So I've been back in the United States for just over a month now. It's really crazy how fast that much time can pass... thank the Lord for that because each day away from Haiti can tend to drag on for me! I just started up my senior year of nursing classes and things are going really well. I'm taking a mental health and a community health nursing class. The community nursing class is perfect for learning about what I can do with nursing in Haiti! I wanted to give everyone an update on things th
at are happening in Haiti. Tim Bristol and a small crew from Freshwater Church just returned from a quick trip to the orphanage in Haiti. The kids are doing so well!! You should see Jethroson.. remember, the little boy with the burned hand? He is beautiful now. and SO HAPPY! ! His little cheeks even plumped up a bit ;) Also, all of the kids are now moved into the new orphanage location in Leogane, Haiti. It is beautiful and perfect for them.
Right now I'm praying about when I can go back to Haiti. My heart is dying to go back for Christmas with the kids... but I'm trying to be patient and listen to what God is telling me. I've been making trip after trip to Target stores around the twin cities, loading up on clearance summer clothes and shoes. I'm going to have such cute things for the kids!
The weekend was good. On Friday we had a clinic for the community at Jasmine's orphanage. In one day we saw over 100 patients. Gretchen and I worked mostly on taking vital signs for the patients. It was a lonnnnngg day and really hot but it was good for the community. A lot of the people in the community have bad feelings about the orphanage so it's good for Jasmine to open her gates and invite them in, give them health care and medication. While the people were waiting to be seen, there was a local pastor preaching for them. Yesterday a nurse from Canada came to Jasmine's orphanage. We were able to sit down beside her and go through each of the children. It felt like she was our clinical instructor. She would explain her observations and challenged us to think critically. The nurse said that the new baby that came in might never walk. She said that she crawls the way a paralyzed child does. She also confirmed a Staph infection in a handful of the children. She examined the nutrition of the children and pointed out the yellowing of the hair and emphasized that the children need more protein in their diets. Tomorrow Gretchen and I will go with Rigan to the market and buy a very large supply of beans for Jasmine to have on hand at the orphanage. The past three days in a row we have made it to the ocean. I can't believe that on the other trips to Haiti I spent so much time away from it. There are a few beaches within walking distance and some others within a short tap tap ride. Rigan has done such a great job of taking us around Haiti, protecting us, and showing us how the Haitians live. I've learned how to do a Haitian shower. It is much more simple than the American way and ivolves a large bucket of cold water and small cup to splash the water on yourself. I actually really like it- especially when the water is very cold. Tomorrow we will go to the other orphanage and do an all day clinic again. We have some supplies to give to the clinic. I can't believe it is almost over.... I think this was really good for me to be here. I'm fired up for the new school year... well as much as I can be. I am really motivated to learn because I want to be able to be a really good nurse here. There are so many things I wish I knew more about so that I could help more in the orphanage.
at are happening in Haiti. Tim Bristol and a small crew from Freshwater Church just returned from a quick trip to the orphanage in Haiti. The kids are doing so well!! You should see Jethroson.. remember, the little boy with the burned hand? He is beautiful now. and SO HAPPY! ! His little cheeks even plumped up a bit ;) Also, all of the kids are now moved into the new orphanage location in Leogane, Haiti. It is beautiful and perfect for them.
