CLINIC IS OPEN!

Yes, the clinic is OPEN! It was a success, and we survived! Matt was here from California to help us, and we started slowly… getting all the workers together on Monday to clean and arrange their spaces and get comfortable. We welcomed Nurse Vitanie from Gwo Cheval (formerly from Kwadebouke (Croix-des-Bouquets) and Nurse Marie Yolette from Kafou (Carrefour). They each have a consult room with a pharmacy aide. I act as a resource nurse to them both, and Jonathan is filling his role as administrator.

Tuesday, we opened without much fanfare… it was a cloudy day with occasional drizzles. Rain is a benediction, and we felt blessed. We were open from 8 to 2 and had 31 patients. There was a good mix of complaints, from a stroke to a malnourished child. There was suturing to do and blood pressures sky high to medicate. The waiting room was bustling with people for most of the day.

Wednesday we were closed… we hope to open Wednesdays as a vaccine/prenatal/planning day in the future. Jonathan and Matt traveled to Fon Parisien to see about a shipment of meds from the Dominican Republic.

Thursday was a rush. Market day, and the weather being nice, and the word getting out all combined to give us about 50 patients, with one arriving fresh to this world at around 130. It was a first-time mom with an unremarkable delivery, which was a good kind of delivery for a refresher course for me! We also saw a baby with a burned arm… it had happened on Saturday and had been treated with home remedies. Another malnourished baby… we sorely miss the government-sponsored nutrition program that used to be run in our neighboring town. We finished a little after 3 and went home smiling.

Friday Matt leaves for home after putting in a lot of work to help us get to this point. Matt, Keith, and Jonathan have worked hard to source meds and supplies. However, everything is more difficult in these times… and Christian Aid Ministries, who was a big supplier of many needed meds and other items, is not operating in Haiti now. The clinic now must pay full prices for all medications, making it necessary for us to ration what we have to serve those who need it most.

We want to thank everyone who helped us get back to this point, and for your prayers. We ask for your continued prayers and support. If you feel to help financially, please use the “Help Us” section of the website. Thank you! -Nurse Carmina

Tonight I wear socks to bed...

Tues evening report.... 

I am in Haiti to help settle Jon and Julie Kurtz into their new work, and to help reopen the clinic that has been closed since Jay passed away over a year ago. 

It's my 4th night in Haiti and I AM COLD. I wish I could turn on a furnace with a flick of a switch. At 5000 ft elevation the cool air is blowing and inside the house it is much the same as outside. Tonight I wear a shirt and socks to bed. Even in the fleece sheets I was too chilly last night.

Today was interesting again. Started the day by checking out the suspension of the Toyota  and found a wheel bearing loose. So that's what the vibrating was all about! Our Haitian mechanic fixed it. And we determined the rest of the vehicle was in good health. Spent alot of time on the phone today and in discussion with Jonathan and others about the employee situation at the clinic. Who should be hired, who maybe not, what is our objectives etc.

I think we are coming to some good direction on that. The gospel witness remains a focus and we want empathetic Christians to work in the clinic who reflect the love of Christ. Physical health is important but we should not separate the soul and the professional side of this mission clinic.

This afternoon we went and visited a road building project that we have contributed 30 sacks of cement to. It was good to see the local men working as volunteers in fixing the road. It was a steep hill that needed some concrete on it to make it passable. There we met the Masse' the head Nunn named Rosalia from the local Catholic compound as she was also bringing supplies to help with the road. She is an exuberant S Korean and she and us have a history together where we helped her in the clinic when she was very sick. She was so excited to see me she just wrapped her arms around and squeezed for a long time.

On the way back to Julie's good supper I met the magistrate of the area and had a chat. He assured me that the area is safe and that he is looking out for the wellbeing of us foreigners. He asked to come pay us a formal official visit at 4pm on Thurs at our house. So we welcomed him to come. 

This evening I visited with a Haitian bro and learned all kinds of things that have happened in the community since we left etc.

We also brainstormed about where and how to get medicine up to this area. We have spend time in Santo Domingo checking agents and pharmacies, and now the last couple days we have looked at the Haitian options.  I think God is opening some really good avenues that look like they can work. For handling the money too. We have some more ideas to check out this week yet, but it's looking very promising.

Another day gone, another day closer to reopening date. The community is very excited about this! 

Thanks for praying and supporting this project.

-Keith

MOUNTAIN ROAD REPAIR NEAR ORIANI

Moving Forward!

We are excited to announce plans are moving forward to once again open the doors at Confidence Health Center! Even though we face many challenges, the need for medical aid in the community has only become more evident. We are pleased that Jonathan Kurtz with his wife and children will be traveling to Oriani this week. Jonathan is a trauma nurse from New York and will be our clinic administrator. I’m sure you will be hearing from him in the future. So stay tuned! Keith will be meeting them in Santo Domingo, and together they will travel to Oriani. Keith will be able to introduce them to the community and help them settle in a bit. I plan to arrive a couple weeks later and help with opening the clinic. Carmina, a nurse from Canada, who has worked at the clinic, will also be helping out. She has recently married and is living in Oriani. We hope to be operating by mid April, but plans must be fluid and an exact date has not been set. We are blessed how God has opened so many doors. There are still many unknowns because we face challenges we didn’t have before. Challenges related to insecurity in Port Au Prince. We simply can’t just travel there for supplies and medication like we once did. We will need to arrange for alternate transport methods or source from the Dominican Republic. With the exception of challenges related to poor access to the Capitol and an economy that continues to fail, life up on the mountain remains much the same. Seems like the gangs stay closer to civilization fighting among themselves. We can travel to Oriani through the Dominican Republic and avoid Port entirely. We have received direction from the Haitian mission committee to operate in this way. So what do we need from our supporters? We are so thankful that you are interested in the clinic and the mission there! Please pray for the work and the people that are suffering. Pray that God will continue to lead us and we can safely fulfill His work. We will once again need your donations. If you feel to help out in this way, please go to “Help Us” on this website for more information.

Below is an update directly from Oriani. Written by Carmina.

Hello from sunny Oriani, Haiti!

At face value, that greeting depicts a bright paradise on a Caribbean Island. But, on the ground, things are real. Sunny means no rain… we have had scant precipitation since a week of rains in January. Cisterns are dry. The fields are dust. Stress, anxiety, and, of course, illnesses are mounting in the population as we wait for the rainy season.

The population is also awaiting the opening of the clinic. Hardly a day passes that we don’t get asked for medical help or advice… sometimes I check a blood pressure or temperature at my house, offer advice and ibuprofen. Another nurse in the neighbourhood gives out Depo shots when she has them. The untrained so-called doctors in market sell homemade concoctions and expired medications. Access to better care in bigger towns is hampered by the exorbitant cost of fuel and the constant threat to safety from the gangs, who control the area closer to the city.

What a huge impact the clinic will have when it opens again! It offers hope and health, reassurance and remedies. A day of great rejoicing and answered prayers is coming for this little village. Thank God.

Remembering….

Jay…the place you left is empty still. But your legacy is evident at every turn. Flowers you planted. Friends you made. People you helped. Plans you had. You are not forgotten. Never. We talk about you lots.

Here I stand in the reception area of the clinic. All is quiet and the benches empty. Yet I see patient charts lining the shelves and medications ready to be dispensed. I can't believe it's been a year….it looks like it was open yesterday! Memories come to mind of a vibrant leader who was suddenly called home. His love for the people and the work in the clinic. His family whom he dearly loved, and the sacrifices they made serving this mountain community. Jay isn't forgotten here…the service he gave and the love he showed. When will you open again? Many ask me in the market. Some pointing to an ailment they have or telling of someone…quietly suffering at home. I bow my head and tell them to keep praying…the time may be soon. We speak a little more about the turmoil in Haiti. How difficult doing business has become. Difficulties with travel and finding supplies. Yet they have hope and give words of encouragement. We also feel God is opening doors. The clinic board has sought direction from our Haitian mission committee. They have unanimously given support for us to send medical staff and re-open the clinic. Some adjustments will need to be made related to travel, and we face new challenges with supplies and medicine. We trust God will open those doors too and want to move ahead as He leads. We are happy and blessed to report an ER nurse from New York has inquired about serving in the clinic. He is making plans to move here with his family, taking the lead as clinic administrator. We will keep you posted. Keep praying for Haiti, the people of Oriani, and God's leading.