Curious about the conclusion of some of my adventures? I realized today that I've been telling stories and not always giving follow up, so here are come continuing stories mentioned in previous posts. Check 'em out at:
http://chariteservant.blogspot.com/2009/12/continuing-story.html
Stay tuned... Christmas post is coming soon! As we enter the season of celebrating Jesus' birth, I have been thinking about how He is Emmanuel, God with us, and what that looks like here, where life is so fragile.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Choir Practice in the Hospital Hallway
Singing in the hospital?!? Yup, that was my day! Read more about it and the lessons the Lord taught me today at...
http://chariteservant.blogspot.com/2009/12/hospital-sing-long.html
May your days be merry and bright and full of singing!!!
http://chariteservant.blogspot.com/2009/12/hospital-sing-long.html
May your days be merry and bright and full of singing!!!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
A Day in the Life of Mis Diane
Curious about my daily life? I felt like today gives one a good idea of a typical medical person's day here in Haiti. They call me Mis Diane here, which means Nurse Diane, with the understanding that I function like a nurse practicioner. I have a really good imagination, but I don't think that even I could have imagined that my life would look quite like this... It's full of love and loss and hope and heartache.
8am-- Arrive at the hospital for an awesome time of staff devotions with our 83 year old pastor. Thankfully, I can understand every word he says because he talks so slowly. He's an incredible, godly man!
8:15-- Find out that one of my babies died. She was my precious little patient. She was 8 months old and so malnourished that she didn't have the strength to smile or even cry. She seems to have been neglected by her mother, who I only saw once during her 6 day hospital stay. Her AIDS test was negative, but I'm still suspicious... She was so malnourished that her skin was breaking down and allowing horrible staph infections on her arms and legs. We pumped her full of antibiotics and vitamins and milk every 2 hours, and she seemed to be doing so much better!! And she was, until early this morning when she spiked a fever and didn't pull through.
8:30-- Devotions end and clinic work starts. The clinic is like a combo ER/primary care office. If you're sick or pregnant, you sign in early in morning, and then get seen in order of arrival/level of urgency. If you're sick enough, you get admitted to the hospital from the clinic. If you need to be rechecked, a follow up date is provided. Usually pregnant women will show up for one prenatal visit before returning to give birth. What a different world here!
Noon-- Enjoy lunch with the other missionaries. Matthew's brother and his wife are visiting from my hometown, and it was fun to have a meal with all of them.
2:00-- Take Matthew's family on a tour of the hospital. Kelley is 6 months pregnant, so we tested out the ultrasound equipment on her and did an impromptu ultrasound! It was so sweet to see their son's little face!
3:00-- Go to the orphanage. Filled to the brim with 53 children ages 4-12, it is a place of stories of past heartbreak and present nourishment. Some of them look incredibly different, in a healthy, happy way, from the sad, starving little ones I saw in March when I was here for a week. I'm so thankful they can be there! And I'm so thankful that I can spend time with them! I had a group of 8 little girls who enjoyed braiding my hair and begged me to come see them again. I can't wait to go back!
4:15-- Getting ready to have the church's youth group come over. At prayer group on last weekend, they asked if they could come over to pray with us before we left to go to the States for Christmas. Justine and I were delighted to accept! How sweet! While I was getting ready for them to come, I got a call from Joy that one of our missionaries had been hit by a motorcycle! Dr. Emmett is a wonderful retired missionary doctor who comes to Haiti every year for a month or two to give some of the Haitian doctors a break. He's 77, and while walking back from the hospital this afternoon, he was struck by someone driving a motorcycle with brakes that don't work!! He doesn't remember the accident, but somehow he face-planted on the gravel road. The Haitian docs spent 3 hours sewing his face up, and we extracted a rock from one of the cuts on his chin. I ran errands for them and keep his wife updated on their progress.
8:00-- Go home for dinner. We finally finished up at the hospital and I managed to get home for dinner.
9:00-- Start neuro checks on Dr. Emmett. Without a CT scanner here, I have no way to know for sure that he doesn't have a bleed inside his brain. Even if we could do one here, he's still at risk for bleeding for the next 72 hours. So, tonight, every 4 hours, I'm going over to check and be sure that he's okay. Please keep him in your prayers!
Whew! Such is my life! I'm so thankful that God promises to order our steps, cuz my day sure is full of steps!!
8am-- Arrive at the hospital for an awesome time of staff devotions with our 83 year old pastor. Thankfully, I can understand every word he says because he talks so slowly. He's an incredible, godly man!
8:15-- Find out that one of my babies died. She was my precious little patient. She was 8 months old and so malnourished that she didn't have the strength to smile or even cry. She seems to have been neglected by her mother, who I only saw once during her 6 day hospital stay. Her AIDS test was negative, but I'm still suspicious... She was so malnourished that her skin was breaking down and allowing horrible staph infections on her arms and legs. We pumped her full of antibiotics and vitamins and milk every 2 hours, and she seemed to be doing so much better!! And she was, until early this morning when she spiked a fever and didn't pull through.
8:30-- Devotions end and clinic work starts. The clinic is like a combo ER/primary care office. If you're sick or pregnant, you sign in early in morning, and then get seen in order of arrival/level of urgency. If you're sick enough, you get admitted to the hospital from the clinic. If you need to be rechecked, a follow up date is provided. Usually pregnant women will show up for one prenatal visit before returning to give birth. What a different world here!
Noon-- Enjoy lunch with the other missionaries. Matthew's brother and his wife are visiting from my hometown, and it was fun to have a meal with all of them.
2:00-- Take Matthew's family on a tour of the hospital. Kelley is 6 months pregnant, so we tested out the ultrasound equipment on her and did an impromptu ultrasound! It was so sweet to see their son's little face!
3:00-- Go to the orphanage. Filled to the brim with 53 children ages 4-12, it is a place of stories of past heartbreak and present nourishment. Some of them look incredibly different, in a healthy, happy way, from the sad, starving little ones I saw in March when I was here for a week. I'm so thankful they can be there! And I'm so thankful that I can spend time with them! I had a group of 8 little girls who enjoyed braiding my hair and begged me to come see them again. I can't wait to go back!
4:15-- Getting ready to have the church's youth group come over. At prayer group on last weekend, they asked if they could come over to pray with us before we left to go to the States for Christmas. Justine and I were delighted to accept! How sweet! While I was getting ready for them to come, I got a call from Joy that one of our missionaries had been hit by a motorcycle! Dr. Emmett is a wonderful retired missionary doctor who comes to Haiti every year for a month or two to give some of the Haitian doctors a break. He's 77, and while walking back from the hospital this afternoon, he was struck by someone driving a motorcycle with brakes that don't work!! He doesn't remember the accident, but somehow he face-planted on the gravel road. The Haitian docs spent 3 hours sewing his face up, and we extracted a rock from one of the cuts on his chin. I ran errands for them and keep his wife updated on their progress.
8:00-- Go home for dinner. We finally finished up at the hospital and I managed to get home for dinner.
9:00-- Start neuro checks on Dr. Emmett. Without a CT scanner here, I have no way to know for sure that he doesn't have a bleed inside his brain. Even if we could do one here, he's still at risk for bleeding for the next 72 hours. So, tonight, every 4 hours, I'm going over to check and be sure that he's okay. Please keep him in your prayers!
Whew! Such is my life! I'm so thankful that God promises to order our steps, cuz my day sure is full of steps!!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Medical Website!!
I finally did it! I started my medical blog!
For a little more medical detail on today's patients, please read:
http://misdianediagnoses.blogspot.com/
I hope that you're healthy today and don't need to answer the question, "Sa ou genyen?"
For a little more medical detail on today's patients, please read:
http://misdianediagnoses.blogspot.com/
I hope that you're healthy today and don't need to answer the question, "Sa ou genyen?"
The First 48 Hours
It's nice to be back online! I spend the weekend travelling the country, seeing a few other missions posts, a little sightseeing, and taking care of fellow missionaries who had malaria and dengue fever. Whew! What a weekend!
I got off the boat Tuesday evening on my new home of LaGonave, and we had just arrived on the missions compound, when an urgent need presented itself. One of our sailors was unloading the boat and dropped an oil drum on his finger causing a near amputation. Right away, I hurried over to the hospital to sew it back on.
Yesterday was my day off. I was awoken at 8 am with a knock at the door and the plea for “Mis Diane” (nurse Diane, as I am called here, with the understanding that I am like one of their senior nurses who diagnoses and treats) to come help in the hospital. Many stitches and 3 hours later, I returned back home to spend my day off doing laundry and unpacking.
Today I technically started work.
Today I saw my first AIDS babies… scrawny little scarecrows with sunken eyes and bulging bellies and stick-figure limbs.
Today I saw my first stillborn baby… and the agony on his mother’s face when we told her that he didn’t have a heartbeat.
Today I heard that my first machete-hacked patient from yesterday that we spent 6 hours sewing up died in Port Au Prince.
Today I heard of a seizing mother that we desperately need to do a C-section on to remove the baby but we must wait to do so between seizures.
Today I felt the swollen neck, enlarged to be twice the size of a normal neck, of my first little girl patient with TB.
Before today, I lived in a medical world of plump babies, seizure-free mothers, and little girls who could never even imagine TB. As I write, I am fighting to see through my tears. Each patient has a story, a family, and a piece of my heart. I can only pray for them, serve them with the strength that God gives me, and ask Him to make me a “well-watered garden and a spring whose waters never fail” (Is. 58:11) to meet these unique needs.
And this is only the first 48 hours!
I got off the boat Tuesday evening on my new home of LaGonave, and we had just arrived on the missions compound, when an urgent need presented itself. One of our sailors was unloading the boat and dropped an oil drum on his finger causing a near amputation. Right away, I hurried over to the hospital to sew it back on.
Yesterday was my day off. I was awoken at 8 am with a knock at the door and the plea for “Mis Diane” (nurse Diane, as I am called here, with the understanding that I am like one of their senior nurses who diagnoses and treats) to come help in the hospital. Many stitches and 3 hours later, I returned back home to spend my day off doing laundry and unpacking.
Today I technically started work.
Today I saw my first AIDS babies… scrawny little scarecrows with sunken eyes and bulging bellies and stick-figure limbs.
Today I saw my first stillborn baby… and the agony on his mother’s face when we told her that he didn’t have a heartbeat.
Today I heard that my first machete-hacked patient from yesterday that we spent 6 hours sewing up died in Port Au Prince.
Today I heard of a seizing mother that we desperately need to do a C-section on to remove the baby but we must wait to do so between seizures.
Today I felt the swollen neck, enlarged to be twice the size of a normal neck, of my first little girl patient with TB.
Before today, I lived in a medical world of plump babies, seizure-free mothers, and little girls who could never even imagine TB. As I write, I am fighting to see through my tears. Each patient has a story, a family, and a piece of my heart. I can only pray for them, serve them with the strength that God gives me, and ask Him to make me a “well-watered garden and a spring whose waters never fail” (Is. 58:11) to meet these unique needs.
And this is only the first 48 hours!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Urgent Prayer Request
Hi, again!
I just received some news of a patient who urgently needs your prayers! For more details, read:
http://chariteservant.blogspot.com/2009/12/pray-for-miriam.html
Thank you!
I just received some news of a patient who urgently needs your prayers! For more details, read:
http://chariteservant.blogspot.com/2009/12/pray-for-miriam.html
Thank you!
There's No Place Like Home
LaGonave is a wonderful place... a place I'm excited to call home for the next year.
This past week was wonderful!!! On Thanksgiving morning, we left bright and early to head to LaGonave to celebrate with other Americans. We sat in the front of a huge truck (think along the lines of a Mack truck) and spent some time praying that we didn't hit any pedestrians, goats, or brightly painted taxi buses on the way to the boat dock. Matt was sitting in between our very skilled driver and I, and unfortunately was the only one without a seatbelt (I think maybe it increased his prayer life!!). Then we arrived at the Wesleyan wharf and were whisked across the sea in a speed boat by Butch Alexander, the director of WISH, or West Indies Self Help Organization. It was great! Usually, I don't associate Thanksgiving with speed boat rides and working on my tan! Here's some pics from the Wharf on the main land side:
It was absolutely wonderful!!! I really felt like I was home as soon as we arrived!! Dan and Joy Irvine are my amazing area directors (aka boss) and already call me one of their kids! Their 16 year old daughter Brooke feels like the little sister I never had but always wanted! Butch and his wife Trisha were also incredibly welcoming. It's neat to live in a place where you can unpack your bags and also your heart.
We had a great Thanksgiving feast with all of us and a great group from Long Lake, NY, who were here for 10 days on a missions trip. I feasted only on green bean casserole and coconut pie (i'm still sticking to safe foods until these allergies die down), but it sure was yummy! To the right is Mois, Dan and Joy's future grandson (their daughter Beth and her husband are in the process of adopting him) playing with my token Thanksgiving decoration, an adorable scarecrow that my boyfriend's wonderful and thoughtful grandma sent down with me. Mois loved it!!
On Lagonave, there were many opportunities to be out amongst the people, which was great for my Creole and my sightseeing!! In Port Au Prince, it is more difficult to get out right now as there have been several riots this month by upset students. Sadly, with Christmas coming, there is also an increase in kidnappings in the capitol. It's important for us to be extremely cautious at this time. Thankfully, it is much safer on LaGonave, and we even have the mayor in our English classes!
On one of our adventures, we hiked up to the top of one of the small mountains surrounding the town of Anse-ga-le, where I live. The view was incredible! You can see across the sea to the mountains back on the mainland! It was quite a workout, too, as most of our afternoons are 100-110 degrees!
I also got to visit at the hospital, and I can't wait to get started! I will start out working closely with the Haitian senior nurses, who are essentially nurse practitioners, as I learn more medical Creole and the ropes of their hospital. I will then rotate in their schedule of clinic, in-patient hospital, and on call work. I'm so excited! i was also encouraged as I was able to understand much of what the hospital staff said to me and could communicate with many of the patients!
One of my roles this year is to be the medical liaison for the hospital and American medical teams. I had my first duty in that role, and it was really fun! I got to write a thankful note for our supporters of the hospital. There are funds to provide milk to impoverished families with little babies, scholarships for the training of Haitian nurses, and an indigent fund for patients who cannot afford their medical care. It only costs $1-3 a day to stay in the hospital, and some cannot even afford that. Below is the story that I included in my thank you letter; I got to see the indigent benevolence fund in action for this patient, and I was so encouraged:
Also, I had my first real experience with culture shock! It occurred when we transferred a patient. He had gotten into an argument with his brother, who threw a rock at him and broke his leg, resulting in an open tibial fracture. We wanted to transfer him to Port to see an othropedic surgeon. Well, in the States, a transfer means several phone calls, a whole lot of forms to sign, and figuring out how to transport the patient there. Here, it means writing a letter, addressing it to "whom it may concern," and letting the patient hop on the back of a motorcycle taxi to ride down to the wharf and catch a ferry into town. So different!!!!
I also got to be part of God's amazing timing! I had my first real patient (other than myself). Joy developed a funny little rash the day before I arrived. It burned, had blisters on a red base, and the pain radiated all down her leg and into the sole of her foot. She has chickenpox as a child and has had a lot on her plate this fall. She showed it to me about 24 hours after it started, and I got to see a classic case of shingles. The medication for shingles needs to be started within 48 hours of the onset of the rash, and thankfully, when we poked around the hospital pharmacy, we found exactly the right medicine. They only have that medicine because it can sometimes be helpful in HIV/AIDS patients, which we see frequently here. As I sat down to count out 200 pills for her (sadly, she needs to take 4 pills 5 times a day for 10 days; but it's exactly the right med), I saw a little pill counter on the table. I have very little experience in a pharmacy, but I moonlighted for an internist for 2 years. He runs a weight loss clinic and supplies his patients with medicines. Having worked for him, I know exactly how to use the pill counter!! How wonderful that God knew long ago that I would need that knowledge here in Haiti over Thanksgiving to treat a missionary!!! I'm so sorry that she has shingles, but I'm so glad that the Lord brought me at the right time and sent us the right medicine!!!
Yesterday, as we sailed away from LaGonave to return for a few more days of intensive language study, I felt a pang of homesickness. I miss LaGonave already! I had to snap a picture as we sailed away!
It's such an incredible feeling to know that you are exactly where God wants you doing exactly what He's gotten you ready to do in the strength that He provides! So cool!!! I can't wait to go back.
And we passed a boat full of people who had just gone out to the sandbar for a baptism:
I'm so excited to get back to that wonderful island! I'll be here in Port until Friday, and then a small group of us are going on a quick trip to the northern part of Haiti. We're going to see some of the missionaries and there work up there and then will spend a day sightseeing in Cape Haitian (i know, i know, another vacation! i promise i work some of the time! :). On Monday, we'll be back in Port to grocery shop (it's safer to buy meat from Port and it's the only place to get cheese and yogurt and white chocolate chips). Then by Tuesday, I can go home again!
There's no place like home.
This past week was wonderful!!! On Thanksgiving morning, we left bright and early to head to LaGonave to celebrate with other Americans. We sat in the front of a huge truck (think along the lines of a Mack truck) and spent some time praying that we didn't hit any pedestrians, goats, or brightly painted taxi buses on the way to the boat dock. Matt was sitting in between our very skilled driver and I, and unfortunately was the only one without a seatbelt (I think maybe it increased his prayer life!!). Then we arrived at the Wesleyan wharf and were whisked across the sea in a speed boat by Butch Alexander, the director of WISH, or West Indies Self Help Organization. It was great! Usually, I don't associate Thanksgiving with speed boat rides and working on my tan! Here's some pics from the Wharf on the main land side:
It was absolutely wonderful!!! I really felt like I was home as soon as we arrived!! Dan and Joy Irvine are my amazing area directors (aka boss) and already call me one of their kids! Their 16 year old daughter Brooke feels like the little sister I never had but always wanted! Butch and his wife Trisha were also incredibly welcoming. It's neat to live in a place where you can unpack your bags and also your heart.
We had a great Thanksgiving feast with all of us and a great group from Long Lake, NY, who were here for 10 days on a missions trip. I feasted only on green bean casserole and coconut pie (i'm still sticking to safe foods until these allergies die down), but it sure was yummy! To the right is Mois, Dan and Joy's future grandson (their daughter Beth and her husband are in the process of adopting him) playing with my token Thanksgiving decoration, an adorable scarecrow that my boyfriend's wonderful and thoughtful grandma sent down with me. Mois loved it!!
On Lagonave, there were many opportunities to be out amongst the people, which was great for my Creole and my sightseeing!! In Port Au Prince, it is more difficult to get out right now as there have been several riots this month by upset students. Sadly, with Christmas coming, there is also an increase in kidnappings in the capitol. It's important for us to be extremely cautious at this time. Thankfully, it is much safer on LaGonave, and we even have the mayor in our English classes!
On one of our adventures, we hiked up to the top of one of the small mountains surrounding the town of Anse-ga-le, where I live. The view was incredible! You can see across the sea to the mountains back on the mainland! It was quite a workout, too, as most of our afternoons are 100-110 degrees!
I also got to visit at the hospital, and I can't wait to get started! I will start out working closely with the Haitian senior nurses, who are essentially nurse practitioners, as I learn more medical Creole and the ropes of their hospital. I will then rotate in their schedule of clinic, in-patient hospital, and on call work. I'm so excited! i was also encouraged as I was able to understand much of what the hospital staff said to me and could communicate with many of the patients!
One of my roles this year is to be the medical liaison for the hospital and American medical teams. I had my first duty in that role, and it was really fun! I got to write a thankful note for our supporters of the hospital. There are funds to provide milk to impoverished families with little babies, scholarships for the training of Haitian nurses, and an indigent fund for patients who cannot afford their medical care. It only costs $1-3 a day to stay in the hospital, and some cannot even afford that. Below is the story that I included in my thank you letter; I got to see the indigent benevolence fund in action for this patient, and I was so encouraged:
One recipient of your contributions is Jazmin, a fifty year old woman who was recently admitted to the hospital with a case of severe high blood pressure. She suffered from a terrible headache, which can be a symptom that precedes or indicates a stroke. High blood pressure, and its complications such as stroke and eclampsia, are common in Haiti and often can go undetected due to lack of primary care. After several days on a new medication, her blood pressure reduced from 210/110 at arrival to 140/90 at discharge, and her headache completely resolved. During her hospital stay, she was visited by no one, which meant that no family member arrived with food to sustain her. She has no money of her own with which to purchase a daily supply of the medicine that helped so much and could prevent a stroke. Her hospital stay and a supply of medication were provided for her by your generous donations, as her stay was paid for by the Indigent Benevolence Fund. Thank you for caring for this woman who had no one else to do so.
(and when I found out at the time of discharge that she hadn't eaten in 3 days, I was so thankful that I had 2 little cookies in my purse and was able to share something with her!) Also, I had my first real experience with culture shock! It occurred when we transferred a patient. He had gotten into an argument with his brother, who threw a rock at him and broke his leg, resulting in an open tibial fracture. We wanted to transfer him to Port to see an othropedic surgeon. Well, in the States, a transfer means several phone calls, a whole lot of forms to sign, and figuring out how to transport the patient there. Here, it means writing a letter, addressing it to "whom it may concern," and letting the patient hop on the back of a motorcycle taxi to ride down to the wharf and catch a ferry into town. So different!!!!
I also got to be part of God's amazing timing! I had my first real patient (other than myself). Joy developed a funny little rash the day before I arrived. It burned, had blisters on a red base, and the pain radiated all down her leg and into the sole of her foot. She has chickenpox as a child and has had a lot on her plate this fall. She showed it to me about 24 hours after it started, and I got to see a classic case of shingles. The medication for shingles needs to be started within 48 hours of the onset of the rash, and thankfully, when we poked around the hospital pharmacy, we found exactly the right medicine. They only have that medicine because it can sometimes be helpful in HIV/AIDS patients, which we see frequently here. As I sat down to count out 200 pills for her (sadly, she needs to take 4 pills 5 times a day for 10 days; but it's exactly the right med), I saw a little pill counter on the table. I have very little experience in a pharmacy, but I moonlighted for an internist for 2 years. He runs a weight loss clinic and supplies his patients with medicines. Having worked for him, I know exactly how to use the pill counter!! How wonderful that God knew long ago that I would need that knowledge here in Haiti over Thanksgiving to treat a missionary!!! I'm so sorry that she has shingles, but I'm so glad that the Lord brought me at the right time and sent us the right medicine!!!
Yesterday, as we sailed away from LaGonave to return for a few more days of intensive language study, I felt a pang of homesickness. I miss LaGonave already! I had to snap a picture as we sailed away!
It's such an incredible feeling to know that you are exactly where God wants you doing exactly what He's gotten you ready to do in the strength that He provides! So cool!!! I can't wait to go back.
And we passed a boat full of people who had just gone out to the sandbar for a baptism:
There's no place like home.
You've Got Mail (hopefully :o)
I have an address! Our mail is flown in once or twice a month from Florida, and I can receive letters or media mail. Anything larger than a manila envelope will go through customs and probably not reach me. I would love to hear from you!!
Diane Busch
Unit 2089-WES
3170 Airman’s Dr.
Fort Pierce, FL 34946
I also just finished my November newsletter. It's more like a condensed version of the blog, but you're most welcome to read it if you'd like! Sadly, I don't know how to upload it onto here, but you can email me and I'd be happy to email it to you!!
I also just finished my November newsletter. It's more like a condensed version of the blog, but you're most welcome to read it if you'd like! Sadly, I don't know how to upload it onto here, but you can email me and I'd be happy to email it to you!!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Happy early Thanksgiving? What are you most thankful for this year?
The Lord has been teaching me much about giving thanks, and you can read more about it on my devotional thoughts blog:
http://chariteservant.blogspot.com/2009/11/resting-heart.html
Tomorrow, I'm going to La Gonave for a few days to celebrate Thanksgiving with the group there. I'm excited to get to see the people that I'll be working with soon and looking forward to celebrating the day with other Americans!
May you have a blessed and joyful holiday!!!
The Lord has been teaching me much about giving thanks, and you can read more about it on my devotional thoughts blog:
http://chariteservant.blogspot.com/2009/11/resting-heart.html
Tomorrow, I'm going to La Gonave for a few days to celebrate Thanksgiving with the group there. I'm excited to get to see the people that I'll be working with soon and looking forward to celebrating the day with other Americans!
May you have a blessed and joyful holiday!!!
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Important Updates
I'm so sorry that I forgot to mention this! I found out on Tuesday, and Tuesday, I had a very hard time remembering English! :o)
My dad's prostate biopsies came back negative for CANCER!!! Praise the LORD!!!!! I prayed for that, but really did not expect such wonderful results! Our God still works miracles!! My dad's bladder cancer was all removed with the first procedure, so he'll still need frequent rechecks (q 3 months). But we are so thankful!!! Thank you all for your prayers and sweet, encouraging words!!
Second, much smaller, update: New blog post on my devotional thoughts page with some thoughts as I see some of the extreme poverty here...
http://chariteservant.blogspot.com/2009/11/si-ou-ka-imajine-if-you-can-imagine.html
Finally, my allergic reaction is a little bit better. I can open both eyes again, almost completely. I'm still not sure what I'm allergic to, but I'm seriously considering a diet of just bread and peanutbutter for the next 2 weeks and slowly phasing foods back in!
Thanks again for your prayers, and please let me know how I can be praying for you!
My dad's prostate biopsies came back negative for CANCER!!! Praise the LORD!!!!! I prayed for that, but really did not expect such wonderful results! Our God still works miracles!! My dad's bladder cancer was all removed with the first procedure, so he'll still need frequent rechecks (q 3 months). But we are so thankful!!! Thank you all for your prayers and sweet, encouraging words!!
Second, much smaller, update: New blog post on my devotional thoughts page with some thoughts as I see some of the extreme poverty here...
http://chariteservant.blogspot.com/2009/11/si-ou-ka-imajine-if-you-can-imagine.html
Finally, my allergic reaction is a little bit better. I can open both eyes again, almost completely. I'm still not sure what I'm allergic to, but I'm seriously considering a diet of just bread and peanutbutter for the next 2 weeks and slowly phasing foods back in!
Thanks again for your prayers, and please let me know how I can be praying for you!
The Attack of the Allergies!!!
Good morning, friends! It actually feels a bit more like afternoon to me, even thought it's not yet 10am. That's mainly because I've been up since 5:15... Allow me to fill you in...
Last week, I had that crazy episode of hives and got to explore a Haitian pharmacy, an interesting world in which you don't need a prescription for anything and the pharmacist doesn't know his numbers in English great so you may not know exactly which doses you're getting (totally understandable, after all, i need to learn Creole and i can still look at the bottle :o). Thankfully, I've been pretty much hive free since Monday, when my area director made a House-like diagnosis. :o) As many of you know, House, MD, is my least favorite medical TV show... mainly because some information is withheld until the last 5 minutes of the show, so House looks awesome and smart and the poor PA following the show would never have guessed that diagnosis without that very important clue. Well, props to Dan Irvine, my amazing area director!! Monday night, he informed me that the mosquito netting on my bed is treated to ward off bugs, and as soon as we removed it, my hives went away!! So, I thought that we had solved the mystery... until now.
A little more background... This has been a interesting week for language! I found some Christian Creole music videos and have been loving them!! Here's my favorite: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6WyA-f3JdI&feature=related, and it's called "Where's your Bible?". I don't understand much else, but it's been fun to watch and I learn a little more each time I see it. I went from picking out words to understanding some phrases. And-- my favorite part-- it totally counts as my homework!! :o) If only all of my schooling growing up included youtube!! :o)
I've also been practicing with Esther every day. Esther is the 16 year old niece of our housekeeper, and she lives here in Port with her aunt to go to school. Her family is back on LaGonave, the island where I'll be headed for most of my time here in Haiti. Esther and I have formed a mutual admiration society/homework help group, and I'm proud to call her my first friend! ;o) I really felt like we were friends when last night, she asked if she could come visit me over Christmas break, when we'll both be on LaGonave. Soooo fun! So, mainly, we meet up every evening, and she helps me with Creole and I've been helping her with her English and Spanish homework... Yeah, you read that right-- Spanish!!! At first, I thought my brain was going to shortcircuit teaching my second language in my third, but it was actually really neat! And she is so patient with me Creole! I am so blessed to know her!
Last night, she told me about some several reactions that she has to mosquito bites, a terribly unfortunate allergy to have when you live in Haiti! She gets really bad hives, especially on her face. It was neat to be able to write down for her the names of some medicines that may help ease off her reactions. Also, I've been praying for ways to bless her and encourage her to love God more. Maya shared with us yesterday the huge need for youth ministry in Haiti, as over 50% of the population is under the age of 20!!! Any youth pastors wanna come join me? So, I feel like Esther is a little part of the reason that I'm here. Also, last night, it was amazing and peaceful to feel like I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be and doing exactly what I'm supposed to be doing. Such a neat feeling to sense that you're doing what you were created to do!! I highly encourage it! :o) It was awesome to be able to communicate with Esther, love on her, and help her out a little medically.
So, I fell asleep last night praying for Esther, and woke up this morning around 5am looking like this...
That's me gettin' ready to fight that reaction with some Prednisone and Benadryl! Good stuff! And it was as much as I could open my eyes! And my whole right cheek was one giant hive! Well, the good side is that none of it itches, and hopefully the mosquitos will stay away from me today! :o) The not so good side is that I'm still not sure of the cause and my allergic reactions seem to be getting a little worse. Here's a little reminder of what I should look like! :o)
That's Maya and I in the kitchen hanging out... like normal people who can open their eyes! :o)~
So far, the meds are kicking in and I can open both eyes again and actually have both contacts in again! Hooray!! But I'm calling on all you wonderful people who pray!! Please join me in praying for allergy-free days and discovering their source! Thank you!!!
Once again, I had a great time with the Lord this morning as He encouraged me that His presence and peace are available even when I can't see (literally). My devotional reading for this morning talked about how ever since His resurrection, when Jesus showed up, He encouraged His followers with the works "Peace be unto you" and that "I will never leave you or forsake you". So, I am so thankful for His peace and presence in the midst of this battle with reactions. Even though it's still a little hard to see, I can still study Creole by listening to those awesome music videos! Watch out, allergies, I'm ready to fight!!
Last week, I had that crazy episode of hives and got to explore a Haitian pharmacy, an interesting world in which you don't need a prescription for anything and the pharmacist doesn't know his numbers in English great so you may not know exactly which doses you're getting (totally understandable, after all, i need to learn Creole and i can still look at the bottle :o). Thankfully, I've been pretty much hive free since Monday, when my area director made a House-like diagnosis. :o) As many of you know, House, MD, is my least favorite medical TV show... mainly because some information is withheld until the last 5 minutes of the show, so House looks awesome and smart and the poor PA following the show would never have guessed that diagnosis without that very important clue. Well, props to Dan Irvine, my amazing area director!! Monday night, he informed me that the mosquito netting on my bed is treated to ward off bugs, and as soon as we removed it, my hives went away!! So, I thought that we had solved the mystery... until now.
A little more background... This has been a interesting week for language! I found some Christian Creole music videos and have been loving them!! Here's my favorite: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6WyA-f3JdI&feature=related, and it's called "Where's your Bible?". I don't understand much else, but it's been fun to watch and I learn a little more each time I see it. I went from picking out words to understanding some phrases. And-- my favorite part-- it totally counts as my homework!! :o) If only all of my schooling growing up included youtube!! :o)
I've also been practicing with Esther every day. Esther is the 16 year old niece of our housekeeper, and she lives here in Port with her aunt to go to school. Her family is back on LaGonave, the island where I'll be headed for most of my time here in Haiti. Esther and I have formed a mutual admiration society/homework help group, and I'm proud to call her my first friend! ;o) I really felt like we were friends when last night, she asked if she could come visit me over Christmas break, when we'll both be on LaGonave. Soooo fun! So, mainly, we meet up every evening, and she helps me with Creole and I've been helping her with her English and Spanish homework... Yeah, you read that right-- Spanish!!! At first, I thought my brain was going to shortcircuit teaching my second language in my third, but it was actually really neat! And she is so patient with me Creole! I am so blessed to know her!
Last night, she told me about some several reactions that she has to mosquito bites, a terribly unfortunate allergy to have when you live in Haiti! She gets really bad hives, especially on her face. It was neat to be able to write down for her the names of some medicines that may help ease off her reactions. Also, I've been praying for ways to bless her and encourage her to love God more. Maya shared with us yesterday the huge need for youth ministry in Haiti, as over 50% of the population is under the age of 20!!! Any youth pastors wanna come join me? So, I feel like Esther is a little part of the reason that I'm here. Also, last night, it was amazing and peaceful to feel like I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be and doing exactly what I'm supposed to be doing. Such a neat feeling to sense that you're doing what you were created to do!! I highly encourage it! :o) It was awesome to be able to communicate with Esther, love on her, and help her out a little medically.
So, I fell asleep last night praying for Esther, and woke up this morning around 5am looking like this...
So far, the meds are kicking in and I can open both eyes again and actually have both contacts in again! Hooray!! But I'm calling on all you wonderful people who pray!! Please join me in praying for allergy-free days and discovering their source! Thank you!!!
Once again, I had a great time with the Lord this morning as He encouraged me that His presence and peace are available even when I can't see (literally). My devotional reading for this morning talked about how ever since His resurrection, when Jesus showed up, He encouraged His followers with the works "Peace be unto you" and that "I will never leave you or forsake you". So, I am so thankful for His peace and presence in the midst of this battle with reactions. Even though it's still a little hard to see, I can still study Creole by listening to those awesome music videos! Watch out, allergies, I'm ready to fight!!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Haiti for the Holidays... :o)
Up until this moment, I haven't felt very fall-ish... I mean, I live in the Caribbean. I'm studying outside to work (carefully, without getting burned) on my tan (and of course, my Creole). But otherwise, it's been rather toasty here, with tempertures in the 90s-100s during the day. Next week is Thanksgiving, and I feel much more ready for Memorial Day or some other holiday where I can go swimming and eat ice cream, not turkey and stuffing! :o) I've noticed many of my friends debating on facebook about if it's too early for Christmas music... I can barely imagine C-mas music, although a Gingerbread latte from Starbucks does sound rather appetizing.
Until today...
This afternoon, I found a radio station in Creole. My language teacher recommends that I listen to as much Creole as I can to pick up on the little sounds and contractions that make Creole so tricky. So, I just finished class and scoured the internet to find Radio Lumiere.... an awesome Christian radio station that's mostly in Creole. And the first song that came on was a Christmas carol!! So, despite the heat and workin on my tan, I suddenly find myself quite in the Christmas spirit! Wanna listen along? Check out...http://www.radiolumiere.org/
And may all your Christmases be in Creole!
Until today...
This afternoon, I found a radio station in Creole. My language teacher recommends that I listen to as much Creole as I can to pick up on the little sounds and contractions that make Creole so tricky. So, I just finished class and scoured the internet to find Radio Lumiere.... an awesome Christian radio station that's mostly in Creole. And the first song that came on was a Christmas carol!! So, despite the heat and workin on my tan, I suddenly find myself quite in the Christmas spirit! Wanna listen along? Check out...http://www.radiolumiere.org/
And may all your Christmases be in Creole!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
It's good to be three!
I think that I have reverted back to being a three-year-old. I speak in short sentences, I go to bed at 9pm, and I get really excited when someone gives me a cookie. Perhaps this needs a little more explanation... :o)
I've also been learning to trust the Lord with childlike faith this week. First, I got to be my own patient and visit my first Haitian pharmacy! As many of you know, I have a few random food allergies of things that are pretty easy to avoid. But, it seems that I'm allergic to something new, for I woke up Friday morning covered in hives from hades. Many were larger than my hand! I was absolutely miserable. Thankfully, the pharmacy had exactly the medicine that I needed! I don't itch anymore, but I'm still on the meds and now have a mystery on my hands to discover the source of those hives. Also, an unexpected blessing--I learned that mosquitoes don't like to bite me when I have hives! I guess they're afraid to catch what I've got!! I was so thankful to have a respite from mosquito bites! But I had a sweet time in prayer with my Heavenly Father on Friday as I cried out for Him to remove those hives, and He gently reminded me that He's bigger and more powerful than hives and that He has been preparing me for this work in Haiti for a long time.
First, it was neat to think that God had prepared me for that unfortunate occurrence. I'm a PA; I knew which meds would work and make me feel better. I was so thankful that God had lead me all those years and giant textbooks ago to learn medicine. Without that, I think I'd still be a big ball of itchy misery.
Second, my Heavenly Papa is teaching me that being a kid isn't so bad! He wants me to have childlike faith in the midst of these new situations and language learning. And like a child, I am back in school again; this time in preparation for my future Kingdom work here in Haiti.
Third, I've been learning to bloom where I'm planted. I'm praying for opportunities to be used while I'm here and learning to communicate. It's been neat to get to babysit for Carl and Maya so that they could go on their first date since Zahra was born, and one afternoon I made iced lattes for all of us (my espresso machine that I brought is the closest that we'll get to Starbucks this year!!). I'm thankful for these neat little moments to serve while I get ready for more hands-on service.
Well, I would love to write more, like to tell you about the awesome church that we went to this morning (at 7am), but it's 8:53pm, and you know what that means! Bedtime!!
~diane
P.S.~ I hope that your day is full of wonderful things-- like naptime and milk and cookies!
This week has been a week chock-full of language learning, and hence my regression in age! Matt and I each have a 2 hour lesson in Creole every weekday, and then spend the rest of our time memorizing more Creole words and playing with Thea and Zahra (see-- we play with other kids! we're 3 again! :). Our Creole is progressing "piti piti" (little by little), and usually we just make people laugh a lot. I don't know a whole lot of words, but I sure can get creative in how I use the ones I know! :o) Also, Creole kind of sounds like baby-talk. It's very musical, but many words contain sounds like "kap" and "w'ap" and things that sound much like a baby learning to English.
DISCLAIMER: I may be forgetting some English, or at least how to spell! I apologize in advance if I miss something and the spellcheck doesn't get it! From now on, please don't hold me responsible for the grammar/spelling of my blogs! Thanks!!
Nine pm bedtime-- It's true!! I really have gone to bed that early! And it's really not a weird or difficult thing around here! Not everyone has electricity, even here in the capital city, so most people's days revolve around sunlight. That means getting up with the roosters before 6am and heading home by 5:30 pm when the sun sets.
So when missionary midnight (9pm) rolls around, you're quite ready to sleep. Also, learning a new language wears me out, so getting 8 or 9 hours a sleep is so helpful for my memory!
Cookies-- we've had lots of yummy homemade cookies this week! And that makes me so happy... I think that's all I need to say about that. ;o)
Thea is my favorite person to try out Creole with. As an 18-month-old, she doesn't correct my grammar, doesn't care if it takes me a few minutes to get a simple phrase out, and will giggle incessantly if I spin her in circles. I'm a little nervous that I may be corrupting her Creole, but I figure that her dad (a native Haitian) will have the rest of his life to straighten her out if I'm leading her astray! :o)
I've also been learning to trust the Lord with childlike faith this week. First, I got to be my own patient and visit my first Haitian pharmacy! As many of you know, I have a few random food allergies of things that are pretty easy to avoid. But, it seems that I'm allergic to something new, for I woke up Friday morning covered in hives from hades. Many were larger than my hand! I was absolutely miserable. Thankfully, the pharmacy had exactly the medicine that I needed! I don't itch anymore, but I'm still on the meds and now have a mystery on my hands to discover the source of those hives. Also, an unexpected blessing--I learned that mosquitoes don't like to bite me when I have hives! I guess they're afraid to catch what I've got!! I was so thankful to have a respite from mosquito bites! But I had a sweet time in prayer with my Heavenly Father on Friday as I cried out for Him to remove those hives, and He gently reminded me that He's bigger and more powerful than hives and that He has been preparing me for this work in Haiti for a long time.
First, it was neat to think that God had prepared me for that unfortunate occurrence. I'm a PA; I knew which meds would work and make me feel better. I was so thankful that God had lead me all those years and giant textbooks ago to learn medicine. Without that, I think I'd still be a big ball of itchy misery.
Second, my Heavenly Papa is teaching me that being a kid isn't so bad! He wants me to have childlike faith in the midst of these new situations and language learning. And like a child, I am back in school again; this time in preparation for my future Kingdom work here in Haiti.
Third, I've been learning to bloom where I'm planted. I'm praying for opportunities to be used while I'm here and learning to communicate. It's been neat to get to babysit for Carl and Maya so that they could go on their first date since Zahra was born, and one afternoon I made iced lattes for all of us (my espresso machine that I brought is the closest that we'll get to Starbucks this year!!). I'm thankful for these neat little moments to serve while I get ready for more hands-on service.
Well, I would love to write more, like to tell you about the awesome church that we went to this morning (at 7am), but it's 8:53pm, and you know what that means! Bedtime!!
~diane
P.S.~ I hope that your day is full of wonderful things-- like naptime and milk and cookies!
Monday, November 9, 2009
Status-Post Haitian Vacation... ;o)
The Lord definitely has a sense of adventure! So after an awesome week of "roughin' it" for Jesus at that incredible resort with AC, gourmet meals (not always sure exactly what i was eating, but it was awesome), and (usually) hot showers, we have arrived in Port-Au-Prince to find a rather different situation.
Matt Tegen and I are staying with Carl and Maya Gilles and their adorable daughters Thea (18 months) and Zahra (1 month) in their beautiful guest house for this month to cram as much Creole into our heads as possible. As we pulled up to their house, Carl hopped out and opened the large metal gate, and I felt like we were on House Hunters International! It's a lovely home with tiled floors and lots of space and fun rainbow-colored awnings above the windows.
Shortly after we arrived, we learned that the water had been left on while we were at the retreat for the week, and it had emptied the cistern on the roof... leaving us with no water!! It's been an interesting journey the last 48 hours of Carl valiantly trying to get it fixed. In the midst of that, once the electric went off for several hours. Usually, the city electricity runs for several hours, then we switch to that battery inverter system, and when that's done we move to the generator. It enables us to have fans (without which we might not sleep) and lights. So, I've learned how to have a Haitian shower (a sponge bath-style bathing routine using a large bucket of water and a smaller bucket to rinse with) and I've gotten good use out of my headlamp for putting on my makeup while getting ready for church at 5:15 this morning. It's definitely been an adventure. :o) I think the fact that we have internet still makes me feel like I'm not really roughing it.
Yup... 5:15! Church was a really neat experience this morning, and we attended the early service (6-8am) at the largest Wesleyan church in Haiti! The place was packed out, and it was incredible to hear the people pray!! While the pastor was praying, they were all agreeing with him, and I am so blessed to be a part of the Lord's church worldwide and worship with this amazing group of believers! We were introduced on stage before the church (thankfully Carl translated for us so I didn't have to do it in Creole-- yet! the goal for next Sunday is to be able to introduce myself and describe my future ministries). I didn't understand much beyond a few scattered words and phrases in the message that was all in Creole, but I did figure out which passage of Scripture he was using... only to learn later that he read it all in French! I'm so confused! :o)~
Also, we all got to enjoy sugar cane!! It's really good and different... You bite off a chunk, gnaw on it as sweetness floods your taste buds for 10 seconds, and then spit it out. It should come with a spittoon! It's nice, but much like chewing on sweet wood.
Matt Tegen and I are staying with Carl and Maya Gilles and their adorable daughters Thea (18 months) and Zahra (1 month) in their beautiful guest house for this month to cram as much Creole into our heads as possible. As we pulled up to their house, Carl hopped out and opened the large metal gate, and I felt like we were on House Hunters International! It's a lovely home with tiled floors and lots of space and fun rainbow-colored awnings above the windows.
Shortly after we arrived, we learned that the water had been left on while we were at the retreat for the week, and it had emptied the cistern on the roof... leaving us with no water!! It's been an interesting journey the last 48 hours of Carl valiantly trying to get it fixed. In the midst of that, once the electric went off for several hours. Usually, the city electricity runs for several hours, then we switch to that battery inverter system, and when that's done we move to the generator. It enables us to have fans (without which we might not sleep) and lights. So, I've learned how to have a Haitian shower (a sponge bath-style bathing routine using a large bucket of water and a smaller bucket to rinse with) and I've gotten good use out of my headlamp for putting on my makeup while getting ready for church at 5:15 this morning. It's definitely been an adventure. :o) I think the fact that we have internet still makes me feel like I'm not really roughing it.
Yup... 5:15! Church was a really neat experience this morning, and we attended the early service (6-8am) at the largest Wesleyan church in Haiti! The place was packed out, and it was incredible to hear the people pray!! While the pastor was praying, they were all agreeing with him, and I am so blessed to be a part of the Lord's church worldwide and worship with this amazing group of believers! We were introduced on stage before the church (thankfully Carl translated for us so I didn't have to do it in Creole-- yet! the goal for next Sunday is to be able to introduce myself and describe my future ministries). I didn't understand much beyond a few scattered words and phrases in the message that was all in Creole, but I did figure out which passage of Scripture he was using... only to learn later that he read it all in French! I'm so confused! :o)~
Yesterday we had some fun little adventures! We whizzed thorough the downtown area to see the huge cathedral, a museum, and the palace, and then went souvenir shopping with some girls that were just here for the week. I bought a lovely painting that's gracing my room here, which Matt helped me negotiate the price for like 30 minutes! Do you like it?:
Now that you have an idea of some of the tastes of Haiti, let me describe the smells... Periodically, the aroma of a fire permeates the air. It seems that something is always burning. Typically, someone is burning a pile of trash. I'll have to post pictures of the city soon so that you can visualize it too! Thus far, I've been in a moving vehicle through the streets, so I'll have to try to get some still shots soon! But here's a little peek into my room, complete with my rockin' mosquito netting:
I'll leave you with one last story of smells here... On Sundays, we're on our own for meals, as the cook/housekeeper and her niece have a much-deserved day off. This afternoon, I had the pleasure of making eggplant lasagna (eggplant is sooo cheap here!) with salad and garlic cheese bread for lunch. It was fun finding my way around a kitchen in Haiti. The oven is fueled with propane, so you have to light a match and then turn the gas on for the stove and oven. We can't (shouldn't :) drink water from the tap, so it's an interesting process of cleaning vegetables. Washing dishes involves a small amount of soap and bleach and a rinse bucket of boiling hot water to scorch the germs and hopefully attain a small measure of sterility. But the results of the cooking sure were wonderful!! And one last scent to leave you with... Maya made cappuccino chip cookies for dessert! The running water it off again right now, but I'd say we're not roughing it too bad right now. ;o)
Friday, November 6, 2009
Haitian Vacation?!!! :o)
Yup, you read that right! I'm kinda on vacation for my first few days in Haiti! How sweet after the hustle and bustle of leaving and the unexpected news about my dad! On the plane on Monday morning, the Lord spoke to me about resting in Him, and it was so sweet to find out Monday night when I got here, that it's also the theme of this retreat, centered on the same verses that God had shown me!!
First, I need to give you a quick update. My dad's bladder cancer biopsies came back this week, and-- praise the Lord!!!-- it's a low level, non-invasive cancer!! The prostate still needs further biopsies, but we are soooo thankful for this news!!! Thanks for your encouraging notes and especially for your prayers!
This week is an area missionary retreat, and it's the first one in several years. There are 26 of us gathered here, and it feels much like an extended family reunion-- we don't know one another that well but we already love each other! There are also 2 incredible women here who have been doing missions work in Guyana and Suriname for 40 years!! Their stories are incredible and encouraging, and it's fun to see pictures of people in grass huts!
I felt a little silly at first to be on a retreat when I haven't done any work yet, but I've been assured that I'll earn it soon enough! We're right on the ocean and the sunsets have been incredible! Isn't God a great artist?!
And the beach is incredible:
And I think that's where Monday night's dinner came from! Conch is yummy! Tastes a little like chicken... :o)
The schedule for this week has lent itself to lots of adventures! Our normal schedule consisted of meetings of encouragement and team building in the morning, and then free afternoons and evenings. Those times were full of swimming in the ocean and pool, enjoying the sun, playing games, visiting, drawing, napping, and snorkeling. And we were especially excited to have AC in the bedrooms and hot water (most of the time :). Picture us here:
And then one afternoon, I was invited to another mission for a quick visit.
That morning, one of our team members shared a neat insight into a common experience for missionaries in Haiti. Often when we're out on the island (La Gonave, the place where I'll be for most of my time here), children will hold our hand while we're out. The missionary mentioned that these kids are placing some of their hope and trust in us every time they do that. When I was here in March for a week and that occurred, it was just like "o, isn't that cute?!", but what a neat insight he had! But how neat to consider even these little events as a moment in which to share Christ and His love as a child places their trust in me for a short time.
This afternoon, a few of us visited Mission Possible with Cory, a botanist and a missionary in the northern part of Haiti. He was going to check on the garden, and they also have a school there. While exploring the gardens we checked out the banana trees.
As we meandered through the gardens, a little girl who lived there grabbed my hand. Instantly, Carl's message from the morning came to mind, and I felt so priviledged to be in this country and have moments of influence and venues for impact.
We also had a glimpse of Haitian power supply, and it's quite different from the States!! When the normal power goes out, we rely on an inverter system using power that was stored in car batteries! The one at this mission looks like this:
I think that there's 18 of 'em!
On the drive back, Cory told us about the gardens on the side of the mountains. The mountains are so steep here that people sometimes fall out of their gardens!! The lighter areas on the mountains in this picture are surgham.
A few more pictures from the retreat... This is the view from our room and the room itself:
And a few quick pics to prove that I was actually here, too! :o) This is me doing what I do best-- talking!! I was waiting for lunch with Pastor Dan, our area director, Dr. Kris, her son Eli, and Marlene, the wife of our pastor to missionaries. And the dining room has an incredible ocean view!! There are no walls in there, so we also had little birds who visited with us for dinner! :o) The food was incredible, all prepared by a Haitian/ Canadian chef!
And this is me (in the hat) on the rock beach at sunset:
I hope and pray that you're having a wonderful, restful day and look forward to hearing about your adventures!!!
First, I need to give you a quick update. My dad's bladder cancer biopsies came back this week, and-- praise the Lord!!!-- it's a low level, non-invasive cancer!! The prostate still needs further biopsies, but we are soooo thankful for this news!!! Thanks for your encouraging notes and especially for your prayers!
This week is an area missionary retreat, and it's the first one in several years. There are 26 of us gathered here, and it feels much like an extended family reunion-- we don't know one another that well but we already love each other! There are also 2 incredible women here who have been doing missions work in Guyana and Suriname for 40 years!! Their stories are incredible and encouraging, and it's fun to see pictures of people in grass huts!
I felt a little silly at first to be on a retreat when I haven't done any work yet, but I've been assured that I'll earn it soon enough! We're right on the ocean and the sunsets have been incredible! Isn't God a great artist?!
And the beach is incredible:
And I think that's where Monday night's dinner came from! Conch is yummy! Tastes a little like chicken... :o)
The schedule for this week has lent itself to lots of adventures! Our normal schedule consisted of meetings of encouragement and team building in the morning, and then free afternoons and evenings. Those times were full of swimming in the ocean and pool, enjoying the sun, playing games, visiting, drawing, napping, and snorkeling. And we were especially excited to have AC in the bedrooms and hot water (most of the time :). Picture us here:
And then one afternoon, I was invited to another mission for a quick visit.
That morning, one of our team members shared a neat insight into a common experience for missionaries in Haiti. Often when we're out on the island (La Gonave, the place where I'll be for most of my time here), children will hold our hand while we're out. The missionary mentioned that these kids are placing some of their hope and trust in us every time they do that. When I was here in March for a week and that occurred, it was just like "o, isn't that cute?!", but what a neat insight he had! But how neat to consider even these little events as a moment in which to share Christ and His love as a child places their trust in me for a short time.
This afternoon, a few of us visited Mission Possible with Cory, a botanist and a missionary in the northern part of Haiti. He was going to check on the garden, and they also have a school there. While exploring the gardens we checked out the banana trees.
As we meandered through the gardens, a little girl who lived there grabbed my hand. Instantly, Carl's message from the morning came to mind, and I felt so priviledged to be in this country and have moments of influence and venues for impact.
We also had a glimpse of Haitian power supply, and it's quite different from the States!! When the normal power goes out, we rely on an inverter system using power that was stored in car batteries! The one at this mission looks like this:
On the drive back, Cory told us about the gardens on the side of the mountains. The mountains are so steep here that people sometimes fall out of their gardens!! The lighter areas on the mountains in this picture are surgham.
A few more pictures from the retreat... This is the view from our room and the room itself:
And a few quick pics to prove that I was actually here, too! :o) This is me doing what I do best-- talking!! I was waiting for lunch with Pastor Dan, our area director, Dr. Kris, her son Eli, and Marlene, the wife of our pastor to missionaries. And the dining room has an incredible ocean view!! There are no walls in there, so we also had little birds who visited with us for dinner! :o) The food was incredible, all prepared by a Haitian/ Canadian chef!
And this is me (in the hat) on the rock beach at sunset:
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Dear Friends, a little letter from me to you
Dear Friends,
Hi! I feel like writing a letter today more than a blog. Letters seem to be a little more personal and sweet (or maybe just a little more Diane-ish :o). Most of the New Testament was written as letters-- epistles full of love, encouragement, personal greetings, and exhortations to know and love the relational God who first loved us. Today and the news that I have to share are letter-types of things.
My dear friends, thank you for going on this journey with me!! I'm so glad to have you with me in spirit on these new adventures. And I especially appreciate your prayers and responses!
I'm leaving tomorrow night for Haiti!! My flight leaves at 7:45pm from Atlanta, then it's on to a quick overnight in JFK. On Monday morning, I should arrive in Port-au-Prince!! Nov. 2-6th is a retreat for the area missionaries-- the first in several years! Then, I'll stay in the capital for language training for the rest of November and on to the hospital in December. Can't wait!
Dear friends, the next bit of news is hard to write. About 3 weeks ago, my dad started having some concerning symptoms. From an ER mindset, they were cancerous until proven otherwise. From a daughter's standpoint, they were nothing until they were something. Unfortunately, it did turn out to be something. My father was diagnosed with bladder and prostate cancer yesterday. We are waiting for the biopsies to come back to know how severe it is. Hopefully, it's not much of something.
In the midst of this curveball of news in my last week States-side, the Lord has been so sweet! None of this takes Him by surprise! My dad has an incredible sense of peace. And God has made it so clear that I need to be departing for Haiti in November. It has been incredible to watch Him bring the Haiti trip together! The vice president of the missions board I'm going through was amazed that all of the funds came together in just 5 months! I had a veteran missionary tell me this week how stunned he was that all of my fund-raising is already done (i'm just $500 shy of the whole $27,300 needed!). In the spring, I felt so strongly that I needed to leave in Nov., and here I am departing on Nov. 1st!! At this point, it still seems like I need to leave, but so much of my heart and prayers will still be here in little Central, SC. I know that my dad remains in the competent hands of great physicians, the gracious hands of loving friends, and the Almighty hands of Father God.
It has been a crazy but good week here. We spent it in doctors' offices, packing (and repacking-- still 3 pounds over in both suitcases! :o)~, eating and more eating of favorite foods, spending every second possible with family and friends and my wonderful boyfriend, and celebrating holidays (we had Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas all this week!). I also had my last day of work yesterday, and it was an incredible love-feast! Love, because I don't know that I've ever felt so loved at a job, especially yesterday with the news of my father's illness!! And feast, because I have NEVER in 3 years there seen so much food in that place! And I think that food there really equates with love, and it poured out in a high tea and many other yummy treats. Heehee, and I think that I will be feelin' that love around my hips for a while! :o) What a blessing to work with such wonderful people!
May the grace, peace, and comfort of our gracious, powerful, comforting God fill you today and every day! Thank you in advance for your prayers and comments-- I look forward to keeping in touch!
In His peace,
~diane
Hi! I feel like writing a letter today more than a blog. Letters seem to be a little more personal and sweet (or maybe just a little more Diane-ish :o). Most of the New Testament was written as letters-- epistles full of love, encouragement, personal greetings, and exhortations to know and love the relational God who first loved us. Today and the news that I have to share are letter-types of things.
My dear friends, thank you for going on this journey with me!! I'm so glad to have you with me in spirit on these new adventures. And I especially appreciate your prayers and responses!
I'm leaving tomorrow night for Haiti!! My flight leaves at 7:45pm from Atlanta, then it's on to a quick overnight in JFK. On Monday morning, I should arrive in Port-au-Prince!! Nov. 2-6th is a retreat for the area missionaries-- the first in several years! Then, I'll stay in the capital for language training for the rest of November and on to the hospital in December. Can't wait!
Dear friends, the next bit of news is hard to write. About 3 weeks ago, my dad started having some concerning symptoms. From an ER mindset, they were cancerous until proven otherwise. From a daughter's standpoint, they were nothing until they were something. Unfortunately, it did turn out to be something. My father was diagnosed with bladder and prostate cancer yesterday. We are waiting for the biopsies to come back to know how severe it is. Hopefully, it's not much of something.
In the midst of this curveball of news in my last week States-side, the Lord has been so sweet! None of this takes Him by surprise! My dad has an incredible sense of peace. And God has made it so clear that I need to be departing for Haiti in November. It has been incredible to watch Him bring the Haiti trip together! The vice president of the missions board I'm going through was amazed that all of the funds came together in just 5 months! I had a veteran missionary tell me this week how stunned he was that all of my fund-raising is already done (i'm just $500 shy of the whole $27,300 needed!). In the spring, I felt so strongly that I needed to leave in Nov., and here I am departing on Nov. 1st!! At this point, it still seems like I need to leave, but so much of my heart and prayers will still be here in little Central, SC. I know that my dad remains in the competent hands of great physicians, the gracious hands of loving friends, and the Almighty hands of Father God.
It has been a crazy but good week here. We spent it in doctors' offices, packing (and repacking-- still 3 pounds over in both suitcases! :o)~, eating and more eating of favorite foods, spending every second possible with family and friends and my wonderful boyfriend, and celebrating holidays (we had Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas all this week!). I also had my last day of work yesterday, and it was an incredible love-feast! Love, because I don't know that I've ever felt so loved at a job, especially yesterday with the news of my father's illness!! And feast, because I have NEVER in 3 years there seen so much food in that place! And I think that food there really equates with love, and it poured out in a high tea and many other yummy treats. Heehee, and I think that I will be feelin' that love around my hips for a while! :o) What a blessing to work with such wonderful people!
May the grace, peace, and comfort of our gracious, powerful, comforting God fill you today and every day! Thank you in advance for your prayers and comments-- I look forward to keeping in touch!
In His peace,
~diane
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
My Life, a Miniseries
I think that God loves to surprise me when I least expect Him to! I like to think that it's kinda like He's sitting on a couch in Heaven watching the miniseries of my life and at a moment like today, He'll lean over to an angel and say, "Hey, Gabriel, watch this! She's gonna love what I did for her! Watch for the expression that going to be on her face!" And then He leans back and smiles as He watches me enjoy the surprise that He's had in store for me since before the creation of the world.
Today had one of those moments!
So, I was writing an email to my mobilizer from Global Partners this morning. My mobilizer is the guy who makes sure that all of the long list of stuff to be done before going to Haiti gets done. I'm so thankful for him!! It's great to have someone know you, know your paperwork, and know how to get you to where God wants you to go! So, I was writing about my checklist of stuff (which is shrinking rapidly!!!) and mentioning fundraising. If my budget gets officially approved for $27,000 (that's the number i've been working with, but I need some i's dotted and t's crossed to make it proper), then I only need another $5,500! Woohoo! But the funny thing is... I have no idea where that money is going to come from!! The mobilizer wanted to know my plan for raising funds this month, and as I sat there pondering what to write had this feeling of "duh, uh, I dunno..." I don't really have a whole lot more contacts than the ones I've already contacted. It was a bleak feeling, and oddly, I felt so bleak I didn't even feel like I could pray about it.
So, on to the next email that I needed to respond to... and I realized that I needed to write back to a dear friend of mine who wrote me last week and asked about how to support me! Hooray! The Lord already has one more supporter lined up!
As I was writing her, I got a phone call from my mom. One of her friends had just stopped by to see her and share some exciting news from her (the friend's) recent doctor's visit. This doctor is a wonderful, nice doctor that I met as a student, and he had expressed interest in offering me a job 3 years ago. I had something else lined up by then, but he's still one of my favorite doctors. Well, this doctor asked my mom's friend if I was still moonlighting at the internist's office. When she said that I wasn't, he inquired about my current job status. The friend went on to explain that I'm preparing for Haiti and that I have a LOT of money to raise. {this is the part where God leans over and smiles big} The doc wants to support me!!! He told her to tell me to send him a letter and that he would love to be a part of my support team! Wow!!!
It's so neat when I think that I'm absolutely at the end of all that I can do trying to follow God's leading, and then He steps in to provide in ways that I never even imagined (and i have a really good imagination!). And He works even when I have zero faith that He's doing it!
Thanks for your prayers and I hope that today you're enjoying the next installment of adventures that God has planned for the miniseries of your life!
~diane
P.S.~ My target departure date is early November! Soooo excited!
Today had one of those moments!
So, I was writing an email to my mobilizer from Global Partners this morning. My mobilizer is the guy who makes sure that all of the long list of stuff to be done before going to Haiti gets done. I'm so thankful for him!! It's great to have someone know you, know your paperwork, and know how to get you to where God wants you to go! So, I was writing about my checklist of stuff (which is shrinking rapidly!!!) and mentioning fundraising. If my budget gets officially approved for $27,000 (that's the number i've been working with, but I need some i's dotted and t's crossed to make it proper), then I only need another $5,500! Woohoo! But the funny thing is... I have no idea where that money is going to come from!! The mobilizer wanted to know my plan for raising funds this month, and as I sat there pondering what to write had this feeling of "duh, uh, I dunno..." I don't really have a whole lot more contacts than the ones I've already contacted. It was a bleak feeling, and oddly, I felt so bleak I didn't even feel like I could pray about it.
So, on to the next email that I needed to respond to... and I realized that I needed to write back to a dear friend of mine who wrote me last week and asked about how to support me! Hooray! The Lord already has one more supporter lined up!
As I was writing her, I got a phone call from my mom. One of her friends had just stopped by to see her and share some exciting news from her (the friend's) recent doctor's visit. This doctor is a wonderful, nice doctor that I met as a student, and he had expressed interest in offering me a job 3 years ago. I had something else lined up by then, but he's still one of my favorite doctors. Well, this doctor asked my mom's friend if I was still moonlighting at the internist's office. When she said that I wasn't, he inquired about my current job status. The friend went on to explain that I'm preparing for Haiti and that I have a LOT of money to raise. {this is the part where God leans over and smiles big} The doc wants to support me!!! He told her to tell me to send him a letter and that he would love to be a part of my support team! Wow!!!
It's so neat when I think that I'm absolutely at the end of all that I can do trying to follow God's leading, and then He steps in to provide in ways that I never even imagined (and i have a really good imagination!). And He works even when I have zero faith that He's doing it!
Thanks for your prayers and I hope that today you're enjoying the next installment of adventures that God has planned for the miniseries of your life!
~diane
P.S.~ My target departure date is early November! Soooo excited!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Sweet Thoughts of September
Happy Fall! It certainly feels like fall today!! It's wonderful to run in the afternoon (since it's no longer blisteringly hot at that time), drink Pumpkin Spice lattes from Starbucks, and watch God paint the leaves!
I hope that you're having a wonderful week! My September has started well with some hikes in parents' mountainous neighborhood, easing back into running (after a 4 month hiatus after running a marathon and then having shoulder surgery), and definitely enjoying a few lattes! Below is a fun recipe that I found for a homemade Pumpin Spice Latte-- let me know if you think it tastes like the real thing!
2 shots Espresso
3 oz milk combined w/ 3oz 1/2 & 1/2 steamed & frothed-- or As much as you like
2 Tsp Pumpkin Spice- Grocery store Spice Isle.
1 tblsp white mocha Tollhouse chips to sweeten.
Then mix it all up to taste. Top with whipped cream and a sprinke of pumpkin spice.
As much as I'm enjoying fall right now, I kind of miss summer. Usually, summer is so hot that I long for fall by the time it gets here. This year, I have a little bit of nostaglia for summer, like I wasn't quite ready for it to be done yet... I was hoping for a few more days of soaking up sun on the deck, wearing skirts, and eating watermelon. I think that perhaps God is getting even my internal thermometer ready for Haiti! I'm looking forward to living in perpetual summer, where the coldest it gets is 80 degrees at night in the winter!
Speaking of Haiti, it looks like a November departure just might happen!! I'm so close with the fund raising-- praise the Lord!!! I only need another $5,600 out of the $27,000! It's fun and wonderful and scary and exhilarating to be so close!! Thanks for your prayers!!
May you have a wonderul, blessed, pumpkin-spice-filled fall week!
I hope that you're having a wonderful week! My September has started well with some hikes in parents' mountainous neighborhood, easing back into running (after a 4 month hiatus after running a marathon and then having shoulder surgery), and definitely enjoying a few lattes! Below is a fun recipe that I found for a homemade Pumpin Spice Latte-- let me know if you think it tastes like the real thing!
2 shots Espresso
3 oz milk combined w/ 3oz 1/2 & 1/2 steamed & frothed-- or As much as you like
2 Tsp Pumpkin Spice- Grocery store Spice Isle.
1 tblsp white mocha Tollhouse chips to sweeten.
Then mix it all up to taste. Top with whipped cream and a sprinke of pumpkin spice.
As much as I'm enjoying fall right now, I kind of miss summer. Usually, summer is so hot that I long for fall by the time it gets here. This year, I have a little bit of nostaglia for summer, like I wasn't quite ready for it to be done yet... I was hoping for a few more days of soaking up sun on the deck, wearing skirts, and eating watermelon. I think that perhaps God is getting even my internal thermometer ready for Haiti! I'm looking forward to living in perpetual summer, where the coldest it gets is 80 degrees at night in the winter!
Speaking of Haiti, it looks like a November departure just might happen!! I'm so close with the fund raising-- praise the Lord!!! I only need another $5,600 out of the $27,000! It's fun and wonderful and scary and exhilarating to be so close!! Thanks for your prayers!!
May you have a wonderul, blessed, pumpkin-spice-filled fall week!
Friday, August 28, 2009
The Start of the Blog
Hi, friends!!
Here it is... my very first real blog post!! Below are a few little blogs that I wrote last year when I attempted to blog, but I have finally decided that it's time to really blog.
Now for a little background on me and my sudden urge to blog... :o)
The last three years have been wonderful... I have had a wonderful job working with great people in an ER (and getting great stories out of it, like the college guys reenacting Braveheart with steak knives and the patient who tried to steal an ambulance :), I traveled to see dear friends scattered all over the globe, I developed an insatiable addiction to swing dancing, and I renovated and decorated an adorable, cozy cottage.
All that is about to change (not the wonderfulness, just all those details :o).
I'm embarking on a new adventure and following God to Haiti for a year!! I'm so excited to join God in the work that He is doing there! Here is how my life is about to be quite different:
~Job- I will be working in a 26-bed hospital that serves 100,000 people. I will take call on a rotating schedule with 2-4 Haitian doctors, and the most common ailments are HIV, malaria, high blood pressure problems (stroke/eclampsia), and machete lacerations. And I get to work in the only 2 rooms on the island with AC-- the 2 small surgical suites-- woohoo! :o)
~Travel- I will be living on the island of LaGonave, which is located in the bay of Haiti. It's only 38 miles long, but because there are no paved roads, it takes 8 hours to travel from one end to the other. To get there, I will fly into Port-au-Prince, take a 2 hour ride in the back of a pick up truck, get a 2 hour tour across the sea, and arrive at the crystal clear waters of our boat dock on La Gonave. The language of Haiti is Creole, which is a fun dialect of French and I'm working hard at it (Sa ou genyen diarre? do you have diarrhea? ;).
~Fun stuff- There will be 3 other young adult missionaries from the States with me in Haiti, and we're hoping to start a small group for young adults at the Haitian church. Few people have electricity, so most people are free to do stuff once the sun sets (at 6:30pm), leaving an awesome opportunity for us to engage in fellowship on the missions compound (which has electricity until 9pm). Also, there is a huge desire to learn Spanish on the island, and I'm hoping to start a weekly Spanish club for practice and relationship-building, since they can't practice Spanish like we can in the States (by going to a local Mexican restaurant or watching the Spanish channel on tv). I'm also excited about visiting the local orphanage, full of adorable children who have smiles so warm they could melt chocolate.
~Housing- I am excited to get to live on the missions compound with a bunch of great missionaries!! There are several families who will be there and 3 other young adults. There is very little prepackaged foods on the island, so we do have a kitchen and employ 3 cooks for when teams come down for short term trips from the States. I hear I can even get one of them to bake me a loaf of bread every week, as there's no where to buy it! But they do have peanutbutter and delicious mangoes in the open air markets where I'll shop-- I'm excited!!
I'm going through Global Partners, the missions arm of the Wesleyan church (i currently attend FWC/ALIVE... www.fwcalive.com) and the link to my page with them is www.wesleyan.org/gp/mdirectory2/WM29-0070. I'm in the process of raising the last $7,500 out of $27,000 that I need to go, and I have been so blessed to see how the Lord is providing!! God has been bringing people into my life--without me doing anything-- who have been huge supporters and promoters. One of my nurses approached me about speaking at her church, where the pastor gave me all of this normal sermon time, I was informed at the last minute that I should give an alter call (first one EVER), and a girl got saved!!! I was approached by another coworker, who wants me to speak on her uncle's local Christian radio station!! God sent me wonderful renters for my cozy cottage, and I never advertised it!!
It has been an incredible summer, and I'm so excited to see what's next! I'm hoping to leave for Haiti by the end of the year, and I would love to have you share the journey with me!!
Ready or not, here I blog...
~diane
Here it is... my very first real blog post!! Below are a few little blogs that I wrote last year when I attempted to blog, but I have finally decided that it's time to really blog.
Now for a little background on me and my sudden urge to blog... :o)
The last three years have been wonderful... I have had a wonderful job working with great people in an ER (and getting great stories out of it, like the college guys reenacting Braveheart with steak knives and the patient who tried to steal an ambulance :), I traveled to see dear friends scattered all over the globe, I developed an insatiable addiction to swing dancing, and I renovated and decorated an adorable, cozy cottage.
All that is about to change (not the wonderfulness, just all those details :o).
I'm embarking on a new adventure and following God to Haiti for a year!! I'm so excited to join God in the work that He is doing there! Here is how my life is about to be quite different:
~Job- I will be working in a 26-bed hospital that serves 100,000 people. I will take call on a rotating schedule with 2-4 Haitian doctors, and the most common ailments are HIV, malaria, high blood pressure problems (stroke/eclampsia), and machete lacerations. And I get to work in the only 2 rooms on the island with AC-- the 2 small surgical suites-- woohoo! :o)
~Travel- I will be living on the island of LaGonave, which is located in the bay of Haiti. It's only 38 miles long, but because there are no paved roads, it takes 8 hours to travel from one end to the other. To get there, I will fly into Port-au-Prince, take a 2 hour ride in the back of a pick up truck, get a 2 hour tour across the sea, and arrive at the crystal clear waters of our boat dock on La Gonave. The language of Haiti is Creole, which is a fun dialect of French and I'm working hard at it (Sa ou genyen diarre? do you have diarrhea? ;).
~Fun stuff- There will be 3 other young adult missionaries from the States with me in Haiti, and we're hoping to start a small group for young adults at the Haitian church. Few people have electricity, so most people are free to do stuff once the sun sets (at 6:30pm), leaving an awesome opportunity for us to engage in fellowship on the missions compound (which has electricity until 9pm). Also, there is a huge desire to learn Spanish on the island, and I'm hoping to start a weekly Spanish club for practice and relationship-building, since they can't practice Spanish like we can in the States (by going to a local Mexican restaurant or watching the Spanish channel on tv). I'm also excited about visiting the local orphanage, full of adorable children who have smiles so warm they could melt chocolate.
~Housing- I am excited to get to live on the missions compound with a bunch of great missionaries!! There are several families who will be there and 3 other young adults. There is very little prepackaged foods on the island, so we do have a kitchen and employ 3 cooks for when teams come down for short term trips from the States. I hear I can even get one of them to bake me a loaf of bread every week, as there's no where to buy it! But they do have peanutbutter and delicious mangoes in the open air markets where I'll shop-- I'm excited!!
I'm going through Global Partners, the missions arm of the Wesleyan church (i currently attend FWC/ALIVE... www.fwcalive.com) and the link to my page with them is www.wesleyan.org/gp/mdirectory2/WM29-0070. I'm in the process of raising the last $7,500 out of $27,000 that I need to go, and I have been so blessed to see how the Lord is providing!! God has been bringing people into my life--without me doing anything-- who have been huge supporters and promoters. One of my nurses approached me about speaking at her church, where the pastor gave me all of this normal sermon time, I was informed at the last minute that I should give an alter call (first one EVER), and a girl got saved!!! I was approached by another coworker, who wants me to speak on her uncle's local Christian radio station!! God sent me wonderful renters for my cozy cottage, and I never advertised it!!
It has been an incredible summer, and I'm so excited to see what's next! I'm hoping to leave for Haiti by the end of the year, and I would love to have you share the journey with me!!
Ready or not, here I blog...
~diane
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