Yesterday was a kind of hurry up and wait day. We went to the airport to drop off a pilot and videographer who were with us for a few days here at the Hands and Feet Project. The pilot, Dennis, has been great in getting supplies to us in his very efficient Cessna. He is another testimony to the “little guy” making things work for so many. It does not matter if you are a big organization or not, everyone has their part to share and complete. Many times great things are accomplished by the consistent work of one person with a big heart.
Dave videoed for hours and hours in order to catch what is going on here in Haiti and how so many are making a difference in the lives of so many others. I can’t wait to see the final product that he produces because it is going to be something special. He has done bits on everything from Mackinson, the little baby who is malnourished, to where the food supply starts way before it ever reaches the mouths of Haitians.
These two guys have been humble and always looking for ways to be able to serve as we have been commanded to accomplish. Many get stuck on how they can serve but we need to pick a passion and go with it. If there is something on your heart then follow it provided it is good and upstanding. If someone else is doing that same thing join forces and work together to provide for others.
News today on Mackinson, our little guy, was not good again today. At some point during the day the mom ripped out the IV that Mackinson had in his arm and absconded with him for her home. This is a travesty in many ways. The mom obviously has an obligation and responsibility to raise this little boy. If she wants to give him up for adoption then she needs to find someone who will take care of the little guy not just allow him to die.
When Maria from Global Outreach stumbled upon her, Maria found out that she had left earlier in the day. Supposedly the mom left the hospital, where she was not paying a cent or Haitian “gourde,” because of peer pressure. The other patients and she were sharing a tent at the hospital. Various parts of the hospital had collapsed, one of those areas being pediatrics so this department will be in temporary housing for a while. The other patients were bothering her. The patients said that she had a “foul odor” about her. The woman was not getting support from her family so she had not received clothing or food from them for two days. We had given her some food but not a sufficient amount to sustain her. The family had said they would bring her the supplies so we simply were adding to that, or so we thought. So the conversations have begun with the family but our main concern is the baby. Maria (Global Outreach) and Michelle (Hands and Feet Project) spoke. Michelle called the pediatrician who has been treating little Mackinson, he emphasized to bring the baby to his office again. Maria was able to get the mom to bring the baby back to the doctor’s office where he spoke with her. At some point they came to an agreement that on Tuesday morning at 8am they would meet at the hospital again to readmit the baby to the hospital. I am not sure what will be different this time on mom’s end but certainly we can assist on the mom’s end by getting her some hygiene products and some different clothes for her stay there. Michelle supplied Mackinson with some new clothes so he is all set.
This is a little drama that is occurring in the face of larger things here in Haiti. In the big picture we still need to remember that we are guests in this country. We can help in a variety of ways but if we overstep our boundaries we can hurt much more than we can ever help.
Something I am so happy with that GO accomplishes is that we support the nationals by coming alongside them. Brook, The President of GO, has always said that they can do ministry a lot better than we can here in Haiti or the Dominican Republic and I so agree. Even if we are here for 25 years and have command of the language there are many things that we overlook as outsiders, little nuances that we may never comprehend.
On this excursion Romano and I have been teamed up. Born and raised in Haiti, he catches things all of the time that I have a blind eye towards and he speaks up about them. In this situation with Mackinson, Romano was the first to point out that the mom may not be completely stable mentally. We don’t know what might be causing that but Romano’s observation from within the first 15 minutes of meeting the woman has proven consistent to the rest of us now over the course of this experience with her. What an asset to be partnered with Romano for the betterment of his country.
Thanks to all of you who have been praying for and encouraging us here in Haiti. It seems that now Chile needs an elevation of prayers and assistance. We are with them as well in spirit.
Prayer Requests
To find good storage area for supplies in Jacmel
To have wisdom in distributing supplies
For those who have been here since the quake for endurance and patience
For the Love of our God to be spread from person to person
For those in Chile who are yet to be found
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