Pastor Mark Partin headed out this morning so he could return to his church responsibilities for Sunday morning, and Phil leaves Sunday morning so he can get back and finish preparations for www.heartcry southeast.com.
Weather wise, we have been spared the rain for the past 24 hours, but not the humidity.
Last night was a change of menu for us as we took the one mile walk down the busy street to have dinner at the UN restaurant. We heard all about the restaurant from the previous team and other staff so it was our turn to try it out, and it was worth the walk. After the chicken and rice all week it was a great change to our diet. The atmosphere will be one to remember. My best description would be a scene from Casablanca with Humphrey Bogart. One thing we hope was communicated to the other patrons is believers in Jesus can have fun, laugh and have a good time even when you drink a cold Diet Coke with ice.
The clinic has been like a three ring circus with new medical staff coming in and some of the veterans leaving. We have said our goodbyes to those that have left and hello to the newbies. I think these young ambitious doctors and nurses are trying to figure out these guys in the Blue Shirts from Tennessee. They will soon come to appreciate the help they will receive with the medical supplies. We have welcomed all the stuffed animals they have brought with them and some of the other needed medical supplies that the clinic has run out of.
Prior to the arrival of the new medical staff Dr. Barth Green, founder of Project Medishare who TBDR is partnering with made a house call with a large contingency of public relations personnel. He was overheard saying as he walked into the Medical supply tent “this is the heart of the operation.” Well, I agree Dr. Green. We thank you for the compliment and we thank you for the opportunity to partner with you on this platform.
Some of the different sights in both the children and adult wards have been empty cots. Several of the cots are empty because of discharges, but some have been because of deaths. Last night seven little ones were added to our world and three adults took their last breath. When I went around to the other team members and asked each of them, what are you taking away from your time here in Port-au-Prince? Several of them replied “the massive amount of death that still ravages this nation”.
Yes, it is real. But just as real as death is life. Eternal life through having a relationship with Jesus Christ and the new life that God gives through all these new babies. Some of you may be thinking that thousands of people are lined up for adoptions. Well, I have been told that is not the case. These little gifts of life cannot stay here at this clinic while they wait on a long process for adoptions. Talking with the Haitian pastors, I get the impression that extended family members will show up claiming a child when in reality this little gift of life will end up in the hands of dishonest people who do not have the best interest of these little babies.
Today was the day when orphan boys were dropped off for care. Over the past week several orphan children have been dropped off after being picked up from the street for care. Two young boys by the name of Anderson and McKenzie became favorites of the DR staff. Both of these young boys are 12 years old with infections and wounds from life on the street.
Anderson is a bright young boy who seems to have been raised in a hard working family who was able to provide dental care and food. The story that we see over and over is Anderson’s mom and dad were killed in the earthquake and he has no other family. He was an only child. After getting treated in the clinic, Lawrence and Andy have spent time with him learning more about him and giving him some responsibilities around the supply tent. He has a great smile and wonderful spirit of enthusiasm.
We have not seen much of McKenzie. It is our fear that someone from the witchcraft community has come and picked him up. The Haitians tell us that the witchcraft doctors get these young boys for slave work and other dishonest activity. It is very real that the strong take over the weak. The young boys will have a hard time existing in a culture where the younger men will push them out when food and nutrition is available.
In a previous picture posting you saw a little boy on a bicycle with a nurse. I did not have the time to tell you the story.
His name is Sunzin and a worker from Alberta is adopting him. Tamara who was only planning to stay for a couple of weeks until she met Sunzin. She will be extending her stay while the paper work is being rushed for Sunzin to go to his new home in Alberta. Can you just image how that little boy is going to feel when he gets off the plane in the cold air of Alberta? I do not think that will matter because Sunzin has a new mother that will keep that little fellow warm.
One other thought before I quit for tonight and pick this up Monday morning hopefully.
I made my last round in both the clinics and said my good-byes to the ones that have been here since Team 2 arrived. I had time to throw the football one last time with Nick and Robert and I had some extended goodbyes in the pediatric ward. I got to hold, feed and burp a lot of little babies this week and I was able to help one more time.
It was an honor to hang out with an incredible staff of doctors and nurses. Words cannot describe the commitment that these individuals have. Many of them had no idea what they were getting into just like us. We all have strived to serve without complaining, serve faithfully and with perseverance.
Thank you for your prayers again for all the guys on Team 2 Thank you for letting me share these stories.
Phil Taylor, Cleveland, TN
Emergency Care waiting area. The tent cover was put up on Wednesday.
Lawrence Cotton with 12 year old Anderson.Sure looks like Lawrence Cotton about 35 years ago.
Haitian man being released since the earthquake.
One last photo of the adult ward. In the back left corner is our football field.
The only neonatal care center in Haiti.
The only neonatal care center in Haiti. It was a honor to serve along with these great doctors and nurses.
Thanks so much for this blog. I will be arriving to help on March 28th. Will we be able to continue this blog ? I think this is a wonderful way to keep the people back home in Tennessee up dated.
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