No Chemo this Week~

Many people have asked for an update on Madame Josee' and her chemotherapy.  Last week (Sept. 16) her bloodwork was not good enough for them to feel comfortable doing the chemo so they instead gave her 12 ensure shakes and sent her home.  She did not get chemo again today but instead was told to come back on Monday, Sept. 30th for her next treatment.  The family wants us to thank those of you who have sent cards to encourage her, notes, and made financial contributions to her medical care and/or to help pay expenses the family has related to her illness. (different food, gas to/from medical appointments, etc...) Right now expenses are running about $50 - $70 per week.  Would YOU like to sponsor a week of care? If so, let us know or just send in your donation to Hearts United with Haiti, PO Box 55, Morgantown, PA 19543 or donate online (from our website www.heartsunitedwithhaiti.org ) and mark it for "Madame Josee'.

Here's a photo of Madame Josee' (no hair left but just as beautiful)  She is showing her right collar bone area- no more lumps showing!  

We are excited to report that she no longer can feel the lumps in her armpits or along her collar bone on the right side (the left breast is the one with cancer), and the swelling in her breast is reduced.  Her pain is much less and her spirits remain great.  She reports that she can feel the prayers of everyone and is so grateful to have people all over who love her and her family so much!  

Sponsors Needed!

"You educate a man; you educate a man.  You educate a woman; you educate a generation"  - Brigham Young

School is starting the first week of October in Haiti and we still have about 15 girls not sponsored at the orphanage in Port au Prince! Part of the sponsorship money each month goes toward education- paying for school tuition, books, uniforms and other needed items.  Part also goes toward food, water, medical care and more!  Would YOU like to sponsor an orphan in Haiti?  Go to our website and fill out a contact form (www.heartsunitedwithhaiti.org) and we will send your information to our sponsorship coordinators who will work with you to find a great match.  It only costs $32.00 per month - just about $1.00 per day!  God bless and THANK YOU to those who are investing in the lives of these young women (and a few young men as well).


 (PS-  the uniform you see in this photo was from the spring of 2012- last school year they changed color/design.  Also, this girl has since left the orphanage and been reunited with her family about 2 hours outside the city.  We were blessed as an organization have funds available to pay tuition for her and four others no longer at the orphanage for the 2013/14 school year.)

Haiti is not finished with me yet!

I have very limited internet, but suffice it to say that when I went to the airport yesterday to leave for "home" the airline told me they stopped flying to the USA months ago and I wasn't rescheduled onto another flight- they were waiting for me to show up to see what I wanted to do.  So... after much talking and back and forth to offices, they are trying to get me on a flight to Miami using Air France (they have agreements with one another) but do not know WHEN that will be.  So, for now I am here in Haiti a bit longer.  Redgi is off (cause I would have been done long ago), he has the car with him (I have no license- another LONG story) so here I sit in Carrefour.... lots of time to think/pray but I just had that on my "get away" weekend so I am not really sure what God has for me or wants from me.  I miss my family like crazy but am praying to be on my way to Miami for some time with Jill early next week... never know!  :)  -Crystal

Madame Josee'

Sisters!  Aug. 2013

Many of you already know parts of this story- some of you know nothing but are trying to figure out what is going on. Well, here is the answer to:  "What have you been doing at the hospital so much the past few weeks?"

Our cook (and Redgi's mom), Madame Josee', was diagnosed with breast cancer in the fall of 2012.  She chose to share this information with a team in December as part of her testimony (which she gave to the group- what an inspiration she is to ALL) but otherwise has kept quiet about it.  At that time, she had made the decision to try a natural diet and prayer- trusting God for healing rather than a more aggressive approach. By March when our team was in Haiti she was feeling a bit worse and even had an appointment at the hospital but due to some mix-up didn't get a biopsy they suggested.  No follow-up was done so she left there  under the assumption that she should, "come see us if it gets much worse".

As this summer progressed we could tell she was in a great deal of pain-she was often found sitting in the cooking area of the house, bent over in a chair.  She even went so far as to apologize to me when the last group left on August 3rd for not being more social with groups this summer.  Of course, they would never think that- she is one of the most positive and amazing women I know and I am so blessed to consider her my sister!

As soon as the groups were done we took her for an appointment at the new hospital in Mirebalais.  This is a "Partners in Health" hospital if you are familiar with the work Dr. Paul Farmer has done and is doing in Haiti.  It is very modern and has technology not found often in Haiti (if at all).  After many appointments and tests, they have determined that she is currently in stage 4 and have begun chemotherapy in hopes of arresting the progression or possibly reversing it.  There appears to be metastasis to the lungs, heart and possibly a spot in the liver.  This is not a good diagnosis but we are trusting God is STILL in control and He will see this family through.

The after effects of chemotherapy are not pretty.  Life in Haiti for a woman is already difficult, but one who is so sick will need others to come alongside her to do laundry, cook, carry water, etc... all of which require a great deal of energy that she will just not have as she continues with treatments.  She will need to get at least one wig as she looses her hair.  She will need moral/spiritual/emotional support as will the whole family.  This has been very hard on Redgi and he is still not sure what his plans will be this fall for college among other things.  (some of what we have been discussing while on our "retreat" time)  He is not one to open up with his feelings/fears but anyone who knows him can see his pain.

We have had some great times to pray together and I know the whole family trusts God, but that doesn't make the reality of watching someone you love go through what these next months will bring.  How I love this family like they are my own and how I just want to remove this pain and all that will come with this horrible disease.  I lost my dad to pancreatic cancer and my stepmother to cancer as well.  I watched those I love go through just what Madame Josee' will be facing (and her family as well). I was blessed to have support though of family/friends who lived close and had access to transportation.  We were blessed to have good medical care readily accessible to those I loved- hers is 2 hours away on a good traffic day (and up over HUGE mountains with winding roads that can make you feel sick even when you have not just had chemo).   We have hospice in the USA - there is no such thing in Haiti so if/when things get to that point, no one is there to physically ease the pain, counsel the family, etc...  The list could go on and on.

These last few weeks since going to the hospital on Aug. 5th have been brutal- emotionally and physically on everyone, but they are most likely just the beginning of a LONG road.  Will you please pray for the Alvarez family?  Also, many of you have offered to contribute financially.  Just one drive to the hospital takes about 1/4 tank of gas ($25 US), medicine will need to be purchased for pain and other things, someone will need to be paid to do laundry/cooking/chores if no one else is available (it's not like the USA -everyone has their own things to do so not as much help is accessible),bloodwork needs to be done every week before she can get chemo which will involve driving to a lab and paying for the bloodwork as well as waiting there for the results to take along to Mirebalais, etc.... We are committed to help this family financially during this time and possibly offer physical help as well (I personally am willing to travel to Haiti to help care for her if needed- we will see).  Lots still to be determined and lots of direction from God still to come, but praise that all involved know and trust Him.  May He use this whole story as a testimony to His faithfulness- whatever that looks like!  Only He knows but no one better to trust than the one who created her life and has sustained her so far.  To HIM be the glory!

What an amazing woman and great friend to MANY!  

Ten days!

Has it really been ten days since I last wrote on here (or really had internet available for that matter)?  I guess based upon the dates on this site it has!  Wow!  So much has happened I don't really know where to begin.  Let me try since I know some of you have really been curious and I keep getting, "Are you OK?" e-mails.....

First of all, the two medical students who had been staying at our base while doing their final clinical rotation/internship decided to leave Haiti five days early so we bought them tickets for the bus to Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic and on Friday, August 16th they left Haiti enroute to "home" in Miami.  By now they are graduates and ready to take their national boards (exams) to officially be recognized as Physician Assistants.  They did a GREAT job while with us- serving the people of Haiti that God brought their way.  We have been able to follow up on some of their patients and all report much improvement thanks to either treatment or medicine they received.  Praise God for His provision and healing power as well!

After taking the students to the bus station, Redgi had the next three days "off" which means I stayed in Carrefour alone (with James checking in and out).  I used this time to balance receipts and enter them into the computer, organize donations, make lists (I am GOOD at making lists- ask the staff here), take inventory of all the remaining items in the kitchen and storage closet, and even read a book!

Monday Redgi returned and we got right to work running errands (we took school supplies to the local orphanage, bought more school books- STILL some on back order so we have to do that again this coming week or he does after I leave), met with Pastor Cornet about the water system in Chaveneau, and spent TWO days at the hospital in Mirebalais.  The first day we were at the hospital from about 8:30 am (which meant leaving at 5 am from Carrefour) until about 4 pm. and the second day from 8:00 am until 6:30 pm- returning after 10:00 pm!!  I also had a friend come and stay for the night and from Tues into Wed.  BUSY BUSY!!

Friday morning we headed (Redgi and I) to the southern part of Haiti.  Mostly this trip was to have some time to RELAX and talk about the future plans for Hearts United.  This meant a lot of time in prayer, meeting and talking to potential ministry partners and doing some serious goal setting- as individuals and as an organization.  God is making some things very clear and others are soooo uncertain so we welcome your prayers.  I will be posting a "report" on this whole hospital thing but, frankly, we are all still processing a lot ourselves and just not yet ready to share much.  Know that we DO care about you and will update as soon as possible, however, we need to still seek God's direction as to how much we should/desire to share with everyone.  I pray you understand!  Know that we sooooo appreciate your prayers and encouragement though!  It is a blessing.

So, I finally have internet I can use on my computer thanks to the generous sharing of one of my new friends!  I will post more when I can.... God bless!  -Crystal

(PS- I return to the USA on Wed. but return to Carrefour on Monday when my "to do" list includes about 20 things!  Pray we return refreshed and ready to conquer all that we need and that time/circumstances are in our favor.  Thanks!)

Some of the school books we bought- over $1100 spent just on books for 37 children so far!

Some school supplies taken to the local orphanage (at Madame Esther's place)

My niece (Willow- she is 5 years old) had the children at her school make necklaces for children.  We gave a bunch of them out to the children at the local orphanage.  Each had the name of the child who made it and their age.  

More of the children with their bags (with a necklace inside)

This is one of the new developments north of Port au Prince (on the way to Mirebalais)

On the way south we stopped to see this old fort.  It is called Fort Oliver and it was so neat to explore!

Boat on shore in the south- along the coast near Port Salut.

A view from the road on the way to see the caves near Port a Piment.

Marie Jeanne Cave (had to go through the jungle to get there and up a HUGE mountain.  Thought I would die)

Inside the cave- we took MANY photos.  It was beautiful but a crazy hike.

Another view of the coastline going along the southwestern coast of Haiti.  

last photos from this team...

Today we will take Carol and Kevin to the airport.  How sad that this is my last "group" for the summer.  Allison and Sarah are still here for another week doing medical treatment and care, but they will not always be with us- in fact they will probably not be with us a lot.  Here are some photos from yesterday but not many.... Kevin taught another automotive class, built some more things from our scrap wood and then helped Carol cut material for school uniforms for the girls at the orphanage.  Carol and I accompanied Allison and Sarah up the mountain to look for people with medical needs and to do assessments.  We did meet a woman who is pregnant and is having some trouble due to a fall while carrying water.  The baby is not moving much since the fall and the heartbeat was very faint so we suggested an ultrasound which she should get done today.  Keep her in your prayers please!

We also have bought the material for school uniforms for all the children sponsored at LIW ($550), about half of the books for school ($1025- the rest are back ordered and will not be available until after Aug. 20) and after the airport run today we will pay tuition and take the material to the woman making the uniforms.


Last night we even dressed up a bit and went into the city for a special dinner out.  We all ate burgers and fries and other American food!  :)

Last night as a group- we have had FUN! It's been a strange mix (2 Physician Assistants, a teacher and a mechanic) but God has really used it to grow us all and teach us!  

We hiked WAY up the mountain to meet some people...

While the girls were doing exams, Carol entertained the children and kept them busy.  

Automotive class

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WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yesterday I was blessed to be able to witness one of the most beautiful moments of my life and I will be forever grateful to our God for allowing me to be even a small part of all that occurred.  Here's a little of the story....

Many of you ask me "How did you and Redgi meet?" or "Where did you find such an amazing coordinator?" and I tell the story of how I met a newspaper editor from my home town (doing an article on our organization) and he told me of a translator in Haiti looking for a more permanent position. Whether you know Redgi for one week, or a year and a half now as I do, you come to realize what a responsible and hard working man he is- but you come to realize more.  He is a man of great faith.  This comes from his mom (whom we all love and many of you know) and his dad.  He totally trusts God in all aspects of his life.  I have learned much from his faith in God and reliance on Him.

And after meeting his mother (she is our cook), the next logical question from teams was often, "Where is his father?" or "Is he involved in the family when so many Haitian men are not?" to which I would give various answers but never the truth.  The truth WAS that Redgi's dad was in prison for a crime he never committed.  He was there since October of 2010 -- never charged with anything, just waiting and "in holding".  

If you know anything about Haitian prisons, this was not a good situation for Redgi's father.  For all this time, his family has loved him, prayed for him and stood by him.  There are few visitors allowed to the prison so Redgi's mom got to see him maybe five times since he was arrested, but the rest of the family could not.  He did call home occasionally.  I have watched the toll this took on the family- to have court date after court date come and go because it was cancelled for one reason or another.  I have prayed with them when they received word that yet another "shady" lawyer or person they hired to help had betrayed them and left with the money or not promised the services they had paid for (though they would not let me help financially- instead choosing to trust God).  

So, yesterday I must admit that it was with reservation that I prayed with Redgi in the morning for a hearing we were told was to happen in PAP to see if there was any evidence to charge his dad.  We were teaching automotive repair classes in Carrefour and Redgi was translating yet he checked in often with his family during the day. The appointment went as scheduled.  The police talked to both sides and we were even able to drive past the courthouse as we ran errands later yesterday afternoon so Redgi could get a glimpse of his father inside but the investigators were talking to him.  All the time we were praying and trusting that God had a plan and (of course) hoping that plan included freedom.  Then, at about 6:30 pm. we received the word..... HIS DAD WAS FREE.  Absolutely no evidence (which we all knew) to charge him with anything. 

Immediately I asked Redgi if he wanted to go home to greet his father and to see him/touch him/hug him for the first time in nearly three years.  And I asked if it would be appropriate for me to come along.  Both answers were "yes"!  Watching that family rejoicing, meeting this man I had heard about, and witnessing the smiles/hugs/laughter was something out of a movie.  And ALL the credit/glory goes to God our Father who loves us so much!  

Would God still have been the same had the outcome been different?  Of course!  His ways don't always make sense to us, but I praise Him that this story is His and there is one happy family in Haiti today that I love with all my heart.

 Please pray for the many in prisons all over the world who are unjustly charged or even waiting to be charged as Redgi's father was.  Pray also please for this family who will endure many adjustments to find a new normal- but thank Him and praise Him along with us that this new normal includes all five members once again!  Mesi Jesi ANPIL.....

Sorry- but there was no electricity so it was dark- this is the best one of all the family!  SOOOOOO happy!