Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Giggles are Good Medicine!

Hello dear friends! It has been a strange day around here. All the kids seemed to be having a grumpy day. My patience was tried and so at times I felt a bit grumpy too. I had to be the "mean" nurse, getting my kids to do their physical therapy as they whined and whimpered (and some dramatic ones did some screaming for good measure). At the end of the day I laughed when I looked down and saw how filthy my scrubs were. The makings of a true nurse right? Hehe!

Bible study hour was a blast! We were talking about how the Father who loves us so tremendously doesn't just rejoice once he has us in his arms, but also wants to give us a new heart-His heart! So we put on this rediculously funny skit. Even the parents were fully into it. The whole time, I had Nancy on my mind. I hope to talk to her about her thoughts on that skit tomorrow. Pray for us!

Please pray for a change in the atmosphere and attitudes for tomorrow. The parents all seem quite content, it's just the kids-which is a funny switch on things! Please pray that all the kids will be enthusiastic about physical therapy for their recovery!

Lots of love!

Monday, March 8, 2010

Quick Prayer Requests

Hi friends! Is so late for me here, but really wanting to ask for specific prayers!

Things went really well today in the clinic. So smooth in fact! Bible study time was great. Got all my physical therapy done early. I sent home Daniette. She is such a cutie! I wrote her a letter and she kept holding it saying, "Moi mem?" ("for me?"). Of course she cannot read and so she was so confused!

This is my big request:

NANCY!!!!!!! She is depressed. She won't eat or drink. Though we have convinced her that she must drink ensure because it is vital for her wounds to heal. She does take in 3 a day. But really, she just sits in one spot all day and barely smiles. I gave her cards and we played today, but it was just motions without much enthusiasm. I pray a counselor comes! But as I was reminded, we do have One great Counselor in Christ.

Pray for Dev. She has 4 half way answers, as in 4 hospitals say, "yes we want her!" But none have succeeded in getting her there!

Okay, goodnight! love, Amanda

Sunday, March 7, 2010

All the kids are Healing!

I must update all of you who have been praying-THANK YOU!

It seems that the day I had Friday was necessary for the breakthrough that is following....my voice was heard and the docs and team realized where things had gone wrong. Yesterday was very productive:

I had a good conversation with Shakira's mom...and did send them home. Mom dedicated both her babies through a prayer I prayed and Rhegi interpreted. She loved the prayer so much that she had us write it so she can keep it beside her bed! We talked about how in Haiti someone may be looked down upon with one leg, but how God's kingdom is different. In His Kingdom, Shikira is among the greatest! I will definately keep praying for mama and fam. She is stubborn and chose the whealchair over the stroller which I fear is detrimental in Shakira's rehab. BUT, as always, Jesus is trully in charge!

I feel like a pilates instructor for a mom and me class! I held two classes teaching Carlandia and Elson with their mom's how to do rehab on their own kids. I then had a class for Daniette and Anderson who both got their casts off yesterday! Daniette will go home tomorrow!

Our Bible Study went so well! The Brazillian's rocked again! We told of the prodigal son, and of our wonderful Papa.

Prayers now: Nancy has cellulitis and is now on IV antibiotics.



As for today, I had a wonderful day off! The Lord restored me fully I do believe. I told him I wanted to know He was persuing me as well. He found me a sweet spot on a beach to journal(went with the YWAM team for the day!). And, one of the Brazillians taught me dance moves! Man it was like zumba all hyped up!

Love to you all!

Friday, March 5, 2010

Stand Firm. Stand Firm. Stand Firm. Stand Firm.

Hello dear ones,

Had my first headache from being here. Was in my tent when I heard women yelling. It was two mother's duking it out over a baby walker. Writing down actually makes me want to giggle a little. But at the time it was quite heart breaking. It was between Shakira's mom and Daniette's mom. I know Shakira's mom is wanting to make right choices to follow Jesus, and of course it was no surprise that in the spirit realm things are in an upheavel due to that...there was all this talk about Shakira's mom being kicked out of here and all of a sudden she is called the "bad one." I speak against those lies in Jesus name!!!

That all started my day hard anyways, but then all the staff except me was missing! (I learned later that Rebecca was given the day off). All the others were in a meeting and had decided to discharge 4 kids of which only 1 did I approve of! I was so frustrated that they didn't even ask me who is the only one who's been here and actually knows the kids and what they are capable of. I had a break down, but my voice was heard and the docs did realze the mistake of not communicating.

The docs didn't just dissapear for this meeting, but they took the medical charts with them and were gone until 10 am! I didn't know who should get what medicince and was stunted on beginning some of my more difficult physical therapy.

As for therapy, it was not communicated to me that some of the kids are getting heavier meds still and being manipulated more intensely. (This angered me because that means I was doing double duty on some of the poor kids and realized this is why they have swollen joints!)

Ok, I am done venting and want you to know that the Bible study was the highlight. Some Brazillian YWAMers came and shared along with our lesson on not worrying, but trusting Jesus as he also clothes the lilies and feeds the birds. They did an awesome job and all were captivated.

So who went home today?

In the end it was Michelanda who in my opinion was ready days ago. She had a foot wound and is walking and doing just fine. She is sweet, but a handful around here.

The other is Carlandia. I wouldn't have had it so. Not just because she is so cute and such a joy, but she trully wasn't ready with the limp. AND I was unable to do teaching with mom because she was gone for the day and an aunt came for her. So bizaare. We told them to come tomorrow so I could do teaching. Praying they make it!

The other 2 did not go home because I just wouldn't have it so. It was just not right on many levels.

So in the end I am saying again, Jesus is the ultimate advocate and he is doing his job! And yes, standing firm, having done all I will stand firm!

Love, amanda

Thursday, March 4, 2010

The Sweetest Kind of Crazy!

Today it was just me and Becc (the Australian nurse from Rwanda that is here for 6 weeks), and while the atmosphere was lovely...we were not informed that we would be the only 2 and so it was a bit busy! But all in all, I am so thankful to Jesus for every moment of this day!

I do not think I mentioned before that we do not have running water in our clinic, and today we also had no electricity. I did not even realize it because most of what I do is under the mango tree and because we really do not use the lights. But when one of our kids went limp and needed a nebulizer it was sticky! He is doing better now, but still not quite himself(this is Daniel from the orphanage for those who were here). It was cute once it got dark. Little Wingie(3) was on my heels because I had my little pen light so that I could keep working.

We laid hands on Rudy today because his mom wanted to take him somewhere tomorrow to be prayed for(honestly am afraid it would have been possibly witchery), so I suggested we all pray for him here. She abliged.

Also prayed for a new guy Paterson who had a skull injury from the quake and came in yesterday. He is soo weak! We told the story in Bible Study time of the woman who was bleeding and the child who was dying. We talked about how God cares for our hearts and our bodies. When for our activity the kids drew a heart with a real bandaid stuck on it, he drew this: A heart with a bandaid, and beside it himself with the wound coming out of his head. He is the sweetest boy and we saw that he really got the message today!

Oh, and Dev is much better! I could tell there were prayers right away because she really perked up unexpectedly and smiled today much more than usual.

Had a wonderful conversation with Shikira's mom today. She was admiring my love for the kids and we talked for some time about our lives. She then told me that when Shikira was a baby, her mom wanted to dedicate her in a church, but had been sick and unable to get to one. I told her that among the families here we could dedicate her because I believe that Jesus brought all these families together for a reason. She agreed that this is a good idea so tomorrow before bible study we will have a baby dedication!!!!

I am going to have a broken heart when I leave here. I shouldn't think about it yet, but I have only 2 weeks left. Please continue to pray that the atmosphere would be more and more full of prayer and the love of Jesus. I see so much of it already!

Thank you for being with me in prayer! You are then so close! Kristen, thanks for praying today because it was 1pm my time and I was having to press on to get my morning jobs done before lunch! And I was able to persevere quite smoothly.

Blessings! -Amanda

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

A Happy Heart

A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones. Prov. 17:22

Today the kids learned about the 10 lepers who were healed and how only 1 praised Jesus for it. Jesus still healed all 10, but only 1 had Jesus as a friend all the days of his life! The kids all shouted out things they were thankful to Jesus for and were given a sweetie(candy). Then the kids drew pictures of what they were thankful for. (Carlandia's answer was the best: I am thankful that Jesus made me walk again.) Oh the heart of a chid, so precious!

As for the rest of things around here:

Lastnight Jenny's mom had something like a seizure, some of us are thinking it is more demonic. She is one of the 3 moms that do not have Jesus. She is at Miami Field Hospital right now.

Dev: She threw up 7 times today. I almost started an IV on her, but instead tried the po challenge after taking her to the field hospital and getting anti-nausea medicine. She is doing well. She is asking for milk now, but we are going to take it slowly.

Greg, the physical therapist, has taught me so much. It was hard to see him go. The kids all loved him so much. He could speak french with them and they all smiled while he did treatments with them. Praying I can carry on with all that he has taught me. I will be doing alot of work with the kids who have pins in their legs, helping them to bend their legs and do some partial weight walking.

Baby Kevin seems to be very colicky these past two days. Talked with a local pediatrician who says to try my idea of sitting him up 30 minutes after meals before changing formula.

Jean is the happiest little guy ever! He loves listening to conversations and joining in with his little coo's and smiles.

Shakira gets up to her walker on her own now. Go sister!

Elson, who just had his cast removed was waddling around with his walker today. He was so proud with a big smile as he called my name to show what he could do. His grandmother also does not know Jesus, but I have seen a change in her that shows more and more joy.

Loise: (Sondra, we are taking care of her). She went to see an orthopedic surgeon yesterday and had her left leg manipulated to where it can bend because it was so stiff. She is doing well with therapy. I have been making sure she gets her bath each day and gets to a private spot to use the potty since her aunt still isn't here. Loise doesn't know where her aunt is.

Wingie: This is Jenny's brother who is perfectly healthy, perfectly sweet and perfectly cute! He charged into the clinic this morning and planted a kiss right on my cheek, smiled and went on with his busy little 3 year old life. I am smitten :D

Friends, please pray for me. I am like a protective mama of these 20+ kids and there are new volunteers who seem to think they know better or know more. It is causing risk for mistakes and also causing mistakes. It is surely an attitude of wanting to help, but it just may be mixed with a bit of something that isn't good. This thing of thinking they can cure all with one sweeping bit of brilliance or, I don't know. I do not want to be the judge, I just get nervous when they talk as if they have a certain kid all figured out when really what they are thinking is all wrong. (For example, giving little Rudy ativan because he cries that his mom won't give him the love he longs for and instead leaves him all alone.) I did put my foot down on this one. I am their advocate as their nurse. But I must must must remember that truly Jesus is their advocate as well as mine. HE IS IN CHARGE AND I CAN LAY ALL THESE CARES ON HIM!

Well friends, as always I am greatful for your prayers and finnishing another lovely day in Haiti.

Oh, and I have my translator still! The ministry I am serving with gave me the funds that would have been for my interpretor these last 2 weeks so we decided to give it to my interpretor so he could work with me. It is so necessary with all these extra tasks for the kids in physical therapy.

Love love love!

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Zumba in Haiti!

Hi darlings! Thinking of you all and so glad to know I have your friendship and support while I am here in Haiti!

Tonight I experienced Haitian dancing! So fun! You know I love to dance, and Carlandia's sister is my personal instructor now! She is always dancing with me anyway, but tonight she pulled me aside and taught me these crazy moves that were so much like zumba! Thinking of my zumba girls and excited to teach you the moves when I get back!

What else is going on here? So much since I last updated!

My two pediatricians did leave...today a couple arrived from Kuai, a doctor and a nurse, both so sweet and wonderful! I am going to love having them! A nurse from Australia is also here with me too. She will be here 6 weeks and the doc and nurse for 1 month. At the moment there is another team for just one weeks (they have been the cause of much trial to my patience and grace due to bed side manners, ect). But all is well and I am trusting THE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE!

Bible Studys have been a blast this week! I love the excitement from the kids and have seen some very captivated famiy members as well. Have had some great conversations with Nancy's uncle. Yesterday we taught the kids about persevering in prayer. I told the story of the man who when Jesus first touched him he saw men like trees, and so he laid hands on him again and then he was fully restored. So we had the kids do the same for each other once again.

Updates on kids:

Carlandia is starting to walk and stand on her own. I was moved to tears when during worship tonight she let go of my hands and started doing a little swaying dance! Her leg still needs to grow!

Hersen Joseph also got out of his cast and has one leg shorter than the other. I am learning that the docs sometimes do this on purspose because the thought is that as the leg heals it will also grow. I am praying to see this for them!

Rudy-docs at Miami Field Hospital think it's too late for him to have surgery. I cried when a doc said, "well he will probably always have a limp, but the question is will it be a painful limp." Rrrr! I do not accept that in Jesus name! I wanted to ask that doctor if he would like a painless limp all his life starting when he was 3.

Dev-Things are taking another turn in directions.....docs think she is actually much more serious than at first thought(which I have somehow known in my gut all along, but have prayed for healing, even today as I heald her during her nap I had my hand over her heart all the while). They are again trying to get her to the states. Yale? By the way, It's her 2 Birthday today! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEVEE!

Please pray for 3 mothers who must've had a rough childhood as well. Jenny's mom, Daniette's mom and Rudy's mom. They are what you may call, "pot stirrers." They are very demanding and turn away to Bible Story time and church. But worse, they are very rough and harsh with their kids....I am trusting Jesus for their salvation!

Thank you for continuing to pray! I love you all soo much!

Bless you!