It took some coordinating
And some negotiating
But we finally got it. Mostly.
I'm going to miss these precious faces when I'm in the States!
Friday, November 14, 2014
Goodbyes with the preschool
I got to the clinic a few minutes early this morning, which meant I was able to spend some time with our preschoolers as they gathered in the yard for singing and dancing. The teachers all know I'm leaving tomorrow and wanted to take some pictures, so we huddled together and started clicking away.
Monday, November 10, 2014
Out with a bang!
This will be my last week in Haiti for 2014 and I'm going out in a rush of activity. The last several weeks have been a flurry of training for my staff as I prepare to leave the clinic in their hands while I am gone. We have been practicing communication and teamwork as we all figure out how to fit together. I have been training them on our computer charting system and inventory practices, as well as our protocols and individualized patient education expectations. They have done a wonderful job asking questions, practicing flexibility and absorbing an enormous amount of new information in a short amount of time.
Since I am leaving Saturday, this week is our trial run where my staff begins to operate without me. I wanted them to have a few days where they were working without me hovering, but where I was available for any questions or concerns that arose. Today was our first day and I was pleased with the results. The MOHI clinic has become my baby, but I feel optimistic about leaving it in their capable hands.
We also have a team from Bless Back Worldwide this week doing well child checks on all of the nearly 800 children in our schools. Somehow a rumor got started among the elementary school that the team is here to give them all shots. Things went more smoothly after we clarified that this was not the case. Along with head to toe check ups and deworming, the team is teaching our students about proper sanitation and the importance of keeping their living environments clean. After the teaching and check ups, each student is receiving a water bottle to carry with them and encourage them to increase their hydration during the day. Hurray hydration!
Will you join with me in prayer over the next few days? Will you pray for the Bless Back team as they continue to work incredibly hard to see all of our kids? Will you also be praying for my staff in this time of transition- that any questions would be answered, any snafus would be untangled, and any anxiety (mine, for instance) would be soothed? Thank you!
Since I am leaving Saturday, this week is our trial run where my staff begins to operate without me. I wanted them to have a few days where they were working without me hovering, but where I was available for any questions or concerns that arose. Today was our first day and I was pleased with the results. The MOHI clinic has become my baby, but I feel optimistic about leaving it in their capable hands.
We also have a team from Bless Back Worldwide this week doing well child checks on all of the nearly 800 children in our schools. Somehow a rumor got started among the elementary school that the team is here to give them all shots. Things went more smoothly after we clarified that this was not the case. Along with head to toe check ups and deworming, the team is teaching our students about proper sanitation and the importance of keeping their living environments clean. After the teaching and check ups, each student is receiving a water bottle to carry with them and encourage them to increase their hydration during the day. Hurray hydration!
Will you join with me in prayer over the next few days? Will you pray for the Bless Back team as they continue to work incredibly hard to see all of our kids? Will you also be praying for my staff in this time of transition- that any questions would be answered, any snafus would be untangled, and any anxiety (mine, for instance) would be soothed? Thank you!
Monday, November 3, 2014
Baptism
We had a baptismal service yesterday after church. Church members came by foot, by car and by motorcycle. They gathered at the beach behind our guesthouse property to pray, sing and bear witness to these holy moments. The baptismal candidates, many of whom were from a local orphanage with an extensive history with MOHI, came outfitted in white.
After individual prayer and guidance, the candidates were immersed. In pairs they rose up out of the water, smiles radiant. As they broke through the surface, droplets of water glistened in the sun and I stood in awe at the new life happening in front of me. Waves threatened to knock one girl down, until she was steadied by one of the baptizing pastors who also acts as a father figure in her life. When they returned to shore, the newly baptized were welcomed with towels and smiles into the arms of their church community. Baptisms always make me cry, but this one was particularly beautiful.
After individual prayer and guidance, the candidates were immersed. In pairs they rose up out of the water, smiles radiant. As they broke through the surface, droplets of water glistened in the sun and I stood in awe at the new life happening in front of me. Waves threatened to knock one girl down, until she was steadied by one of the baptizing pastors who also acts as a father figure in her life. When they returned to shore, the newly baptized were welcomed with towels and smiles into the arms of their church community. Baptisms always make me cry, but this one was particularly beautiful.
Friday, October 31, 2014
Two years in
In a little over two weeks, I will be wrapping up my second year living in Haiti. Being me, I have feelings about this (having feelings is one of the things I'm best at doing). Two years ago when I was getting ready to embark on this adventure, I thought that if I could just check all the boxes, I could be prepared for what was coming. I think a part of me knew there was no way to really prepare for what was in store, but I tried. I read books on missions and development and what it means to do those things well. I listened to podcasts and sermons and prayed my little heart out.
Then I got here, and it's been more than I could have dreamed. If you had told me at the end of October 2012 that in under two years, I would be running a clinic (with a staff!), I would have laughed you off. Yes, I dreamed of those things, but I didn't dare hope that my dreams could really happen. I didn't dare hope to find a mission with like minded people I could respect, work with, and when necessary submit to. I didn't dare hope that educational programs could be started. I definitely didn't dare hope that the first nurse we hired would be dedicated to learning every possible thing she could in order to better her professional practice.
I was reflecting this morning on how deeply grateful I am for the last two years. They have been hard, enormously hard most days, but they have also been incredibly rich and beautiful. I have a group of coworkers I can laugh with. I have learned to make jokes in a second language. A huge chunk of my heart is now walking around with a couple of half-grown, moody teenage boys. I have been challenged, stretched and grown in a myriad of ways. My thinking on the kingdom of God and faith in general is more nuanced than before.
As I start dreaming for year three, I am so incredibly grateful for the time I have spent here and cannot wait to see what 2015 holds. To all of you, who through prayer, finances, Skype calls and emails have made this thing happen, thank you for your support. As this communal culture continues to teach me, I couldn't do it without you!
Then I got here, and it's been more than I could have dreamed. If you had told me at the end of October 2012 that in under two years, I would be running a clinic (with a staff!), I would have laughed you off. Yes, I dreamed of those things, but I didn't dare hope that my dreams could really happen. I didn't dare hope to find a mission with like minded people I could respect, work with, and when necessary submit to. I didn't dare hope that educational programs could be started. I definitely didn't dare hope that the first nurse we hired would be dedicated to learning every possible thing she could in order to better her professional practice.
I was reflecting this morning on how deeply grateful I am for the last two years. They have been hard, enormously hard most days, but they have also been incredibly rich and beautiful. I have a group of coworkers I can laugh with. I have learned to make jokes in a second language. A huge chunk of my heart is now walking around with a couple of half-grown, moody teenage boys. I have been challenged, stretched and grown in a myriad of ways. My thinking on the kingdom of God and faith in general is more nuanced than before.
As I start dreaming for year three, I am so incredibly grateful for the time I have spent here and cannot wait to see what 2015 holds. To all of you, who through prayer, finances, Skype calls and emails have made this thing happen, thank you for your support. As this communal culture continues to teach me, I couldn't do it without you!
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Our new staff
The Doctors Lavaud, a married couple, split the work week between them as they hold down other positions as well. I appreciate their gentleness and patience in teaching patients.
Nurse Ruth consistently seeks out opportunities to learn new things in the clinic and jumps right in to help with any needed task.
Introducing our new MOHI clinic staff:
Having a staff meant I got to spend some one on one time with this chickadee yesterday, convincing her to take her worm medicine. Yes that is a lollipop in my hand. Like Mary Poppins, I believe a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.
In unrelated housekeeping news, I fly to the States in a little under three weeks and will be there until early January. I'll be traipsing around Florida. Let me know if you want to get together!
Saturday, October 25, 2014
Enough
Last Sunday I listened to a sermon about how the Lord uses us in our weakness, how coming to the end of ourselves can be a redemptive thing when it allows the Lord to work in our lives. After listening to it, I basically thought to myself "well, that's nice" and filed it away for later.
Later came faster than expected. In the space of a week I have gone from running the MOHI clinic on my own, to having a staff. Suddenly tasks are getting accomplished faster and I am having to learn to manage personalities in a culture that is not my own, in a language I still wrestle with. More than twice I have wondered when everyone was going to catch on that I am not enough for the task at hand. Not smart enough. Not strong enough. Not culturally sensitive enough. Not experienced enough. Not tall enough. Not enough.
The thing is, all of those things are true. I am not enough for the task at hand, for the dreams that are being spun for the MOHI clinic. Left solely to my own knowledge and experience, I will make an utter mess of this thing that is so precious to me. Which I why I have been enormously grateful not to have been left to my own devices this week. There has been the grace of an international network of experienced health professionals to refer to for the program building. There have been people with more experience and insight into this culture than I have to talk me through laying a foundation of professionalism and respect for my new employees.
More than anything, there has been the grace of me, on my knees before my God, begging for mercy as I negotiate these changes, begging for the grace to know how to proceed. Would you continue to join me in prayer for the MOHI clinic and the major and exciting changes we are making? Pray that we would work in unity for the good of our friends and neighbors, that we would learn to communicate and fit together well, that we would glorify the Lord in our thoughts and actions. Thank you.
Later came faster than expected. In the space of a week I have gone from running the MOHI clinic on my own, to having a staff. Suddenly tasks are getting accomplished faster and I am having to learn to manage personalities in a culture that is not my own, in a language I still wrestle with. More than twice I have wondered when everyone was going to catch on that I am not enough for the task at hand. Not smart enough. Not strong enough. Not culturally sensitive enough. Not experienced enough. Not tall enough. Not enough.
The thing is, all of those things are true. I am not enough for the task at hand, for the dreams that are being spun for the MOHI clinic. Left solely to my own knowledge and experience, I will make an utter mess of this thing that is so precious to me. Which I why I have been enormously grateful not to have been left to my own devices this week. There has been the grace of an international network of experienced health professionals to refer to for the program building. There have been people with more experience and insight into this culture than I have to talk me through laying a foundation of professionalism and respect for my new employees.
More than anything, there has been the grace of me, on my knees before my God, begging for mercy as I negotiate these changes, begging for the grace to know how to proceed. Would you continue to join me in prayer for the MOHI clinic and the major and exciting changes we are making? Pray that we would work in unity for the good of our friends and neighbors, that we would learn to communicate and fit together well, that we would glorify the Lord in our thoughts and actions. Thank you.
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Welcome Dokte!
After a roller coaster week of decision making and interviews, I am terribly excited to report that we have hired a doctor for the MOHI clinic. Dr. Miche Lavaud was born in Haiti and educated in Haiti and the Dominican Republic as a physician and an ultrasoud technician. He has several years experience working in both countries in hospital settings and speaks Kreyol, English, French and Spanish.
Part of the vision of the MOHI clinic involves working respectfully within existing health systems in Haiti. Among the assets that Dr. Lavaud brings to the table is several years experience working in Grand Goave's local hospital. Dr. Lavaud's experience and connections open doors for our clinic to expand our level of care and assist our patients in further fulfilling their healthcare needs. Today was his first day on the job and he is already setting up personal appointments with patients to help them get needed surgeries. Welcome to the team Dr. Lavaud!
Part of the vision of the MOHI clinic involves working respectfully within existing health systems in Haiti. Among the assets that Dr. Lavaud brings to the table is several years experience working in Grand Goave's local hospital. Dr. Lavaud's experience and connections open doors for our clinic to expand our level of care and assist our patients in further fulfilling their healthcare needs. Today was his first day on the job and he is already setting up personal appointments with patients to help them get needed surgeries. Welcome to the team Dr. Lavaud!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)