When we first came to Haiti in 2010, it was easier to write stories about the clinic, about how terrible the people live, and about the miracles and wonders that happen here on a frequent basis (both physically and spiritually). But the longer we are here the harder it is to write. This has puzzled me sometimes and I would like to defend myself and explain some things, but I don’t know if I can put my thoughts into words. Please allow me a minute to ramble and maybe totally confuse you.
We came with love, (Godly love, I trust) and sympathy for the people. We came with a solution and a help for their needs (clinic). The mountain people are so backwards in their understanding and economy and also spiritually that surely they are just waiting for that “hand up”, and then all will be good. And then it’s easy to write about what’s happening. The good things, the bad things, and the things that make us cry. But the longer we are here and the more we scratch deeper into the culture, and whys and wherefores, the more complicated it is. I have been surrounded by Haiti talk for 46 years; I was a missionary kid here. In total, I have over 11 years of living in this country, but I am still just uncovering the layers and depths these people have. And in doing that, there is a constantly changing aspect of love and respect based more and more on understanding and knowledge instead of just tears and sympathy. Am I making sense?
For example … Dieutela is a young woman who has had a terrible existence. She has been used and abused all her life. She has two little children and no house to live in. She lived with her parents until they were so mean to her she was obliged to move out and just “domi kay moun” (sleep wherever). She told me 6 months ago that she wanted to die and be done suffering. That was before she found out she has Tuberculosis and AIDS. Now for sure she thinks life is over. As I drove her home from the special AIDS and TB clinic the other day, I found myself being able to discuss her problems with her and understand from her perspective why it is that she has to sleep around like she does. She can’t say no, because these guys she sleeps with are the ones who support her and her kids, and give her a roof over her head. She knows it’s not good, but without that help she would starve. Here it’s not called prostitution. It’s existence… and everyone helping each other out. So to give her tears and prayers are not enough. She needs Christ, but she also needs frank and practical discussions to help her figure out solutions. Giving her a house and money to live on is not a good solution, because unfortunately, the culture of jealousy and resentment towards someone who comes from so low and then gets help, would destroy her. (She has already had death threats because an NGO came in and built her a small house. Now that that house has been stolen from her, she is more at peace with the neighbors again.) Dieutela is physically ugly and now she’s sick, but her gentleness and soft heart are beautiful. Pray for her, and we’ll keep trying to help her find solutions, too. Her name Dieutela means “God was here”. I hope she knows God is STILL here.
Ok… the above story is one example of real life here but it is one I had a hard time telling. I respect her too much to make merchandise of her story, yet I think it needs to be told.
So even though I don’t always know what to write… I know how important it is that you get letters and reports so you know what that which you have entrusted to us is doing. I will try to portray that to you.
Clinic life has really changed with the departure of our much loved Haitian nurse Githane. She left her husband and went down to Port to live with her family. Trev and Mirlene, our son and his wife, also left for Ontario to work and continue life there. Seems like life keeps moving on and our children are growing up. We now have a new Haitian nurse, Minister Mikel’s daughter, Christelle. She is a bright, happy young lady with a big, ready smile, and lives at our house together with our American nurse, Kay Wedel from Brooksville, MS. Beyond that, we have hired as new nurse assistants, two young moms. They are church members as well. All these changes throw a little confusion and unrest into the smooth routine we had going, but I think it will work out okay. Have a look at the October report at the top of this update and you will see how many different issues we deal with every month. Kay recently had to deal with an axe wound to the foot of one of our neighbors. One toe was cut right off and another almost severed. She artfully trimmed bone back till there was enough skin to wrap over the end and then trimmed again, shaped, and sutured it shut. It looks really good now and he is walking on it. Another boy got his finger cut off and since the mom brought the missing piece in her pocket, Kay sewed the whole thing back on. It was so cleanly cut off we thought there would be a 50/50 chance of healing. It looked well for a few days, but now it needs to be taken off and the stump closed up. We can’t win them all, but we tried. Another sad case this week is of a family who had a gasoline business which they ran from their house. In the evening they were pouring gas from one container to another and, of course, holding a candle for “all the better to see you with”, and guess what… the gas goes BOOM and the house is on fire. The wife had second degree burns on 40 percent of her body, two kids on their faces and hands, and the father on his feet. They will be a long time recovering from this. These are the situations for which we need lots more gauze rolls and non-stick dressings. With this family, we nearly exhausted our meager supply with just two dressing changes.
Some of you have offered layette bundles and clothes and things. We really appreciate all offers of help. I am always hesitant to turn down offers because we never know when we may run out of these things, but the fact is we have enough of these items for now, and with shipping costs very high, it’s hardly worth it. Our biggest need is still money donations. Medicines, workers’ wages, gas, diesel and vehicle parts, etc., cause a constant outflow of money. We also have special situations where some patients need surgeries or other procedures that we can’t do. If these patients will absolutely not go to get these procedures done, (hernia repairs, ovarian cyst removals, bone surgeries, etc., etc., etc.,) because they have no money, then we carefully step in and facilitate, especially if life is in the balance. Ambulance runs are also very costly to us. When Haitians have a request that they lay before us, they often end their plea with, “I thank you in advance”. So maybe I will do that to you readers. So today… I thank you in advance for helping the clinic out.
Our family is basically in good health and spirits. Seems like a common issue we face here is a condition called “ale vit, tounen dousman,” (run to the outhouse, come back slowly), but it’s part of life here. Jenna Toews is our new school teacher and is working very hard for our children. Only God can pay her back for the service she gives. Jenna and Lacey are sisters, who share the same passion for teaching. Lacey teaches at the church school.
Lately, I have been reading a book called, “The Spiritual Danger of Doing Good.” What a good reality check for me again. It warns against getting so busy and working such long hours in God’s work. We easily reach the danger point of not looking after ourselves, our families, and others in our primary circle. It also reminds us of how pride and burnout can take over and bring a dark side to all we do. A true heart of humble service is again what I recommit myself to. I think of the heart of Jesus and how everything he did was misunderstood, then was persecuted and finally killed. Yet he loved, and served, suffering it gladly for the sake of the Father’s plan and for us. Why do I get in such a wad about things? I feel ashamed.
A few words about the church here…it is in some struggles. Seemingly, the old traditions and customs and ungodly lifestyles are hard to break from and easy to slip back into in weak moments and difficult times. Isn’t it the same for us all? But here, these people often fall alarmingly far, quite quickly. In visits we have had lately, we are touched by the sincerity of some, but dismayed at the cold indifference of others. We are especially sad that some of the older Christians here seem to be slipping away. The healthy fear of God and a recognition of the voice of the Holy Spirit are two areas where they are seriously lacking. A song with which I have been impressed lately says, “Sin will take you farther than you want to go”. I would like to translate it into Creole.
We are in the cold of winter here. Yes, in Haiti it is cold here on the mountaintop. We had 2 nights of frost last week and the day time highs are cool, but sunny. Houses here are not insulated and have no heat source other than bodies, so I find myself getting tired of being cold all the time. Fleece sheets and heavy blankets at night feel good. (I haven’t heated up the cannonball this winter and put it in our bed yet, though!). The locals often blame an August baby boom on the preceding cold December. A couple of weeks ago, my four boys and I, plus the two CSI boys, went on a motorcycle camping trip up into the higher forested mountains in DR. We slept at 7500 ft. No tents, just rolled up in blankets on a nice bed of pine needles. I had a fever that night so with the cold… I was of all men most miserable, but it still was a fun trip. Seven of us, each on a motorbike. I would like to do it again.
Ok that’s about it for tonight. God bless you wherever you are.
Au revoir, Bayi, Adios, Swarrtotmaal, Dosvidaniya, Kwaheri, or “Goodbye” in whatever language you speak!
Keith
