Healing Available for Everyone

Saturday morning, it was still raining. Despite 3 days of solid rain, Sarah boldly declared, "The rain is going to stop so we can get out and experience Cap Haitien on our last morning here." Sure enough, it did. So, we were treated to a beautiful morning to tour downtown Cap Haitien, its streets flooded with rainwater and residents going to the Saturday market. It was loud and busy and full of life. It was also so very different than life in the US, with live chickens, piles of shoes, dried fish with the heads still intact, and piles of various grains, vegetables, and spices all for sale and exposed to the elements in the open air market. This is life in Haiti. 

As we depart from Haiti this time, our hearts are full, and inspired, and at peace. We got to be a part of supporting the creation of a therapists network in Northern Haiti being launched through the attendees of our continuing ed conference this week. It is being spearheaded by the local clinicians themselves, to support each other, to share information and resources, and to plan and sponsor continuing education in the future for all of them. It's a chance to start growing the profession in Haiti. That's huge, and humbling.

We also had the special chance to come alongside the longstanding and respected ministry of Bethesda Clinic to support the addition of therapy services to their already excellent care. It will be one more way to reach people with the truth that Christ alone is the only true healer of the heart. And as Jesus taught in John chapter 5, the healing at this Bethesda is not just for the few, but it's available to everyone who calls upon His name.

He frees and rescues all who belong to Him. To God be all praise and glory!

Ephesians 1:14 

Wrapping up

We woke up to another rainy day for our last full day in Haiti. Once again we weren’t sure how the rain would affect who came to the clinic but we had a busy morning treating patients. I was overwhelmed as I helped treat an 8 month old boy who looked not a day over 4 months. He was malnourished and was in need of better nutrition so that he could grow and become stronger. It was neat to be able to educate on something that seemed so small to me but something that would make a huge difference for him. We also saw several low back pain, general pain, stroke, and arthritis patients. After lunch, Dr. Rodney, the head physician who also is in charge of all the Bethesda clinics, gave us a tour and told us his story of how he became a doctor. His story was very inspiring as it brought this week full circle for me. He said the one thing I know I can do for patients that come in is share my faith and that is the thing that matters most. So my feelings of inadequacy as a therapist at that moment were wiped away knowing that God is in control and I don’t have to have everything put together. The rest of the afternoon we taught a group of local physicians and mid-level nurses the scientific basis and benefit of rehabilitation and how to screen children. We also organized the equipment in the clinic that was donated for the patients in Haiti. Overall, it was a very bittersweet day as we said our goodbyes to some people and left the clinic for the last time. As we leave, I have hope that we have left Julie and the other medical staff with supplies and resources to provide services to the people of Haiti. My prayer is that as patients are treated in the new PT clinic, that they also hear about God’s love and his sovereignty. It is so evident that God’s hand is at work here and I feel eternally grateful to have been a small part of it this week. 

Kristin

Sustainability

We awoke to a very rainy day in Haiti, but to our surprise and delight a lot of patients came to the clinic. In Haitian culture most of the time if it rains people stay home, so we worried we wouldn't have many people come to clinic, since most transportation is walking. But the Lord provided a good and busy morning! We saw a patient 4 days post stroke as well as other patients with stroke, a patient with Parkinsons, 2 new pediatric patients and 1 return pediatric patient for orthotic fitting, general pain and arthritis. Our afternoon was filled with the 2nd and final day of teaching to the PT techs. It was a very full class and fun being able to be a teaching assistant to the dynamic duo of Bev and SJ! I so enjoyed working alongside the Haitians as they practiced in the lab portion. 

It was wonderful to see a mother and a father bring their 3 year old who wasn't walking yet to our clinic. Because the Bethesda Clinic has an newly up and running PT clinic with a current PT, Julie. We were able to inform the mother and father about a class (run by Julie) for parents of children with special needs they could attend to learn more, interact with other parents and find support. This is one reason that  has captured my heart for Haiti:  sustainability. I feel that was today's theme. Between being able start filling parent education classes to teaching the local Haitians hopefully more skills and knowledge of ways to treat and help their countrymen. This is sustainability. This is the future for PT in Haiti. To God be the Glory! 

-Kayla

More clinic photos

We’re up and running!

The past 2 days have been pretty busy. Tuesday was spent treating a wide range of patients in the Bethesda Clinic, including stroke, pediatrics, LBP, and knee pain. We started off the day in prayer with the Julie (the clinic PT), the translators, and our team members. Our team had the honor of treating patients in the newly built PT clinic. The building was just opened on the Friday before the team arrived in Haiti. A wheelchair was given away to a severe stroke patient in order to help the patient be transported back to the clinic the next few days. Throughout the day we have been shocked by the lack of knowledge that most of the Haitien people have about healthcare. Education is a big focus of treatment to help patients understand that therapy is not a quick fix and that they need to work hard in order to see improvements. 

Wednesday morning was spent treating patients. In the afternoon we held a teaching session with a group of 17 PT technicians (the equivalent a PT in America). We taught for 3 hours on Neuroplasticity and how to classify patients based on their impairments. This was a big moment for the team because we came to have a lasting effect on the Haitien people as well as the Haitien health care. 

Mallory

Haiti take two

After an unexpected layover in Miami to ring in the new year, we have made it to Cap Haitien.  As we drove through the city, I was initially overwhelmed by the poverty and chaos. As I looked more closely and saw their faces,  I was struck by the reality that within each one is the image of God.  Some may understand that, some may not. Regardless, He has created each of us in His image.  

May we let His image shine in this place as we work to bring healing and hope, both physically and spiritually.  

Sarah

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1:15, 19-20‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/col.1.15,19-20.esv

Trying Times

The January 2018 Haiti team made it part way to Haiti today. We had a trying day of freezing rain and airplane mechanical problems that caused us to miss our flight from Miami to Haiti. Since only 1 flight goes to Cap Haitien each day, we are stuck in Miami over New Years' until the next flight tomorrow. It's disappointing, but at least we are all safe and together (and bonding). We are trying to be patient and enjoy our time, trusting that it is all in God's hands. 

This is the last we saw of our checked bags. We pray that they meet us in Haiti eventually!