Cholera

Last weekend Tim, Mezo and his son, David, son-in-law, Noupien, and I set off for mountains above Thomazeau. Mezo has a lot of family in this area. The preacher (Pitit Brese) from the church we attended in Thomazeau also has family and another congregation he oversees in this mountain area. So we had gotten word that there is a good bit of cholera in these remote villages and people are dying of it. It is so far off the beaten path that they cannot get to medical help in time. Many will not touch a person with Cholera out of fear of getting the disease themselves, so too many people are dying needlessly of this easily treated illness.
Dave Gibb (Mission Lazarus board member) recently had visited us and left with us a large amount of Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) packets to distribute.

So off we went Saturday morning to deliver the ORS, the little bit of Aqua-tabs we had on hand, several Sawyer water filters and buckets, some Crocs from Healing Hands and some rice and beans. We also were able to distribute quite a few of the "For Your Joy" booklets in Creole (Pou Ke Ou Kontan) that we picked up at the Desiring God National Conference.




For Your Joy Booklets
(Pou Ke Ou Kontan)



After our trek up the mountain we understood why Mezo had told us one time we couldn't make a planned trip after a fairly light rainfall. This is not really a road - it is literally in most spots a goat path! But as I do quite frequently, I thanked God for the Land Cruiser and realized all over again what a blessing it is! It is one powerful machine!

At  the church up on the mountain we visited with Petit Brese and Wibur from te church in Thomazeau. Tim was able demonstrate and distribute several of the Sawyer water filters to the church. Clean water is key in preventing the spread of Cholera.These filters are provided by Mission Lazarus partner, Healing Hands International. We left ORS packets, rice & beans, Crocs, filters, and aquatabs with the church in this village.

All the way up the mountain as we came across people we stopped to give out ORS packets and For Your Joy booklets. When we stopped at each spot a small crowd would gather and we distributed and shared information on preventing and treating Cholera.

The Haitian people for the most part are a generous people - they really give out of their poverty, like the widow who gave her last two mites. But is this really poverty? I think we have this backwards - this is what it reaaly means to be rich in God's economy. We came home with fresh congo beans, grapefruit, mirlitons, yams, and oranges.



View halfway up the mountain



Church at Troudeaux



Inside the Church




Talking with Pitit Brese




Exterior of the church



Water Cistern for the community

Tim demonstrating water filters

Water Cistern

Filter Demo

Distributing ORS packets

 

Tim liked this boy's shirt

It appears that it has been almost a month since the last post to our blog. My, how time flies when you're having fun, staying busy, or going from crisis to crises - whatever the case may be!

It is actually hard to remember what all has happened since the last post to the blog - there's been so much!

First of all I was scheduled to go to the States for a quick Thanksgiving surprise to my family. I was to leave on Wednesday, but on the preceding Friday I was robbed of my purse, which held my passport! Ugh! I thought for sure that this would end any thoughts of getting on a plane on Wednesday. But God in His great mercy and grace allowed for me to get my passport reissued on Tuesday and get on the plane Wednesday morning. It was no longer a surprise to anyone that I would be coming as the cat slipped out of the bag. Well, it was a surprise to my dad and his wife, Janis. I thought this could possibly give my dad heart failure, but it turned out that it looked like for a moment, we would have to do CPR on Janis! They were so surprised. It was a wonderful time with the family and I was grateful to be able to spend the time with them - especially the cutest grandchildren, possibly in the entire world.

Last weekend Dave Gibb, a Mission Lazarus board member, came to visit with his friend Dan Morris. It was a very nice visit - mostly just showing them what's up with us here in Haiti and getting to know each other.

(Side note: did I mention that I am now working with Mission Lazarus Haiti? Well, I am and we are excited to see where God will lead us in His ministry here in Haiti)

On Monday, Dave, Dan and I went out to Thomazeau to visit Bobby and some of our old neighbors. WE got to Bobby's and saw that the work there is coming along quite nicely (orphanage/school and now home construction for neighbors). Then on to visit our friend Mezo, who was our guard at Thomazeau. When we arrived at his house there was a man there who was quite ill, but it was not apparent as to what his problem might be. Signs really did not point to cholera. As we visited the man became very much worse and I suggested we take him into the hospital at Thomazeau. Which is not much of a hospital really. It is where I took Mezo's daughter when she was about to pop her baby back in March. There was no one there to attend to her and she ended up having the baby on the floorboard of the truck in route to Croix-des-Bouquets. Anyway, the Cubans are set up in the Thomazeau hospital and are using it to treat only cholera. They determined that cholera was not this man's (Deris) problem and after doing an EKG - yes they had a unit to do this test, but had to try several outlets and then carry his bed to another room to find a working outlet. It appeared that he quite possibly had a heart attack. Sine they were only treating cholera at the hospital we had to transport Deris to a hospital in Port-au-Prince. Upon arrival they found a doctor still on call and then had him admitted. As soon as we got him admitted it was time to take Dave and Dan to the airport to catch their flight home. In Haiti, one must go and purchase their own meds upon admittance to the hospital, including IV set up and serum. We stopped on the way to the airport at a pharmacy and found 2 of the 7 meds needed. I dropped them off then went in search of the rest of the meds. Miraculously I found the  remaining meds at the next stop. Then back to the hospital.

When I got there I found Deris resting a little better - and hungry, which is a good sign. He had not eaten all day. Mezo was out at the time on an errand. In the ward where we were was a man across from Deris' bed. Also when one is admitted to the hospital, one must bring their own sheets and have someone stay with them to take care of their needs - like using the toilet, finding and giving them food and drink, etc. This man had the saddest looking eyes and I noticed that there was no one with him and no sign of food or drink in his area. I was going to send Mezo out for food for himself and Deris (Mezo was staying with Deris for the night) and said I wanted to talk to the man across the way but didn't want to offend him. Mezo asked the man if I could speak with him and he said yes. I asked how long he had been in the hospital and was anyone with him. He had been there for 6 weeks. His wife had been taking care of him, but she died 2 days earlier and now he had no one. I asked if he had eaten and he had not. It was now 6:00 in the evening and I am not sure if he had eaten since his wife died. I asked if we could bring him some food and he readily agreed. I find the health care system (or lack thereof) in Haiti to be one of the most frustrating things I have ever experienced. It is one of the saddest, heart-rending places I have ever been to. And it is the same every time I go.

But the good news is that Deris is at the time of this writing on his way home. It is unclear what his actual problem turned out to be - the patient's diagnosis always seems to be a mystery, never to be revealed.

I'll go out to Thomazeau soon to check on him and deliver ORS packets for rehydration in treating cholera which is taking a toll on the people in the mountains above Thomazeau.

Coming soon : Election Results Protests

Terre Noire Distribution

The church at Terre Noire meets on the orphanage/school property. When Dieugrande asked God to bless him with property a few years ago, he promised God that on this property, along with his home, a church would be planted. So the church at Terre Noire was born.

This past Sunday, since Healing Hands International (HHI) blessed us with some of the contents of a recent container shipment, we were able to share with each of the church members. Everyon received a t-shirt and a hygiene kit. The kits included soap, toothbrush and paste, washcloth, shampoo, lotion.

The church family at Terre Noire send their greetings and thanks!

Micro-nutrient Juice Program

Matthew 25 Ministries have partnered with us to include the Le Phare Orphanage in a micro-nutrient juice program to help improve the children's health and well-being. Mike and David delivered the juice, igloo cooler and cups on Tuesday. It was great to see them again - two very energetic guys!


"Micro-nutrient malnutrition has been recognized as one of the most wide-spread and a major cause of illnesses and poor physical/mental development. The most affected are children, adolescents and women of childbearing age. 
The primary cause of micro-nutrient malnutrition is lack of adequate intake of highly bioavailable micronutrients. International organizations (WHO, UNICEF, Micronutrient Initiative) and the scientific community have recommended fortification of commonly consumed foods as one of the preferred approaches of eradicating micronutrient malnutition. The micronutrient fortified fruit juice beverage,developed by Proctor and Gamble to meet the need in developing countries, will be used in the Haiti monitoring study. 
This juice product contains 11 micronutrients including iron, vitamin A, iodine, zinc, B-vitamins (folate, B12, B6, B2, niacin), vitamin C and vitamin E. Previous clinical studies conducted in multiple countries and age groups have shown repeated consumption of the fortified beverage significantly improved micronutrient status, growth, mental ability, and school performance."

Le Phare is blessed to be included in receiving the beverage for a year, but we are not officially a part of the pilot study. It will be interesting to see how our children fare with this addition to their diet.


Dieugrande preparing the juice



Judeline & Samlove sampling the juice

These next photos were when we were just hanging out together. We have some of the cutest kids in the world here at this home!

Dieulus, James, Dieuna - siblings

What a trio!

These are 3 of the group of 5 siblings we brought from the mountains the first part of September. They have adjusted and integrated well in to the home. I'm seeing James participate more and more in the activities, such as singing. He is picking up the lyrics and seems to really enjoy singing. This whole children's home is a singing bunch! All three of these children have become more interactive with everyone.

Elize

Rachelle

Movie-star Wiskina

News14 Interview - Friday while Tomas was passing through

Interview with Channel 14 News' Kate Gaier. She called Friday afternoon and interviewd Debbie via Skype.
http://charlotte.news14.com/content/top_stories/632406/hurricane-threatens-ravaged-haiti

God's Plan for a Preacher's Seminar in the North

  I (Tim) had planned to join the Providence Road group from Charlotte NC for a special training for two groups of ministers and their wives in OCap and in Ft. Liberte. But hurricane Tomas and the cholera outbreak brought about a change in plans. Julie Hallman was already in OCap and I in PAP. The group had to cancel at the last minute but plans for the seminar were already in motion. I was not going to go up to OCap since the storm was coming but decided to call Moise (one seminar planner) after prayer and reading God's word. If Moise wanted me to come, I would go. The day was Monday with the seminars beginning Tuesday. Moise answered the phone and had been praying for God to work out something since people and plans were in full motion. He said, "praise the Lord! Come brother!" I had my local ticket already purchased and went. The initial team plan was for several men to speak about 30 minutes each. For some "God reason," I planned much more. Each seminar went 3-4 hours, Julie for the wives and me for the preachers. The two seminars had a total of about 90 ministers and I even got to do a mini (2hrs) seminar for the CBT students were I was staying. It was really encouraging to all. The topic was as "Preachers Being Like Jesus" focusing on the grace of God in the life of Jesus himself, Paul, and Timothy.....using 1st & 2nd Timothy as a "example for ministers." Good comments and questions! Even invited me back!! God supplied all that was needed to fulfill His plan! Looking forward to January when the team will come to continue..........

Tomas November 5, 2010

Today many prayers were lifted up on behalf of Haiti and her people. Thanks for including us too! The storm veered away from a direct hit on Haiti. And even though the storm was not what it could have been, don't be deceived into thinking that all is well in Haiti tonight. Tonight, 1.5 million people are still living in tents and under tarps. Many of these shelters are in tact still, and there are those that do not have this anymore. And let me just note that many, many of these donated tents do not have flooring in them. For example the children at the Karade orphanage that I have posted on do not have floored tents. So last night they could not lay down to sleep because even though up above they were sheltered from the rain, it rushed in all around them on the "floor", bringing cold water, mud and debris.
And I've heard people say (foreigners) that the people here are used to getting wet when it rains ,with having to use public transportation or going by foot every where they go. And that is true, but does it mean that it doesn't  bother them, that it doesn't matter to them, that it is good for them. Or are they a people who have learned to accept the good and the bad (like Job)? As Americans maybe we haven't learned this lesson as well as our Haitian counterparts. Think about it - you, your children, have to walk wherever you need to go, or stand and wait for an open or semi-open tap-tap to pick you up and take you where you need to go - well, close to where you need to go, then you walk some to get to your destination. Or you are a vender in the market or roadside - no shop for shelter - just a stand for your goods, maybe with a tarp overhead.  It rains - torrential rain and you get wet. With these torrential rain comes strong winds, which feel chilly to a dry body, but  now the body is wet and blown and cold. And then you go home to your tent or even your shack or one room cinderblock house.  Maybe you have a towel, maybe not. You surely don't have a clothes dryer to dry out all the family's clothing - plus all the household items that also got soaked. So you stay wet, with a lowered body temp for a good while. But you're used to it - right? Hmm...
On top of that chances are good that your immune system is already at least somewhat at risk because of malnourishment or undernourishment. And don't forget, you don't have access to healthcare and something as simple as a tylenol for that throbbing headache. But, it's what you're used to, right?
Sorry, I'm just a little pissed today after seeing so much disparity up close and personal for a while. And I get sick of myself. I sat here today, know that these kids at Karade needed some help with the shelter - sat here wondering what could I do, feeling overwhelmed by all the need. Feeling overwhelmed by my inability to help all the numbers of people who ask me personally for help. How trite does it sound to these people for me to say, "I'm sorry, I can't help you, but I'm praying for you", then I go away to my home that is dry and has some food in it, while they walk away to a tent that is 10 months old and leaking or ripped up by the winds. Did I mention there's no food in the tent too? Sometimes this is just so overwhelming! Why do I have everything I need when so many all around me don't have some of the very basic necessities of life? That's a rhetorical question, because I know that no one has the answer.
But, back to the Karade orphanage. I wondered out loud how in the world I could do anything. Tim said, "well, there's not a lot you can do, but think of the contacts you've made - who could you call for help?" I know of a church in the area, but I didn't want to call - I think something like pride or some other sinful thing was keeping me from asking this church to allow these kids to come stay there at least for the night. I finally made the phone call and then called the orphanage director back. I know there was a lesson in this specifically for me - to break that in me by having to ask for help someplace I did not want to seek help from.  The orphanage director said they would stay put and see if the weather turned worse again. In the meantime I had emailed two Minustah commanders I had made contact with earleier in the year.  Talk about rapid response! The Brazilian unit immediately donated a large tent  and the Pakistani unit is donating some food and supplies in the morning. Pakistan had it ready for me this afternoon, but I got lost and called the commander who told me I could some in the morning since it was  getting dark. (For those who do not know, I get lost all the time. I recently told someone that it is not a complete day until I have gotten lost, so if I find myself at home and have not yet been lost that day, I need to go back out and get lost before entering the house for the night!)
Anyway, I got the tent to the orphanage and Mme Desamour was happy to have the tent since everyone would be able to sleep tonight.
So I guess I don't sound very grateful about the storm not making a direct hit on Haiti - but don't get me wrong - I am very grateful for that. I just don't want the world to be lulled back to sleep where Haiti is concerned. I saw a statement the other day in an article: "Haiti does not exist to the rest of the world unless she has a crisis". Haiti is a crisis every day because of the way that the people here have to live day in and day out. Don't let your self be lulled to sleep on this one. And it's not just Haiti - only something like 20% of the world's population lives like the US.
Okay, so it looks like I could go on and on with this, so I'll make this "inside voice", that has made a prison break on the cyber world tonight,  get back inside.

There were many, many people on either side of the river today, watching the river rise, to see if it would spill its banks. Where will they go if it does? Who will help them if it does? As you can see the water level is high - this is not the norm. It's usually more like a creek running through a deep ravine.