Health

(The pictures in this post are of daily views of Haiti, not really related to the subject of the post, but still a good taste of life in Port Au Prince!)




As with many other things in Haiti, health care is very different from what we experience in America.  There are a few hospitals and clinics within reasonable driving distance from the school, but this proximity does not translate into readily available quality medical care for the sick and injured.  Many medical professionals are not highly qualified, and their supplies are out of date and very limited.  Even with these challenges, the system is improving.  This week, one of the older students got a deep cut on his face while playing soccer. He was taken quickly to the hospital to get stitches.  Sherrie explained to me that before the earthquakes, that would not have been possible.  This glimpse of small change is enough to bring hope in the possibility of greater improvements in the future. 

During our work with the teachers over the past two weeks, we have come to know them and know more about their amazing stories.  Health is an issue that impacts everyone, and this week I heard the stories of two different teachers who have lost children this year as a direct result of the poor medical care.  One teacher was out during the spring due to complications during her pregnancy.  After seven months of neglectful medical care, she gave birth and shortly there after lost the baby.  Sadly, this is the second time she has experienced the same complications and received the same poor health care, resulting in the loss of a child.  Even through this loss, she demonstrates great faith and joy in the love of God.  During the days of teacher institute, she has been full of smiles and a positive attitude.  What an amazing source of inspiration!

The fifth grade teacher at the school has demonstrated great knowledge and understanding as an educator during our days together.  I learned that earlier this year he and his wife had a young child with some intestinal problems that were misdiagnosed.  The child died at home as her mother tried desperately to nurse her back to health.  Instead of turning his eyes away from God and questioning His faithfulness, this teacher continued to trust.  Everyday I am amazed by his gentle sense of humor and great passion for learning.  It is his dream to open a school of his own in Haiti.  I fully expect that God will provide for this great desire and many children will be changed by his teaching, which is full of grace and compassion.

Nearly everyday someone walks in through the gates of the school looking for help of some kind.  Just this afternoon there was a mother who brought a child with an arm that had been broken a few weeks ago and had yet to receive any medical attention.  Only a few moments after the truck pulled away to take this mother and child to the hospital, an infant from the neighborhood was brought in with fresh burns from spilled boiling water.  In a country where there is so much chaos and inconsistency, it is interesting to watch as all around the neighborhood, people come to Sherrie and her school looking for help.  What an amazing medical ministry they have here, even though this was never a part of the plan for the school!


Although health care will continue to be a problem in Haiti for a long time, there are many people working to improve conditions.  It is exciting to see the positive changes and to draw some hope from these improvements.  Even more that the changes though, it is encouraging to recognize the amazing faith and faithfulness of  Haitian Christians.  When faced with trials and loss, they turn their eyes to God and rejoice in Him.  This is a spiritual health that I would argue is not always easy to find in other parts of the world.  I pray that I would have this same consistency of character to rely on God's faithfulness in these times which try our souls.  I am so thankful to be able to be a witness to the stories of these amazing people, and also count it a great honor to be able to then share them with you.  Thank you for joining with me in this continuing adventure!  Love in Christ, Jessie :)