Day 7

Beach day!!!  We went to Wahoo Bay beach resort today.  It was so nice.  We sat in the pool most of the day.  The water was perfect.  A couple of our translators came with us.  We had a great time talking to them and learning more about their culture and goals.   We got back to MOH at about 4:45.  Just finished dinner and waiting for everyone else to finish up so that we can wash the dishes.  Then back to the room to start packing.  

Our lunch 

Nikki and I 

Day 6

Today was our last clinic day. We went back to Kaliko.  We didn't get started until about 10:30. Then finished up at 2:30.  I could really get used to this "island time".  The work day ends at 3:00pm!  

We did have to ride in a different canter bus which was completely closed in on the sides.  We felt like cattle packed in.  It was so hot.  It was also very uncomfortable on the way back to MOH because we all refused to pee in the bushes.  Nikki couldn't wait to finish backing up the truck to unload it. She jumped off and darted for the bathroom. She said the pain was worse than childbirth!  

We got to see a couple small babies today which were adorable!  Though one had a really bad cough, vomiting and diarrhea. He had a massive blow-out right when Nikki was about to examine him.  It was all over the rocks around her so she had to get water and wash them off. Ended up treating him for whooping cough. 

 Total we saw 55 patients today. Slow day but 5 accepted Christ! 

When we got back to the clinic we helped restock the bins for next week's clinics.  Then dropped Laura off at Madam Cheap-cheaps to get braids in her hair.  It's a booth set up on the MOH campus where you can buy souvenirs. 

 

Now we are sitting on the roof of the guesthouse enjoying a breeze.  

We will have a debrief tonight and then tomorrow we will go to Wahoo Bay beach resort.  I heard that they have a pool - cannot wait!   

A better picture of their "church"

This little girl's grandmother works at the MOH clinic and she greets us every afternoon.  She immediately jumps in our arms and wants us to swing her around. 

Our medical team minus the translators

This is how hot it gets in Haiti- the medicine bottle melted!  

That's it for now. Goodnight from Haiti!

Day 5

Man oh man!  It got REAL today!!!  We went to a village in to Kalico and luckily we had a few extra people join us.  Two EMTs which helped a lot. 

Most of the medical team piled in the truck 

We pulled up to Kalico around 9:30 and I think all of our mouths hit the floor.  We were expecting to set up the clinic in the church.  We just didn't realize that the church was just some tarps wrapped around some sticks.  It's the blue thing in the picture below.  

It was too hot to set up in there so we just set tables up between houses.  And some of us immediately put on sunscreen. Others later regretted not listening to their mom (Amelia 😉). 

This is my translator Fidelson Joseph. 

The girls started measuring the patient's against the side of the house then the nurses and one EMT triaged before sending the patient to the doctor. 

Waiting in the triage line 

Triage table 

Seeing Dr Nicole "Knee-cole" 

Most of the patients complained of headaches, stomachaches, coughs, vaginal infections, and ringworm of the scalp. I had one patient complain that she had a heart attack 3 days ago and was still having chest pain rates a 9/10 but her BP and pulse were perfect, denied nausea or vomiting and sat at my station in no distress.  That was bizarre. We also had a patient that had a bad wound to his index finger.  Was stabbed by barb on fish 2 weeks ago.  We also had to do 2 pregnancy tests.  Keep I'm mind we didn't have a bathroom so we sent the women away with a cup and they would return with a cup of urine. After the test was done we would send them away with the cup and instruct them to dump it where they collected it. Total we saw 71 patients and 3 accepted Christ while visiting the pastor afterwards. Praise God!  

One of our co-workers today 

Gobble-gobble!

 It was pretty weird having chickens, Turkeys, goats and giant Iizards run around us while we were working!  Can't wait to see what tomorrow holds!  

Hahaha- just because.  Nikki had us rolling 😂

Day 4

I have a correction to make. Yesterday we went to a school not an orphanage. We were told we were going to an orphanage initially but when we arrived it was a school.  We went there again today and saw some of the older kids at the school. The ages ranged from about 8-14.  We saw about a total of 80 children today.  They mostly complained of ringworm of their scalp, stomach pain and headaches.  The older children are starting to learn English and they were very proud to walk up and say "Hello, how are you?"  

After the clinic we headed back to MOH and spent some time bagging up vitamins to hand out tomorrow.  

The truck we have been riding in. 

The entrance to MOH emergency room

Nikki and Amelia ready to take on day 2 

Waiting to see us

The kids loved giving "high-fives" 

We worshiped tonight in the Church of Hope after dinner.  It was amazing.  They were mainly singing praise songs.  They would post the words in English on a screen so we could sing along.  Then all the sudden they all started singing " Bless The Lord oh my soul, oh my soul, worship His holy name..."   It was beautiful. We kept singing louder and louder.  Just when I thought I couldn't sing and praise any louder they put up on the screen Psalms 100:1 " Make a joyful noise until The Lord". It was like rolling thunder hearing all the voices singing in unison at the top of their lungs.  After this they called us up front to the stage and prayed over all of our MOH group. They praises The Lord for sending us, for us obeying and for our service. They prayed for our health and protection.  They thanked us for serving their people. The love I felt tonight was amazing. I came here wanting to share God's love with the Haitian people but here they are showering ME with God's love. People, Jesus is ALIVE in Haiti! " Sing like never before, oh my soul, I worship His holy name!"  

Day 3

Sleep was a little better last night but still woke up quite a bit. About 4:30 realized I needed to use the "little girl's room" and had to try to figure out how to get down from a top bunk while under a mosquito net without disturbing the complete stranger who was sleeping beneath me.  I did not succeed.  Knocked over her water bottle. Doh!

The rooster started to crow at 5:10.  I then went up to the rooftop to do my morning stretches. There was quite a breeze and the sky was clear.  It was so peacful stretching under the stars and seeing the outline of the mountains.  

Sunrise at 6:19

After breakfast we loaded up on a truck and headed down the hill to the MOH clinic to pick up the supplies.  It took about an hour to load up all the supplies and get all the translators there.  While we were there we toured the inside of the clinic.  It's awesome to see how it is growing. They have big plans of eventually having an operating room and maternity room!

Our translators are so funny and friendly. I worked with Williamson today. He has been working on the MOH for the past 2 years. Didn't have time to find out much more than that.  We were busy!

Nikki and Jen on the truck

Shelby, Laura, Amelia and Pat

It took us about 30 min to get to the orphanage in Caberet.  It was a very bumpy, dusty ride.  On the way we saw women washing clothes in the river, up to 5 people on one motorcycle riding and kids running around without pants on.  I did notice that the block homes seemed a little bigger and nicer the closer we got to Caberet.  I also noticed that the goats, donkeys and pigs didn't look as emaciated. 

First view of the orphanage

Figuring out how to set up the clinic 

We set up a weight/height/arm circumference station at the door. Then we had 3 nurses taking vitals and history from the children and teacher.  The patient was then sent one of the two doctors we have.  After that they were sent to the "pharmacy" for their meds and then finally to pray with the preacher. We saw 68 patient between the age of 3-8.  Most the complaints were of stomach pain, cough, headaches and ringworm.  Lots of constipation.  Nikki did find one child that significant infection to both ears.  Another child had a significant skin infection. Overall the children looked very healthy.  We gave them all medication for intestinal worms and sent them home with vitamins.  

One classroom

Our first 3 patients 

Cheese!

Nikki with a patient and her translator 

Jen working

Yes, I was working too 😉

Today was a great day!  We will go back to the orphanage again tomorrow to see the older kids. 

Day 2

The medical orientation went well last night. We learned that two of the mobile clinic days will be in a local orphanage that MOH has never worked with before. Lucky for them this medical team consists of a pediatrician, 2 pediatric nurses and 3 high school girls that are crazy for kids.  God definitely had this planned! 

I didn't sleep very well last night.  It started off very hot but then changed to freezing in the middle of the night.  Nikki grabbed us all an extra sheet this morning so hopefully we will be more comfortable tonight.  By the way, we are sharing one bathroom with 14 girls.... Can you imagine?!   We were literally sitting on the floor waiting in line for showers last night. 

This picture doesn't do the room justice but after seeing the villages today - this is the Marriott!

The bathroom 😳

After breakfast we went for a tour around the central campus of MOH.  I heard so many amazing stories. I can't wait to share them but it's way too much for his post 

After the tour we went to church.  It was an amazing experience to celebrate Easter with the local Haitians.  I couldn't understand what they were saying but could definitely feel their passion for Jesus!   A couple children sat with us and played with our sunglasses and took pictures with our phones. 

After lunch the medical team worked on getting bags of vitamins together to hand out at the clinic tomorrow. 

Then it was off to see Bercy which is another campus of MOH that houses a school. 

Finally we went to a small village called Leveque.  MOH has built 450 block homes for them.  150 other families currently live in tents. They have been in them since the earthquake 5 yrs ago.  They were only suppose to stay in them for 6 months.  

Here we had the opportunity to play with some of the children

Amelia found a buddy immediately

Nikki sharing her camera

Some of the block houses built by MOH

She stole my sunglasses! 

He would let go of the phone long enough to get a selfie. 

Ok. Well that's enough for tonight.  We are doing great. Tomorrow is the first clinic day so be praying that everything goes smoothly!