It’s really hard to believe it’s been over 7 years since we left the clinic in Oriani! A part of us never left… it seems. Our hearts were knitted together with these dear people as we briefly walked their mountain trails, admiring their strength and resilence. Now 7 years later, we are back again with our family. Bodie is now 19, Alyssa 18, and Dawson 14. We are happy it worked out for all of us to come. Since Jonathan’s left last May, the clinic has been operating without North American staff onsite. We are thankful for all the systems Jonathan has put in place and it’s working well. Fre Eldar has been performing some administrative tasks for us and the board is in contact with clinic staff almost daily. We are still actively seeking someone to fill the admin position! In the meantime, my family and I will be spending a little time here in Haiti, supporting the clinic however we can.

Life here is a lot how we remembered it. Though the little boys that used to play in our yard and do odd jobs for us, have turned into strong young men! And yet there is another generation of little boys to take their place! It’s a joy to see the children walking to school in the morning. Cheerfully talking and laughing.

In light of the current insecurity here in Haiti, life here on the mountain is a lot the same. I’m under the impression they aren’t suffering here as much as other areas around the Capital. Here they still have a secure place to live and food in their gardens. The markets are thriving with beautiful produce. Some may still experience periods of hunger during dry season, but that’s not a change due to the unrest. Marketing their produce to Port has been more difficult and costly, but they have further developed markets in other southern towns. January has brought some earlier rain than usual and people are eagerily planting gardens. We have still been getting frequent showers and the gardens are beautiful!

The clinic continues to operate well and I’m very pleased how well our staff work together. Each morning begins with devotions out on the porch, led by Pastor Willi, who also serves as our receptionist. It’s a time when the patients and staff can connect with God and acknowlege that He has the power to heal us both physically and spirtually. There are two other church brethren employees that will help with leading a song and praying too. It’s the part of the day you don’t want to miss! Our three Haitian nurses provide patient care with skill and compassion. Mis (Nurse) Yolette and Mis Vitanie both handle the daily consults with patients. Mis Vitanie also specializes in obstetrics and handles deliveries. Mis Rachelle is our vaccine nurse and also supports the pharmacy as well as working with the other nurses too. We have additional support staff filling various roles, and of course a driver on standby… ready at moments notice to transport a patient by ambulance!

This time, it’s feels odd tho because the clinic operates like it’s on auto pilot! Last time we were here, I was frequently awakened at night for clinic emergencies. Now these after hour calls are handled while I sleep. When there is an emergency, people will find the nurses and they are ready to help. The other evening was an exception, though! It was Saturday and market day in Foret, which can bring extra activities and more limited availibility for the nurses. For whatever reason, I heard the familiar honk of a moto and then a knock on our gate. Arriving at the gate, I found only a moto driver letting me know there was a woman in labor by the clinic gate. Hmm not my favorite kind of clinic emergency! I tried to call a couple of the nurses but no luck reaching any of them! Ok… I’ll just have to attend to this situation myself and hopefully a nurse will arrive soon to help me out. It has been JUST a few years since I worked in this speciality! Jumping on a moto I soon arrived at the clinic gate. There was the usual crowd of people and one woman crouching down in the dirt. Opening the gate, I tried to narrow the group down to those that were actually connected to this laboring woman. Probably about 6 people stormed through which was certainly better than 50! We marched back to L&D room and I got her settled on the delivery table. I then turned to the doorway…only to face yet another group of people with another laboring patient! How did I miss that detail! Anyway, what choice did I have but to get the 2nd patient settled on our gurney just outside the L&D room. My hunch is the 2nd patient is about to deliver! I scrambled around trying to locate the needed supplies…and then Mis Vitanie appears! I am so grateful! We take some vitals on the patients and very soon after Mis Vitanie delivers the first baby girl…the patient on the gurney. Everything went well and I was able to just assist instead of being in charge of this multi-patient-laboring situation. As it turned out, things timed well and we were able to discharge the the first mother and baby before delivering the 2nd girl. Both babies delivered without complications and we were so happy for that. Mis Vitanie is so kind and compassionate with her patients and she really has a soft way of educating and acknowleging God too. It’s amazing that most times… within a hour or less these mommas are getting on motos and heading home!

One way the unrest in Port is severely affecting us is the lack of hospitals when we need a higher level of care. There is a small hospital and a couple of clinics in Fon Parisien, which is 2.5hrs drive down the mountain. Sometimes it’s possible to get a C-section or a minor surgery done at this hospital, but it’s never certain and not a reliable solution. The clinics down there can also do some basic lab work, but again they are difficult to rely on for challenging cases and have their limits too. Most of the hospitals in Port we frequently transported to in the past, have either been destroyed by gangs or forced to close because of violence. Currently, for safety, our ambulance will not travel past Fon Parisien. This is one of the most difficult and saddest things we are facing. It forces us to treat illnesses and trauma the best we can locally, even though a higher level of care is what’s actually needed. Just the other day, an elderly gentleman came to the clinic from a very poor area. He had the largest inguinal hernia I have ever seen. He has been suffering for a number of years with it and has no means or way to get help for it. The clinic has provided some small financial aid and has consulted the hospital in Fon Parisien. There is a surgeon that seems willing to operate…so pray this surgery will be possible one day. The clinic is very much apreciated here, and I’m so thankful for the services we do provide with the help of all our donors.

We have some projects we are working on while we are here. Bodie has been working on maintenance with the clinic vehicles and motos. Seems like there was also a backlog of computer and technology issues at the clinic…so he is also learning how to troubleshoot and re-install operating systems. Another thing we will be doing is installing a new solar power system at the clinic. Having enough reliable power is key when operating oxygen concentrators ect. We were able to bring a new inverter with us and have sourced the rest of the items here in country. Surprisingly, with the right connections, you can purchase and have items delivered from Port! So stay tuned for updates on this project. Other needs I see…the clinic roof is in poor shape with multiple leaks. It’s been repaired a number of times and it seems that replacing it might be the best option. It takes some strategy by staff to keep medications and supplies away from all of the leaks! We are assessing funds and looking for ways we can realistically make this happen. We thank you all for your continued support and may you all continue to pray for the clinic and of course the people here in Haiti.