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
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