letting go

Haitian Proverb:

"Kreyon Bondye pa gen gom--God's pencil has no eraser"

There are just some patients that touch my heart a little deeper than others. Natacha is a little 3 month old that I met in the clinic early in February and she has a cleft lip and palate. The day after I met this little one and her momma I saw a posting on FaceBook that another organization in Haiti was going to have a surgeon in Haiti in May to fix cleft lips/palates. I wrote down the information and prayed that they would come to the clinic again, so we could somehow connect them to this organization for the surgery Natacha needs. Thursday I had the pleasant surprise of seeing her again in the clinic and our physician was able to talk to mom about the importance of Natacha having the surgery and the need for her to call and pursue this organization for the surgery. Mom left with a paper that had detailed instructions. While talking to a friend this week I was asked what is the hardest thing about living in Haiti--my answer was removing myself and allowing God to be God. I can't control each situation and in reality I don't want to. This mom is 17. The place for her to have this surgery is far from here. Does she have family that will support her and encourage her? Does she have the money or how will she get the money for transportation? And then I have to remind myself...let go and let God be God for this mom and her baby. He has a plan for her. He knows each and everything about Natacha.

It isn't uncommon to have tiny babies in the clinic. The part that is unique is each and every story that comes along with the little one and his/her mother. The little one below came into the clinic on Friday and weighed less than four pounds at 25 days old. He was literally all skin and bones. As I talked to his "mom" I realized that she was actually his mother's cousin. His mom died when he was only five days old. She is now raising him along with her 1 1/2 year old little boy and she is only 18. She didn't have enough milk to give him, so for the past 20 days each day he got 2 ounces of milk and the rest was supplemented with sugar water. She was doing what she thought was best. We were able to give her formula and taught her how to mix the milk and how often he needs to eat. This was another moment of reminding myself to let go and to simply let God be God. She was already fighting for him and choosing to step-up and care for him. God has a plan for not only the little baby but for his new momma too.

The little one on the left is 25 days old, on the right 26 days old.

She is one day older and double the size

So tiny and precious!

vaccinations!

Haitian proverb:

"piti piti na rive- little by little we will arrive"

I doubt I could find too many people that would argue with the fact that prevention is the key to good health. One key aspect to disease prevention is through vaccinations. Vaccinations help to reduce infection and prevent the possibility of death by working with the body's natural defenses to help develop immunity to a disease. Today was a very exciting day in the clinic-- today was the first day that we were able to administer vaccinations. Most children in our community have not been vaccinated and now we are spreading the word that our clinic has one day each week that parents can come to have their children vaccinated for free. The parents are excited. The clinic staff is excited. The kids...ok, not so much....but you get the idea=)

Some photos of the little kiddos waiting for their vaccines!

Not everyone left happy...

perfect sunday

Haitian proverb:

"Tout venn touche ke"

All veins touch the heart

Everyday in Haiti is just a little different for me. Some days are crazy busy and full of lots of "nurse-like" activities. Some days are even filled with moments where I really feel like I'm really making an impact and able to connect with a patient or friend. And then there are days like today when after church I walked to the village to visit my little buddies. Several weeks ago the girls asked me to paint their toes and today seemed like the day to have some fun with it. Each of the girls were super excited when I told them to hurry and wash their feet because I had a surprise in my purse. They quickly ran off to find water to rinse their feet and came back carrying chairs so we could gather under the tree in the shade. At first they were timid but it didn't take long before they were all gathered around waiting for their turn to have their toes painted. I loved listening to them giggle as each girl patiently awaited her turn. As each little one placed her foot in my lap I realized again just how special each of them are to me and how much they have impacted and changed my life. Some days here are filled with events that feel "life changing" and then there are days like today that are spent sitting in the village painting toenail after toenail that I feel the love and presence of Christ the most.

For more pictures, click on the link below:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150461677395831.422201.529825830&type=3&l=a6b4e88fb3

blessings

One of my favorite parts of working in the clinic is when we are able to bless a patient with something they need and wouldn't have otherwise been able to afford or find. Each and every time it amazes me how one persons generosity from miles and miles away is able to help and provide for a complete stranger. I love knowing that God has orchestrated each and every detail.

The mom above has been carrying her son for 7 years. He isn't able to walk or use his legs and this mom has dedicated her time to providing for him. I've said over and over how hard it is for my Haitian friends--watching this momma carry her son--inspired me. She didn't complain about the heat or the weight of her son but instead had a huge smile on her face. Someone had a wheelchair that they no longer needed and chose to send it to us--today we were able to bless this momma with an amazing wheelchair that was a perfect fit for him.

Groups of women from all over the US gather together to make pillowcase dresses. Most of these women have never been to Haiti and have never met the little girls they bless and yet they sew for hours and hours adding extra touches of lace and ribbon to make each and every dress special and truly beautiful. The little girls faces are priceless when they receive a dress!

Our clinic patients usually arrive around 6 a.m. (most leave their homes at least an hour before this) and are at our clinic until well after lunch time. They wait patiently even though they have been sitting for hours. Coloring books and crayons are always a fun treat to give to little ones as they are waiting for prescriptions to be filled or for a parent to have a procedure done. Love watching the kiddos discover the art of coloring--they are creative!

This man came through the clinic with his wife. His wife was worried because he had fallen twice over the previous week. He was able to walk but unsteady. We were able to find a walker and after washing it and sizing it for him--we watched him walk steadily out of the clinic.

The look on his wife's face was priceless.

Colossians 3: 15-17

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the father through him."