Re-entry - the hardest part...

Renee, Joan and I are back home from Haiti after a delayed 18 hour journey...A test of my patience and endurance.  Exhaustion, heavy hearts and minds filled with the faces of desperate children flash on in my head.
I don't "snap back" into my old routine when I return from Haiti very well. I almost feel paralyzed as nothing has the importance or priority that it did when I left. The priorities of life in Naperville suddenly hit the bottom of the list.  Similarly, when I am in Haiti, on the first day you see a situation and you are aghast and think THIS is what we need to support.  The next day you see a situation which takes precedents over the last - deciding the "urgency" of the day before, those kids at least had water, so this new situation becomes your focus.  This goes on and on and pretty soon you have all these VERY important needs all before you and you get overwhelmed.  99% of all solutions require money to fix!  NOTHING is simple in Haiti.  While they live totally simple lives, everything is a project.  Cultural and safety issues play a big part in resolution.  You end up doing a triage of needs.  In order to survive you need:  Water, food, and medical help.  Sanitation is a huge cause of illness and death - making the contaminated water enhancing the medical needs.  ROUTINE vaccinations could prevent so many deaths that it's ridiculous.  As Miriam from New Life 4 Kids accurately describes it - "All we are doing is putting out fires.  We haven't gotten to the cause of the fire to stop the cycle."  Miriam is a visionary who has the patience to take one step at a time, assuring that her feet are planted securely.  ME - Ms. IMPATIENT - I'm bubbling with  inconsolable desires to fix, fix, fix!  Somethings DO need to be fixed right away to sustain life.  I would like to stress to contributors of Impact For Jesus that together, we are capable of doing that.  I would like our funds to be at a level where we could finance a new clinic, orphanage, piece of land for a community learning center to teach specific trades for them to survive in the future, or who knows what -  we MUST keep trying to reach those goals.  But - in the mean time we can FEED THE HUNGRY - sustain life, rescue the dying, and sponsor children to provide their basic needs.  WE can and ARE making a difference.  I am abundantly thankful for every penny contributed to Impact for Jesus so we can "go and do."  While using discretion and being responsible stewards of donations will ALWAYS be the foundation of Impact for Jesus, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and caring for the lost is an ongoing focus. There are 1,800 tent cities in Haiti right now - 14 months after the earthquake.  The largest tent city has 52,000 at its location. Impact for Jesus may not be able to feed and clothe all of them, but I suspect if you ask those who WERE fed last week because of generous contributors - THEY would express hope and thanksgiving.  America's dogs are better cared for then the people in Haiti.  What has happened to our world? Impact for Jesus will never give up - so please, don't you give up trying with us!  Remember  - we promised many children in Haiti that we WILL be back.  I wouldn't want to disappoint even one of them.  May God bless our broken world.  Patty

Rescue and Restoration 2-24-11

I sit here and wonder if there even is a way to recap the day.  They all start out on the “normal” side which lasts about as long as it takes to determine your plan for the day. Then – BINGO everything changes.  This morning we had the sheer pleasure to meet six pediatric specialists from Florida.  They came to New Life to learn more about Miriam’s ministry.  They graciously provided an exam and diagnosis for one of the girls who used to stay at Marie’s orphanage who came to be examined.  Her great toe has been infected for months.  A Dr. in Haiti wanted to amputate the toe, and we were so pleased to learn that while the infection is severe and in the bone, with minor surgery and interveneous antibiotics, it should be successfully healed in 4 – 6 weeks.  The Dr. made the arrangements to have her admitted into the hospital tomorrow for about seven days AND said he would be responsible for the medical bills!!  Miriam’s nurse agreed to visit her each day to assure she is receiving proper care.  The down side of this is…we went to see the hospital – it had collapsed in the earthquake - so the pediatric ward consists of four tents.  There were easily 100 people lined up on benches waiting for treatment next to the tents.  We peeked in one of the tents and saw that all you receive when you come as a patient is a canvas cot.  The patient is responsible for providing all linen. They receive one small meal per day – and if medication is needed you are responsible for going and getting the medication.  SO – while we are thrilled she will receive treatment – that comes with some challenges and certainly not how we envision a hospital.  There were little frail babies lying in one crib after another with family members taking up any extra space – not to mention the heat! These are the fortunate – who actually receive medical care.  And to think what WE complain about when hospitalized……

I might add that in our journey to Port-au-Prince – many buildings remain as rubble – and I didn’t see any positive signs of improvement since the quake – another disgusting reality.

Last night we heard what we initially thought were firecrackers going off.  Soon we concluded it was gunshots.  There were many shots heard all at the same time.  This went on for over a half hour.  Today we heard that there were obviously some very angry people revolting against the female candidate for president who supposedly gave new motorcycles to a group of people – those NOT receiving a motor- cycle began the shooting.  The police and UN were there.  It sounded like it was right outside our gate – but in actuality it was about a mile away.

After our trip to the hospital Miriam wanted to see the tent city orphanage we witnessed yesterday when we took them the food we had left after feeding the large tent city.  She couldn’t imagine the conditions we described.  We took bags of rice and big cans of beans for them and we were off on another adventure.  Traffic is horrible; the roads have huge pot holes and big ruts. So, I have decided that being able to stay in your seat, not cracking your head on a window or ending up on someone’s lap is an acquired skill – previous experience of bull riding would be helpful.

When we finally made our way to the mountain and found the orphanage, the children came running across their dirt, small lot.  They recognized our faces from the day before and just hugged us over and again.  They acted like one would act if they had been stranded on a desert island and help just arrived.  We found two of the children sleeping on top of a horrid blanket in the rocks with only filthy shirts on and bare bottoms.  Miriam was appalled at the conditions, as well.  She said it was the worse she has witnessed.  The children said they had eaten the leftover food we brought them yesterday – which was obviously not refrigerated.  The woman trying to care for the children said if we hadn’t come – they would not have eaten for two days.  They have NO water, only the clothes they are wearing, obviously no electricity, go to the bathroom in a hole, have little twigs trying to hold up make shift barbed wire to stake out their plot.  The children looked like they had fallen into a bag of flour, they were so dirty and covered in dust.  The woman explained that the orphanage where most of them had lived collapsed in the earthquake and they had nowhere to go.   A pastor told her she could have this little bitty piece of land so she has been trying to survive ever since.  We gave her the food, only to discover she had no way to cook it – so Miriam gave her money to buy charcoal to prepare the food.  The smaller children looked the most distraught and sickly, so because of Miriam’s unbelievable heart – before you knew it – we had four children in our truck to return to New Life.  The woman understood it would only be temporary, but Miriam examined them briefly and could tell they had parasites and worms, scabies and especially the one little girl was limp and appeared very sickly.

Their ages are not known – but I would guess them to be from 18 months to 3 years old.  We all couldn’t believe how they just sat in the truck – barely moving and no real reaction to leaving or what was to come.  We gave a Pastor a ride part of the way to his home.  He lived at least an hour from the “orphanage.”  He told Miriam that he goes there every day to help the woman and to teach the children about God and to encourage them.  He said he feels he needs to suffer along side of them. 

The children were taken to a fairly small room in the orphanage that is used as the “clinic.”  They are in “isolation” from the other children until Miriam is assured they will not spread disease to the other children.  The four new children received bucket baths, clean clothes, water and dinner and worm medication.  They were all experiencing diarrhea. 

We sat at dinner nearly in silence.  What a day.  I actually felt guilty eating food and thinking about my bed waiting for me upstairs.  After dinner Renee, Miriam and I went to the clinic to see how they were doing.  I almost dreaded it because I knew if they were crying or distraught, I wouldn’t be able to stand it.  I guess they had been asking what happened to the “blanc’s.”  We found them all clean – clean clothes – little floor cots with a blanket and BIG smiles.  Miriam, to my utter amazement, quickly got on the floor next to them and began tickling them and the three little boys jumped onto her back and their giggles and laughs made my heart sing.  She gave them rides on her back – lifted them high into the air on her feet and they rolled and wrestled around on the floor with all three of them totally elated.  The little girl  (around 20 months) who was totally lethargic all the way home had perked up enough to want an “airplane ride” on Miriam’s feet, but then quickly returned to Sarah’s lap – she ALMOST smiled.

So now we must come up with a plan of what we do from here.  And of course that always requires money – the ongoing problem.  Food and water aren’t negotiable – so Miriam’s trying to find a solution very soon, as we left 19 other children behind who will be sleeping on the ground tonight, along with past nights, and nights to come.  It was more than I can even describe in writing. 

So, it was another whirlwind day with being faced with one need after another – eliminating one, and receiving two more in its place.  Tomorrow is our last full day and we have so many loose ends and unmet intentions.  But – God did guide us to a place where His children need rescued and we were able to share His love with them.  I told one of the boys at this orphanage who surprisingly spoke some English that he needs to remember that God sent us because God loves him so much and that now we will  do all we can to give him the love and provisions that God wants him to have.  He smiled, showing all his beautiful white teeth and his eyes lit up and he said, “God sent you?” And I returned the smile with confidence and said, “Remember, He never forgets you, and neither will I.”  When I left he said, “I will be waiting for you.”  I told him I won’t always be the one to come, God uses many people to love him.  His smile returned and as we drove away, his little hand waved back and forth with such energy.  Life before the quake was living with his mother, going to school, learning English and then in one moment – he has nothing.  He was separated from his Mom who is all he has for family and lives in the dirt and dust depending on God to send someone to rescue him.  Maybe today will restore his hope as he waits.  OR, maybe I needed to be taught today what true faith looks like.  I suspect the little boy will sleep well with restored hope – it’s ME who I realize needs a faith adjustment.  I wonder if I will ever be the example of God to another, as these children are to me.  Another amazing day – what more can possibly happen tomorrow?
Patty

Mixed Emotions 2-23-11

You have all heard, it was the best of times and the worst of times?  That about sums up yesterday.  Patty continued with the interview process for sponsorship while Joan and I spent one-on-one time with some of the handicap children and a woman, Sarah, which is currently here from the states for 6 months trying to advance their motor skills and challenge them more mentally.  Both Joan and I got to learn more about their disabilities and found they each have a personality all their own and speak fairly good English.  Before we knew it, we were fist bumping as they successfully found the right home for each puzzle piece.  Joan and I also had a chance to visit while school was in session and the children where testing on knowledge they had learned over the last few weeks.  We also had a chance to look at books they teach from, which are few.  Before we knew it the bell was ringing for lunch and school was out for the day.  Early afternoon was spent playing a challenging puzzle game with the boys and Joan getting to discuss with one of the school teachers reading levels of the children.  Joan brought down with her many short novels for all ages in French.  She will go home with the information she has collected to work on getting donations to bring more books on future visits.

At 1:30 our ride arrived to take us to the tent city to feed the children.  An organization called YWAM centered on Christian Youth graciously let us accompany them.  We traveled to the outskirts of Port-au-Prince where a tent city has sprung up lead by a Pastor.  It is located at the base of a mountain region with no water or food.  People who live there need to travel long distances to purchase food.  A water truck stops there twice per day for people to fill whatever type of container they have available.  We fed the children a stew of chicken, pasta, potatoes and carrots.  It smelled wonderful.  We were also able to play music and the young children and youth danced.  Joan got her popup book out and I blew up beach balls and made gliders.  Got a chance to hold a four month old baby while Mom fed her stew.  I was amazed at how much the baby could hold, as she must have been starving.  Patty spoke to the youth letting them know that Jesus loved them and we will continue to pray for them and not forget them.  We served about 600 meals there, with one dollar feeding three people.

We hadn’t quite finished serving all the stew, so next stop was a small orphanage of about twenty-two children that had sprung up as a result of a tent city nearby.  When we arrived, the children came running to the truck, as YWAM had stopped there before.  The conditions were deplorable.  There was one tarp being held up with sticks and before two weeks ago, all were sleeping on the mud floor every night.  YWAM recently donated three tents to this orphanage.  They had no food, no water and most of the children were running around, dust covered, in adult shirts down to their ankles.  We started handing out food and before we knew it, people from all over the tent city arrived.  Another 200 meals were handed out.  By the time we left it was dusk.

The journey home was frightening as just as many cars and people were roaming the streets as during the day.  No street lights, very few car lights and many potholes were the norm. As we arrived home safely, I told the man driving, God was watching over us!  When we did arrive at New Life 4 Kids, a warm dinner was waiting for us followed by a cold shower to wash down the dirt and grime from the day.  What a rewarding day to help so many people, but what a sad day to not be able to help that orphanage more.  We love you all and thank you for praying for the people of Haiti.

Renee

Rescued ? February 22, 2011

Rescued?

Today started with a lot of listening to God and not many plans which is just the way He likes it.  Started the day with a hot cup of coffee, pancakes and Haitian bananas which Patty says are the only “real bananas” around!  The children at New Life School are going through final testing this week, so they are done with school each day about noon time.  The morning was spent with the handicap children getting to know them better.  Most of these children are very interactive and speak some English.  We shared coloring time with them and they use larger style crayons that are easier for them to hold.  Once school let out, Patty was off to continue interviewing for the sponsorship program, Joan went to try flying a kite and a try her hand at a little catch and I was off to experience English levels through matching sight word and letter games.  Of course, with every right match a piece of candy was rewarded.  Before I knew it, there was a swarm of interested children.  Joan finished up her morning refereeing a challenging game of dominoes.  They certainly take their dominoes seriously!

A quick brake to rehydrate and we were off with Miriam to visit a new orphanage and evaluate their readiness to take care of children.  A woman who met Miriam on one of her trips through the Miami Airport had contacted her as she was concerned she had been donating and giving of her time to  an orphanage since the quake and had recently felt the charitable donations might not be getting used correctly.  So it was off to this orphanage of 8 miles away.  Unfortunately, it took one hour to get there.  Bumper to bumper traffic and many large potholes later, we arrived and were greeted by many smiling faces of beautiful children.  The conditions were very poor as we toured.  Dirty kitchen and eating areas, no toys to play with and lots of dirty laundry.  Only one seventeen year old girl was taking care of 19 kids, not only caring for the children but cooking and doing all the laundry.  We just wanted to load up the truck with as many children as we could and take them back to Miriam’s.  Of course, that was not possible, but we did bring the donor back with us to let her see how New Life 4 Kids is run and World Harvest Missions hope to help them in the near future.

Upon returning, there was a little bit of time for Joan to teach some additional youth the skill of catching and we were off to dinner.  Each night, as we enter the eating area, there is a large sign that says “remove your shoes”.   So as in past nights, we continued with this ritual.  Unfortunately the dogs decided to have a little fun while we were eating and used one of my sandals as a chew toy!  So much for that brand new pair of Crocs.  Good thing I packed another. I rewarded this behavior with a good belly scratch.  You know me, the dog lover!  Another awesome dinner shared with many guests staying with us tonight.  The evening ended on a beautiful note with a team coming to New Life bringing six new wheels chairs for the handicap children that are desperately needed.  Thank you God for your guidance, patience and love today.

Renee

Orphanage rounds...Monday 2-21

Monday morning came right on time...funny how that happens.  We had delicious french toast for breakfast and with full tummies we packed our bags with the gifts and goodies we brought for Marie's orphanage and COENHA.  We were so excited to see Frenzy and Rene again and were greeted with big smiles and tight hugs.  We had a list of "stops" we wanted to make, and contrary to most men - they nodded in agreement JOYFULLY and off we went.  First we stopped to see two of the girls who were in Marie's orphanage, and now live in a tiny, little room with their Mom.  Two weeks ago we were able to help their mom purchase a menagerie of items to sell to earn money for their food so we were anxious to see if progress had been made.  The three of them were as excited to see us, as we were them.  Michelle and Merlinda's mom had her "stand" in front of their "home."  All of her produce, spices, and products were displayed in an eye catching fashion and she looked very proud of her new business.  Selling anything and everything is the street is the norm here - selling enough to pay for food to eat for that day is the goal!  The girls shared their smiles and we shared smiles and tears alike.  While they have the very basics to survive - which is the norm in most of Haiti - their struggles and hardships were hard to witness.  Michelle has a very infected toe and attempts at receiving adequate medical care have been unsuccessful.  Doctors are suggesting she have it amputated - the solution the Dr.'s often come to...Seems like - if in doubt what or how to treat - AMPUTATE!

From there we stopped at a road side vender and bought big bags of rice (marked with US AID on the side.)  We visited the children at Pastor Wislet's orphanage and they seemed happy to see us. I know I was happy to see these innocent children who I hadn't seen since last Sept.  Joan - who is part of our team whipped out her ukelele (spelling) and began strumming some fun action songs - and before long the "crowd" loosened up and smiles were taking over most of the faces.  We brought every one their own personal bag of what we would call Cheetos - so with lots of crunching going on, we walked around and took photos, shared hugs and lots of "God loves you!"  There was a Haitian social worker there, which was encouraging  to learn that professional assistance IS available.

From there we went to Marie's orphanage - Grace House of Hope.  The girls were still in their school uniforms and looked so cute with their long blue ribbons hanging from the braids in their hair.  After mambo group hugs they sat on the half wall in front of the school like little Indians all in a row.  In no time, once again, Joan had everyone jumping, laughing and singing!  I think we probably looked the goofiest doing the Hokey Pokey - but it surely received the most laughs.  The girls also sang special songs to us that were beautifully sung in English.  The youngest four sang a worship song in English that brought tears to my eyes.  Their little voices sounding like angels and their deliverance with total sincerity.  Embarrassed giggles followed our clapping.  Our stay was limited as another team came from the  Lazarus Project and they had some fun craft projects awaiting the girls.  It is always great to be in their presence.  I sat quietly looking at each one and  took in their beauty, growth and maturity level compared to nearly four years ago.  Wonderful memories to reflect on.  I am happy that they are all in school and have the love of God in their heart.  Marie was busy with all the guests present, plus she has special services at her church each evening this week.

 While I was telling my little God daughter, Patty, goodbye - I hear music coming from the street.  There I found Joan playing her ukelele AGAIN - with five children from the street  drawn to her and the song she was teaching them.  As it turned out - she had exactly FIVE music making instruments in her backpack to share - so those with recorders were tooting away and the  new kazoo owners were being taught how to hum and make sounds!  As we drove away, waves and smiles were shared - each with a supply of "chicklets" (gum) and I suspect the newly formed band will practice into the night!  I just LOVE those unplanned interactions where children are blessed with love and give it back so freely.

We returned to New Life right in time for a delicious dinner of mashed potatoes and turkey!  We met some wonderful people from Kentucky who are also staying the night and then heading off tomorrow to provide meals and training for people in another town. We joined all the children for their nightly worship time which was a beautiful concert of 100 children praising God  - all songs sung in English. 

All in all it was a great day - and this old lady is exhausted!  Tomorrow has no specific plan - but I am sure it will be filled with unexpected, undeniable, memorable experiences.  I must share that this morning we went to retrieve our bags which had crackers, snacks and such to take with us today.  Unknowingly, we left them in a place that the rats have used as a hang out at night .... they had taken all the peanut butter crackers and ate every last one - leaving not even the PLASTIC WRAPPERS behind....they must recyle.  Anyway - being nearly phobic about these creatures.  I freaked and stood on a chair and made Renee go all thru the bag to be sure we weren't bringing any of them with us.  

Well - I'm sitting outside in the dark typing this, as the internet is only working outside our room.  There are big beetle bugs landing on my keyboard - so I shall close this blog down for tonight.  Let me end by saying that no matter how many times I've witnessed the streets of Haiti - it NEVER gets easier seeing the poverty and struggles of those I see.  We can't give up - the task seems unsurmountable - but we know of FIVE children for sure who woke up this morning and had no idea some stranger would share a song with them and a gift in return and maybe, just maybe, they went to bed tonight with song of hope in their heart. 

Patty

Heart is Filled with Joy in Haiti!

The day started early with roosters crowing and the water truck making its rounds, playing a song like our ice cream trucks at home.  It was still dark when all of this was going on.  It is just one of the melodies of Haiti we have all become so familiar with.  Then it was off to a great breakfast of eggs, oatmeal and fresh mangos and watermelon.  Worship started at 9:00am.  Service included a great deal of worship music being played by the children and a short drama and sermon.  We were welcomed with open hearts and asked to say a few words in front of the congregation.  The feeling of joy filled our hearts.   The Pastor then left time at the end of the service, as many children had come to him and asked if they could sing solos.  Five kids then came up to sing worship songs in English they had learned from Worship DVD’s that had been brought to the orphanage.  The kids were all age 4 and 5 and worshiped singing to God with all their hearts.  One child had just been at the orphanage since the earthquake and had come malnourished and seeing many horrors we couldn’t even imagine seeing in a lifetime.  We had all we could do to hold back the tears.  After church there was a jam session with many children playing instruments and one older boy playing the keyboards that is legally blind.  Many children came up to dance.   How awesome it was!

We had a little snack and then to unpack and setup for a craft.  We spent the afternoon making family quilts with the kids.  One for the girls and one for the boys were made and each enjoyed putting their special identity on their square.  We found that there are many child artists here that do beautiful work.  Many toys were handed out from dominos to gliders and each child got to pick a small gift before leaving.  We also brought down about sixty dresses made by a ladies sewing ministry from Wisconsin.  Each girl got to pick one dress and asked to model as we took pictures.  Patty and I finished the quilting project while Joan spent time with the kids coloring, playing marbles and spending time with the handicap kids.  We finished off the day playing under the Mango Tree and singing.  What a beautiful day God has allowed us to share with these wonderful, faithful people.

 Before we knew it the dinner bell was ringing.  We had a wonderful dinner of chicken, rice and salad finished off by homemade pudding.  We spent a thought provoking evening with three men from Florida here on a mission to share their professional expertise on water well drilling.  They are here, with the help of church donations, testing well water for purity and teaching the basics of well drilling.  Another sad story about Haiti infrastructure, as they shared results already completed.

We finished off the night planning our Monday schedule, hoping that God is working in our hearts filling us with peace and love.  We will be visiting Marie and the girls, Pastor Wislet and Michelle and Merlinda.  Thanks to all for donations and prayers and allowing the three of us to represent you in Haiti!