Reflections/Updates

Ok.... I am finally back in Pennsylvania.  Got home yesterday at 3 am. -doctor appointment at 10:30 am. for Chikungunya (I thought I should be tested just for CDC to have accurate info. on where it is located and how it is spreading) and caught up on sleep off and on all day but time to get back into the swing of things and FINALLY update you all on some stuff going on in Haiti.

MADAME JOSEE'-  We were blessed to go as a team (with my Haitian pastor) to pray with her on Thurs, May 15th and she looked much better.  She still has horrible pain/stiffness in her pelvis/low back where the cancer is in the bones now, but once she gets up and moving she feels a little less pain.  Sleeping is difficult for her so pray she can rest.  The family is prepared for what the future most likely holds but they are praying God will give them a miracle and heal her.  We had a great visit and I will cherish that day for sure (as I know she will).  She even shared her scan with me to put on my computer and also with the nursing students.  Here's a photo of us praying with her- one of the most beautiful moments I have witnessed between mother and son was when Redgi held her as she kneeled for prayer from Pastor Robby!

it's blurry, but James took this photo of us while we were praying

BUS UPDATE:  The bus is STILL sitting in Florida.  Pastor Dave has been checking while I was in Haiti, but the latest news is that they PLAN to put it on the next boat being loaded on Tuesday.  We are to call then to see if it made it onto the boat.  Then, the prayers are really needed cause it will take 2-3 days to get to Haiti and a lot of prayer/coordination/patience/and, of course money to get it out of port/customs and into our possession.  Keep praying please!  We will continue to update.

our bus is sitting in Florida waiting to get on a boat to Haiti (hopefully this next week)

PASTOR ROBBY's CHURCH:  I know I had mentioned that they needed $10,000 a few weeks ago to give to the owner of the land.  The owner has had some financial issues of his own and needed the money sooner than the agreed upon deadline schedule, HOWEVER, the church was also behind on payments- not having given the owner money since January.  The lot that the church "purchased" cost $150,000 initially and they have put about $40,000 into it so far.  They went to court while we were in Haiti and the judge ordered the church to pay AT LEAST $25,000 in past due payments but they are hoping to raise $35,000 which would get them to the halfway point.  According to the judge the owner then can not do anything to them to force them for more money for a while (not sure when the next payments would be due if they get 1/2 of the lot paid).  They still need to pour a concrete floor and get better tarps (or tin) on the roof among other things, but for now, this issue with the current owner of the lot is most important.  Keep praying- the deadline to have the money is THIS WEDNESDAY (two weeks after court).

a photo of the medical clinic we did inside Pastor Robby's church at their new location (the lot involved in the financial dispute)- it's a great location!

CHIKUNGUNYA:  This is the new virus sweeping Haiti.  I know that people have been worried about it- especially those coming to Haiti  summer.  I have had it and so have Redgi and James.  Yes, it is miserable for a few days (fever, joint pain/aches and rash) but it is nothing serious.  It is only spread by mosquitos and the symptoms only last about a week (joint pain is reported to last longer in some cases) and once you have had it, you are immune for life.  Our encouragement to you would be that you pray before coming and take all precautions possible to avoid contracting the virus but if God is truly calling you to Haiti, do not let it scare you away.  Please check with your doctor or read literature if you are still concerned.  Contact us if you would like to discuss this more.

TEAM & AFTER:  I know we didn't post much the last few days so here are a few photos of highlights from the trip.  After the team left I spent some time healing from the virus, then went to visit the girls and their families in Mirebalais.  We gave them money for food and tried to see the baby goats (YES!  The second momma goat had babies- two as well) but they were tied way up the mountain to eat fresh grass so we didn't see them.  We did have a good visit with the girls though and got to spend a lot of time with the family this visit.  We would like to help them get a better roof on their house (it is currently leaking) made from tin and are trying to figure out how to do this best.

the group (in the water) at the beach while I sat and watched the stuff.

Haylee at the orphanage

Going to the dining room for the party!  

PARTY!  Complete with sodas/drinks, rice/beans, chicken, pasta salad and sauce!  YUM

On the way to Mirebalais- this is mango season!  The trees are so heavy with mangos.  :)  

Marie-Joline after school in Mirebalais.

Two little piglets at the house in Mirebalais.  

Redgi has a chick at his house (named Ki-Keet) that they are raising from an egg.

Redgi and Adam at the pediatric ward at the general hospital- holding the abandoned babies.  

A close-up of the same baby (abandoned since birth).  She is so cute!

It rained four times in one day and the roads were COVERED in mud!  It took us over three hours to go what usually takes 20-30 min.  

Redgi buying mangos for the orphanage before I left (while we had a car- even though they weren't due until the 25th)

Flying home over some beautiful islands.