Medika Mamba

I wanted to share with you again today about the Medika Mamba program.  This program is produced by Meds and Food for Kids  .   T & T Livesay and World Wide Village have taken on the task of getting a Medika Mamba program started.  We were blessed to be a part of this wonderful project. I want to share with you today about another child that just graduated from the program this past week.

This is Milienne.  She was admitted into the RC on Jan  27 2009.    She was very malnourished and sick.  She could not walk and it was difficult for her to sit up.  From Jan until May 3 2009  her weight only went up a few  pounds.  When we began thinking of kids for the MM program, I was excited to try this program with her.  She had been eating well and getting vitamins daily.  Everything we did to get her to gain weight was not a success.  That happens sometimes.  So she started eating the MM on May 3rd.  She was on the program for 8 weeks.  During that 8 weeks she gained close to 5 pounds.  I cannot tell you how excited that makes me.  This product it working.  It is helping.  It is changing the lives of malnourished children.  It works!  I could write more about it but I think the pictures tell the truth of her story.  Amazing!

Some great things are happening with the raising of funds for this program.  People are giving in a great way to this need.  It is exciting to see me to see those that are wanting to get involved in helping children.  Not just any child but those that are severly malnourished and many times near death.  It really encourages me.  As of today there has been 99 contributors.  That is great!  Thank you to all that have given!  You can go hereto read about the new goal that has been set.  There is a proverb here in Haiti  “Ampil men, chay pa lou”  With many hands the burden is not heavy. Think about that today. Open your heart up to what God wants.  Thanks so much!

 

Ephesians 5:1-2 (The Message)

 

 ^1-2Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that

From Keverly

It’s hard to believe that Wednesday I will have packed my bags and be flying out, concluding six months here in Haiti.  How fast the time has flown!  So often I’ve looked at the calendar and wished that I could just stop time and make the moments last a little longer.  I know it is impossible to describe these six months in one post.  I’ve fallen in love – with my wonderful students, with this country, these people, the children, the mission – Oh, how hard it will be to say goodbye!

Eight months ago, my mom and I were doing the Bible study Experiencing God.  I felt that God was placing something on my heart that He wanted me to do.  I felt a calling to teach, and I longed to teach in a place where God was at work – where a family truly needed someone so that they could focus on their ministry.  At a time when I was searching and asking God for His will, we received a forward about the need for a home school teacher here.  I am convinced that it was a direct answer to prayer.  That same day we believed that we knew God’s will and contacted Licia.  I could never have dreamed what it would be like here.  The experiences I’ve had, lessons I’ve learned, and friends I’ve made will always be a part of who I am.

When I first got here, it was overwhelming to see all that Real Hope for Haiti does every day.  It’s incredible.  Over and over again I’ve seen love, sacrifice, and perseverance modeled in both Licia and Lori.  They are so willing and quick to fill any need, so gracious with their time and energy.  They give of themselves daily for the people they love – and they have so much love for the people.  I am so inspired by their example. 

Carmelo, Henley, and Trey are my first students; there is just something special about that.  They have been so much fun to teach.  They are so enthusiastic, cooperative, and smart.  In these six months, not one of them has ever complained about an assignment – I consider that a miracle.  I have LOVED getting to work with each of them, getting to know them, watching them learn and grow this semester.  It has been such a privilege for me to get to be a part of their lives.  I will miss them more than they know.

           

I could never have anticipated all the many ways God would bless my time here.  It has been unbelievably exciting, and at times heartbreaking to live above the rescue and clinic.  So many lives are saved, hungry mouths fed, children given educations, people given jobs, I can’t begin to name it all.  Often when I go to sleep at night I know that there are already people in need lined up outside the gate waiting to get help in the clinic in the morning.  Just downstairs there are always so many babies and children being nursed to health and cared for.  To watch a lonely, starving child be given food and love until he recovers and learns how to smile again is an experience I can’t compare with anything else. 

 Another unexpected, enormous blessing was placed in my arms three months ago.  Daphca was a seven month old baby girl abandoned in the clinic.  When she came she was brought upstairs and I have been taking care of her since.  In no time, I was completely in love – as I am today.  My parents have decided to adopt her.  How do you express the kind of joy of being told that the beautiful child you’ve been caring for is your sister?  I’m in awe of the perfect timing and circumstances God planned to bring us together for life. 

I am so thankful to Licia and Lori for being so open and accepting to me, showing and teaching me so much.  You have given me so many fun memories to take with me.  Thank you, Enoch and Licia, for being willing to open your home and school to me.  I can not tell you how much the time I have spent teaching your wonderful boys has meant to me.  Thank you Mr. Zack for giving me a place to live, and for the way you work to keep this going.  I will miss you all so much and hope to be back someday.  Real Hope for Haiti is so real and offers so much hope.  I will always think of you and keep you in my prayers.  Again – Thank you!

Um…it is really hot

Ronel graduates..

Ronel has been with us since 2006.  He birth parents died and an older sister brought him the the clinic.  We have not seen her since.  He is in the beginning stages of his adoption to a wonderful family.  In Haiti, you go to kindergarten for three years.  It is kind of a combination of pre-school and kindergarten.  After three years you graduate.  Ronel graduated this year.  He was first in his class!  Bravo Ronel!

This is the god-mother, god-father and me and Ronel at the graduation.

walking into the church

Here he is with hsi diploma

Ronel, Keverly and Daphca

He received two gifts.  This is a container to carry food in.

Just liek the kind they are working on the road with.  He loved it!

We made a big meal with cake for him.

We are so pround of Ronel and are excited to see him grow and develop into a young man.

Beach pictures

  

 

 

 

 

Beach

 We had a wonderful relaxing day at the beach…more pictures tomorrow.

Papa Keverly rive!

Keverly’s dad is here in Haiti!  We are so glad that he was able to come a spend a few days with us and escort Keverly back home to Mexico! 

Tomorrow we are going to the beach.  It has been a few years for Lori and Charles have been.  It should be a fun day for all of us!

walk post #2

His is the entrance to the cave that we found. 

 

 

 Lori falls down

 a group of farmers going to work

Carmelo riding the animal

Okay the donkey/animal that went with us had a problem.  We offered it grass, weeds and even an apple core.  But no, all it wanted to eat was dirt.  Seriously! Look at those muddy lips.

Everyone told us the ground there was very salty, so that is why he was eating it.

The patient we took home (middle) withhis parents.

This was a small house that the kids in the yard build.  It was there play house. 

 

I had several double takes from people. The white lady walking with the mule and her kids riding.  A few were laughing and asking if we went to sell our produce in the market.  Loved it!

Keverly is leaving :( :(

It is hard to put in writing what Keverly has done for us these past 6 months.  Very hard.  When I decided that I needed a teacher for the boys I was scared.  It is a big thing to have someone come to a foreign country, live with you, teach your kids and deal with the stresses and pressures of the RC and clinic.  It is an even bigger thing when you have never met them.  I put the word out and after a few weeks Keverly’s mom wrote me an email.  ( A special thanks to Christine for forwarding the email to them:) )I did not answer, I was scared.  They wrote me again a least two more times.  I was thinking Licia, you prayed, you asked God why can’t you trust that HE can fill this need for you! So I began writing back and forth with them.  It was amazing what God was doing in the heart of this family.  It was even more amazing what God was doing with Keverly.  Guiding and directing a 17 year old to move to Haiti for 6 months.  To leave her family, and come live with us to teach my boys.  It really made me have goose bumps when I read all that they had to tell me.   It made me cry to think that God loved me and my family that much.   But we had not met yet!  She arrived on Jan 3rd.  She traveled by bus first, slept in the airport, and arrived in Haiti late in the afternoon.  The boys were very excited and scared to meet “the teacher”.  They had lots of questions about her and her family.  They were worried about what I would do now that a teacher was here.

She started school right away with the boys, in the middle of a work team  being here.  I am sure it was a bit stressful that first week for her.  But she never acted like it was.  She has taught my boys exactly like I would have taught them (okay I lied she has done a better job!).  Everything that I wanted to offer them but could not she has done.  She is amazing with my kids.  They love her so much.  All three of the boys have improved so much in 6 months.  It makes me sad to think what a bad job I was doing.  I was doing my best, but they needed so much more.  Trey and Henley are both reading!  That is so great!  Carmelo can get on the computer and type assignment’s.  He can read so well now. 

Five days a week since Jan she has been a faithful teacher.  She starts at 8 am and often finishes after 5pm.  Then she takes a break and then reads with Carmelo every night.  WOW!   It was hard for me to give this responsibility over to someone, but the blessings received have been more than I can imagine!  God is so good!   When she has any free times she helps out in the clinic, she writes thank you notes, she helps with the kids, she encourages Lori and I.  In April we had a  10 month old baby that was abandoned at the clinic.  She took her that same day and has been giving her care 24/7 since then.  She goes and plants trees with us, she walks with us, she goes on 10.5 mile hikes with us, she laughs at our jokes and she treats us with so much respect and love.  She fills up the Medika mamba bowl every night.  She helps me weigh the kids in the RC each week.  She loves on all the kids, even when they bite her

 

I ask my self over and over again, why I desired this special blessing.  Why I am so blessed!  I thank God so much and can not believe that He loves me that much.  Keverly is leaving 1 week from today.  That makes me want to cry.  I am so sad that she is leaving, but so excited about her next step in life.  So very excited for her and the blessings that God is going to pour out on her. 

A 17 year old and a 34 year old have become friends for life.  Linked together by our heavenly savior and three special boys.  Keverly–We love you with a deep sincere love.  We thank you for all that you have done for us, RHFH, and the village here in Cazale.  We pray that God will be with you each day as you begin you next step in life, college!  Please know that you are always welcomed here. (hint, hint:) )

To Keverly’s parents and family.  You listened to God and let you daughter go to a third world country to live with a family she had never met before.  You trusted us to take care of her.  You trusted God to be with her each day.  We can never repay you for  this great sacrifice and wonderful gift.  You both need to be so proud of her for how she has let God move in her heart here.  You raised a wonderful women of God, that loves to reach out and help those in need, that is willing to give of herself each day to be able to bless others.  It might have been hard to let her come but I believe that God has helped her to grow and learn more about herself and HIM.  We pray that God bless your ministry in Mexico.  We will be forever grateful to you. 

Psalm 116:12-19 (The Message)

 ^12-19 What can I give back to God
      for the blessings he’s poured out on me?
   I’ll lift high the cup of salvation—a toast to God!
      I’ll pray in the name of God;
   I’ll complete what I promised God I’d do,
      and I’ll do it together with his people.
   When they arrive at the gates of death,
      God welcomes those who love him.
   Oh, God, here I am, your servant,
      your faithful servant: set me free for your service!
   I’m ready to offer the thanksgiving sacrifice
      and pray in the name of God.
   I’ll complete what I promised God I’d do,
      and I’ll do it in company with his people,
   In the place of worship, in God’s house,
      in Jerusalem, God’s city.
   Hallelujah!

Walk post #2

I am going to have to divide the pictures into two post.  This is walking up the first mountain.  It was not that far but really steep.

See how high it was I am so high I am going up to heaven

A farmers field.  These field are all planted by hand.  They have to be dug up by hand.  They have to be weeded by hand.  They have to be harvest by hand.  It is hard work when you have a large plot of ground.

Look at the single tree left on top on that dirt mound.  The soil beside it was washed away.

At the beginning of our walk a farmer called out to us and said he needed to talk to us.  We went to meet him and he gave us a big watermelon to eat on our walk. 

injured #1  Lori.  It rained the night before and it was muddy in a few places. She was moving over to let a lady on a mule pass and slipped and cut her toe.  Nice dressing job.

injured #2 Licia.  I was walking and felt something wet in my sandel.  It was full of blood.  We washed it off and it was a small place where a thorn poked me.  I did not even feel it.  So nurse Lori tied it up with a vine and leaves. 

I am scared of cows.  Especially cows with horns.  I have taken care of a few patients over the years that has tangled with those horns.  As we were going down the path there was this cow below.  It let everyone pass and then Lori and I were next as soon as I began to walk to jumped around and started coming towards me (as least thats what it felt like).  I took of running back up to Lori.  Someone came and made it walk off the path.  But when I passed by it quickly it WAS watching me the whole time.  I am serious!

Part of the group

The boys loved riding the mule.

more pictures to come….

Psalm 119

 ^1-8 You’re blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God.
   You’re blessed when you follow his directions,
      doing your best to find him.
   That’s right—you don’t go off on your own;
      you walk straight along the road he set.
   You, God, prescribed the right way to live;
      now you expect us to live it.
   Oh, that my steps might be steady,
      keeping to the course you set;
   Then I’d never have any regrets
      in comparing my life with your counsel.
   I thank you for speaking straight from your heart;
      I learn the pattern of your righteous ways.
   I’m going to do what you tell me to do;
      don’t ever walk off and leave me.