Haiti- Wed AM

Kathy forwarded the following update.  The satellite and cell phone is still very erratic. If you are placing a call, to a cell, sometimes it takes multiple (and we mean multiple) times before it connecting.  Following Kathy's report will be a few more pieces of information:

 

From Kathy:  Jeff said the workers there went on strike Tuesday for a couple of hours but then came back to work. They were protesting not being paid for  6 months.  

 

He said they were averaging around 15/16 cases a day but will not finish with all the patients there that need surgery before they leave.  A urologist is supposed to be there to do surgery on Wednesday  and will take one of the surgery rooms so they will not be able to do as many cases.

 

They are mostly trying to get wounds cleaned up and/or closed. There are about 4 to 5  very sick patients that really need to be transferred or get specialized care.  He said it seems the 4 y/o who may be an American citizen does not have any documentation of American citizenship which may be what is holding things up. I am not sure who would still have any documentation after the earthquake. Hopefully she will still get transferred and get the care she needs as well as the other patients. People are still working to make that happen.

 

He said that everyone is working well together, working hard, and things are getting done. They seem to be safe and there have not been many aftershocks. In fact he only knew of one and he did not feel it. The Haitians are very appreciative of all that the  medical team is doing for them. He said they still smile all the time even after what has happened to them.

 

The plan at the moment was to leave Bonne Fin on Thursday evening to be in city for the flight out on Friday.

 Kathy

 

Received this morning from Molly (one of the surgeons on our team).  Molly had titled her post to us "Courageous": This lady cut her arm off with a rock to free herself from earthquake rubble. She started with her fingernails but figured out that would take too long. Will be ready for repeat washout & possible closure tomorrow. Makes me redefine having a "tough day."

 

Update from Keith last evening:  Miracles continue to happen in the midst of all the tragedy.  As you are all aware they have been operating without their supplies (until yesterday).  Before their supplies arrived, he said, these people showed up with boxes and boxes of supplies and said they had heard there was a Team at Bonne Fin that needed supplies and wanted to know if they could use anything they had.  Keith said, they were able to use some of the supplies and wasn't even sure where the people were from.  They said they had a helicopter and flew in!!  God is definitely in control. 

 

Then, after the supplies from IL arrived, Keith said it was like "Christmas".  Others had packed the supplies so they weren't sure what was in each box. When they opened the food packs they found cookies.  So, they shared them with their patients last night.  He said there was much happiness in the hospital last night! 

 

The deep concern however, is the Administrative issues at the Bonne Fin Hospital as Jeff referred to above.  Many prayers need to be lifted for this situation.  There is a meeting today, we believe, between the Administrators, Keith and some others. 

 

This evening, Shelley will be placing the call to Bill and you will receive the update as soon as we have it.

 

Peace to you all and praise God for the work He is doing through the hands of His servants.