Tuesday, November 16, 2010

"Angels of Milot" Haiti's Aftershock

This is a short preview of a documentary that will be available January 2011.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Baby time!

Between Julie and I, we brought back with us over 2 suitcases full of donated baby clothes. We also had a team from Indiana here who left us with a bunch. We have lots of friends who are pregnant or just had babies and we wanted to be able to give them gifts, so we asked people at home if they would be willing to donate some baby clothes. We were overwhelmed by the response, and there are many children who have been blessed by the generosity of people in Bend, Bangor NI, and Columbus IN. This picture is maybe half of all the clothes, bibs, hats, socks, shoes, and blankets that we had altogether.

I wanted to share with you some of the stories of moms and kids who were blessed by these clothes. The first story I'll tell you is about Dr. Rodney and Vedane's new little addition to their family. I wrote about Aleisha awhile back, how their family adopted her after her father brought her to our clinic, unable to look after her after the mother died. When they first took her, they didn't have many supplies on hand for babies. Julie and I were able to spoil her with adorable dresses, outfits, and other essential baby products. It is now safe to say that at least she will be well clothed for her first year of life. This next little guy is named Jeffrey. His mom was in Port during the earthquake and was pregnant with him at the time. She since then has been living in Milot at the hospital, where she had her left lower arm amputated, and gave birth to Jeffrey in July. We were able to give her some blankets and clothes.Every Thursday is baby day at the clinic, and we handed out clothes to each mom and baby a few weeks ago. We gave Miss Ketely a bag of clothes to keep in her room at the clinic to hand out to as she sees fit.This next story is of an 18 year old mom named Daniella and her 6 month old baby girl named Florcy. She first came to our clinic in September looking for formula to feed Florcy because due to an infection she wasn't able to feed her herself. We didn't have any formula at the time, but we knew we would be getting some the next month and told her to come back then. My mom sent down a box of cans of formula and when she came back in October we were able to give her one of the big cans for Florcy. When she came, Julie started to talk with her and ask her about her life. Daniella told her that the baby's dad is not in the picture and she doesn't have any other family except her sister. Both she and the baby are staying at the house of someone they really don't know, and are sleeping on the hard cement floor. Daniella also told Julie that Florcy was not doing very well and thought she was sick. Julie told her to bring Florcy to the clinic the next day so she could be consulted. We have a fund in the clinic that pays for people who come and really cannot afford to be seen by the doctor, so this is how she was able to have a consultation. The next day when she came and Florcy was weighed, she weighed less than she had when she was at the clinic 3 months before! Needless to say what she needed was food, so we put her on the feeding program the clinic has. We also were able to give both Daniella and Florcy some clothes, a blanket for the baby to sleep on, and some money to buy food. When they came back just 4 days later, the difference in Florcy's appearance and demeanor was incredible. She was much more full of energy, smiling and laughing for the camera. So adorable! Roseleud and her baby Miklen came to our clinic with a similar story. Miklen is just 18 months old and was lethargic, malnourished and underweight when she first came. Since her dad died in the earthquake, they've been really struggling to live. Since they were unable to pay, the clinic once again sponsored Miklen to see the doctor and get treated. We gave her cartons of milk along with some clothes. When they were about finished with the consultation, Roseleud asked Miss Ketely if she could become a Christian. So right there they prayed and Miss Ketely helped her find a church that is near where she lives. When they returned a week later, they both looked happy and healthy and full of life.
This is 16 year old Phara and her newborn baby Vanessa. We have taken her under our wing and given her clothes, diapers, wipes, and blankets. She has the attitude of a typical teenager, always thinking shes right and thinking mostly of herself. We have tried to give her some helpful counsel on babies in general and the huge impact raising a child is going to have on her life. We are praying for direction in how we can continue to help her in taking care of Vanessa. She was also able to be put on the feeding program through the clinic.

This little baby is extra special because her mom, Rose Marie, named her after Julie and I...Julianna! (well her middle name anyways). She was in Port during the earthquake and lost her right leg. She has been staying in Milot with the other earthquake victims, and had her baby this September.

A big thanks to people from Bend OR, Bangor NI, and Columbus IN who sent stuff, your generosity has been a blessing to many!

Monday, November 8, 2010

Bethesda Medial Center-Find us online!

This past month, Julie and I have been working on creating a more readily available way for people to find out information about our clinic, what we do here, and how they can help. We hope in doing this we will be able to increase the awareness of all that God is doing in and through this clinic, as well as encourage people to continue to support us prayerfully and financially.We have created a link on the OMS website that will be accessible in the near future and there is now a facebook page for the clinic where you can find weekly updates, testimonies, photos, and various other information. The address is
http://www.facebook.com/BethesdaMedicalCenterHaiti
We have also just finished a promotional video for the clinic and are in the process of getting DVD copies made to have available for short term teams that come to OMS Haiti, and anyone else who would be interested in what we are doing here. The video is posted on You Tube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abtlakw0GDI, or you can just search Bethesda Medical Center on You Tube's website. (The video is only 4 minutes long, not 15!)Currently we are working on a brochure for the clinic with information, pictures, and a way for people to commit to supporting the clinic through prayer, finances, or both. These too will be available for visitors and teams to take home with them to share with their friends, families, and churches.We are really excited about getting others fired up and involved in Bethesda's vision to provide the people of Haiti with high quality health care in the name of Jesus Christ, with the sole purpose that others may come to know the true joy, peace, love, and hope that is found only in a relationship with Him.