WESLEYAN HOSPITAL - ANSE-A-GALETS, LA GONAVE, HAITI

When we left Haiti in 2012, the new hospital was almost finished.  It was one of the things- along with the Guest House/Ministry Center – that we regretted not being able to participate in the “commissioning” services.  Each was dedicated the next year, with the appropriate dignitaries and others participating and promising great futures ahead, serving the people of the island and housing visiting teams and training sessions for the locals.

 Over the next couple of visits, we did get to go in, get to look around and marvel again at what a good place it was for the inhabitants of La Gonave.  Last week, I returned to the hospital with a team that was getting another tour of the facilities and updates, and took the opportunity to get some current photos, especially for you, Marie Cattle, our 2012 neighbor and wife of Julian who oversaw the hospital project and hasn’t been able to make a return visit from England yet.

The front entrance from Rue l'Hopital 

The entrance to the community pharmacy next door

The courtyard and the ambulance, a gift from the government

The waiting area looking out at the courtyard.  On one end of the mural, Colossians 3:23 : Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.  On the other end, Jeremiah 29:11:  For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.   Many Haitians are very artistic and this gift is offered and enjoyed in many public places.

There is a covered area outside each wing which provides shade from the sun and cools the adjacent rooms.

Entering the building with the emergency area on the left. 

Missionary Dr. Robert and Dr. Natalie, who is serving her year of required in-country service following med school and residence, catching up on files and paperwork 

The first patient wing is to the right.

The privacy screens were made by a seamstress on a work team from South Dakota.   Moveable, able to be situated to portion off  each side area or between beds, they are a great addition to any ward, and are found throughout the patient wings.

Down the hall, the maternity ward, where expectant women await imminent delivery.  This week, we had a c-section of twins - mother and babies are doing well.  Moms usually stay overnight, their food and physical care needs provided by family members or friends.  Another set of twins were born last night, premature; one died at birth and the other is struggling this morning.  The cycle of life occurs here as in any hospital.

On the way back down the hall, a glance to the right  brings into view the grassy area between the wings.  Larry had brought some grass plugs from the experiment station in Tifton, Georgia, when the area was being developed.  It is still growing well!  

One surgery suite for minor procedures and two suites for major surgeries are at the end of the hall.  Notice the two large windows in this one; beautiful view of the sea!

Pediatric ward wall appliqués brought by a visiting team add decoration and a bit of joy to the patients.

Also, toys and stuffed animals that are donated are given by the nurses to children after surgery or when in an extended stay.

At the end of each of the two ward hallways are several private rooms.

Across the street, areas of the old hospital are still in use.  There is a secluded area which houses cholera patients.  Also the clinics are still held in one wing; the lab and other offices are maintained there.  

The outside area has been landscaped nicely by Haitian young people working with one of the missionaries.  Sidewalks have been laid by a visiting team who worked alongside Haitian workers, in an effort to spruce up the environs and spark a sense of pride in those working at and being served at the clinic.  It seems that a squadron of boys meets each Saturday morning to work here.  Much emphasis has been made upon keeping it pristine with all trash put into the available trash bins.  

A great effort!  What a difference in this area - and in the lives of these young people - since we were last here!

This and that from a good week

Well,  the First Periodic Great Wesleyan Mission Station Cockroach Hunt was hard to beat in the way of compound activities.  But it was just getting the week-end and then the week, started well.

Next, the WISH (West Indies Self Help, headed up by a Global Partners family) folks issued an invitation to their community library to view Rogue One.  Of course, we went!  It was a diverse crowd that helped inaugurate the new ceiling mounted projector, enjoyed the air conditioning and gasped-as-one at the appropriate moments in the film - Canadians, Americans and Haitians.  What a wonder Hollywood Star Wars film makers are!  Larry and I came home and googled the hows and whys of creating visual doubles of movie stars who are no longer living!  Amazing!

And the film wasn't bad, either!

Missionary church is also held in the WISH library, so Sunday night we all gathered there once again for worship, North American style after attending Haitian church that morning.  Several had taken advantage of swimming and snorkeling  at the reef  during the afternoon, so those smart folks had a cooler look and contented demeanor, as they walked into the room.  Special presentation was an end of the school year update on the school kids' work, talents, and unique contributions.  Pastor Wes presented a thoughtful devotion and because it was the last service for one of our families, time was spent praying over the family members in attendance.  It was a good ending to the weekend.


Then, the work week has been full of encouraging events.  Larry introduced the concept of probability to his stat class and was pleasantly surprised that they all seemed to follow him, and feedback was promising.  I had a wonderful surprise in the delivery of a fat ledger book found in a storage unit on the compound - a collection of the station minutes from 1957 to 1975.  A treasure trove for this fledgling historian!

I also got to visit the House of Hope, a Christian home for the aged and infirm with Desirée, an university social work student from Maine who has an internship here this summer.  What a difference from the other "old folks home" we remembered from pictures, which was dark and not well kept, housing dear men and women who loitered in the hall ways and on soiled bed linens.  This was a bright, well-kept house, several bedrooms, a well-planted outer courtyard, solar on the roof and two cisterns to collect water and a view of the sea from the roof.  A place these residents without family members to care for them could take pride in.  These dear people seemed contented; there was a guard at the gate; and a good poi et diri (beans and rice) cook had been hired!   All this through the efforts of a spirited and Spirit-filled woman from California!  "Without a vision, the people perish."  Lynzi hears from the Lord and acts on His leading and He honors her heart!

                          

Then on Thursday, Desirée and I visited the new school founded by our friend Wilnor, here in Anse a Galets.   Wilnor, his wife Brinette and some friends also founded the non-profit called G.A.S., a grassroots organization to provide an education for indigent children.  Four of the sponsored children go to his school; another, the girl we sponsor, is in a school down the road.  It was a great day!  After we checked out his school, we walked down to see Chelda.  It was a wonderful occasion!   It has been 2 1/2 years since I had seen her and, like one would hope, she is growing into a lovely young lady.  I am so grateful to be able to participate in her education.  She is one of the 20 some children who will have a better shot at life because of G.A.S.  The Lord continues to put life into Wilnor's dreams and  plans to provide a better tomorrow for the children of La Gonave.

We also were paid a delightful visit by Paul, who was in Larry's computer class and my English class in 2012.   Sitting in the shade of the new-to-us tiki hut, we caught up in English and creole with him, his wife and daughter, and were grateful for the friendship of this fine man.  He is a teacher at one of the larger private church schools here, preparing students in the 4th grade for the definitive state exam, the outcome of which is the "yea" or "nay" to advancing to the next level in Haitian schools.  

Larry and I were able to bring down LOTS of boy's shorts this trip - collected by a church member at Vintage Church in NC.  Actually, over 200 pounds of them!  The guest house manager is lining up appropriate ways to distribute them to families in the greatest need in this area.  Also, we have contacted some people we know on the island who have involvement with orphanages, etc.  Today, a lovely woman who houses 16 children in a mountain home a distance from our town, came to pick up a couple pair of shorts for each of her boys who live in her orphanage.  It was such a joy to watch her choose carefully for each child, taking the opportunity to select just the right ones.  

Good visits to the mission station from two sets of folks from Wesleyan headquarters in Indiana and a couple of work teams - one from Maine and the other from Pennsylvania - rounded out the busy week.   

Whew!

It was a dark and stormy night ...

No, on the contrary - clear, with twinkling diamond-like stars on a deep blue velvet sky.  The competitors began gathering by the depot at the arranged time, precisely at 8:07.  Three groups with three, three and four members.  It ranks up there with the one of most bizarre middle school field trips ever – and I have never seen such enthusiasm among the students and others as they put on their latex gloves and synchronized their timers.  

I could almost hear engines revving….  

“Go!” happened at precisely 8:30 p.m. The hunt was on.   

It was the First Periodic Great Wesleyan Mission Station Cockroach Hunt!  Yes, you read that right.  This was a blazing competition to see which group was the most successful in corralling the most huge Haiti bugs. 

Teacher Sarah Barnes was all set, game face, decked out in all black and face paint.

One contestant wore tights and sneakers, determined that no roach would touch any skin of hers!

Glow sticks, flashlights, timers and containers in hand, the groups dispersed into the dark.  You could hear squeals, shouts and giggles from time to time – and the occasional foot stomping.  However, there were more points if cockroaches were brought back alive.

Fifteen minutes later, time was called and bags and jars were proudly displayed.  Final count totaled 47.  The winners - 26 bagged bugs.

The last I saw of them, they were headed to the chicken coop by the school. 

Those birds just didn’t know the feast that was heading their way!

              

Saturday morning walk about

We needed a broom - "yon bale".  So a couple of the visiting graduate students from the IWU nursing school joined me in search of one.  Two pretty gals.

First stop - money exchange.  Frè Bonnair's friend on the street bordering the square was my banker.  "He is a good man; he goes to my church."  Sounded good to me.  Still a bit strange to go up to a man on the street, with a straw hat on pulled down on his forehead and blackish dark glasses on,  with a wad of money in his hand or in his backpack, and exchange dollars for Haitiän goudes!  Our own living and breathing ATM machine!

Well, we attracted a lot of attention  on the way down to the market.  Seems everyone wanted to practice their English with these young ladies!  By the time we reached the market, we had a right good size following in tow.  Along the way, I heard - "Madam Larry!" called out from the street.  Wilnor Jean Louis, our friend, was tooling along on his moto and recognized me.  Great to see him; we made a date for Larry and me to get together with him next week.  Wilnor and his wife Brinette along with some friends founded the grassroots registered non-profit G.A.S., an initiative which gets street kids into schools in a couple of villages on the island.   Several families in SC and NC participate in the program, providing support for children who otherwise would not have the privilege of education.  (Message me if you would like to know more about the program, would like to sponsor a child, etc.)

Reaching the market, we went to the "housewares department", wooden tables set up under a tin and tarp covering where a variety of household supplies were laid out.  After moving down the row, and actually making my desires understood :) we found the broom, also some plastic boxes, tin cups and a washcloth, to wipe the perspiration trickling down my face by that time.  Successful shopping!

We also learned from one Haitian young man that his was an important family.  He was working hard to be understood - and to impress.  It seems that his grandfather was the founder of Haiti - George Washington.  I am assuming something was lost in the translation!

Returning back to the compound in a timely manner, a quick stop at the hospital was on the agenda.  Census is pretty low today but we were able to visit a man whose skin on his arm was disintegrating. Diagnosis is not firm, but seems that some injury or infection has become quite aggressive and seems to be eating his skin.  Very painful.  "Silver and gold have I none - but such as I have give I thee"  The words of the scripture song played through my head.  We prayed with him and God was with us.

Then, as we were leaving, we noticed a boy - possibly 10 or 11 - who had fallen into a cook fire and was burned over the front of his body.  Because in the IWU group was a burn nurse, and because the Haitian doctor received the offer of her services quickly and appreciably, we hurried back to the guest house and spoke to the one who had the experience with such a case.  She went immediately to the boy.  Shall follow up at lunch.  Prayer was in our hearts for this one and his family.

Good start to a hot ole Haitian Saturday.

Settling in

Well, I was a little nervous about taking off in that MAF airplane and flying into a front that had been settled in over Port au Prince for days.  It had rained all night and the wind had picked up and the rain seemed to be quite happy to stay put.  And that plane was so wee and the load was so heavy!  ( 1,000 pounds of people and gear and fuel. )   But, as we were buckling up for the flight, MAF pilot David assured us with the confidence of a seasoned pilot that the trip across the channel would be fine!  And, he was right.  We made it with a turbulence that only caused my breath to catch a couple of times.  Thank you, Lord!

Soon the reunions began.  The driver of the truck that came to collect us and our gear and the MAF rep at the LAG airstrip, the gate keepers and workers at the mission station, the cooks and manager in the guest house, the missionaries new and remembered, and one of Marty’s former students who is now working for hospital maintenance – all greeting us with a “Madam Larry!” or “Mister Larry!” as they welcomed us with gusto!  And each Haitian, with a rush of creole that had my brain working overtime to understand and respond! 

We have settled into our new little Haiti abode – a comfortable and “spacious” new one-room apartment built to house the visiting profs who teach at the nursing school.   The diffuser is chugging away with citronella oil, having been charged with keeping the mosquitoes at bay.  The music from a neighboring event is blaring sufficiently to warrant ear plugs.  Dogs barking on cue when the music began. 

And we are expecting the morning wake-up call from the resident roosters.  :) 

Tonight, we will grit our teeth and step into the cold shower.  It will be a quick one!  Then, Lord willing, sleep. 

Ah, Haiti!

Tomorrow, the adventure continues.  (Pictures coming soon.)

Unbelievable!

It has been quite chilly here in Port au Prince since we arrived yesterday in a torrent of rain.  Rainy season - flooded streets, slippery tile floors, damp sheets.  Nevertheless a nice "ease-in" to summer here.  Summer will return soon.

Standing in the rain outside the airport, I thought back to how the arrival had been on our first trip to Haiti back in spring of 2011.  Dan and Joy Irvine had met us at the end of the outdoor exit ramp, two light-skinned faces in a sea of noisy dark ones attached to bodies with arms reaching out to touch us, grabbing at our bags, each assuring us he was the one we needed to help and tip.  When we reached the Irvines, Dan had said, "welcome to the crazy!"  I think that is what he said - it was all a fast-moving loud, blurry kaleidoscope at the time, and I was quite overwhelmed. Dan was grinning.

Yesterday, it was kinda like coming home to the familiar.  We knew how to relate to the great number of potential helpers when retrieving our luggage.  I knew where to stand with the carts while Larry worked up a sweat gathering our bags off the carousel.  We knew how to dodge proffered assistance while working our way out.  We knew who to look for - while recognizing the faces of airport workers who had been there each time we had flown in in the past.  We found those who were meeting us with no trouble in the masses, recognizing and calling them by name and they, us; the smiles which break the typical, stoic facial expressions into a grin that would bring sunshine into any stormy day, familiar handshake, hug and cheek touching cheek welcomes.  We stood in the rain while all our gear was loaded and headed out into the horn-honking maelstrom that is traffic in Port au Prince.  It was all delightfully familiar - crazy as it seems - like coming home.

And, the lovely, typically Haitian fragrance hovering around Larry and me - DEET!

"The road goes ever on and on...."  The adventure continues!

Haiti bound - again!

Tropical energy fills the air around here.  Familiar, yet tinged with the unknown.  

We're making lists, which lengthen and shorten as things come to mind and accomplished items are struck through.

There are the unmistakable sounds of preparation:  

       bringing suitcases out of storage; 

       rustling through files to find the illusive paperwork from years past; 

       checking the clothes in the "Haiti" crate; 

       appointments being made at the appropriate medical and dental offices; 

       completing a myriad of forms for Global Partners, the mission arm of The Wesleyan Church;

       checking and double checking those lists....

The time is drawing nigh - we'll be leaving for Haiti the week of May 15 - in fact, if all goes well, three weeks from today!  

Now that the term at Clemson is drawing to a close, Larry can turn his provisional planning thoughts to a group of nursing students who will be in his statistics class at the Wesleyan University of Haiti, College of Nursing Sciences.   In fact, it is the two-years-older class of the students we welcomed on the opening day of the God-ordained nursing school.   In a reunion of sorts, we will be putting names and faces together again, pulling up those memories that laced our last sojourn in Anse a Galet,  LaGonave.   

In addition to relating to the nursing students somehow (not sure of the assignment yet),  I will be filling the time (I hope) with work on a writing project - documenting the history of the mission presence of The Wesleyan Church in Haiti .  Hopefully the effort will include travel to the other mission stations in the country to bring a real-time spark to the history.

Both of us have been shaking the cobwebs off our Haitian creole, too.  And that is a biggie!  I have been working through the components on the HaitiHub language site.  We have been brushing up on reading skills -  pictured is a great book an independent missionary artist friend wrote, compiling pictures taken on LaGonave and words and Bible verses in Haitian creole and in English - a great review.

Reactivating this blog has been toward the top of the list.  The plan is to keep it up to date with the experiences and activities and challenges and successes we experience for the six weeks or so we will be in Haiti.   So, we hope you will keep up with us through it.

We also covet your prayers.  If you would like to be on our prayer team, please let me know via phone (654-0771) or email (lmgrimes@bellsouth.net).  I will need your email address and will send notices and needs as they arise.  In a place as spiritually dark as Haiti, we sure appreciate the prayer coverage this team faithfully gives us.

OK - just marked "crank up the blog" off the top of the list.  

Now, moving on.....