Heading Home

Have three months really passed already?  

The weather has moderated - we are finding that we pull the spread up during the night!  It was blistering hot when we arrived in September.

Although we might have a rain shower now and again, for the most part the rainy season is over and dust is once again in the air and layering flat surfaces in the apartment.  It was quite wet when we arrived in September.

Our students have moved from nervous strangers to young people with new friends and new experiences, looking to the future with the confidence of successfully having the first term under their belts.

We are far past midterms - and, in fact, final exams have been given,  graded and the results have been turned in.   One trimester down at the new Wesleyan University of Haiti, Faculty of Nursing Science.

We have celebrated Thanksgiving - a yummy meal of American and Haitian fare, enjoyed with turkey lovers from both countries;

and had an joyous evening of Christmas carols on our back porch with the missionaries and ex-pats on La Gonave;

attended an amazing  (three-hour) wedding;

The bride (standing) and her attendants.  Marty got to help the bride prepare for the ceremony!
What fun!  The groom was the faithful gardener Joel at the mission compound.

and threw a Fete Noel for the nursing school students!

Haitians love to have their pictures taken!
We shifted participants several times and had more than a couple  pictures taken in this very pose!
These young people were dressed to the "9's"!  Festive games, cupcakes and popcorn, candy and punch
- a great time was had by all!!

Yes, the trimester is over, our bags are packed and arrangements have been made to fly off the island - tomorrow at 8 in the morning.  American Airlines has reserved two seats for us out of Port au Prince, all the way to Charlotte.

Three months have really passed - and we are heading home!

Ahhhhhhh ... *sigh* ... YAAAAAAY!!!

Bittersweet!  Always hard to say good-bye, no matter how eager we are to get home!

It's been another great stint in Haiti!

Thank you, Lord!

So ...... FAMILYCHILDRENGRANDCHILDRENFRIENDSCHURCH!!!

- MamaG and Sir are happily heading home! 

Better than 1,000 words!

When the last surgeon was here from Indiana, several of the nursing students were able to take turns observing during a 3-hour operation.  The patient was a 16-year old and recovered very well.  (For details, see the last post.)

Each student prepared for the observation by donning hair cover, mask and shoe coverings.

and being given instructions where they could stand, 

what to do with their hands, 

where the sterile field was, what to do and what not to do, etc. 

They then had 30 minutes beside the operating table across from the surgeon and, 

under the tutelage of the surgeon, the anesthesiologist and the head nurse, 

obtained an experience unique for first year nursing students anywhere. 

  And in the following debriefing sessions, with wide eyes and big smiles, 

more than one commented upon a new personal vision 

of nursing after this experience!

There's just something about being there to sharpen a personal goal.

Through the recent days in photos ~

Miscellaneous pictures of our world on the Wesleyan mission station, the nursing school and among the friends we do life with here in Anse-a-Galets, LaGonave, Haiti.

Enjoy!

Friday afternoon discussion on ethics 

at the School of Nursing Science, Wesleyan University of Haiti.

Just look at this beautiful Haitian sky!

Pam, of the Sturgis, SD short term mission team,
constructing privacy screen panels for the new hospital wards.

One of her creations on the privacy frame 

which others from the team had made.  

Good ole PVC pipe!

The professor doc and the medical doc trying out their plumbing skills 

to snake out the stubborn clog in the kitchen drain
... san sikse ( without success   :( )

Miscellaneous bits of supplies and equipment gathered together 

and displayed for the accrediting committee.

More Sturgis Team workers - new tables built for the new pharmacy
(old guest house)
receiving a first coat of paint.

A hospital office door which was made out under a tree on the mission station,
and yon bale Ayisyen - a Haitian-made broom!

Chef nou
- our boss - Dan Irvine -
meeting with the nursing students for the first time,
 speaking encouragement and pride to them.

Toro Time
This traditional event at the end of each workday is highly anticipated!
A debriefing of their days, philosophizing and analyzing the Haitian culture, etc., etc.
"Toro" is Haiti's energy drink version of Red Bull;
when Toro Time began, years ago, Toro was the drink of choice.

Larry says there is a lot of Toro shooting going on there!
Yep, those are "vye twalet yo lopital" that they are sitting on.
Probably don't have to translate that!

Bye for now!



Up next -
pictures of some of the nursing students this week,
observing their first surgery when an ENT doctor from Indiana
removed a large growth from a 16-year old girl's thyroid.
This was a 3 1/2 hour  surgery so a dozen of our students were able
to observe - two at a time, staying in the OR for 30 minutes each.
A great experience for them!
(The three who got queasy recovered quickly
and were able to stay the whole time!)

Stay tuned!

3rd Trip to Lataniers

It happened yesterday.

We and three men from the  G.A.S., Groupe Action Scholaraire committee returned to Lataniers.  Once again, it was a remarkable visit - once again, we were so happy to be there - once again, our hearts were broken and tears were shed - once again, we were blessed.

The day started early.  One of us in our home was like the kid who could not sleep on Christmas morning. Just too excited.  About 1/2 hour in advance of the alarm, Marty was up and att'm, leaving Larry puzzling through sleep fog as to why she had the flashlight on!

We met Wilnor, the G.A.S. head who had been our English and computer student in 2012, at 7:30ish (in Haiti, time is always "ish") at Anse-a-Galet's open market, loaded up the huge sacks of rice, beans and some oil to divide between the families, gathered the other "blans" (pronounced "blah(n)s" the name we white foreigners are called with great enthusiasm by the children) and three other committee members and we were on our way, with Mr. Claude our chauffeur.

Right off, we noted the difference that rainy season made in the road.  From time to time, the truck proved an able boat as we forded seasonal streams and slipped and slid in the inches-deep mud.  But, it was the lightening that was a concern - and the heavy black clouds which appeared ominous before us and to the north.   And the five people riding in the back of the truck along with school supplies and food stuffs.

But, the Lord was gracious and we arrived safely and dry, after four hours on a non-road, all teeth secure, having been bounced and jerked every whichaway.

Along the way - a good look at flamingos!  There were dozens of them!

Upon arrival in Lataniers, the school principal clanged the large piece of hanging metal which served as a bell, and here came the kids and their families!  They knew what we had come for and were expecting us.

Our neighbor, Nancy, and two doctoral nursing students from Indiana Wesleyan University ran interference while we got the books and school supplies organized to distribute.  The hand slap game is a universal favorite!  and pantomiming of any kind - and laughing - and singing.  These are such precious children!  Not sure who had more fun!

How wonderful to watch!  The church benches could have been a teacher supply store with the individual piles of books and supplies appropriate to the grades of the sponsored children growing, filled with potential for these twenty-five kids who would be on the dirt roads of the village of Lataniers, were it not for this opportunity to be in school.

Finally, each child was called by name to receive his or her books.  

Meanwhile, the huge amounts of beans and rice and oil were divided by 25 and each sponsored student received a bag load for the family.

A little more playing ( I regret I don't have a video of Larry and about 12 older boys kicking a flattened plastic bottle around, playing "soccer"!), hand slapping, pantomiming our thoughts and love, hugging, talking about Jesus, walking a bit around the grounds of the village with kiddie shadows three deep - just didn't have enough hands! 

- and then it was time to go.  

As our truck moved slowly out of the village, we could see many homes flooded by the recent rains and many, many village paths throughout flooded as well.   We were followed by the children - skipping along, still smiling and laughing, shouting their farewells and their thanks.  Many had stickers brought by the nurses on their faces; those who didn't have whole stickers had the paper torn from around the stickers stuck proudly all over themselves!  The scene is cemented in my mind.

Joy in the little things.  Delighting in a hug.  

We came to give and do for and to speak blessings - 

we left being the ones having received the greater blessing.

Opening Day!

                             Well, the tile boss was right!  

Dawn broke over LaGonave and we were ready!

Front door to the nursing school.

The building was spic and span and ready to welcome the first class!

Hospital administration, medical personnel, missionaries, community and church representatives

gathered for the early morning ribbon cutting ceremony and dedication, officially opening 

The Wesleyan University of Haiti

The College of Nursing Science

One of several speakers at the dedication ceremony, Dr. Monush was a Compassion-sponsored child throughout school,  who came home after med school to serve her community.
She heads up HIV research and care at the Wesleyan Hospital.

Dean Janice Cotrone cutting the ribbon, surrounded by the first class of nursing students.

Moments after the ribbon cutting!  Much hooting and clapping!  Pretty exciting!

First class of the day - Bible
Prof Marty and her very able translator, Fre Sebastien

This class was followed by English and biology in the morning; critical thinking and world civ in the afternoon.  Tomorrow's schedule includes Dr. Grimes' computer science class along with more critical thinking and etymology.

WE'RE OFF AND RUNNING!

Thanks for your prayers!

THANKS BE TO GOD!

The Wesleyan University of Haiti - School of Nursing Science

We've been on LaGonave just over a week now, in advance of the opening of the nursing school.  When we arrived, the building renovation was far from complete; many, many people were working feverishly to get their various jobs done.  The level of excitement was palpable.

There were potential students to be tested, walls to be painted - inside and out, new screens to be made and installed on the windows, electrical wiring to be re-worked, new tiling to be laid on the steps and all the floors throughout the five rooms that will be used for the classes at this time.

Would we make it?????

(Above) One of the tilers is covering the concrete steps.

The outside building walls are looking lovely.

The wall on the street side was being raised.

The tile boss cutting tile, other workers installing, painting and doing electrical work.

Chairs labeled with "nursing school" in creole.

1st classroom, ready for orientation tomorrow ( Tuesday ) morning at 9:00.  White board to be mounted first thing tomorrow and outlets to be completed at the same time.

These sharp young people, plus three others, will be starting class on Wednesday morning.

The first trimester schedule of general education classes includes Bible, English, computer skills, general biology, critical thinking, world civilization and etymology.  

We're down to the wire.

I heard the tile boss tell Mis ("mis" means "nurse" in creole ) Janice not to worry -

 the building would be ready in time for the dedication at 7:30 Wednesday morning.

And, you know - I think he just might be right! 

It begins at Ortlip

Many of you have been praying for us!  Thank you!  Your prayers for our safe and productive travels en route to Haiti -  including a wonderful several travel days with precious old friends and playing tourist in the Everglades soaking up the culture there J,

good flying weather, fair and considerate customs agents in Port au Prince, and safety moving through that crazy city – were so beautifully answered.  We spent last night at the Ortlip Ministry Center close to Mourie on the coast northwest of the capitol. 

Ortlip from the sea

Yesterday morning, we were all packed up and ready to board the Breezy Sea

( lobster boat given to the mission by a supporter in Canada – the Wesleyanna is in dry dock for re-caulking and painting) for the trip to LaGonave, when circumstances changed our plans. 

This is one thing that we learned early on as missionaries in this culture.  
           Stuff happens, plans shift ….. quite often  
                        ….. and one learns to go with the flow.

So, we rethought our day and have been enjoying an extended time at Ortlip instead of in and out, overnight.

More time to enjoy Sè Lousani’s good cooking!

More time to get to know Janice Cotrone, dean of the new nursing school, who is also participating in a doctoral program in nursing practice at Indiana Wesleyan University.  Much of her assignment load is on line and this unplanned time – devoid of lots of folks who can’t resist distracting her from her studies! -  is actually a gift to her.     Larry is also a gift to her, because she is not quite as savvy on the computer as she is at building a nursing school program – and he has been a willing helper as she has struggled with the technology with a sketchy internet connection.

                                                 

For Marty, all of the above and in addition, time to work on lesson plans without the joy-filled distraction of renewing acquaintances on LaGonave,  just yet.  And, additional study of Haitian creole at the sweetcoconuts.com website and the ever present creole phrase book. 

Studying with all the important items nearby - bug spray, water and sun glasses!

And, designing this blog post … slow going with that sketchy internet connection.

For Larry, time to work on development of his responsibilities for the nursing school and even some peace and quiet time which is manna from heaven for Fre Larry.

The distractions ARE here, however  …..

          

The beautiful setting of this place – the lure of the sea – the tantalizing sight of sailboats on the horizon. 

Larry seeking out the scads of beautiful, vibrant tropical fish.

Wonderful snorkeling at the reef beckoning.

Ahhhhh….

This morning, rested from our travels, we cruise over to LaGonave on The Breezy Sea …

                                                               .... maybe.....

8 days and counting!

WHOOHOO!  This day finds us in high gear!  One week from tomorrow, we will leave the upstate on the first leg of our return trip to LaGonave, Haiti!

This Global Partners assignment is with the brand spanking new School of Nursing, The Wesleyan University of Haiti on the island of LaGonave.  Once again, Larry will be teaching computer.   Marty will be teaching a foundational Bible class.

The nursing school has been the dream of several visionaries for years.  One, Janice Cotrone, is the prime mover and make-it-happen guru.  An RN herself, Janice took the ball and ran with it when it became a real possibility a couple years ago, with the establishment of the new Wesleyan Hospital.  She is still running, now with the goal clearly within reach.  With several years of living in Haiti under her belt as a missionary nurse, Janice has contacts on the island; and, as a doctoral student at Indiana Wesleyan University, she has contacts in a well-respected nursing school in that American university.   Add very enthusiastic cheerleaders in her husband and son, boundless energy and vision, a beautiful can-do attitude and - best of all - a realized and accepted call from God along with His enabling, Janice is accomplishing a Herculean task.

Janice Cotrone, RN, Dean
School of Nursing, The Wesleyan University of Haiti

And, it looks like the Lord is honoring the vision.  Just too exciting!   With the partnership of Indiana Wesleyan University; several student scholarships provided by Compassion, International, as well as some given privately; faculty from IWU, Taylor University, medical and academic professionals,  the first freshman class of 30 is slated to launch October 1.  When this group finishes in four years, they will be prepared to sit for boards in the states as well as in Haiti.

"Without a (God given) vision, the people perish."  (Proverbs 29:18) 

The vision of The Wesleyan University of Haiti,        

with its fledgling school of nursing, is becoming 

the reality -  

                                                      and the people, Lord willing,  

                                                                 will not perish

                                                               but will flourish!