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A Counterintuitive Christmas

The first time I heard Steve Brown speakwas about 28 years ago at a "Praise Gathering " in Indianapolis, Indiana.  He'a one os the finest speakers that I know

It's almost christmas now and I believe Steve can tell you somethings about Christmastmas that you possibly have never heard.If you have 35 minutes or so give it a listen.  It may change your thoughts about Christmas, and God.

Twins

Twins, a photo by johnlackerman on Flickr.

I saw this young lady at my clinic in Prospere on Monday. I addressed the baby's physical problem, a minor cold. Then the mother told me that the baby boy was a twin, He had a sister, She continued telling me that she had gone to the Hospital in Tabar and delivered a very healthy set of twins. Not long after the delievery a young police came into the room, picked up the infant girl and simply stole the baby from this young mother.
My pastor told me that this used to happen frequently. It seems that the police would get a pretty healthy price to someone who wanted a new baby. This lady had no person in power to plede her case to. I wonder if you ever get over this kind of treatment.

Picture_20_4_edited-2

Picture_20_4_edited-2, a photo by johnlackerman on Flickr.

Phil, Lonnie. Michele, and David. Parents and brothere and sister who served as head of "House of Blessing" Children's home for more than 20 years. Lonnie is presently teaching Kindergarten in a cross-curtrarial school in Lake Wales. Fl.and Phil is the director of the "Heart Program" at Warner, Univ,Heart is a program to teach skills needed for doing world missions effectively.

Untitled-11

Untitled-11, a photo by johnlackerman on Flickr.

The little girl with the green ribbonin her hair is named Tanya. This orphanage became the House of Blessing Children's home. Phil and Lonnie Murphy parented these and many more children in the orphange they lived in and ran for more than 20 years.
Today Tanya and her husband Frankie oversee the orphanageThey presently have 19 children at House of Blessing located in Calabasse,Haiti.

P1000170_edited-1

P1000170_edited-1, a photo by johnlackerman on Flickr.

This lovely lady is my wife of 36 years, Jodie. She has never really liked this picture but I love it. Anyway, ttomorrow morning she turns the age of 59. When I hit 59 I looked like I was 78. How did I get so lucky? Maybe she just had pitty on me. I love her almost as much as life itself, Happy birthday Lady. Thanks for blessing my life . Keep it up.

Prospere Haiti Nov. 26 2012

Prospere Haiti Nov. 26 2012, a photo by johnlackerman on Flickr.

Sandy is still visiting Prospere Haiti

Untitled, a photo by johnlackerman on Flickr.

A short month ago this area, which now reminds me of what I would expect to see on the moon, was beautiful and lush area just outside the village of Prospere. the place whee I have had a health clinic since 1992.

Here's a recent article from the Washington Post that brings some of our mistakes to the surface.  Read it if you have a moment.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/01/AR2011020102030.html

Another day  off

Well it's back to the old stuff in good ol Port-au-Prince.  The elections took place last week but the results weren't released until last night.  Schools were our all yesterday and today.  Actually yesterday there was no good reason for them to be closed since all was peaceful  at least until the late afternoon.  That's when I was coming home from Heartline where I see the sick babies and mothers on Tuesdays.  Things seemed relatively normal as I was driving home except for the fact that the amount of traffic I found myself in was gradually growing by the minute.  What I had not realized was that "they" whomever they are, had announced that at 6pm there would be an announcement about the results of the election.  So as I drove by the stores that I was supposed to have stopped at to buy the food for our dinner I found them closed or closing as the streets quickly were changing from somewhat full  to full.  

So I gave up the idea of obtaining food but made my goal change to getting home by 6pm so I could get the car in a safe place before the rocks and fire started flying.  

After eating I noticed my neighbor was outside our living room window and calling for me.  We don't see Phillip very often since he's a very famous Haitian Artist and spends much of his time in other countries at shows and sales.  He had just come up the mountain also and said that he had a new phone number and wanted me to have it and wanted me to have his just in case things got dangerous around here.  He had heard rumors that Martali, the famous "Sweet Mickey"Rap star, who was running for president had not placed within the top two vote getters and it was expected that his supporters would try to burn the country down or other idiocy.   

Actually the announcements came much later than what had been expected but was right on with what Phillip had called.  Actually though the only violence happened down town in Port and Petionville.  We did here some of the gunfire that was going on but luckily it never moved up our mountain.  The biggest disturbance of the night was simply a lot of drums from the local voodoo temple that let us know that we were probably not only in a political battle but also a spiritual battle and no! we're not going to debate that one.  

So anyway, it seems that Martali's gangs are still in the streets but to be honest I doubt if this going to go on all that much longer since these guys are going to get tired and they'll simply give it up.  It always happens.  Not that they won't get a new breath of air and start over again sometime when we least expect it but they will take time off to eat.  Another day in the life of a young (200 yo) democracy. 

Now it's time to get back to school and work.

If you're interested in seeing some of the pictures that a friend of ours posted on their website from this morning go to : http://allthingshendrick.blogspot.com/2010/12/haitidelma-758-10-am.html

And so it Goes

John

My wife Jodie left for another girl.  Actually it's two girls, Jessica and Jacquie.  Since I got to move Jessica into her Indiana University dorm room in August and Jodie was already in Haiti because she has to begin her teaching assignment. Jodie got to go to IU for parent's week and today is back in the college classrooms experincing the greatness of Indiana University.   They 're even going to go to the IU football game on Saturday when the Hoosiers will be soundly killed by Iowa.  But it will be a first Big Ten game for Jodie and a first football game of any kind for Jessica.  She'll hate it just to be different than her old man.

I get to keep the home fires burning.  That's the way you say it isn't it?

And So It Goes!

John

A Good Find

Junior and Eden

I have worked at the Prospere Clinic since 1992 and ever since then I have worked with Eden, a Haitian Registered Nurse.  In the earthquake in January, she lost her 12 year old son Junior and her 17 year old daughter, Whitney was rescued from the rubble after five days.  At present Eden and Whitney are still inNew York whee Whitney is still going through therapy.  I came across this picture on my computer this summer.  It turns out that this is the only picture that Eden had and now we know that it is the only picture of him that she will ever have.  I'm so happy I took it and was finally able to find it.    

Cholera

Many of you have probably heard about the recent outbreaks of Cholera in Haiti.  I have a special friend who is so very knowledgeable and has all the inside news on these kinds of things.  The following is an email that I received from her this morning.

"Some of you have seen the news about an outbreak in the Artibonite Valley.  It looks like a microbial infection, and so far there have been reported about 150 deaths.  But the good news is that there seems to be some waning in the attack.  For instance, Hôpital Albert Schweitzer, not far from the epicenter of the outbreak, has only 45 hospitalized and they are all stable.  The program I work for, Supply Chain Management System, has been put on alert by USAID, and we have mobilized our hospital-based products and staff to help as needed.  No, so far no real problems in Port-au-Prince, but everyone is keeping an active eye out, especially for the camps.  Please continue to remember us in your prayers, this has been some year!"

Friends,
It seems like my blogging skills has gone by the wayside so I've decided to integrate my Twitter and this website which will at least get updated if I Twit anything.  I'll be able o Twit by using my cell phone so hopefully you may hear a little more about the small things in my live.
John

want to keep this update short and at the same time really give you guys a good feel of things in Haiti now.

I still really appreciate the emails and updates I get from each of you. I might not be able to write much but please know you are very appreciated.

Last time I wrote to you I asked you to pray about an orphan situation....I literally stopped writing an update to check out what was going on. I do not want to kick anyone when they are down but it involved the lady who has been on the news for child trafficking. Long story short we gave her some advice for about 3 days. I want the people (children) who need help to get it but there are correct paths that people must follow. I am glad for the wisdom God gave me and some others here at the school. I am saddened because the parents and workers who have followed the correct procedures now have a tougher road. I still know that God loves each orphan and cares for each one personally. I would ask you to continue to pray that each child gets the love and care (while still following the appropriate steps) they deserve.

I just returned from a 4 day medical trip to Jeremie Haiti. Jeremie is a remote town on the far west of the southern peninsula. It is a city of about 80,000 and has had 20,000 more people move there since the quake. Many are taking a tough 12 hour truck ride and others are going by overcrowded boats. The team of doctors were able to see many cases that would not have gotten care. There were a few "life-saving" operations as well. One lady had a compound femur fracture in her right leg and fractures in her left tibia and fibula. She had gotten to Jeremie on a board in the back of a truck. The doctors were able to set her bones correctly and give her the hope of walking correctly again.

One of the growing needs in Haiti is going to be getting needed medical attention where the people are. While there I was able to visit 4 other small hospitals with Miquette. There are many people in those regions that need care as well but are staying at home. The hospitals are just not able to give much care. We are working now to figure out ways to get aid and supplies to the necessary locations.

The trip was productive in meeting doctors and the main hospital in Jeremie for future trips.

God continues to be at work here. There are so many questions that have no answers but I know He is here. I can see Him at work in so many ways each day. One of the most humbling things has been the Haitian people continuing to praise God each night. I am not a singer. Each night in both Port-au-Prince and Jeremie people join together to sing and praise God...people who lost their homes, their jobs and possibly loved ones. It is such a lesson to me that these people have not allowed their current surroundings to change their passion and love for God.

Here are a few prayer requests/concerns I want to share:

1) Nurses are needed. If you know of nurse teams or individuals interested in coming please let me know. Most operations, etc have been done....good follow up care is needed to help the people heal.

2) Please pray for the many people without homes. Tent cities have been set up. The rainy season is coming and there will be other health concerns as the rain comes.

3) Good organization of the aid and supplies coming. I know so many people in the States want to help in many ways and all want that help to get where it needs to go.

Thanks again for your prayers, support and all sorts of emails that make me smile.

Art