It's the little things......

Today was a good day. No. Today was a great day! Today we had the privilege of bringing 20 elders  from the Eldercare program to the beach.  For most of them, it was their very first time to the beach EVER! (The oldest was 104!)

As we pulled up to Grace Village to pick them up they were all sitting in a line waiting patiently for us. This was an exciting day for them so they had bathed, powdered and put on their best clothes all for this trip to the beach. 

A 40 minute bus ride later, we pulled up to the crowded beach (picture spring break) and loaded them off of the bus. Some of them thought we were only there so that they could bathe, so they started to take off their swimsuits! They were giggling like school children, pointing at each other and joking. These people have great senses of humor and it’s a good thing because let me tell you, we were quite the spectacle and a crowd gathered to watch us and take pictures. We slowly walked all of them down to the water and as soon as they felt it you could see the pure joy fill their faces. I have never seen anything like it. They were like children again. Splashing each others faces, pulling each other into the water and laughing uncontrollably. They kept saying, Mesi Jezi, Mesi Jezi.....thank you Jesus. Some of them were bottling up the water and when we asked what they were doing in fear they may try to drink it, they simply just wanted to bring some of the ocean water home with them (something my children would want to do). We cradled them like babies and brought them into deeper waters. I wondered what that would feel like but I could quickly see it on their faces. Pure joy, thankfulness, happiness, elation....like many things here, there are no words to explain. What a blessing to be a part of this day. A day they will never forget and most undoubtedly a day that we will never forget.

Sometimes it’s just the little things. 

Today was a great day. Mesi Jezi.

Feelings like never before...

Today we experienced something that our eyes and hearts will never forget. As we walked into general hospital unsure what to expect, we were nearly frozen at the sight of devastation. This area in the hospital was one room filled with thin mattresses on the cement floor, with people in pain and in need of desperate help. we can't even begin to describe the pain that we saw on their faces. From bed sores to the bone, to gun shot wounds, to a paralyzed pregnant woman, we didn't know where to begin our tender care. As we started to rub their arms and legs with lotion, you could immediately feel their bodies begin to relax and feel comforted. Many of the people we cared for had extremely high temperatures, their skin was radiating heat onto ours, and you could see the dehydration on their bodies. We laid our hands on them one by one and began to pray and sing for healing. Amongst all of the pain and suffering their faces were still glowing as if nothing was affecting them. Our faces on the other hand, showed the complete opposite, with tears falling from our faces we continued to show them our tender love and care. The feelings that came over all of us was something none of us have ever felt before. As we started to walk out of the room the tears continued to fall down our faces, and the emotions that we were feeling completely took over our bodies. The pain that we had felt, stuck with us throughout the rest of the day and into the night, and will never leave us.

Today at general hospital we learned to put all of our trust in God, to be his hands and feet, and to spread his love throughout the people suffering. Many of us were out of our comfort zone, but God took complete control over us and the fear was quickly forgotten. We were able to be his servants like we have been called to haiti to be. Today we have all gotten to experience something that not many people are able to.

Love,

Katie, Terra.

Love

Water truck day was amazing, there is no other way to put it. Watching the joy on the faces of all Hatians young to old was fulfilling. Arriving on the tap-tap, dozens of litte kids awaited us... we one by one got off, each of them wanting one thing and one thing only, love. Having 2-5 children climb on me as if I was jungle-gym was so much fun. The children are so full innocence and it is what drives their love for us. I was also able to carry several buckets of water deep into Cite Soleil and was even allowed access into several of the homes of the Haitian people. This was touching, yet heartbreaking all at the same time. These people were so delighted to just embrace love, and service, it really touched me.
Perhaps my favorite part of the day was visiting the Haitian Initiative. With music echoing throughout the town, what seemed to be hundreds of children were dancing with me in the middle of a gravel laced field. I was being goofy, and every single one of them loved it. Often times back home I feel judged which causes me to be self conscious which triggers many other negative events to happen in my life. The love and compassion these children displayed was truly moving.

After having a conga lined of dozens and dozens of children, we played "le foot" There was no organization to this whatsoever, everyone created an allegiance with someone, and played a free for all game. Children with bare-feet, holes in their shoes, ran all across a the gravel bit chasing a flat soccer ball. It truly warmed, and broke my heart. In this moment I did not care about myself though, I just continued to play soccer with the kids, and had a blast.
After I was about ready to pass out from running up and down the gravel pit, I sat along the wall that surrounded it. Immediately a swarm of Haitian children surrounded me asking me questions in French and Creole. One of them happened to have a pen, and wanted me to sign their shirt as if I was some international star like Ronaldo or Messi. To make things simple, I had each kid write down their name and age on my arms, hands and legs. They seemed to have great joy in doing this.

My heart honestly breaks everyday for these people. I do not know what to do, I am truly lost within my own mind. No other way to put it. I don't know what else to say...

-John Dugas

hey you!!

Hey you! Hey You!  

Hey YOU.... have you ever seen poverty?

Hey YOU...have you ever  ever had to run or hobble on crutches with with whatever “bucket” you have to get clean water? 

Hey YOU... have you had a sick baby that you can’t help because the help is too far away?

Hey YOU..... have you ever lived, slept, ate and went to the bathroom  in the same place?

Hey you -have you ever been to Cite Soleil,undoubtedly one of the poorest, most desperate places on earth? We did and it was one of the most moving experiences of a lifetime. A lesson in how grace, love and hope- yes, hope can coexist in an almost unearthly place.  

Our call today was to deliver clean water to the poorest of the poor residing in the slums of Port-au-Prince.  I struggle to think how to describe this day, but for those who have traveled here -they know that this is impossible.  For those of you following us at home, imagine your heart shattered in a million pieces and you might come close.

We make three truck runs today with water and are additionally blessed that Lisa and I are both R.N’s. We take along the first aid bag to see if we can be of any help.  We laugh because the medical bag is not so practical- A CPR mask and tourniquet seem out of place for Cite Soleil. Little do we know that we are “doctors” now. 

As we pull in behind the water truck, dozens of children  run behind us yelling out “Hey you”!  We smile and wave and yell “Hey you” back- it is our communication with them-the way we bridge our worlds.  

The chaos ensues as the water begins to flow. People, buckets, pushing, arguing, line jumping are all the norm on these runs. The water flows fast and it seems in no time the the truck is empty and we need to reload. The team fills buckets as fast as it flows, others help carry the heavy buckets to the “homes”. Others simply hold and hug the children who cling desperately to our necks, arms and legs like velcro.

Lisa and I pull out our medical bag very quietly  and with help of our Haitian Translators Cadet and Jonas begin treating those we see in need of care. As we tend one, another  and another appears. Some are “easy” fixes, clean a wound or burn as best you can. We have only a few gauze pads, some hydrogen peroxide and Hibiclens.  Our treasures are a pair of scissors and a small tube on antibiotic ointment. 

Lisa treats a nasty burn on an arm, Judy removes some homemade stitches from a boys’ lip that have been left in too long and have healed over.  Our heart breaks however for those who show up with cataracts, bulging hernias and lumpy cancers.  We tell the translator to say-”There is nothing we can do”.  We work as quickly as we can, but when the water runs out we have to go. The rule of these trips is when its time to go It is time to go- as this is still a dangerous place no matter how much love and help we bring.  I  feel  a sense of helplessness-if only I had one more hour... 

Today’s journey to Cite Soleil and yesterday’s to the Home for Sick and Dying Adults forced me to take one of the largest leaps of faith I have ever made.  We were asked to serve without regard for ourselves emotionally, mentally and physically. No time to contemplate the call to action- we were called to act now.

Chemistry

Today was very remarkable for several reasons. I felt as though today I continued too develop relationships with not only the Haitian people, but my team as well.

Early in the day we visited the adult home for the sick and dying. I was very intimidated by this because I truly did not know what to expect. Patrick and I sat there facing two rooms full of sick Haitians, with what we thought was a daunting task. Thankfully the men their were very kind, and gave me directions. A lot of these men had terribly dry skin, and the relief of just basic lotion provided them was incredible.

I really started to feel resonance when I was applying lotion to kids around my own age. A 25 year old by the name DJ spoke english and french just like me. We were able to combine both languages and had great conversation. He told me about his past, a dark one, riddled with tobacco addiction, gang violence and drug sales. He said all of these things were the reason he ended up being so sick, but he was thankful. I began to ask him why he was thankful and he said he would not have found the way, if not for this. He has become a practicing christian and has used to provided meaning to his life, when previously he thought there was none. He told me about his dreams to come to America, and how he planned on doing it. It started with getting a job and having enough money to to buy a passport and ticket. I found this to be very special that he had given so much though to this, it provided him hope with something to look forward too, just as his faith did. I was so happy to converse with him, it was a really special moment today.

The tap tap is always a very bumpy of course. Today I feel as though our team really developed a lot of chemistry today, as if we became a family. We are all a bunch of goofs and I absolutely love it. We have created an environment in which everyone appears to feel comfortable which is very important.  I believe our impact will be even greater than it is because of this. I have connected with everyone on this team and each one of them has made me feel as though I belong. Thank you to them :)

We wrapped up the night just relaxing at home. A few us sat on the tap tap and sang songs to those walking by outside the gates. It had a bonfire atmosphere without the fire, but this was just the start of our night. Jean gave us salsa lessons! I didn't think I had it in me, but it turns out that I can shread the dance floor!

I just want to thank my team for being there for me and creating such a special environment. It has been a lot of fun. I cannot wait to wake up every morning.


-John Dugas

Everything I learned in nursing school?

Our tap-tap is in for the day.  I am surprised at how well our drivers get around this city, safely! We laugh at how close they come to pedestrians, vehicles, curbs.  The horn works very, very well.
This morning our team had a beautiful breakfast with fresh fruit; loaded into the tap-tap (a diesel truck style vehicle that has us protected in the back with diamond patterned fence.) On our drive through the city of tens of thousands of poor people: selling their wares of shoes, pants, fresh fruit, charcoal, sunglasses.  Like a huge-amongous Texas flea market with sewage flowing down city streets and rivers, too numerous to count sounds including the drivers horns constantly.

We arrived at the home for sick and dying adults after an hour.  The first floor housed the males, us ladies walked through and left our male team members to go to work.

Up stairs of stone and cinder block (rocks are EVERYWHERE around here) we were met by the nun,  who sent us to apply lotion and paint nails for these ill ladies.  Myself, Wendy and Judy were given chores by the nun.  Wendy took off with the blood pressure machine.  Our first patient was lethargic, low BP and refused to eat.  Wendy noticed her chart recorded HIV.

Wendy took off with the BP machine, a clip board and pen to take all the ill woman's blood pressures. Judy and I tagged with a beautiful nun from Mexico.  A metal tray with syringes of B12 and an antibiotic.  Judy and I decided these shots should be given in the butt.  That was probably the last sensible thought we had!

The rest was one moment at a time.  One buttocks after the other we went.  The nun letting us know what color syringe to choose and which patient.  Most of the patients were very thin; one of them was so thin my first impression of her hip bone looked like a large hernia.  Unsure if we felt any muscle at all, the young lady asked in french if the nun would give it.  Thank God we were saved on that one and knew what to do for the next several young ladies.

HIV, Cancer, Starvation.  Mostly starvation I suppose.  Froth from mouths.  Edemetous hard lower extremities.  Sweet loving eyes. By afternoon and the trip back, a quick snack and lots of water and electrolyte tablets we were off again.  The half of our team headed to the general hospital ran into not being able to go related to Haitians protesting. Something about the presidents birthday.Myself, Judy, Brianna and Sharon found ourselves at the home for sick and dying children.  The 3 of us followed Sharon into the baby's ward.  I wondered why the bunjie chords were hanging from the ceiling, today IV bags were hung from them.  Each child has an ankle bracelet stating name, date of arrival, and age.  All were small for their age.  Tiny babies, tiny legs, tiny arms and 6 months old.  The need is so immediate, as soon as you enter by the screen door your arms reach for a baby.  My heart, our hearts melt.  It is almost surreal. We all are imagining at this point "Jesus' love is here."  The diaper changes expose how sick they are.

I shadowed the nun who spoke some English, thank God.  A little boy was having seizures continually.  The female Haitian physician started an IV like a pro, the old IV had blown.  The nun took orders, said a prayer and gave an injection in the IV that soothed the child almost immediately.  Brianna, who desires to be a pediatric oncologist, was delegated to pull the childs nasogastric tube that was providing feedings.  We learned the doctor ordered to have the baby transferred to another facility when we found the nun searching for clothing in 2 large bins.

The day ended quickly with a nice Haitian meal, cold swim, cold shower.  The ladies are chatting about there day.  How they have cried over what they have seen. The kids are up at the next guesthouse balcony salsa dancing.

Our guard at night, his name is Andre.  He asked if I was sad.  I told him yes.  He asked why.  I told him.  His comment :"don't be sad, if you are sad I am sad and I want you to be happy"  "I love God"Hope is everywhere!

Tomorrow is a new day of helping bring fresh water.Pray for the nuns, caregivers ad Doctors who live this day everyday.
Lisa

Unconditional

I understand now that each day will continue to challenge me more than the last.

Meeting Maxso was probably the best thing that could have happened to me. Aimlessly searching for meaning in my life, my relationships, my everything, this little boy was able to provide me with something not many have, guidance. Maxso doesn't even know what he has done for me.
Love is a word that is thrown around a lot in our society, I personally believe that it has lost considerable value in my generation. People can be in relationships and call it love but do they really know the meaning? Even if they say they do..? I'm a skeptic.
Not knowing what love actually is has caused me to venture down dark roads in the last few years, but I finally feel as though I can move on, as if today I found what I was looking for.
Feeling Maxso's little face press up against mine was quite remarkable. The way had grabbed on to me and just wanted to be nothing more than held for as along as possible awoke something within me, at that instance I thought to myself, this is what love is. Love is an empty word but not an empty emotion, and for the first time in awhile I can honestly say that I felt it. This was special, again this was something that I believe a person needs to feel to understand. I could truly preach about it all night long but those of you have not experienced this can truly never understand.

Walking around parts of Haiti had me quite nervous at first. I guess I was expecting to be glared at, or shunned in some way but never once did this happen. The people I came across today whether it was a smile or a wave or a "Bonswa" or "Bonjou" always returned the favor, they seemed happy to see me. This is something that is not consistent in the USA. The people here are so happy, yet they have every single reason in the world not to be.

I felt a lot of anger today as well. Every problem here stems from a corrupt system. The infrastructure here is not shattered, it is non existent. Those in charge, the people who could do something about this show extreme ignorance. When you here things like "5 billion" donated to Haiti's relief effort initially you think of good things. How much of this money actually was put into helping though? I've learned that donating your money is the easy way out, the only way change will ever happen is when time is put in. The United States usually throws money at their problems and I believe a lot of the world has followed this standard because we set it. We have gone about helping this place the absolute wrong way and it breaks my heart.

Obviously I have my theories about what should/could be done about helping this place but I do not know if that is what the people want. A better line of communication is essential to this place rising out of poverty. TOGETHER we must develop the best possible way to help these people who fight for survival every day.

I just want to rant about what needs to be done but I won't get into it, education is probably at the base of it all, but as a human, and as an American I want to fix things, and I need to be able to find peace with the fact that I cannot fix this, but only do my part.

-John Dugas