Day 5

I woke up again to the smell of burning trash and roosters crowing. i did get an ice cold shower this morning and cannot tell you how refreshing it was. There are mango trees on the compound and you can see the children throwing basketballs or whatever they get their hands to throw at the trees trying to get the fruit to fall. We had a morning briefing of the plans for today and Dr. Looby, Dr. Scott and Tony (interpreter) are going to continue working with a young haitian girl who lost her right leg trying to rescue her family after the earthquake. She is going to get a prosthesis and must where a sock on the part of her leg that was amputated in order for the prosthesis to fit. She has been defiant about wearing the sock and the window of opportunity for her is closing. We are also doing some work with her peers because she has isolated herself and a group of girls have been excluding her. Dr. Scott and Dr. Looby have made wonderful strides to get her to wear the sock a portion of the day and will show her a video this morning on the purpose of the sock. With her consent, we hope to work as a team to provide some mediation skills to the kids and help them resolve the issues they have. When that is finished, we will spend the rest of the morning and early afternoon running back to back groups with the children to help us assess their feelings and begin preparing the team for next week when they arrive.

There was a church service last night and i was brought to tears at the Haitians praising Jesus! It was great to see amputees raising their hands in worship knowing that they have lost everything they have. The Haitian pastor talked about the resiliency of the Haitian people and how much they are blessed to be alive. He made many humbling statements specifically about his wife whom had to be flown to Miami for an emergency c section. They were there during the earthquake and when they arrived back home they had lost everything including their house. We find it hard to praise God when times are good and the message the Haitans brought last night was a true testament to faith, hope, love, peace and joy.

I checked in on Mari today and had another opportunity to hold her and offer her all the love that i could. She is still very sick and will be leaving for Project Medishare's tent for admittance. I did find out that along with CP and numerous other health issues she has Tracheadiosis? which mean that her trachea is not functioning correctly and she may be transported to Miami to recieve the surgery. Thank you for your prayers and continue to pray for Mari and her recovery. I look forward to seeing her smiling face soon!!!!

The team had a hour and a half staffing tonight to discuss the plans for the rest of the week and begin planning for a new team arriving on Monday. Tommorow we will be meeting with some of the adolescents to do some basic assessment and obtain needed information to put in their medical records. I know that these children have told their story many times and they are tired of repeating it weekly and sometimes daily. Our goal will be to offer support and assistance and help the children avoid being revictimized by repeating themselves. It has been a long and difficult week I miss my family and look forward to seeing them soon. One last thing the military will be here on Sunday and bring easter eggs for the children to hunt!! I know that i am here for a purpose of providing mental health services and support but ultimately know that God has been preparing me for something like this for many years. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve the Haiti, Project Medishare, the children, and ultimately Jesus Christ!!

The website for the orphanage today. http://www.whmnewlife.org/