Hard Things

Hard things happen here. I share photos of beautiful kids on the mend. Smiles. Laughter. Sunshine. Light. Miracles. Healing.

But, hard things happen here. Don’t forget that. I can’t. I won’t. Rarely are photos shared of the hard things. Those are private. Not to hide the hard things, but to protect those that must endure them.

Today I held a precious baby boy. 10 months old. 3 lbs. I held him a long time. Rubbed his back. Felt every rib. Trimmed his nails. Held his tiny fragile hand.

As I go to bed tonight……. will I get the chance to hold him again? Tomorrow? Ever, this side of Heaven????

It’s one of many hard things in Haiti. Here, at Real Hope, they fight hard to save little lives. When the fight can’t be won…..they grieve. They cry. The loss is deep.

It’s the worst of the hard things.

But, for a few hours, he was held. Close to my heart. Outside in the fresh air.

That wasn’t a hard thing at all. It was holy.

November 13, 2018

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Fantastic Friday Observations

Holly’s latest message just came in from Haiti. The article arrives first with numbers for picture place-holders. Then, I get the pictures — most of the time. 🙂 If a caption doesn’t make sense, a photo looks out of place, or one seems to be missing, we have the less-than-stellar internet access in Haiti to thank. But God is good, and Holly is doing God’s work. Here’s her latest report.  — Joey

 

¤ It’s daylight at 5:45 am in Cazale – I know this to be true because I was wide awake at that time (shocking but true……a morning person, I am not).

¤ Mountains are even more beautiful as the sun rises behind them.

¤ Listening to someone talk about their life’s passion, love and respect for the people they serve and God’s love, provision and miracles experienced every day is just amazing. BLESSED!

¤Haitian toddlers throw hissy fits too!

¤When 5 white ladies start painting the gate into the clinic in Cazale………a crowd forms. We almost had to call in crowd control. Seriously.

Just like at home……I’m never in the pictures because I’m the one taking them!

(especially when at least one white women is slightly off center & its not even me this time!) Notice the quality of the awesome selfie.

¤And evidently, it takes 5 white ladies to paint a gate.

¤Unlike my job, having a sensitive sense of smell is NOT a bonus here. I don’t believe you want or need details. Clue: 20 babies. One room. No windows. One box fan.

¤Mac Young can and will do the Charleston at the drop of a hat.

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A Tour of the Clinic

Holly sent her second post a few minutes ago. The connections are horrible in Haiti. The text and the photos came separately, and I’m not sure all of them made the trip to the States. We’ll edit and correct any out of order or missing photos when the connections are working better.    –  Joey

It’s been a busy day here. I guess I should say, it’s been a busy day for us. The exceptional staff here is always busy…..there are always patients to care for, babies to be changed, bathed, fed……..paperwork and records to be updated……lessons to be taught.

This is the third trip for Tena and I have been to RHFH. Since Susan, Denice and Mak are newbies, they got the grand tour of the clinic today.

The ICU is where the children needing the most care stay. Presently there are 20 children here receiving care around the clock. The ages range from 6 wks to about 10 yrs old. Even though this is not an overnight facility, they also have ages beds for adults needing extra care or ICU.

Next is the area patients first come when they enter the clinic gate. In groups if 50, patients come here, receive their first assessment. During the time they spend waiting their turn, there is some type of educational presentation usually health related, and they also are given a small devotional to take with them.

All records are hand written. Each patient has a chart that is kept indefinitely. Since the clinic began here in Cazale 1998, they have seen 127,000 patients. They see patients 3 days a week and average 250 patients daily.

Nurse/examination room.

A lot of focus and energy is given to prenatal care and education.

Medicine storage room

Pharmacy area.

All medications are divided into dosages ahead of time and stored in bins. This makes it quick and easy for the nurses to give out the amount needed w/ out having to stop and package the dosage for each patient.

After lunch we became pharmacy assistants!!!! Counting and packing meds.

Now it’s your turn. Since I have travelled to Haiti several times now, i loose track of what i have blogged. I am afraid I may not actually be telling you things you would like to know.

So, if you have a question, let me know. Post it as a comment to the blog and I’ll do my best to answer (IF technology is still being my friend).

The need is great.

Heart wrenching.

Seemingly unsurmountable.

The world is broken.

God is bigger.

Blessing abound.

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Simple Celebration

Easter Is a celebration of Jesus’ resurrection. Some celebrations are loud, colorful and complex. Others are subdued, quiet and maybe even simple. Is one better than the other? More reverent? Or sincere? Or holy?

As long as its heartfelt, then I don’t think so. I’ve been blessed to be a part of, and enjoy lots of different kinds of Easter celebrations and worship services. God was at all of them. Right up in the middle. And it was glorious.

Today’s celebration took place in the church of Mission of Hope, here in Grand Goave. Let me set the scene, dirt and gravel floor, wooden benches (no padding or backs), tin roof, only few windows, NO electric fans, wonderful band, beautiful voices, LOTS of people dressed in their best, and the message delivered in Creole. And guess what, God was there. No spectacular fanfare, but the message holds true. Jesus died for us….. ALL of us.

Walking to church

Dresses up and ready to go!

It’s been a great day! After church we took the kids to the beach and had the kids first Easter egg hunt. At this Hands & Feet orphanage, there are 31 children. 7 girls and 24 boys. The ages rang from 6-16. We are slowly learning names. I do know one thing, there are about 5 variations Steven represented!

Beach and Easter egg hunt photos tomorrow.

In His Grace (even in Haiti),
Holly

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You can save a life……

Please follow this link to learn about the crisis facing this wonderful ministry

http://www.realhopeforhaiti.org/?p=5368

news from Cazale

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Building a team for Haiti April 9-17, 2012

Memphis Conference UMVIM team to Haiti: April 9-17, 2012 Team is being formed now UMVIM teams work on Priority Projects identified by the Eglise Methodiste d’Haiti (EMH) and United Methodist U.S. Coordinating Team. My sister, Tena, and I will be co-leading this team. The approximate cost for the trip is $2000. Teams fly in and out of Port-au-Prince and spend their first and last nights at the Methodist Guest House in Petionville. Teams who travel to projects outside Port-au-Prince are transported to the work sites and stay at the remote location until the day before they depart. Maximum of ten persons. Contact me if you would like more information @ hollybug99@yahoo.com

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Love Stories – #1

This is the first in a series of posts introducing you to some of the amazing kids we got to hang out with in Cazale, Haiti, at RHFH.

GERLINA

Gerlina came to clinic when she was 6 months old.  She weighed 8 pounds 6 ounces at that time.  Her mom died when she was 4 months old of a fever.  Her dad wanted to try and take care of her at his house so we gave him infant formula and supplies to care for her. He really loves her.  We told him to return each month for more supplies and a check-up in the clinic.  We had not seen him for about 5 months, but this past week he came back.  He has been trying to pay off his bills from the cost of burial for his wife and did not have any money to travel down to see us.  It was a really hard decision for her father to leave her here because he has lost two other children and Gerlina is all he has left.  The little peanut can stand up when holding onto something. She is now 12 months,  and still weighs 8lbs 6oz which mean she still has a long way to go to get caught up.  (currently on the medika mamba program).

Can you imagine not being able to take you sick baby to the doctor because you were having to use all your money to pay the burial costs of the mother or father?

Gerlina, when she admitted in September, 2011.

Gerlina, September 2011

Her ‘boyfriend’ is Darlens……they are CRAZY about each other. Here are some photos of baby love!

This is what happened when they were reunited after Gerlina came and hung out with me on the porch for a little bit. I definantly think she prefers Darlens over me!!!!

Gerlina is still a tiny little thing but interacts with folks, and will walk holding someone’s hands.

“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.” Matthew 25:45

*Some photos and info was borrowed from the RHFH website realhopeforhaiti.org *

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What would you do………

What would you do if just over the fence of you back yard you saw a neighbor in need?

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Being the hands and feet of Christ in this world………

can be joyful, rewarding, life changing. It can be (and usually is) heart breaking, foundation shattering, faith challenging, dirty, smelly, humbling and hard. Really hard. Have you ever thought about those folks that work to be ‘the hands and feet’? Many of them are just like you.  A regular person, with a family, a job, a home. Many have no special skill, they are regular people. Not pastors, or seminary students, not angels on earth, not super heroes, not nurses, not doctors, not scientists……….just ordinary people, deciding to follow God’s lead, and doing extraordinary things.

Lori and Licia, of Real Hope for Haiti happen to be nurses. But many people supporting, volunteering and working with this ministry and many others are just regular people.  The following is a wonderful post on RHFH blog. PLEASE read it. It’s important. It’s eye-opening and possibly heart-changing.  You will learn about the devotion of Nerenel’s father, and more.

Every day life for most of Haiti’s people is hard, harder than most of us can even imagine. Yet, they keep trying, doing, working, hoping……..

http://www.realhopeforhaiti.org/?p=5166

I didn’t interact with Nerenel while at RHFH. He seemed, too ill, lethargic or sleeping most of the time. Now, I wish I would have just held him.

Nerenel is the little man in the red shirt.

This was taken shortly before we left Cazale, headed back to the states.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This little guy was loved, and cared for until his last moment here on earth. Now, there is no more pain, malnutririon, sickness, struggle for life……..just the blessed peace of being with God, in His house.

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Traffic, Haitian style!

*This was originally written several years ago, and for some reason never published. Better late, than never!

Traffic (travel) in Haiti is a mixture of anything you have EVER seen or experienced in the US, multiplied and amplified. Depending upon your point of view, an or how often you experience traffic in Haiti, it can be amusing, terrifying, comically, unbelievable, frustrating, confusing……..I think you get the picture.

There are basically 5 types of transportation in Haiti, feet, donkey, bicycle, moto and tap-tap.

Traffic rules…….now that’s where things get really interesting. Imagine your everyday commute or running errands with semi-controlled chaos.

* pedestrians NEVER have the right of way. Only exception is if your vehicle is completely stopped and someone walks in front of you.

* Who does have the right of way? Easy, the fastest moving and/or the biggest vehicle. Basically it seems like a big game of chicken most of the time.

* Which side of the road do You drive on? Again, this is an easy one. Both. Yes, both. Drivers are constantly weaving from one side to another, trying to follow the path with the least potholes. Often this includes crossing over into oncoming traffic, moving to along one shoulder or the other, driving down the center of the road (paved or not) and sometimes leaving the road completely to veer around some obstacle.

* Seat belts? What are those?

* Helmets for motorcycle riders? Sure, right, not required. If you see a helmet, its usually NOT on anyone’s head.

* Normal # of riders per motorcycle is 2. NOT. Did you know a moto can carry up to 6 people? I’ve seen it. Or, two grown men and 2 live baby goats. Mattresses, other types livestock or building supplies……if it can be balanced on two wheels, its acceptable.

* Maximum capacity of public transportation (motos) is not determined by number of seats. Only by how many bodies can be crammed into, loaded on top of or hang of the sides of Any vehicle.

*Rules for riding in the bed of a pick-up. If it had a bed, its packed full! That:s the rule!

*Normal lanes on the road….if you need one, create one.

It’s an adventure EVERYTIME you take to the road in Haiti. It’s never a short drive anywhere
And its not for the faint-of- heart!

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