in a water war. By the end I still think I had more water on me than anyone else…Thanks Aaron.

Blessings for the Little Girls of Haiti

 

                                            

 

During the winter of 2010, a lady by the name of Susan Kisinger was in search of helping Haiti following the earthquake. After seeing a variety of pillowcase dresses on display in a library she thought how easily her Grandma could sew these dresses. She decided that her goal was to make a 100 dresses in honor of her Grandma for the little girls of Haiti. Susan was taking back by the support she had received with Grandmothers Little Dresses for Haiti. Her original goal as stated prior was 100, at this point nearly 1,500 pillowcase dresses have been made from 14 different states involving over 120 people. The dresses are distributed in various areas of Haiti including Chambrun, Haiti and on NVM campus.

The many women who have sewn these dresses have also been a blessing to me. You all allow me as well as many others to provide these little girls with such a gift. You see, each day we have several little girls in and out of the clinic. And just about each one of the little girls receive a dress. There eyes immediately gleam and a smile from ear to ear as if we have giving them the world. My heart feels nothing but complete utter joy.

Thank you Little Dresses for Haiti, Grace Community Church small groups, Sandusky Baptist Church Women’s Group, Sandy Shafferan and Central Community Church of Seymour Indiana for taking time in making each dress special. You have blessed the little girls of Haiti.