Haiti--Picturesque, Poverty, Prayer Power

1. There is no way that I can really begin to express what this trip to Haiti has meant to me. Nor can I put enough pictures on this blog to really give a sense of what Haiti is like. So I selected a few pictures that meant a lot to me, as well as a couple pictures of the scenery and the caribbean.

2. I believe that as I was thinking about this trip initially, I was hoping that I could help teach some of the Haitian nurses and be an encouragement to people there. What really happened is that they taught me, and encouraged my heart.

3. We had a setback when we first arrived. The Sunday evening we got to Cayes, the 6-month old son of Hannes, the German engineer, started having seizures. The American doctor at the hospital evaluated him Monday morning and felt they should go to Port-A-Prince to see a doctor there. The PAP doctor and Hannes decided they needed to go see a specialist in Germany. Hannes' family is there and they would have that support. However, this meant that Lynn and Barry would have to work on the transmitter building without Hannes. They did have the help of 2 haitian techs, which was a blessing. They both spoke and understood a little English.

4. (We later heard that Jeremie, Hannes son, has a very rare neurologic disease; it causes seizures, and can cause muscle weakness on the affected side; it can also cause mental retardation and visual problems. Currently Jeremie is in a very low percentage of those that have this disease that may very well not have some of the worst outcomes. We are certainly praying for the very best for them).

5. The first week in the hospital I helped get some patients ready for surgery--start IV's etc. I also helped with dressing changes. They had several people with wounds, amputations and one patient with a burn on most of her right leg. ( She is the lady pictured with me above) She really liked me and would ask if I was going to do her dressing change. When I left, she said she would remember me and pray for me. She was a very sweet lady.

6. The first day I worked with a nurse named Zamor (on the right I think!) The other nurse is Corrine, the head nurse--she has her arm around Zamor. Zamor told Beth, the missionary nurse practioner, that she really liked working with me. So I basically helped her with her assignments the rest of the time. I also helped her give medicines. From about 2-4 pm every day the first week I worked with the evening nurses. I mostly took blood pressures. They had about 30-35 patients and I took blood pressures on all of them. The Haitian nurse took the temperature--they used the same thermometer for everyone so they took axillary temperatures. Some things like that were a little hard to get used to. Amazingly enough, I don't think they have much problem with infections.

7. The baby pictured above is named Hope (Esperancia in Creole). She was left on the steps of the hospital in a suitcase, abandoned by her mother. I think she was left there several months ago, and they think she is about a year old now. While we were there, they assigned her a birthday, and had a 1 year birthday party for her. The hospital staff take care of her, but they have help from other people who are there helping to take care of their family members. She has Hydrocephalus. They have put a shunt in her, but her head is still very much out of proportion. She is so cute, and smiles a lot. She doesn't talk or walk. They have to support her head when they carry her.

8. On Sunday we went to a Haitian church. Then we had dinner at a restaurant on the beach. The guys had eaten there last year, and said it was really good, but this year it was a disappointment. Judy and I had fish and I didn't really care for it. The guys had lobster, but Lynn said it was very greasy. Sunday afternoon we went to a beach. We were in the water for a little while; the waves were sort of rough, so we basically "jumped" waves. Then we walked along the beach and collected shells. Susanne, the lady in charge of the children's work, took us. Lynn stayed with our chairs while we walked. When we got back these kids, pictured above, were there with him. I told them, in Creole, that I had a gift for them. I gave each of them a wordless book, with an explanation of the book in Creole. They seemed excited to get them. Their ages were 6,9,12, and 14. The 6 year old girl goes to school and could write her name in the sand.

9. The second week I worked in the hospital in the mornings, and helped work on VBS materials with Judy in the afternoon. We did that on the patio at Susanne's house, and we could wear shorts. There was a breeze, so it was very nice. She also always gave us fresh juice--usually a combination of mango, pineapple and lime--which was delicious!

10. There is much more I could add, but must close this epistle for now. Even without Hannes, Lynn and Barry got done what they wanted to accomplish. They wanted to get the Torbek radio station back on the air. The transmitter is working, and was actually on for a little while on Thursday before we came home. There are a few bugs to work out, but basically it's ready to go back on the air. We praise the Lord for that.

11. The people are so poor, but most are really sweet. It was a pleasure to work with them. Another blessing was that I really started to remember my Creole, and by the end of the first week I could at least communicate enough to be understood. That was unexpected and I really enjoyed trying to converse in Creole.

12. The Lord was there with us. We saw his hand in so many ways. I am so thankful that I was able to go. I think I was probably an encouragement to some, but they were a blessing and an encouragement to me.

(I'm a frustrated blogger. I tried to just separate these paragraphs, but it wouldn't let me, so I just numbered them!)

Missions--Medicine, Machinery, and Mangos

On Saturday morning, my husband and I and another couple are leaving for Haiti for a 2 week missions trip. The men will be involved in working on radio equipment, transmitters, etc. I will be working in the hospital there. There will be a surgeon from Michigan there for the first week we are there, so they will be busy. I will be helping with pre-op, starting IV's etc. The second week I will do some teaching for some of the nurses. Judy, the other lady going with us, will be doing some sewing--curtains and chair cushions for the engineer and his wife. Then we both will be helping with the children's work--getting supplies ready for VBS, etc.

I have a mixture of emotions. I am excited to be going and be involved again with the people of Haiti. I was a missionary there many years ago. I am also nervous, as I'm not sure my IV skills are adequate, and I'll be teaching through an interpreter. I am really looking forward to it however. We should have a little time for swimming and relaxing.

We would appreciate your prayers as we go. We are hoping to be an encouragement to the staff and people there, as well as complete the projects we will work on.

Medicine For The Soul

I had decided that I wanted to add a quotation of some kind to the header on my blog. So I did a search on quotations about books. I had absolutely no idea that there were SO many quotations about books and reading! It took me quite some time to decide which one I wanted to add to my header. So I decided I would share some of the others on this blog.

The title for this blog is an inscription over the door of the library at Thebes. I think many times reading is definitely medicine for my soul.

A good book should leave you..slightly exhausted at the end. You live several lives while reading it.

My test of a good novel is dreading to read the last chapter

You know you've read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a littl as if you have lost a good friend.

I just finished reading another really good book by one of my favorite authors. It's really true that you kind of dread coming to the end. Fortunately, she will be coming out with one more book in this series.

Some of the quotes were a little more philosophical and gave me some food for thought:

Books are the bees which carry the quickening pollen from one mind to another.

Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.

Just a few more that seemed to ring true for me:

Just the knowledge that a good book is awaiting one at the end of a long day makes that day happier.

The pleasure of all reading is doubled when one lives with another who shares the same books

(I lived for 3 months with a very good friend, while recouperating from a surgery; we both loved to read and often read and discussed the same books.)

So, to anyone who hasn't already discovered the wonderful world or reading, give it a try. I think you'll like it.

Treasured Lifetime Friendships

There are some friends that come into our lives for a short while. Then we lose touch and never really see them or hear from them again. However, some friends are tried and true, and stay with us for a lifetime.

Such is the case with my friend, Alice Payne. She and I and 2 other girls lived together in a house in Ft. Wayne for a few years. We were nurses and all worked at Lutheran Hospital. Then I went to Haiti for almost 2 years, and when I came back, I got married. Alice went to Bengladesh as a missionary. Ruth got married. So we all went our separate ways. (Donna Burd never married and worked at Lutheran until she retired). However, we all stayed in touch during all these years.

Alice has been a missionary in Bengladesh for 35 years! (she recently was honored for her service) She recently moved back to Marion, Indiana. I hadn't seen her in probably 25 years.(I showed her pictures of my kids and she said she hadn't seen them since they were quite small). Thursday was her birthday, so Donna Burd, Ruth Baxter and I were going to go to see her. However, at the last minute Donna got sick, and something came up for Ruth, and so they couldn't go. I was rather disappointed, as I was looking forward to a reunion with all 4 of us. But then I got a brainstorm--I could go by myself!

I called Alice and asked if she had lunch plans (of course she didn't!) So I went to Marion and took her out to lunch. Then we went back to her house and talked. We had 25 years to catch up on! We had a great time, and I think she was very pleased that I had decided to come, even though the others couldn't. We'll have to plan a reunion some other time. (Unfortunately this blogger forgot to take her camara, so I have no pictures to post)

I've had several friends along the way that are very special. They would, and have, stood by me through good times and bad. True friendships, are developed over time or through common bonds or experiences. I think these friendships should be valued and treasured.

Plop, Plop, Fizz, Fizz...

Recently I had a mammogram that was questionable, so I had to go in for a needle biopsy. I knew in my heart that nothing is a surprise to the Lord, and that He had everything under control. But I must admit, that being sort of a worrier by nature, I really was concerned.

I got a call yesterday saying the biopsy was totally negative,nothing malignant or pre-malignant. I must say the first thing I did was just praise the Lord for once again blessing me with a good result. My brother Lowell had e-mailed me before the biopsy and reminded me that no matter what the outcome, Jehovah Jireh--The Lord Provides. I guess the major feeling I had was one of relief. I happened to think of that little Alka Seltzer commercial for some reason--Plop,plop,fizz,fizz oh what a relief it is! Thanks be to God for once again providing in a wonderful way.

How Great is our God!

When I wrote my blog yesterday, I had no idea that I would see a video today that would make such an impression on me. We watched a video in Sunday School class today titled "How great is our God" by Louie Giglio. I believe this man is a christian who has an extensive background in science. He showed us a picture taken by the Hubbel(sp)telescope of a galaxy 360 million light years away. He tried to help us put that in perspective but it's hard to get a handle on it. He then showed us 4 stars, created by the God of the universe, that are absolutely amazing. The first is the Sun. We don't realize how big it is. He compared the earth to a golf ball and said that an entire bus load of golf balls would fit in the Sun. He showed us 3 other stars, the largest of which is equivalent to 6 empire state buildings on top of each other. The earth (again comparing to earth to a golf ball) would cover the state of Texas 22 inches deep to be as large as that star. Even in our own galaxy, the earth is one of the smallest planets. Yet, no other star or planet can support life as we have it on earth. The earth is indeed a special planet.
He then read scriptures that tell how special we are to God--the same God that breathed out the stars(millions of them like the ones he discussed) and created this vast universe--He knows our name and everything about us! We are fearfully and wonderfully made. He described some of the amazing things that happen in the developing baby in the womb. He then told about an amazing protein adhesion molecule in our bodies. We have many of them, and they literally hold us together, they are the "glue" of the body. He showed us molecular diagram of this protein adhesion molecule--called laminin--and it is in the shape of a cross. It made what I believe will be a lasting impression on me, and I hope I will have a much better idea of just what a wonderful, big, great God we have!
(you can see parts of this video by googling Louie Giglio--he has about 3 short videos on u-tube (sp?)

Reflections and Resolutions

I finally took my Christmas tree down today and put away all the Christmas decorations. It seemed kind of sad, as I had really been enjoying the tree lights this year. However, as with all things, time marches on. As I reflected on this Christmas season, the one word that came to mind was "blessed". I feel so fortunate to have a wonderful christian family, great friends,and an absolutely wonderful husband. The greatest blessing of all is that our Lord and Saviour who came to earth on that first Christmas, also made the extreme sacrifice to die so that I might live with Him.
I've also reflected on the loved ones that are no longer with us, and although we miss them very much, especially at these special family times, I know that they are celebrating and rejoicing with the Lord Himself. What a wonderful hope we have in knowing that we will see them again!
As for resolutions: I haven't really made any New Year's resolutions. I would really like to focus on being a little more healthy and losing some weight, but sometimes I think if I write it as a resolution, it sets me up for failure. (that's probably just a really good excuse!) However, mostly this next year, I'm really going to ask the Lord to help me to be a blessing and an encouragement to those around me, and to be a testimony to those who don't yet know Him as Saviour. We can't control some of the situaions we may face this next year, but we know that our Lord will never fail us, and will be there for us in good times or bad. There is a phrase that we say often and it's so true: God is good all the time; all the time, God is good.