Haiti Perspective

One day after witnessing Jothum and Rochelle arrive at the airport with Salinda all the way from Haiti, I’m mad. Some news cameras were at the airport, and they put the story on TV and their websites. Then comments like this one get posted (on KRQE’s website) “meanwhile, American children starve and freeze to death. I feel bad for the Haitian people, but do we really need to spend our money on them and bring them to this country when so many people that were born here are suffering? I don't think so.”

UGH – what is wrong with people? Let’s get this in perspective!

On September 11, 2001 the United States lost 2973 people when the World Trade Center collapsed. In 2005 hurricane Katrina, with the flood that followed, became one of the five deadliest hurricanes in our history. At least 1836 people lost their lives.

As of Jan 25, the estimate of the dead in Haiti jumped to 300,000. More could follow due to poor and non-existent medical facilities, doctors who can’t get into the country, polluted water, infections, etc. That’s like over 100 September 11th’s happening on the same day, or 163 hurricane Katrina’s hitting on the same weekend. It’s 68 Iraq wars.

But the impact to Haiti is worse than those numbers indicate. Before the earthquake Haiti had a population of just under 10 million (World Bank/Development Indicators). Compare that to the United States with a population of over 300 million. Percentage wise, it would be like loosing 9 million Americans. That’s not just the World Trade Center - it would be like loosing all of New York City (8.3 million) and all of Washington DC (OK, maybe we wouldn’t mind losing DC so much, but that’s another 600,000).

Or, compare Haiti’s earthquake to Katrina’s effect on the USA. It wouldn’t be like losing some costal areas of Louisiana and Mississippi, it would be like losing all of Louisiana (4.4 million) and all of Mississippi 3 million) and almost all of New Mexico (2 million – would Santa Fe really be a loss?) combined.

But that doesn’t tell the whole story yet. The average American family makes about $50,000 a year. An individual is considered poverty level if they make under about $12,000 a year (it changes a bit depending on their state). The average Haitian makes under $400.00 US a year. They have no insurance, no unemployment benefits, none of the advantages we as Americans enjoy.

So we, in our ignorance and pride, write things like “I feel bad for the Haitian people, but do we really need to spend our money on them and bring them to this country when so many people that were born here are suffering?” Once we put this catastrophe in perspective, the only answer is, “Yes, we do.”

For the newscasts about Salinda go to:
Channel 7: http://www.koat.com/news/22339789/detail.html
Channel 13: http://www.krqe.com/dpp/news/world/albuquerque-family-adopts-haitian-orphan

To give go to http://www.heartlineministries.org

The Salinda Stallings Story

The Salinda Stallings Story:

For about five years now Jothum and Rochelle Stallings have been traveling to Haiti as short term missionaries helping out http://HeartlineMinistries.org. Heartline does a number of different ministries in Haiti. There is a church; (It’s English-speaking with a few hundred people, some Haitians, some UN workers, some guys hoping to pick up an American visitor…); a women’s ministry (teaching women pre-natal care, how to sew, bank, invest, and become self-sufficient); and an orphanage (boys and girls homes in different houses, many waiting for adoption.) They do lots of other stuff too that you can find on their website. Back to our story…

When they go to Haiti, Jothum is usually doing repair and plumbing work, Rochelle working in the women’s center and orphanages. They keep going back because, well, they just love the people. About once a year they bring a group from Cottonwood Church with them. Over two years ago, when Jothum was working in the girl’s orphanage, one of the babies made it into his lap. God spoke. Jothum was hooked. Her name is Salinda. Since then Jothum, Rochelle, and Heartline have been working on her adoption. But there have been setbacks…

• Once they decided to adopt, Rochelle became pregnant. Should they still go forward with adopting Salinda?
• Once they had all their paperwork translated, the money sent, and the dossier sent in, it was lost. Should they start all over?
• Once they started all over (by now Jothum Jr. was born) nothing happened. Nothing. Like zero, nada, zilch. The money was paid, the new dossier sent in and translated, but nothing seemed to be happening. And yet another year went by. Sometimes it’s so tempting to quit.

But then came the earthquake. First they didn’t know of Salinda was alive. Then they got news that not only was she alive, but some children were having their adoptions fast-tracked by the government if the process was already started. Then they got news that some of the Heartline children were coming to the US, but some not, (thanks to government paper work). Then, last Friday, they received a call. Salinda was on her way to Florida. The adoption was final. Saturday they left for Florida. Today they are with her. Tomorrow they arrive in Albuquerque. Inconceivable! That word, I do not think it means… Well, it means squat to God.

If you want to meet Jothum, Rochelle and Salinda at the airport, their flight comes in at 6:35, its SW #390. However they made me PROMISE TO DO EVERYTHING LOW KEY. Salinda is going through a major culture shock (she is almost 3 now). Please, no loud noises, no balloons, none of that fun, wild American stuff. Just lots of Haitian type hugs. I believe we have meals starting on Tuesday (let Malinda know if you want to help millymac@msn.com).

Lets take a minute to thank God for answering prayers for Salinda. Jothum and Rochelle can say, “For this child I prayed; and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him.” I Sam 2:27.

Please continue to pray for Heartline Ministries, for Ira’s friends and family still in Haiti, for Compassion International as they look for the thousands of children they still have missing. May this one miracle be the beginning of many!

Dan for Cottonwood

Haiti Doctor's Notes

Joe Boyle is a doctor who came to work with Heartline. Here are his notes from the last 4 days. Unbelievable.


DAY 1:


Have arrived safely. They seem to have security well in hand. The only danger I see thus far is a potentially fatal SCREAMING caffiene headache.


We are getting everything ready and will begin bringing patients in tomorrow.


I have not gotten to see Sebastien yet. He is only a few blocks away but security will be needed.


The line at the gas station which finally reopened today was several miles long.


We have an 18 year old first pregnancy with pre eclampsia.


We had the meds I needed for her so far.


Joe



DAY 2:


Am being productive.


Yesterday converted women's sewing center to a clinic.


There was supposed to be a military evac of 40 orphans.


They asked us (maranatha ond one other group to sleep in a home that accessed a road good enough for the convoy that was to arrive at 0200.


No go, but it was sort of fun to camp in the forier with 30 orphans and a half dozen nannies.


Sebastien and I were able to get a little pad almost to ourselves. Every time he stirred he would reach over to rub my arm and would sigh contedly when he found me.


I awoke to find most of the kids transported back to their orphanages. Sebastien and Gino and vinney were still there. (the three amigos). Belle was there as well. Those kids stayed because their parents were there. The boys were so busy I hardly noticed the other 25 had left.

Tim(another dad) and Meghan ( good Samaritan). Spent all day at the embassy and it looks like we will get a visa soon. I don't know if it's soon in a Haitian time or US time.


Several charters have fallen through. Tomorrow and Wednesday are already cancelled Thursday is still a possibility. Friday heartlinehaiti has one scheduled which is a strong liklihood. (Mike I put you on the list to see if my Friday shifts can be covered)


The clinic today was busy. I spent most of the day debriding open fractures and setting closed fractures.


Our surgical referral options are severely limited. We have found someone to take amputations


Joe


DAY 3:


What a day.

I cannot even begin.

Got to see seb before his bedtime.

I never would have guessed what we'd be doing.

I cannot stress enough that the help has not arrived. We have not been able to refer anyone out since yesterday morning. I amputated a forearm today. I will be performing a surgical airway and debriding a neck abcess tonite unless I find some other option.

Each time we have tried all of our connections, Haitian police, Military, Aid organizations and noone can take these patients. If anyone can expand our referral network please contact. We drove her to the isreali surgical team that took a pt from us yesterday but they had sealed the entrance and would not take any patients

I am fearful of killing someone because I cannot provide the correct care.

There is a man at the clinic that will likely die tonite because of a severe wound infection. The internist performed an extensive I and D. He is septic. I know he would not survive an amputation tonite. There is rumor of a podiatrist tomorrow. If the gentleman survives the night then we will decide what to do tomorrow.

When I say clinic, I am describing a house that is normally used as a womens center. Today we were performing OR cases under general antesthesia on the screened in patio and have more than a dozen people staying for ongoing care.

Forward to anyone who can help.

Joe

DAY 4:


Ok

A pretty good day today. All the previous cases seem to be improving. Carlos, the wrist amputation is doing great.

Tim and Meghan had a frustrating day at the embassy. They were basically ignored all day because the gal they had been working with was off and her replacement said he couldn't find all the documents going through her e-mail. I think tim had to exercise considerable restraint to keep from strangling him.

The aftershock today was impressive. Things swayed impressively. No damage to any of the buildings we are using or staying in. No one was injured. The Nannies all refuse to go into the houses again. Everyone is sleeping in the driveway. The security guards are keeping a tighter vigil because some of the wall is completely down.

The HMS Comfort pulled into port today. Jen (ER resident from florida) was e-mailing one of her friends on board. He put her in contact with the officer in charge of their medical division and he said he would take anyone who needed immediate surgery.

We sent 10 and included the Pregnant lady with the pelvis fracture. She didn't exactly fit the "immediate" criteria, but I am glad to have her there. They will take good care of her.

We lucked out because they hadn't secured their perimeter. (We were there waiting for their initial team.) They landed in several helicoptors and began to set up their triage area. They told us that the orders were to take patients referred from the haitian hospitals (only 2 of 5 functioning). Byron said the triage officer was excited to see the surgical cases and seemed eager to take them. He said they could not accept any more until the haitian hospitals have evacuated all they need to. I don't expect any more help from them for a few days.

Backing up a little. Just as we were loading, our evacuees, Jon arrived with a load of 25 injured from Simon Pele'. I found 3 there that needed immediate surgery a week ago so we loaded them.

Byron had witnessed a car vs pedestrian and transported her. She was comatose so we loaded her for the Hospital ship, but she died before they even left.

There was one leg in the group from simon pele' slum that I had wished I had sent to the ship. He is a 25 year old with a leg crushed in the disaster. He was still walking on it and he didn't look septic.

When I got his leg exposed it was obvious that he had gangrene. I did a procedure called a faciatomy to drain the infection and relieve the pressure. I started at his ankle and on the outside of his leg the skin and muscle was completely dead. almost to the knee. Any hope of saving the knee involved draining the rest of the infection.

The inside of his calf was under tremendous pressure, but the muscle was only dead to just above the ankle. The pressure was very high all the way to the knee.

I opened the fascia to relieve the pressure and had a terrible time controlling the bleeding.

I was just finishing when the truck delivering patients to the navy returned and said no more for a few days. I had no idea what to do, and was trying to formulate a plan for amputating at or above the knee.

Then another team arrived and there was a podiatrist there who has extensive experience with amputations! It was such a load off. She looked at him and thought that if the debridement I did stopped the spread of infection then she would try below the knee tomorrow. I wasn-t able to show her the part that was worst because I was concerned about stirring up the bleeding. I anticipate a above knee amputation for him tomorrow. We are going to try the isreali place and the HMS Comfort first. I will be shocked if they are able to help. I feel it's important to try before operating on a patio though.

4 of the people we sent to the hospital ship were under 15. Their parents were not there, and some we have only seen when we picked the kids up. I sharpied the kid's names onto their chests along with my e-mail and the number a phone we were using that only works about 10% of the time. Two of the boys asked if I could go to the ship with them. It's hard to imagine that they were our kids' age.

The lady with the raging neck infection improved for a while with steroids and antibiotics, but she is feeling worse tonite.

A lady with advanced breast cancer showed up and said she had not recieved any treatment since her hospital collapsed. Suzanne was her name and even though all we could offer was some pain medicine, her emotional thank yous had several of our helpers and translators crying.

I stopped by to see Seb tonite and there were 2 NYC paramedics wandering around and had about 200# of medical supplies.

They had been unable to fly into PAP but wanted to help. THey flew into the D.R. and hitched across the border hoping to help. Their ride was delivering supplies to a different orphanage, but that orphanage had brought us patients so they sent the pair to us. I invited them to stay with Byron and me promised them we'd find work for them in the morning.
There is such an outpouring. We have over several hundred doctors and nurses hoping to rotate in. No one seems to be able to get anything up and running. We are actuall perusing resume' to find doctors and nurses to replace us. I can't really find anyone to replace me, but if we bring in 2 or 3 strong canditates it won't be too much of a loss.

I think that this place will be needed for months, so the next investment is X ray. An indoor operating suite with non halogen lights would be on my list.

You cannot believe how hot it is in there with the lights on. Good thing it's winter time.

I feel much more at peace today.

Ann recieved our I-600 approval in the mail today. It was completed and USCIS claims mailed before the disaster. For some reason this struck me as very funny!

I appreciate your prayers and support. I am convinced that I am where God wants me to be this week. There is constant and specific prayer here, (like for the podiatrist to show up) and they have been answered faithfully.

I am optimistic about a visa tomorrow, but probably not early enough to catch a flight until Friday.

Love Joe

Haiti and Glory

First - the bad news. I'd like to put in a portion of John McHoul's blog from www.heartlineministries.org, the ministry we partner with in haiti. John is the director. Then - the good questionn.

First - John. "Yesterday Troy and I were driving through out various parts of the city and he took several dozen pictures. On the street in front of the cemetery were a few dead bloated bodies lying on the street and what seemed to be a couple of bodies that were being burned in a fire. But this scene touched me the most.

The area had the stench of death and most of the people had something covering their faces. I stopped a few times to give people a ride just to get then away for the area.

I couldn't help but wonder about the person in the casket who had died and of the men who were carrying it. The person must have been special to them. They must have cared for this person to go through the effort and expense of caring for the body and buying the casket.

There, I have read, have been up to twelve thousand people who have not been identified and have been buried in a mass grave outside of the city. I saw a photo of bodies being dumped into big trucks by front end loaders. I wonder how many of those had family members that will never have the closure of a burial in graveyard.

It makes me sad.

John McHoul "

By the way, If you would like to donate specifically to the earthquake relief funds, you can do so at www.haiti-relief.com.

John once said that, "The safest place is where God wants you to be." If that is true, and I believe it is, Haiti may be in the safest place it's been for the last 200+ years. Governments don't seem to be able to move an IV from the airport to a hospital. Christian organizations on the other hand have been working in Haiti for years. They were there before the earthquake and will stay after everyone else has gone home. They are on the ground and effective.

"Christ in us is the hope of glory," Paul writes in Colossians ch. 1. Jesus is getting the glory as Christian organizations work together and make the greatest difference to the suffering country. Individuals give Christ the glory as He works through them. The church, the body of Christ gets the glory as TV reporters show Christ in action in Haiti. God gets the glory as His promises are showing to be true. Mt 7:7 "Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you." Haiti is asking. God is answering, through people like you. May He be glorified.

Dan

Help Haiti!

By now you have heard about the Earthquake in Haiti. The picture here is taken of the house next door to the boys orphanage (the one we work at with Heartline). They lost some walls - this house was totally destroyed. I'll include all the information we have below. All the children are safe.

If you would like to help in the relief efforts, you can give directly to Heartline Ministries by going to http://www.heartlineministries.org. Jothum and Rochelle are trying to get back to Haiti ASAP. I assume we (Cottonwood) will be helping them with travel and/or supplies to bring. You can give to Haiti through Cottonwood at our Paypal giving site on http://www.cottonwoodchurch.net and designate it for Haiti. Also, if you will read through the letters I've cut and pasted below you will see other ways you can help this immediate need. I've taken the different blogs and letters from our friends in Haiti and pasted them below.

If you go to the Heartline Ministries website, John (John and Beth have lived in Haiti for 21 years now working with Heartline) keeps up a terrific blog so you will have a good picture of what is happening and how we can help.

PLEASE PRAY!!

Dan


LIVESAY BLOG

January 13, 2010
The Morning After - Earthquake Haiti 2010

The sun is about to come up. The aftershocks continue. Some more noticeable than others. There is no way to even begin to share the things we've heard and seen since 5pm yesterday. To do so would take hours that we don't have to give right now. Some of them feel wrong to tell. Like only God should know these personal horrible tragedies.
The few things we can confirm - yes the four story Caribbean Market building is completely demolished. Yes it was open. Yes the National Palace collapsed. Yes Gov't buildings nearby the Palace collapsed. Yes St Josephs Boys home is completely collapsed. Yes countless countless - countless other houses, churches, hospitals, schools, and businesses have collapsed. There are buildings that suffered almost no damage. Right next door will be a pile of rubble.
Thousands of people are currently trapped. To guess at a number would be like guessing at raindrops in the ocean. Precious lives hang in the balance. When pulled from the rubble there is no place to take them for care Haiti has an almost non existent medical care system for her people.

I cannot imagine what the next few weeks and months will be like. I am afraid for everyone. Never in my life have I seen people stronger than Haitian people. But I am afraid for them. For us.

When the quake hit it took many seconds to even process what was happening. The house was rocking back and forth in a way that I cannot even begin to describe. It felt fake. It felt like a movie. Things were crashing all over the house. It felt like the world was ending. I do not know why my house stands and my children all lie sleeping in their beds right now. It defies logic and my babies were spared while thousands of others were not.
There are friends and co-workers that are missing. People whom no-one can account for. People we work with and love. There are more than I can name, but in particular we wait on one single friend who lived near the Hotel Montana - which has reportedly collapsed.
The horror has only just begun and I beg you to get on your knees - I truly mean ON YOUR KNEES and pray for the people of this country. The news might forget in a few days - but people will still be trapped alive and suffering. Pray. Pray. Pray. After that - PLEASE PRAY.
Tara for all of us

BYRON AND SHELLEY EMAIL

Thanks to every one of you for your prayers and concern for us.

We find ourselves in a difficult place today - we are in Florida while our five youngest children - and the 17 children who we care for are all in Haiti facing the aftermath of the earthquake which took place this afternoon.

FIRST - God has shown us great mercy - every child is safe and unharmed. The walls have fallen down, the gates have fallen over, there is great damage to the homes - but every single person is fine! Our good friend Kelly, and Brittany Gilbert who works with us, have done a terrific job of handling this emergency. They waited in the street for quite some time before John was able to reach them - the street was a safe place, nothing big which could fall on them. Our neighbor's roof caved in, and the house which was next to the boy's home is completely gone. As the homes are built of blocks and concrete it is dangerous right now.

All of the children and workers are sleeping in Village Theodat at the Buxman's home. They are sleeping in the driveway. As I understand it, all of the children are asleep except for our youngest two - Belle and Dominique. It is very difficult for me to be here.

We have changed our flights. We were scheduled to return on Monday, tried to fly out tomorrow but American has cancelled all of their flights into Haiti tomorrow. Byron was able to secure the very last seat on a flight for Thursday. I will follow on Friday. We will spend tomorrow purchasing supplies to take back with us. We hope to take back 5 bags each - supplies will be crucial now.

Our first two bags are free, and the three additional bags will cost us $100 each. IF you would like to help us purchase supplies, or pay for extra baggage, will you please email me OR call my mom and let me know? That will help us know what we are able to purchase. Donations will need to be sent to Heartline Ministries, c/o Nichols Accounting Group, 5680 East Franklin Road Suite #110, Nampa, ID 83687. Please attach a note which specifies that this is money for the purchase of supplies.

We are praying and trusting that God in His sovereignty has this under control, and that He intended for us to be in the states at this time. Please pray that God gives us wisdom when we purchase our supplies, and that we will not allow our minds to imagine any more than we know, and that He continues to protect those who are in Haiti. Please pray that we trust Him completely.

We love each of you!

Thank you so much for everything,

Byron and Shelley


JOHN AND BETH EMAIL/BLOG

At about 5:00 PM as I was almost ready to send this e-letter, the house began to sway and I could hear the sound of breaking glass and of walls falling.
Haiti had just been hit by a major 7.0 earthquake. All the Heartline people are fine but the houses.especially the walls have sustained major damage. The wall at the boys' house is 75% gone as well as a major portion of the girls' house. In my house a good portion of the front wall is gone and a portion of the back wall.
We are running off of batteries power and have no running water due to the pipes breaking.
The people filled the streets running to somewhere. We do not really know the damage sustained throughout the rest of the city.
All the children at the homes and the nannies and the Tlucek kids and visitors are sleeping outside tonight in the Buxman's yard due to several after shocks.
There are people sitting in the streets as they are afraid to go in their homes due to aftershocks. Even s I typed that sentence we just had a strong aftershock.
I am able to send this bu using the internet at a friends house that lives nearby. Our service has been knocked out.
I have posted several pictures that I hurriedly took. You can see them at http://heartlineministries.org/Blog20.aspx

John

Walk Fearlessly

I’ve learned a new word this week; Syncretism. It means “a fusion of cultures.” It’s become the religion of choice in North America. We cut what we like about Buddhism, Mormonism, our friends advice, Christianity etc. and fuse it all together into our own religion. If others disagree, thats OK too. They can fuse together their own religion. All fusions are tolerated; the syncretistic is only intolerant of those they consider intolerant. It’s those who believe in absolutes, in something or Someone above and beyond us that can’t be tolerated. If there is an Absolute, our fusion is flawed. In the end we don’t deny Christ, we dethrone Him.

Barna research reported that American adults, by a 3-to-1 margin said truth is always relative to the person and their situation. 83% of teenagers said that moral truth depends on the situation and only 6% said that moral truth is absolute. The fusion of different ideas won’t set you free.

Syncretism is a religion of fear. We’re afraid of Absolute truth because we are afraid of change, our change. In the abortion debate, “When does life begin?” is a question avoided. Instead we have shadow discussions about choice and freedom. Macro evolution debates are focused more around church and state rather than around the origins and complexity of life. Truth can be a scary thing.

Believers in Christ must walk fearlessly. If the Bible is true in everything it teaches (as Cottonwood’s doctrinal statement says), then bring on the debate! Lets explore any and all theories about the beginning of our universe. May truth win! Lets debate when life begins and look at when a fetus feels pain, when the heart begins to pump blood, etc and focus our discussion on truth rather than choice. Truth is absolute, it’s stubborn, and it changes the way you live. The Truth will set you free Jn 8:32. Walk Fearlessly.