Cholera Again

Today we were reminded again of the fragile state of things here in Haiti. I had noticed an uptick yesterday in the number of new cholera patients. This morning as we walked past the cholera section the place was overflowing with people laying everywhere. Cholera has reared its ugly head and returned with a vengeance. IV's everywhere hooked up and running. Not enough hooks to hang the IV bags on, family stands by holding the bags by hand. Staff mopping the floors continually and people carrying buckets back and forth. There are over 150 current patients. Three died overnight and 2 died already this morning. As I walked past the front gate of the Hospital a car pulled up it was in quite a rush to drive into the hospital. I was happy to bypass the commotion and keep moving. When I return 5 minutes later there was wailing everywhere. I was told that the car had pulled up to the hospital gate and that a young woman had got out she took a couple of steps and died right on the spot. People were afraid and wailed for help. The wailing is chilling as women cry out in distress.

This has made us be more vigilant about personal hygiene. We have easy access to filtered water so that is not a problem. Pray for the people of Northwest Haiti and those who care for them. I'm afraid that things will get worse before they get better.

Pray for 2 of our team who had a fever in the night. They stayed back to rest today. Pray.

2 days remain until we will turn ourselves around and head for home. Today is field trip day. The whole staff of HOH will head over for an afternoon at the beach. Our team will tag along for the ride. I will try and post pictures tomorrow.

Fo m'ale (gotta go)

No water but lots of work

The past 2 days have been filled with caring for the kids. The team really gets into afternoon bath time. Everyone works together drying, diapering and helping the kids get dressed. It is quite an operation getting 25 kids cleaned up. When we ourselves are done for the day we look forward to some down time back at our rooms. Last night we found out that we had no water because the well pump had broken. The showerhead produced about the same volume as a small squirt gun but nowhere as much force as the squirt gun produces. In the morning there was some water but we were not sure if the well had been fixed.

Despite the heat the team is holding up quite well. All are well; Tuesday night was a good sleeping night. The have been several spiders squished among them two large banana spiders. Banana spiders are really big fuzzy things with crazy long legs; they are harmless but nonetheless they are dispatched on the spot. We have had 2 stray peacocks in the yard they make quite a raquet when they get provoked. The yard dogs try to get them for dinner as of yet the peafowl haveeluded the licked chops of the underfed canines. If I had to bet sooner or later the dogs will have some pretty feathers on their chins. Here is shot of one on the roof of our house:

Team Update

We arrived in Haiti without any trouble. It was a long day for us all. After our plane ride which was very comfortable we loaded ourselves into our vehicle for the 6 ½ hour ride to the House of Hope. The first half of the ride was very smooth since the main road has been repaired since the earthquake. The second half was much more difficult. The roads were very hard as we wound our way up and down the mountainscapes of Haiti. The actual distance is about 150 miles that took us 6 ½ hrs to cover. Thankfully the car had air conditioning so we didn’t have to have all the road dust blowing in the window.

Our Sunday was quiet as usual in Haiti. After church we took a rest and then went out for a walk through town. It was good for the team to see the area and meet some people.

Today was our first day on the job. The team has come together really well and they are interacting well with the kids and each other. It is great to see that language is not barrier when it comes to loving up on the kids. All of our bags arrived today so we will spend the better part of the afternoon getting everything out and sorted out.

The team is all healthy and energetic. We feel the prayers of our faithful friends. We do. We all have stories to tell when we get home. Right now this team is telling it’s story to the kids at the House of Hope, a story of love as we are loved by the Father we are loving our neighbors in return.

July Missions Trip

Many of you reading this post are very familiar with our work in Haiti. Many of you reading this have and do pray regularly for the work in Haiti and particularly the work at the House of Hope in La Pointe in the Haiti’s Northwest Department. Many of you reading this have given generously to the mission God has given us. Many of you reading this are very aware of my deep gratitude for your faithfulness, generosity and prayer support. However, it is possible that you are unaware or have forgotten just how deeply grateful I truly am. No go-er who goes in Jesus’ name representing our Savior and those who make his going possible can forget those givers who give because of that same Savior who are joined together in such a significant work with such an eternal value. How can I declare this to you without a deep gush of emotion and gratitude?

Let me tell you about this fast approaching trip that I will be leading:

The Missions Committee of the Westminster Presbyterian Church of Lancaster, PA asked me to lead a trip this summer. As providence has directed it worked out that there are 3 people from WPC are teaming up with 3 people from the Community Evangelical Free Church in Elverson, PA. Six of us will spend 8 days at the HOH helping to provide care for the children while the staff gets a short vacation from their work. We will work side by side with the older “kids” to make this week possible for the regular staff. We did this 2 years ago and it was great! Along with providing care for the little ones which means diaper changing, feeding and playing with them, we do crafts and games too. It is one of the best weeks of the whole summer for everyone meaning us and them! I wish you could feel the energy at the HOH during this week. The days are long and hot but rewarding. Haiti has two seasons, hot and hotter. July is in the “hotter” category.

Why I go to Haiti: (this is not an exhaustive list of reasons)

• I go because the people who live there are my neighbors.
• I go because God has given me gifts that are useful there.
• I go because when I am there I feel the Lord’s pleasure.
• I go because time and distance refuse to erase the depth of need I see in the eyes of the people there particularly the children.
• I go so that when I come back I will be able “to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.”
• I go because the Bible speaks powerfully about the poor and my response to them.
• I go because I want to be a light in a dark place.
• I go because I like being there.
• I go because I have relationships worth continuing with people I have grown to love.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter.

I’m sorry there are so many miles between my posts; konsa bagay la ye (that’s the way things are).

One Size Fits All World

I'm off to Haiti, once again. I'm flew out of JFK airport which had a non-stop flight to Port au Prince where I stayed for about 24 hours. The elections or lack of elections have the city in a twist. It is unpredictable there right now but I am in good hands. The Hands that created the world and all that is in it. Beyond that my friends will meet me at the airport and take Juvenal. A nice neighborhood not far from where the Doc is staying. My work will begin after I arrive at the House of Hope Monday afternoon. I will have a lot to cram in in 4 days. I am bringing in a printer for the HOH. It is a big one. Only one problem; the TSA forbids carrying printer cartridges heavier than 16oz. I knew that going in but the cartridges weighed in at 24oz. So the TSA had to inspect the printer before they would permit the box to be put on the conveyor. They declared them overweight and wanted me to take them out of the box. I told them they weren't mine but that they belonged to Jesus. Once you say something like that everyone begins to stare. I begged them to let them stay in the box because it is not possible to print without them. The employees at the check-in were urging them to overlook the cartridges. But in the end I took them out carefully because you know how dangerous printer cartridges can be! I had to leave them in storage until I return- I put them in a room right next to Jason Bourne's stuff in a special room. In the end I lamented the lack of reason in the whole process. All they were was printer cartridges anyone could see that. But we live in a one size fits all world. There is a better world coming one where we won't get sand in our shoes and things will go back to the way they are supposed to be. That is Shalom, true shalom come quickly. Pray for me while I am away from those I love at home. Pray that I would represent Jesus well. Pray that I have wisdom in conversations. I'll be having many of them, important ones too. Pray for safety in and out of the country and in the air and on the roads. Pray for those who suffer in Haiti. Pray for the caregivers who work long hours in the cholera wards. Cholera is still powerful and taking lives daily. If you would like to email me at doorofhopehaiti@gmail.com I will write you back.

January 12, 2011

Today the flag of my soul is flown at half mast. The black curtains of mourning are festooned around the windows of my heart. One year ago today near the very hour I am writing this post Haiti was struck by a devastating earthquake. In a matter of seconds over 220,000 lives were lost, probably more. People from every walk of life in the course of their daily routines were tragically killed in a matter of seconds. The scope of their suffering cannot be told in pictures or in words. I’m hesitant to write much more just because of that. The media has revisited Haiti in its aftermath only to declare how much has or has not been done. Truthfully, not much has been done. Over 90% of the rubble remains as it was one year ago today. Questions remain as to where all the humanitarian aid money has gone. Finger pointing and blame assessment are still in full gear. This I know, Haiti has picked itself, dusted itself off and has kept going. Haiti will walk with a limp for years to come. Please pray today for Haiti and those who remember vividly exactly where they were at 4:53pm on year ago today. Please pray for those who lost loved ones on that day.

Reflections 2010

I wonder if the chaos of Port au Prince, Haiti was similar to Bethlehem in the year of our Savior’s birth. No wonder there was “no room for Him in the inn.” He was born in the squalor of the cattle stall; his Mother birthing Him in the insanitariness of the stockyard. He lay in the same box where the animals ate. He is a Savior who understands Haiti and those who live there. He would find everyday life in Haiti very familiar. He grew up walking with the poor; He walks with the poor today. Remembering this gives me hope as I look back on the year past and to the year to come. Remembering your partnership with Door of Hope Haiti is a cause to rejoice.

We are thankful for the generosity of all who gave just after the earthquake hit. Your gifts helped meet the needs of displaced children, people who needed care following leg amputations and the feeding of many who came and are still coming looking for help. The photo above is of the House of Hope receiving the very first kids from Port au Prince who were displaced by the earthquake. The boy with his arm in the sling lost his entire family when their house collapsed on them. He was spared mercifully since he was in school at the time. His school building collapsed and he was one of only 3 boys that survived. This is one of many similar stories.

We are thankful for so many cards and inquiries of concern for our friends in Haiti.

We are thankful for people who follow our ministry online at our website, on our blog and on facebook. We are overwhelmed by the increasing number of people whom we have never met yet are friends of our ministry.

We are thankful that not one child or staff at the House of Hope has contracted Cholera! The Northern Provinces of Haiti were among the hardest hit; it is no small thing to rejoice in such a mighty protection that the Lord has given to these children. It is common for people to feel sad for children in orphanages in Haiti; we see them as the fortunate ones! Two meals a day and readily available filtered water to drink.

News & Notes:

We visited Angie at LeTourneau University in November. Angie is studying hard and doing well. It was a very hard semester for her. Chemistry was a difficult course for her but her disciplined study paid off. One night while she was studying some of the girls from her apartment were going out to get something to eat and they invited Angie along. Angie responded quickly to their offer and let them know that “I have a life you know!” She is studying to be a nurse and takes it very seriously.We will be taking a short term team to the House of Hope this July to give the staff a chance to rest for a week. The staff gets to spend a week at a camp adjacent to the House of Hope where they will have daily bible studies and activities. They also will have an excursion to a local beach. Two years ago we brought a team there to help and it was very successful. Jenny & Linda would like to do it again. We want to bring down a nurse to help us on this team. Pray.

There’s more…

Looking ahead to 2011…

This Door of Hope will consolidate its ministry focus to two principal areas. Specifically, we will continue our advocacy work with Angie Charlot and our partnership with House of Hope. Our work with the House of Hope and with Angie has been very fruitful and a source of joy to us. Please pray for us and for them.

Items for prayer…I am often asked for specific requests; here are several

1. For some time Door of Hope has been considering becoming a Non-Profit Corporation. The need to do this has become more urgent. We are also considering other possibilities. Pray for the Lord’s leading in these matters.

2. This is a faith ministry. We started it by faith and by faith it moves forward. But it takes faith and that’s the hard part. Please pray for our faith to be strong. Anything involving Haiti is always hard. It just is. We could talk more about that sometime. Not now. Just pray…pray…pray.

3. Pray for Angie at LeTourneau University. She has a full semester and she will stay in Texas for courses during the early part of the summer.

4. Pray for Haitians as they continue to suffer with the cholera outbreak. The earthquake and the cholera outbreak have exhausted both the Haitians and the international community who serve there. It is a lot to take.

5. Pray for Americans who minister in Haiti. Haitians are becoming skeptical of foreigners since there are some people who go there to work with only their own interests in mind and not the interest of others.

6. Pray for Hope Village. The project was set back as we were counseled that the Haitian government was not in favor of us building our new children’s village on the coastline. We are now looking at other properties more inland in the town of Bayeux. To date we have site plan drawn up; now all we need is the site to build it on!