Two true stories…

This post is not for children to read

This post is written by me

 These  are two things that happened this week to me with two different situations

I do not want you to think every family it like this, I do not want you to think that all lives are terrible here.  I want you to think about what you would do in their situations.  It is so easy to say we would not put up with it.  But if we were hungry and our children were starving would we??

This week a lady came to me and asked if she could talk to me.  She has had 14 children.  Two have died and she has given up two for adoption.  So she has 10 that she is taking care of.  Two different fathers involved.  The man she is with now is the father of 5 of these children.  He is not supportive of her or the children.  He comes and goes as he pleases, but maybe once  a month he will leave a little money to buy food for them to eat.  So she puts up with it.   He takes things from the houses and sells them, he has other women,  and she knows it.  He has a source of income from some place (besides stealing from her) but she is not really sure what work he does.  So this week he came to the house and took some more things out to sell.  She got mad and starting yelling at him.  He got mad and took a machete and said he was going to kill her if she did not shut up.  So I am listening to her and thinking what a terrible story, but I have heard this same story over and over again from other women.  She told me that she is not letting the guy back in the house, she is done with him.   Then she said this is what I need help with today.  I am thinking she is going to ask me for food, money, clothes something along those lines.  She said she wanted a  birth control shot.  So I said okay, but I thought you were kicking him to the curb.   Yes, she was going  to get rid of him.  She wanted  the shot so she would not get pregnant again.  She then told me that she can sleep with someone for the price of $2.50.  This will buy her a plate of food for a few of the kids.   She will do this for awhile until she can find some other way to make money for her and the kids.  A lady sitting on the bench beside us heard us talking and said that she should be able to get $12.50 and not $2.50.  They talked like this was a normal conversation.

The feet above belong to a little boy that was 15 months old  named Lucker.  His feet are that swollen because he has kwashiorkor.  A nurse, from the clinic,  called me on Thursday morning to say there was a child that I needed to admit into the RC.  I went and found some of the team members.  They had asked that I call them when I admitted any new kids this week.  As we were coming around the corner to see the child, Lori had just arrived at the same time.  The child made eye contact with Lori and took his last breath.  His grandmother was holding him she did not know that he has just died in her arms.  We took him into the clinic to confirm what we already knew, that yes, he was dead.  Of course I wanted to know the story of why this had to happen.  I should not have asked.  The mother is pregnant now, which means as soon as she was pregnant she stopped breastfeeding Luckner.  She could not provide enough good food packed full of protein and vitamins for him, so he in turn became malnourished.    She is pregnant with a different man than her other children.  He does not want to take care of the two kids she had with another man.  So what does he do?  Well she had been to the clinic on Wednesday, with her first son.  The new boyfriend had given him boiling water to drink.  The water had burned the boys mouth and throat.  While the mom was here at the clinic there were worse things going on at home for the one above.  The new boyfriend was giving the child bleach to drink.  Then he tied a cord around his neck and was draging him around the house by the cord around his neck.  The mother got home and found out what had happened.  She went to the police and gave a report.  The boyfriend, took off and he cannot be found now.  The grandmother of course, was very upset. 

These ladies cannot call the local shelter, they cannot even depend on the police to help, they cannot move away to a new town, there are not jobs here to be found, many just put up with the abuse because “he” can provide some money so they can eat.  Giving them food or money might help them today but it will not help them forever. 

For the first lady I gave her food and money and the shot.  I told her that we needed to come up with a better plan for her and the kids.  When she had child number 14 she almost died, the doctors told her not to have anymore children.    We paid for her to be taken into another hospital to deliver a beautiful baby girl. 

For the second, I have not seen the mother yet.  But I think I would give her a hug.  We called the judge here in Cazale.  He took down a statement from the grandmother.  They live in a different section so the judge cannot do much to help.  He also gave us a paper to transport the body and grandmother back to the house.  We had a casket made and dad took them back home.  I told them to come back and see me on Tuesday.

Team from Hickory Grove

The team has been helping out with several projects around the mission.  One group painted the metal bars up at dad’s house.

Another group went and repair a hole where we burn our trash

This is what the flood did to it

They dug it out and repaired the sides. 

I had two baby beds that were coming apart and they fixed them for me.  They also built some great shelves to organize the sheets and linens. pics coming coon!

Telismane has sold all that items that she has bought.  She was sick so she had several days that she was unable to sell.  She made $17.82 on what she bought and resold.  She was very happy with this and went and rebought today.  She decided not to buy flour as it did not sell that well.  She bought more chicken boulin, tomato paste and oil as that sold better.  She is such a nice lady.  This afternoon she asked me if I knew of someone that could build her a table to sell off of.  I tolf her of a few places here in town, and then Frank told me why don’t we just have the team build it.  So they whip out a table in about 30 minutes!  Here it is below, I hope tomorrow to be able to get a picture of her selling her stuff on it.

loving and touching the kids in the RC

This doors was built in Dec for the back of the trailer.

They painted it for us

I want to thank you all for your prayer and encouraging words. They helped.   Today was a very hard day, okay it was a bad day.  It was a day that slaps you in the face of the reality of women in this country.  It is sad and scary.  I am trying to decided whether to share two recent stories that happened, they are bad, but true and I want you to get on the level these woman are at.  I want you to feel a very small part of what they are dealing with every single day.  I want you to know.  I want you to care and most of all I want you to pray.

Colossians 1:9-14 (The Message)

 

 9-12Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven’t stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. We pray that you’ll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us.

 13-14God rescued us from dead-end alleys and dark dungeons. He’s set us up in the kingdom of the Son he loves so much, the Son who got us out of the pit we were in, got rid of the sins we were doomed to keep repeating

Blessings

THANK YOU!  to all those that donated supplies for RHFH.  We had lots of fun unpacking yesterday.

Lots of great supplies

A lady at the church did many sewing projects for the kids in the RC.  Here are little shirts for the babies

dresses fro the girls

cloth diapers with cords to tie—great idea and saves on the safety pins

Check this out.  It is a windup/solor powered device.  It has the New testment on it in Creole!  YES!  We can send these radios up the villages and those that cannot or can read can listen to the Bible on it.    One of the team members,that is here now, was contacted by a local pastor in Indiana.  This pastor contacted the organzation to purchase a few of these proclaimers for us.  The organizanization, check them out here, donated 5 of these to RHFH. What a blessing!

 We want to thank Sutures are a Human Right for all the sutures below!  What a blessing these were to Lori and the clinic.

Fed and Brit made it back to Haiti.  There was a lot of emtion from the girls and the mom’s.

 Keep them both in your prayers as they re adjust back to live here with their families.

School fun!

Lori received this gift  from Saintana’s birth mom this week yams, yams, yams! 

WE LOVE OUR TEACHER! 

Making a terrium with Carmelo.

look the lizard turned brown!  It also shed its skin when it was in there. COOL!  So Carmelo had to feed and watch everything for a week and then they let all the animals go.  It was fun!

Today they made a volcano!

an erupting volcano!

Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)

 

 28-30“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

Isaiah 41:17-20 (The Message) 

 17-20“The poor and homeless are desperate for water,
   their tongues parched and no water to be found.
But I’m there to be found, I’m there for them,
   and I, God of Israel, will not leave them thirsty.
I’ll open up rivers for them on the barren hills,
   spout fountains in the valleys.
I’ll turn the baked-clay badlands into a cool pond,
   the waterless waste into splashing creeks.
I’ll plant the red cedar in that treeless wasteland,
   also acacia, myrtle, and olive.
I’ll place the cypress in the desert,
   with plenty of oaks and pines.
Everyone will see this. No one can miss it—
   unavoidable, indisputable evidence
That I, God, personally did this.
   It’s created and signed by The Holy of Israel.

New children….

Little Moseline died over the weekend as well as Operet ( the child with the cleft lip/palete).  These were both very difficult for me to deal with.  Very draining and very not fair in my eyes.  Moseline’s mom is still here and is planning to return home on Saturday. 

There is a new team that arrived today.  They are from Hickory Grove Church in Delphi, IN.  This is an 8 member team 4 ladies and 4 men.  We are looking forward to having a great week with them.  Lots of fun things planned.

 I have admitted 6 new children into the RC this past week, 4 of them today.

 

This is Joana.  She is 16 months old and weighs 15.8 pounds.  She is suffering from kwashiorkor, fever and a cold. 

This is Milienne.  She is 4 years old and weighs 14 pounds.  Let me write that again-4 years old and 14 pounds.  Both of her parent have died.  She was brought to the clinic by her aunt today.  Her aunt told me she could not take care of her and did not want her.  I asked why?  She said that she has to leave her at home during the day to work.  She cannot take care of her.  I asked her if she really did not want her or if the way life was that made her not want her.  She said life here is hard.  She will not give her up for adoption.  She was walking and talking a few months ago.  She is unable to do both now. She can lock her legs and lean on you, but not support her weight.  She needs your prayers. 4 years old and 14 pounds.

This is Sineldo.  She was reffered to us by a clinic at Mission Lifeline.  She is 15 months old and weighs 17 pounds.  Also suffering from kwashiorkor.  She is not eating or drinking milk well. 

 This is Tchelo. He is 5 months old and a healthy baby.  His mom died just a few weeks ago.  The father is unable to work and take care of the baby.  He tried to leave the child with someone and they were not watching him well.  He has two other children to support and has to work.  He wants us to keep him for a few months until he can figure out what to do for his third son.

This is Louisse.  He is 5 years old and weighs 29 pounds.  A few weeks ago his body was so swollen from the effect of kwwashiorkor his family could not carry him to the clinic.  He is in a delicate stage right now.   He is also the brother of two twins girls here Faith and Hope. 

This is Davidson.  His dad arrived here on Monday afternoon.  He had walked down to the clinic over 6 hours.  His first son and only child fell into a pot of hot bean sauce. He was working in the field and they came and told him.  He ran home and did not even change his clothes.  He grabbed his son and took off for the clinic.  He was so worried about his wife, he said she was very upset when he left and it was so late that he was not going to be able to make it back up that night to see if she was okay.  A very loving and caring father.  He is burned on his back and over a large part of his head.

I feel like this post has no emotion at all from me in it.  I felling emotionally drained.  Not  just drained, dried up and shrived up with no water in site to replished me.  I have been listening to this song today over and over today.  Because I need Him and I feel like I am going under at times.  I need you God!  I need a week with no death, no suffering, no pain, no hunger, no problems, no worries, I am just feeling like that is not in the plan of life right now for me.  Pray for me.

When I think I’m going under, part the waters, Lord
When I feel the waves around me, calm the sea
When I cry for help, oh, hear me
Lord and hold out Your hand
Touch my life
Still the raging storm in me
I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford

REFRAIN

I need Thee, O I need Thee
Every hour I need Thee
O bless me now, my Savior
I come to Thee

I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain
Come quickly and abide, or life is vain

Don’t forget….

Please remember to check out the blogs  for the kids out on medical visa’s

Britt and Fed are returning to Haiti this week!

Sonel is still in the states and will be coming back soon

Saintiana is doing wonderful and is having her second surgery Feb 6th.

Fedna is recovery from surgery and doing great!

Baby bear is doing well after his first surgery.  The host family could really use your encouragement and prayer right now.  You can also read about Bears adventures to get to TX here and here.

And of course, a big, huge thank you to the Medical Advocacy Team for all their hard work to get these kids needed medical care.

THANK YOU C.A.M

Christian Aid Ministries gave us and many, many, many patients that passed through the clinic this week a HUGE blessing.  Sacks, and Sacks of clothing and blankets.  When the team was here last week we started out by separating the clothes into piles to give out.  It went fine that way, but was suggested to us to just give it out by the sack!  WOW!  That was a lot easier for everyone.  So we started giving out the sacks to each patient that passed through the clinic this week.   Many were blessed with clothes, sheets, pillows and blankets.  I cannot express to you how much CAM means to us.  They are a true blessing to so many here in Haiti.  There love and service to the people is something that they should all be proud of.  CAM has been giving meds and supplies to us since I first came to Haiti in 1995.  Every single month we get a large load of medication and other supplies for the clinic and RC through their organization.  Many of these meds and supplies could not be bought here in Haiti.  A true blessing.  REMEMBERING what they did for me Jeriah, who is part of CAM, somehow got out here to me the day after the flood, it involved a lot of motorcycle, mud, walking, and great driving skills.  He and CAM wanted to know if there was anything they could do to help, but most of all they wanted to extend there friendship and Godly love to us here in Cazale.  I will never forgot the night that I almost “lost it” when I had no water for my family and the 70 children in the RC.  The filters were all clogged up with the dirty river water, we knew that T& T Livesay was planning to come out the next day to get some more filters to us.  But how was I going to make it through that evening anf the next morning?  In my desperation I was thinking maybe I could find some bottled pop to buy somewhere in town, but what about the babies?  I called CAM and told them the situation.  They had water and I was ready to send people walking to meet them somewhere to get it here.  They fought through lots of mud to get it as far as they could to us.  It made it here that night at 9pm.  We were almost out of water.  I will never forget CAM and the Livesay family for all they did for me during those times. 

 Team passing out clothing 

 Here are the bundles ready to be given out

 unloading 

 

  

 

So the post below?

Those scarfs were in the donations from the clothing above.  Everyone kept asking what the long thin blankets were for.  We gladly showed them how to use them!   

Lori and I loved all the caption but our two favorites were

“Finally the diaper smell just got to be too much” from Patti

“Do you think if we wear these no-one will notice we are Blan?” From Bekki

You guys are great!

Can you come up with a caption for this picture?

Update on Telismane and the boys

Telismane has been sick for over a week now.  She was very ill on Tuesday morning and could hardly walk.  We put her on IV fluids right away.  She was doing much better by the end of the day.  She was back to selling stuff for her small business the next day!   Her small business is going well.  She has been selling each Tuesday in the market as well as the other weekdays out in front of the clinic.  She controls everything really well.  She wants to sell everything that she bought the first time so that she can see how much she is going to make for her and the boys.  She also went up to her home village this weekend to purchase three goats.  She will raise them for awhile and then sell them and repurchase more.  She is a great business lady.  She knows her stuff and is serious about it.  She also is very thankful and is a real blessing to me.  I love to help people that are in need.  But I love it when I can also become friends with them.  Her boys are some of the cutest kids around. They bring such joy to my heart each time I see them. 

They started school after the Christmas and New Year’s break.  Here they are in their uniforms.

showing off their new books

meeting Lori’s cat

trying to figure out how to get the back pack on

Please continue to pray for them!  They miss their dad at times and need our support.