Hello,
You can say it - it's been awhile. I think I'm slacking. But if you knew the speed of our internet, maybe you'd be more compassionate.
Having said that, though, I apologize for the long silence. It's not that things haven't been happening - maybe too much is happening. The last while I've been trying to make an online inventory list, so it can only be done in the evenings, and honestly, it's not conducive to work, being online here. Between the slowest internet ever, and kids, it's taking me forever. And now I'm afraid I've messed it all up and it's too slow to go back quickly and check. So not to go crazy waiting to see if I wasted so many evenings, I came here instead.
Stephanie, the nurse replacing me is coming in tonight. I'm excited - both to see her (we clicked well the week+ that she was here last July) and because it means I leave day after tomorrow. It feels kind of unreal. You get so into a routine of things, it's strange to think of it being different. However, since so many days of my 3 weeks off are already planned, I'll be back in no time.
Plans are: Bobi is meeting me in Miami. We're renting a car for one night, and hitting the town! (Gotta make the most of one evening and night in the US!) Her family is there in their mobile trailer so we're staying with them. We'll see what else we do - shopping, eating out, maybe a movie.....
then Friday morning Bobi and I fly to Costa Rica. She's spending a week there with me. The first weekend we're heading to the northern part of the country, to a volcano, zipline, .. we'll see what else. Two nights, relaxing... it will give her a chance to see quite a bit of the country.
The next weekend my whole family will be together - we haven't been since 4 years ago, so really looking forward to that. The last weekend (4 days), some of us have plans to go to a nice beach. Somewhere in between that, I want to 'just me home'! And do all my business. ... Yea, it's going to be too short.
Now for some Canaan news...
This next weekend (all of which I'll miss) is Carnaval week. This is a rough, demonic Haitian holiday week, and a lot of churches plan camping time to get out of the cities. So, many of them knowing Canaan, they've asked to come camp here. We're expecting 300 young people at least. God has put a wonderful vision upon S. Gladys' heart - why not open this time and start something new? So we're inviting young people around here also and we'll have like a crusade - times for preaching, worship, etc, but also times of games, where they'll compete - soccer, basketball, sack races, singing, Bible trivia, etc, etc. There'll be prizes and trophies. What a time to reach out to the Haitian youth!!!
Please pray this weekend. This is huge! This may become a yearly thing. Together with that, please continue praying for the neighborhood of Sou Boy, that I mentioned in the last blog. Spanish classes have started as well as some others. For many things they want to do, we still need instructors.
Clinic's still picking up. Yesterday we had over 50 patients, which is more than ever (without doctors being here). I have two girls from the World Race team helping me these days, which is really nice, since Bobi's gone. Continue praying for me please. I still get overwhelmed sometimes by what I'm doing here (after a year, you'd think I'd be used to it, right?). Then a young boy comes in with a motorcycle burn injury of a couple weeks ago, and it has become a crater almost an inch deep and wide, and looking ugly. I took it upon myself to put in some anesthesia and debride it. I'm worried because he didn't come back when I told him to.
On the upside, they're working on the new clinic building - for now the foundation, but it's encouraging.
By the way, if weather dictates when you come visit, always make it Febuary. We're having wonderful, windy weather. Makes you forget about all the hot weather of the summer.
OK, there's lots calling to me today yet, so till another time....
Elsie
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Sou Boy
Hello,
This place is a beehive of activities these days. We've been blessed with a different team each week in Jan, and lots of work has gotten done here. The new team this last Sat consists of about 16 people, plus 3 or 4 that stayed over from the last team. They're leaving on Friday. Then last night we got 13 more, who'll be here till around the 21st. This last group is a group of young people that are in the "World Race". They go to a new country every month for 11 months and do all kinds of things at different mission places, etc. They came from the Dominican Republic and are in the second month. It sounds like such an interesting thing to do - there goes my sense of adventure.
At the clinic it seems to be picking up again. My new nurse was doing good but then I realized I let her go on her own too soon, so now I need to focus on training her more before I leave in 2 weeks. Then one of my steady "translators and helpers" Fabiola, left this last weekend - don't know if she's coming back. We miss her. Now I need to continually look for someone (I do still have one fairly steady one). One of the ladies from the team is a nurse so she's been helping me, which has been great, especially since yesterday we broke the record again in the amount of people we saw. Bobi's also leaving on Thursday so that'll make it busier for me. But again, God provides (He is ever faithful). Some people in this new group will be coming down to help.
Today we had a busy Mamba day. Bobi went around Montrouis the other day recruiting, and today we had like 23 people show up, despite the fact she only told 6 of them to come get checked. Sometimes word of mouth is best. Thankfully not all of them were malnourished, but we did admit 6 little ones to our program.
One new thing that is happening here, and it's exciting to think what God is going to be doing with it. It's about what's happening with the young people of Sou Boy. Sou Boy is the little village at the foot of our hill. Up until now they haven't been the most friendly - after all some of them are squatting on our land. But a bunch of the young people got it into their heads that they want an education, and they want to learn vocational skills, so they've had a few meetings with S. Gladys (about 150 people one time). We're looking into starting classes for: Spanish, English, mechanics, construction, plumbing, art, secretarial skills, typing, computer, etc etc (who wants to come teach???) We have this abandoned building in the middle of a field that used to be used for a school, but is in bad shape. S. Gladys told them we can use that but it's their responsible to get it ready. So the last few days I've been watching from a distance as about 10-30 young men (many between 18-22 yrs) are working there - chopping, sweeping the roof, burning brushes, etc. Tomorrow they're starting on the soccer field. It does my heart good to see their energy and passion to learn something practical. Not just that, but sunday a bunch of them came to church, and I saw a passion in some of them that was awesome to see. It's even challenging the kids here. Please pray for all this. We don't know how or who is going to be doing all this but the need and passion is there, and it's a start to changing Haiti - one person at a time.
Sister Gladys is also leaving this week, and that means a few more responsibilities may befall me, esp. with all the people here. (Pastor Henri went to the States for a couple months - we miss him) Life continues to be interesting here. Thankfully she'll be back before I leave on the 19th for a much anticipated 3 wk. vacation with my family in Costa Rica. I haven't left the country since April, and I feel the need for a break. (don't get me wrong, I love the work here and it's going good!)
Ok, it's getting late, there's a lot of people around and I can't remember all the things I wanted to say, so I better go before I just ramble on.
Thanks for your prayerful support for me here!!!
Elsie
p.s.
please continue praying for a Medika Mamba vehicle - we've got more than a quarter of the funds that we expect we'll need, raised already. We went to look at a vehicle the other day - exactly what we need, but I think it's too nice. Funny how that's an issue, right? But considering we're serving the malnourished, poor, we don't want one that screams "rich". So pray we'll find the right one. And if God lays it on your heart to help financially too, well... you know :)
This place is a beehive of activities these days. We've been blessed with a different team each week in Jan, and lots of work has gotten done here. The new team this last Sat consists of about 16 people, plus 3 or 4 that stayed over from the last team. They're leaving on Friday. Then last night we got 13 more, who'll be here till around the 21st. This last group is a group of young people that are in the "World Race". They go to a new country every month for 11 months and do all kinds of things at different mission places, etc. They came from the Dominican Republic and are in the second month. It sounds like such an interesting thing to do - there goes my sense of adventure.
At the clinic it seems to be picking up again. My new nurse was doing good but then I realized I let her go on her own too soon, so now I need to focus on training her more before I leave in 2 weeks. Then one of my steady "translators and helpers" Fabiola, left this last weekend - don't know if she's coming back. We miss her. Now I need to continually look for someone (I do still have one fairly steady one). One of the ladies from the team is a nurse so she's been helping me, which has been great, especially since yesterday we broke the record again in the amount of people we saw. Bobi's also leaving on Thursday so that'll make it busier for me. But again, God provides (He is ever faithful). Some people in this new group will be coming down to help.
Today we had a busy Mamba day. Bobi went around Montrouis the other day recruiting, and today we had like 23 people show up, despite the fact she only told 6 of them to come get checked. Sometimes word of mouth is best. Thankfully not all of them were malnourished, but we did admit 6 little ones to our program.
One new thing that is happening here, and it's exciting to think what God is going to be doing with it. It's about what's happening with the young people of Sou Boy. Sou Boy is the little village at the foot of our hill. Up until now they haven't been the most friendly - after all some of them are squatting on our land. But a bunch of the young people got it into their heads that they want an education, and they want to learn vocational skills, so they've had a few meetings with S. Gladys (about 150 people one time). We're looking into starting classes for: Spanish, English, mechanics, construction, plumbing, art, secretarial skills, typing, computer, etc etc (who wants to come teach???) We have this abandoned building in the middle of a field that used to be used for a school, but is in bad shape. S. Gladys told them we can use that but it's their responsible to get it ready. So the last few days I've been watching from a distance as about 10-30 young men (many between 18-22 yrs) are working there - chopping, sweeping the roof, burning brushes, etc. Tomorrow they're starting on the soccer field. It does my heart good to see their energy and passion to learn something practical. Not just that, but sunday a bunch of them came to church, and I saw a passion in some of them that was awesome to see. It's even challenging the kids here. Please pray for all this. We don't know how or who is going to be doing all this but the need and passion is there, and it's a start to changing Haiti - one person at a time.
Sister Gladys is also leaving this week, and that means a few more responsibilities may befall me, esp. with all the people here. (Pastor Henri went to the States for a couple months - we miss him) Life continues to be interesting here. Thankfully she'll be back before I leave on the 19th for a much anticipated 3 wk. vacation with my family in Costa Rica. I haven't left the country since April, and I feel the need for a break. (don't get me wrong, I love the work here and it's going good!)
Ok, it's getting late, there's a lot of people around and I can't remember all the things I wanted to say, so I better go before I just ramble on.
Thanks for your prayerful support for me here!!!
Elsie
p.s.
please continue praying for a Medika Mamba vehicle - we've got more than a quarter of the funds that we expect we'll need, raised already. We went to look at a vehicle the other day - exactly what we need, but I think it's too nice. Funny how that's an issue, right? But considering we're serving the malnourished, poor, we don't want one that screams "rich". So pray we'll find the right one. And if God lays it on your heart to help financially too, well... you know :)
Monday, January 26, 2009
Check out Bobi's
Since tonight is not a good night for me to be online, may I just direct you to my friend Bobi's site? I know she's writing about many of the things that we've been doing and things happening here lately. By tomorrow night I'm sure it'll be updated. And you'll hear from me next time!
God bless!!!
God bless!!!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
All in a day's work
Hello, hello
I just realized there's been no blog entry in this whole year. Sorry! I'm still here though, and we're busy as ever.
This week we have an American team of 10 people here, so when they asked if I needed anything done at the clinic, I came up with quite a list. They are a team of hard working people, and our clinic looks much better. They painted the inside of one building and the next day we moved our whole pharmacy in there while they painted all the shelves in the pharmacy. Wow! Does it ever look much better! We continued seeing patients, but it was in slower motion. Thankfully the two days weren't busy ones and now we're almost back to normal. Doors and tables, file cabinets and chairs got their rust spots covered as well. Tin roofs won't flap anymore and my stand table is back on 4 wheels instead of 3. We've also been enjoying seeing the foundation of the new clinic get started and reinforced. Yea! And today we saw two guys (guards) moving in down there. That'll be needed especially once construction gets more under way. This team is leaving on Sat, and another one arriving the same day. That is happening each Sat. for the rest of this month. A lot of projects are to be finally finished, including a dorm for the young boys. And hopefully P. Henri's house will be closer to done.
Oh and these aren't the only visitors this year! My pastor from Canada, as well as S. Gladys and P. Henri's pastor, came for like two days. The special occasion??? Sister Gladys and Pastor got married last Saturday!!! This came in a very busy time for them, since a pastor that they work with very closely died last week and the funeral (that S. Gladys had to officiate) was the day after their wedding.
I continue seeing lots of people with malaria and typhoid. That seems to be almost the most common problems, and honestly, the easiest to diagnose. Then we have days (like today) when I don't know what to do for almost any of them - one lady got bit by a dog 1 1/2 months ago and now says is getting leg cramps from it; a belly that for about 2 years gets big and small whenever and is painful; a guy with problems; someone needing a prescription refill for antibiotics the way I never heard of them used and totally wrong in my knowledge; a 10 year old with an x-ray showing a lung full of fluids (probably has Tuberculosis). The last has me asking why some things hit certain people in a tidal wave. This family (Pierre family) is the one that has the 2 yr old Maikel that is in our malnutrition program, who came with a belly bigger than I knew could be possible (pictures in blogs past) and who also has two leaking heart valves. Last week the mother died giving birth to the 8th child (the oldest is 16). Now they have a newborn with no milk as well. Earlier this week the dad brought a 6 year old with a fever of almost 104; Now this girl, whom I sent to a hospital. And the mother's funeral is on Friday.
The malnutrition program is still going good. It seems every week we admit more children to the program - especially in Arcahaia. The problem we have is getting there. We never know if there'll be a vehicle to go with . It's about 45 minutes from here and public transportation is just not a real option for us, since we have to haul about 100 kg of Mamba, as well as scales, measuring board, water, and other supplies, plus change tap taps at least once. We see the need for a Medika Mamba vehicle as essential for the ongoing of the program. There are so many towns and village we could reach if we had transportation. Without it, we can't go there. There are some desperate women that will walk 3-5 hours for it. How many need it that can't come?
So if you are able and want to help us, we would be so appreciative. Enough small amounts would make it possible! Chris Hlavacek is collecting the money and you can either send it to him by mail (cheque or cash) or go to his Canaan website and pay it online. http://www.canaanorphanage.org/ All of it is tax deductible. Just let him know it's for the vehicle fund, since he's also the one that receives the money for the actual Mamba. Any questions, feel free to ask me.
And now, may God bless you, be in you, and flow out through you!
Elsie Kornelsen
I just realized there's been no blog entry in this whole year. Sorry! I'm still here though, and we're busy as ever.
This week we have an American team of 10 people here, so when they asked if I needed anything done at the clinic, I came up with quite a list. They are a team of hard working people, and our clinic looks much better. They painted the inside of one building and the next day we moved our whole pharmacy in there while they painted all the shelves in the pharmacy. Wow! Does it ever look much better! We continued seeing patients, but it was in slower motion. Thankfully the two days weren't busy ones and now we're almost back to normal. Doors and tables, file cabinets and chairs got their rust spots covered as well. Tin roofs won't flap anymore and my stand table is back on 4 wheels instead of 3. We've also been enjoying seeing the foundation of the new clinic get started and reinforced. Yea! And today we saw two guys (guards) moving in down there. That'll be needed especially once construction gets more under way. This team is leaving on Sat, and another one arriving the same day. That is happening each Sat. for the rest of this month. A lot of projects are to be finally finished, including a dorm for the young boys. And hopefully P. Henri's house will be closer to done.
Oh and these aren't the only visitors this year! My pastor from Canada, as well as S. Gladys and P. Henri's pastor, came for like two days. The special occasion??? Sister Gladys and Pastor got married last Saturday!!! This came in a very busy time for them, since a pastor that they work with very closely died last week and the funeral (that S. Gladys had to officiate) was the day after their wedding.
I continue seeing lots of people with malaria and typhoid. That seems to be almost the most common problems, and honestly, the easiest to diagnose. Then we have days (like today) when I don't know what to do for almost any of them - one lady got bit by a dog 1 1/2 months ago and now says is getting leg cramps from it; a belly that for about 2 years gets big and small whenever and is painful; a guy with problems; someone needing a prescription refill for antibiotics the way I never heard of them used and totally wrong in my knowledge; a 10 year old with an x-ray showing a lung full of fluids (probably has Tuberculosis). The last has me asking why some things hit certain people in a tidal wave. This family (Pierre family) is the one that has the 2 yr old Maikel that is in our malnutrition program, who came with a belly bigger than I knew could be possible (pictures in blogs past) and who also has two leaking heart valves. Last week the mother died giving birth to the 8th child (the oldest is 16). Now they have a newborn with no milk as well. Earlier this week the dad brought a 6 year old with a fever of almost 104; Now this girl, whom I sent to a hospital. And the mother's funeral is on Friday.
The malnutrition program is still going good. It seems every week we admit more children to the program - especially in Arcahaia. The problem we have is getting there. We never know if there'll be a vehicle to go with . It's about 45 minutes from here and public transportation is just not a real option for us, since we have to haul about 100 kg of Mamba, as well as scales, measuring board, water, and other supplies, plus change tap taps at least once. We see the need for a Medika Mamba vehicle as essential for the ongoing of the program. There are so many towns and village we could reach if we had transportation. Without it, we can't go there. There are some desperate women that will walk 3-5 hours for it. How many need it that can't come?
So if you are able and want to help us, we would be so appreciative. Enough small amounts would make it possible! Chris Hlavacek is collecting the money and you can either send it to him by mail (cheque or cash) or go to his Canaan website and pay it online. http://www.canaanorphanage.org/ All of it is tax deductible. Just let him know it's for the vehicle fund, since he's also the one that receives the money for the actual Mamba. Any questions, feel free to ask me.
And now, may God bless you, be in you, and flow out through you!
Elsie Kornelsen
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Bon Ane Nouvo!
Happy New Year's!
(since I never know if I'll be online on New Year's, I'll just wish it now.)
I always have mixed feelings at the end of a year. Another year gone??? Am I happy about how I lived it or would I change it if I could? It's a good feeling to be able to feel that I wouldn't change anything. (not meaning I was perfect, just in general, where I am). This has been a great year. A year ago I did my last shift in Canada, and that was that. I left a country of ease and went into the unknown. Though life here isn't what you could possibly call 'easy', it has been a year full of blessings: - a new fulfilling job that is way above my league but I'm enjoying because it feels so worthwhile, lots of new friends both N. Americans and Haitians, exploring and getting to know a new country and culture, - I won't go into detail - it would get too long.
I do want to thank all of you who have been a part of my life this year, and the impact that has left on me.
And now I've loaded up some pictures for you to enjoy.
Bobi's brother Kyle and mom Barbara visited her for a week. They helped out tons with all the Christmas preparations. Thanks for visiting! I feel almost like I got a new family myself!
Also visiting us for 10 days over Christmas and New Year's are Tyler and Nick, medical students from South Carolina. They also got roped into helping their first day here. But we did take them to a nice resort the next day. They've helped out with two clinic days and two Medika Mamba days. This is Tyler on our way to our friends Chris and Leslie. He checked out how it felt riding on top of the taptap, on metal bars. Not sure if that was a better place than our jammed full ride standing up.
Graduation day for one Medika Mamba child!
.
Tyler and Nick helping at our Arcahaia Medika Mamba. Since there was no school, Bonnie took the time off to come with us and see how we worked. Her nurturing person even got those little ones to sleep.
Graduation from Middle school to high school for 5 Canaan students
Nancy
Micar
Ismael
Daniel
Zilpa
It was fun for all of us to dress up - Me and Bobi
Pascal, Gerson, and Beno having fun making Mr Robin (after all, what would you do with a lot of grass around the place?
Cadet (our baby)
If you don't have marshmallows, how about candy? Joel thinks it's fun and good!
Bobi and me relaxing at the resort in our new clothes! That was fun!
May the sunset of this year bring you a great sunrise for the new year and may it be good and joyful and fulfilling! Make it so with God's help if the past one wasn't!!!
Elsie
(since I never know if I'll be online on New Year's, I'll just wish it now.)
I always have mixed feelings at the end of a year. Another year gone??? Am I happy about how I lived it or would I change it if I could? It's a good feeling to be able to feel that I wouldn't change anything. (not meaning I was perfect, just in general, where I am). This has been a great year. A year ago I did my last shift in Canada, and that was that. I left a country of ease and went into the unknown. Though life here isn't what you could possibly call 'easy', it has been a year full of blessings: - a new fulfilling job that is way above my league but I'm enjoying because it feels so worthwhile, lots of new friends both N. Americans and Haitians, exploring and getting to know a new country and culture, - I won't go into detail - it would get too long.
I do want to thank all of you who have been a part of my life this year, and the impact that has left on me.
And now I've loaded up some pictures for you to enjoy.
Bobi's brother Kyle and mom Barbara visited her for a week. They helped out tons with all the Christmas preparations. Thanks for visiting! I feel almost like I got a new family myself!
Also visiting us for 10 days over Christmas and New Year's are Tyler and Nick, medical students from South Carolina. They also got roped into helping their first day here. But we did take them to a nice resort the next day. They've helped out with two clinic days and two Medika Mamba days. This is Tyler on our way to our friends Chris and Leslie. He checked out how it felt riding on top of the taptap, on metal bars. Not sure if that was a better place than our jammed full ride standing up.
Graduation day for one Medika Mamba child!
.
Tyler and Nick helping at our Arcahaia Medika Mamba. Since there was no school, Bonnie took the time off to come with us and see how we worked. Her nurturing person even got those little ones to sleep.
Graduation from Middle school to high school for 5 Canaan students
Nancy
Micar
Ismael
Daniel
Zilpa
It was fun for all of us to dress up - Me and Bobi
Pascal, Gerson, and Beno having fun making Mr Robin (after all, what would you do with a lot of grass around the place?
Cadet (our baby)
If you don't have marshmallows, how about candy? Joel thinks it's fun and good!
Bobi and me relaxing at the resort in our new clothes! That was fun!
May the sunset of this year bring you a great sunrise for the new year and may it be good and joyful and fulfilling! Make it so with God's help if the past one wasn't!!!
Elsie
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!!
It's kind of strange (and nice) to be away from all the commercialism of Christmas. It didn't feel like Christmas at all till a couple nights ago when Bobi's mom, whose visiting her for Christmas, gave me a piece of fudge. It's interesting how certain things (like foods) can send your feelings down memory lane.
Now this place is humming with preparations. All the decorations came out of storage, and we're trying to see where they can be placed. The Christmas lights stay up all year, but I have yet to see one lighted.
Tomorrow, the 24th, is the big day here. Not just Christmas, but they're also planning a graduation. 5 of the kids are entering high school, so they're having a nice graduation for them. It's to inspire the others to keep working towards the goal. There are also three little girls graduating from preschool. Family members have been invited and lots of food is being prepared.
The program is suppose to start around 3, I heard once, and who knows how long it'll be. They also have a Christmas program, so it's a do-it-all-at-once program. It's going to be interesting to see what the traditions are here. Apparently soup is on the agenda for midnight.
We're blessed to have internet again. It wasn't working for about 5 days. That's hard for us down here. Ha!
It's kind of strange (and nice) to be away from all the commercialism of Christmas. It didn't feel like Christmas at all till a couple nights ago when Bobi's mom, whose visiting her for Christmas, gave me a piece of fudge. It's interesting how certain things (like foods) can send your feelings down memory lane.
Now this place is humming with preparations. All the decorations came out of storage, and we're trying to see where they can be placed. The Christmas lights stay up all year, but I have yet to see one lighted.
Tomorrow, the 24th, is the big day here. Not just Christmas, but they're also planning a graduation. 5 of the kids are entering high school, so they're having a nice graduation for them. It's to inspire the others to keep working towards the goal. There are also three little girls graduating from preschool. Family members have been invited and lots of food is being prepared.
The program is suppose to start around 3, I heard once, and who knows how long it'll be. They also have a Christmas program, so it's a do-it-all-at-once program. It's going to be interesting to see what the traditions are here. Apparently soup is on the agenda for midnight.
We're blessed to have internet again. It wasn't working for about 5 days. That's hard for us down here. Ha!
I'm being called for a medical need so I better go for now.
Have a great holiday season!!!!
Elsie
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Wed, Dec 10
Good evening!
Wow! It really has been 12 days since my last post. Hope you got a good rest! Ha!
It's a challenge to my "emotional well-being" to be without a computer here. Some days it feels quite healthy; others, it should be hospitalized! Tonight, it's the latter. So, I'll try to be brief, since I have only half hour on it now. That just might be good for those that think my blogs are too detailed. That's OK. I sometimes feel that too. It's ok to skim over them.
My parents have come and gone. It was great to have family here, let them see what I do. It was a busy week though and I wasn't able to take as much time off as I had hoped. The first sunday I took them for a drive to St Marc and a little beyond. We spent one day in Port. We only got to go swimming once!
One of the reasons it was so busy is we spent two days opening a Medika Mamba program in Arcahaia.
Bobi and me taking a "break"
That's about an hour south of us. 
Thursday Sister Gladys, Bobi, my mom and I went to "scout" the area. We found 13 children that were malnourished. So Friday Bobi and I went back and entered them all into the program. We didn't have a vehicle to go with so the "10:30" time that we told everyone got extended to about 1:00, keeping all the parents and kids waiting. It allowed me to almost finish my morning clinic, but wasn't very nice for the kids. On that note, I have a request for you. Please join us in praying for a vehicle for the Medika Mamba program. Vehicles are quite expensive, especially since it has to be a strong one - 4 wheel drive, able to do mountains, diesel, 'lockable'. We'd rather not have a new one (it hurts too much when {not if} it gets it's first dents but it has to have a good motor. Sister Gladys says a Land Rover is perfect and lasts forever almost. Maybe, but the price is scary! The need is everywhere; we have the Mamba, but don't have a way to take it to the little kids. We could "extend our borders" a lot if we had consistent transportation. So we're putting the word out there and if there's any way you can help in that, we would appreciate it. If you've always wanted to learn to do fundraising, or need a cause to do it for, here's an opportunity! It is so awesome to see the health of the children when they're ending the program. I'm learning to appreciate chubby babies!! Today I had a really chubby one at the clinic, and he just looked SO GOOD!
Thursday Sister Gladys, Bobi, my mom and I went to "scout" the area. We found 13 children that were malnourished. So Friday Bobi and I went back and entered them all into the program. We didn't have a vehicle to go with so the "10:30" time that we told everyone got extended to about 1:00, keeping all the parents and kids waiting. It allowed me to almost finish my morning clinic, but wasn't very nice for the kids. On that note, I have a request for you. Please join us in praying for a vehicle for the Medika Mamba program. Vehicles are quite expensive, especially since it has to be a strong one - 4 wheel drive, able to do mountains, diesel, 'lockable'. We'd rather not have a new one (it hurts too much when {not if} it gets it's first dents but it has to have a good motor. Sister Gladys says a Land Rover is perfect and lasts forever almost. Maybe, but the price is scary! The need is everywhere; we have the Mamba, but don't have a way to take it to the little kids. We could "extend our borders" a lot if we had consistent transportation. So we're putting the word out there and if there's any way you can help in that, we would appreciate it. If you've always wanted to learn to do fundraising, or need a cause to do it for, here's an opportunity! It is so awesome to see the health of the children when they're ending the program. I'm learning to appreciate chubby babies!! Today I had a really chubby one at the clinic, and he just looked SO GOOD! Things are feeling very quiet here right now. Yesterday we said goodbye to Lydia, Kristie, and Bethany. They were here for 2 months. Steve and my parents left the same time. And today Bobi's two friends visiting left as well. That leaves Bobi, Bonnie and me for foreigners. Sister Gladys and Pastor Henri also left today for a week in the States.
One answer to prayer is we've hired a new nurse. She's Haitian, her name is MarieElise. Please pray for her as she learns the ropes, and me as I teach her. It will still take a lot of training, but she's already helping and I think will work out real well. After my difficult experience in the beginning, I'm happy to expect something different. She's staying here at Canaan, and therefore will be able to help in the Medika Mamba as well, which we really want her to be able to help us with. She knows very little English, so it's a challenge to my Kreyol, but good for it. Teaching everything through a translator is not the easiest thing. Thankfully she's quick to catch on and can go from there.
Despite the new nurse, we are in need of some trained ones, either short term or longer term. If there's any nurses, doctors, etc that want to come help at the clinic, please contact me. I would like to take some time off:
1) to teach the nurses that I have (it's becoming so busy I don't have time to do teachings)
2) to do some traveling in other towns (to see about starting the Medika Mamba program),
3) in the summer I want to take a month or two off to go to North America. I'm looking for someone to come work while I'm gone.
OK, time's up, gotta go.
Elsie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
