Here we are posting news of our friends and loved ones that we know in Pignon, Port au Prince, and other Haitian locales. If you know of updates that should be shared here, please send them to bob@mooselakecovenant.com Thank you.
As a western trained health care professional, names like typhoid and cholera send chills down my spine. I was in the states as the current epidemic was worsening. I wondered how we would find life and living when we returned home before Christmas. I needn't have worried tho' because as usual God's grace and the resilience of the Haitian people continue to astound me.
While cholera is terrifying simply in it's speed of destroying lives, it can be dealt with so easily. One of the first things most of us who live here did was spend quite a bit of time and resources educating people. I learned long ago that the cooks here skilled at preparing safe food. They could take a piece of fresh meat from the market, "wash" it with lemons (acetic acid) and thoroughly cook into a yummy, edible dish. Those that tend to get sick (often foreigners) , are those who fail to use these methods. Trust me, folks, our cooks know what they are doing!
But with cholera know endemic in our area, the main difference is needing to treat quickly. Normally, if someone gets sick in our neighborhood, they'll just stay home and groan for a few days suffering through fevers, etc. With Typhoid and malaria, this was okay. But cholera's severe dehydration can kill in hours. My nephew, a newly graduated physician in the Dominican Republic, has reported to me that there have been quite a few cases there, but very few deaths because of people seeking treatment quickly. The 4,,000 plus deaths we've had in Haiti are largely due to people not responding quickly enough. The terrible tragedy to me is that the treatment is available to most people in their own pantries. Oral re-hydration solutions can be made with sugar, salt, and clean drinking water. If someone would just start drinking as soon as they have symptoms, they would in all likelihood survive. In severe cases, only one dose of Doxycycline should be sufficient. If all this is true, why the panic? Because old reflexes die hard, at least in this old registered nurse.
So besides spreading the word about how easily this is treated, we are practicing prevention with visible measures as well. For example, all of our students have been taught the importance of hand washing. The little ones can chant rhymes and songs of the needs to wash hands.. On our school campus, we have well water (thanks to Rotary International) which our guards carry to the classrooms. The younger students are helped to wash their hands before eating, etc. so it's a constant reinforcement of how to stay healthy.
Overall, life has changed very little up here in the north central plateau. Occasionally I'll see a cot being carried by some men (our version of an ambulance) to the cholera treatment center in our community that is being run by Doctors Without Borders. But the good news for us is that most of these cases are coming from outlying areas and very few cases from within the community. We are so grateful that the education seems to have had an impact.
One reason I think all this is on my mind now is that I know some folks are considering coming to help out in Haiti this coming year, but this cholera stuff is just too scarey. Trust me, I can understand the trepidation, but this is our reality. I have learned long ago after raising my children here, that God has ALWAYS provided what we needed, often in very unexpected ways. Ten years ago I broke two bones in my right hand in a freak accident. After it was diagnosed via Xray at our local hospital, there just "happened" to be an American surgeon and Occupational Therapist specializing in hands visiting that week who could ensure my hand was set properly. I think it was just God's way to reassure me. Over and over, I've seen things like this, until I realized I really could trust God to provide what we needed when we needed it.
Anyway, I'm not going to mislead people and say there's no risk of anything here in Haiti. But I've learned that living in a time of Cholera is just the same as any other time, proceeding one day at a time, being cautious (rather than shaking hands, everyone now "hand bumps"), and trusting in God's provisions.
- Debbie Lucien
I've long ago realized how relatively small my husband's ministry and my impact is in the tumult of need here in Haiti. But what I can't figure out is if we can do a lot with relatively little, why is it that many big NGO's are so slow to be able to accomplish much? Just this week in the Haitian newspapers I continue to see well known organizations just now hiring staff to start their projects or to do research to justify needs for a project. If I observe them too much, I get disgusted. But, I'm seeing again the high impact that is possible in individual lives with a narrow focus empowered by skilled, local leadership.
This week, I was asked to document a simple micro-credit project. The ministry had received several dozen large igloos (the kind North Americans use for tailback parties). Caleb thought up a plan where we could give the igloos to some folks in need, along with a loan of $300 HD (around $40 US). The idea being that they could use the start up costs to stock cold drinks and other items they could then resell. The group was asked to repay at $25 HD each month until they repaid the full amount in a year. Most of the recipients have already repaid their loans ahead of schedule so we could start with another group this month:
Another example of small cost but high impact outreach: Last fall, we had several students on a waiting list who were needing help to attend our ministry school. Even the small amount that we must charge students in tuition was beyond the ability of their families. This week we have a team here from Pekin, IL (yes, they escaped the terrible Midwest blizzard). While working on refurbishing office space at the school facility, one of the gentlemen, Dustin, decided he'd really like to help a student here. We were able to introduce him to 7 year old Mike (see below):
Dustin asked to be able to meet Mike's parents as well so we asked them to come in this morning. I had the privilege of translating for them as he got to meet Mike's mother and hear their story which helped explain her still shell shocked facial expression. Mike and his family were in the capital last January and in the middle of the earthquake. When their home was destroyed as well as his mom's place of work, the mother decided to come back to her hometown where she had some family. I asked her if she had stayed at the camp facility last year and she told me she had considered it, but decided to leave places for those people who didn't have any support at all. I found her humility and willingness to make room for those in greater need really touching. As we parted today, I told her I hoped she saw that it wasn't the blan (foreigners) who were helping her, but that this provision came ultimately from God whom she could trust for the future. It isn't easy to go on when you've lost everything like Mike and his family, but when you see the Lord's hand through the help and generosity of others, it does give hope.
I want to encourage those who are in a position to give, to continue to do so. Please check with the organizations you are giving to, and ask them if the funds you are sending are reaching those in need and how they are helping now. It really doesn't take much to help.
Today marks the first anniversary of the Haitian Earthquake. The government of Haiti has declared it a “Day of Mourning” and throughout the world Haitians will take a moment of silence to remember those 400,000 plus who died on that horrible day.
It was only this past Friday that across from the destroyed National Palace and next to the Plaza Hotel (formerly Holiday Inn) that they found and removed three more bodies from the rubble of a destroyed home. When I commented how sad that was, someone responded that there are more than 1,000 homes where you would find at least one if not ten bodies within. Sad realities but true!
Over the past twelve months it has been reported that billions of dollars have been spent in Haiti. Whether the total is accurate or not, it seems like only a Band-Aid has been applied on a huge wound. Over a million people are still living in inhumane conditions. Through the various tent cities, there are numerous reports of violence, rape and abuse of every kind that are taking place. Several thousands have died through the cholera outbreak, several dozen have died as a result of the election and everyone is asking what else that could possibly happen to our beloved country?
The outlook for Haiti may not look too bright these days but we cannot and will not lose heart. We will continue to reach out to those in need. To the less fortunate we will provide each and every one the hope that can only be found through our Savior.
Please, take some time to ray for the families that are still suffering and pray that God would continue to raise up servants that will really focus on the needs of those that are suffering. Thanks for helping us make a difference in the lives of so many in the past year.
In HIS grace, Caleb
www.hosean.org
I used to always look forward to New Year’s even before I moved to Haiti 18 years ago. For me it was a time of evaluation, setting of goals, adjusting course if need be. A reset button built into the calendar so to speak. Of course, like most living in the developed world, I had the luxury of having time to contemplate. Last New Year’s, my father in law, 80 year old Sidoine, was speaking and telling us we never know what is coming or who will be here next year. Less than two weeks later, the nation was literally rocked on its foundations by the earthquake and all the events that followed. In many ways it has been a hellish year, but also one of awe inspiring provisions that could have only come from God.
Much has been written about the past year in Haiti. Almost laughably, the future (politically speaking) has been put on hold for the holidays. As I write this, members of the OAS and powers that be are meeting to decide who and what will happen next. What tangled webs democracies/republics are nowadays, especially when billions of dollars are available to be spent. I’m glad I don’t travel in those realms, instead being a part of the more mundane. Strangely, it becomes clearer and clearer to me that it is the simplest interventions that make the most difference.
Yesterday I was visiting with a young woman who was home for the holidays from pharmacy school in Port au Prince. She and I had become friends 10 years ago or so working together in the children’s church outreach. She had been in the capital during the earthquake last year and returned to try to continue her studies. She has been rejected by her father but little by little, with the help of various people has managed to finish high school and is now attending professional school. What encouraged me the most about our visit was how she was telling me she had learned how important it was to share whatever she had. Whenever she has any extra change, she’ll buy some candy or bread and share it with neighborhood kids just to encourage them. She is a part of a generation of young Haitians who have embraced the gospel of Jesus Christ and is applying it in real ways in her life. Her generation will be the ones who inherit this nation. She reminds me of another young student from years ago. When he was in school struggling to get by, he would come home every day and put his change in a jar. By the end of the semester it would usually total between $30-$50 which he would return to Haiti to pay for school for some young person. Some of the recipients appreciated it; some didn’t thinking they should have received more. (People are alike world over). My point is we should be trying to give to those who’ll continue to pay it forward. Of course, we can’t know the inner motivations of people’s hearts, only God has that privilege (or horror). But as we have the opportunity, we can invest in faith that God will use it and improve life for others.
But I didn’t start writing today to encourage giving, etc. (believe it or not). I really wanted to write and dispel some of the images of Haiti that are out there right now. Of course, the media and world love drama and scenes of people dying of cholera and burning protests in the street. As we got ready to return to Haiti almost three weeks ago there was some question of when to come due to the airlines halting flights; it was really a matter of the airline staff couldn’t get to the airport. Anyway, long story short, we were on the first flight American had in following the election protests. Returning after a 6 week break, we were greeted by now familiar sites of refugee camps right by the airports and throughout the city. I was actually encouraged because despite reports of lack of progress, I saw students in school, more businesses open, and much more activity. Many folks were out in the streets cleaning up after the protests, after all life goes on even after tires are burned in your front yard. I may be jaded after all these years but it looked better than I expected. That being said, there is a palpable sense of post traumatic shock that pervades all of us who live here. The conditions will take decades to improve and it’s absurd to expect any different. That reality is settling in for us, and it is painful and exhausting to consider. I hope that those who continue to try and help will remember how we are all still grieving. The interest in Haiti will dissipate in the coming years, as it always does. I trust the Haitian people will arise and rebuild the nation as they desire and not just accept what others want to do for them.
But survival means continuing on despite where you find yourself. People are moving on; and whether the big NGO’s, UN, MINUSHTAH, or any other initials are ready or not, things will go on. The Haitian people are masters at survival and managing to live in what appears to be chaos to the world. Looking at the whole situation from a secular view point is pretty discouraging. It seems irreparable. But what a perfect stage for God to reveal Himself through the work of His people. Things will improve in Haiti, and it won’t be always be through the big things, it will be one person at a time that sees that if they share what they have, they can change the world.
My prayer: May you do just that, Father, in the New Year. May you expose the injustice; provide mercy to those in need. May those with the courage to trust You, be fulfilled. Amen.
- Debbie Lucien
2010 has been quite a year, earthquakes, hurricanes, cholera and now political turmoil due to the election! We had no doubt that God would get us through but honestly we did not know how. We knew that He would provide and we had a picture in our minds of who He would use and we were shocked at how resources actually came in.
As we look back, we say Wow (!), that was a hard and terrible year and yet it was a year full of blessings:
*500 kids from Port au Prince were able to complete the school year in Pignon
*40 families are back in their homes following repairs post earthquake
*5 schools are being rebuilt in and around Port au Prince
*Millions of dollars worth of medical supplies have been distributed throughout Haiti
*thousands of tents have been distributed
*thousands have been cared for at our camp facility between January-July 2010.
*all of the ministries of Hosean International Ministries have continued to remain strong in spite of the disasters that hit our country.
*we have been able to respond within a day to the cholera outbreak and we will continue to do so.
*Lives continue to be impacted daily
*a Rehabilitation Center has been built in Pignon to serve the needs of amputees and those effected by strokes, etc.
*the Layton Stamper Memorial Children’s Home has received 10 children that had lost parents from the earthquake. They are being taken care of by house parents and attending school in Pignon.
*Three pastor’s homes have been rebuilt post-earthquake.
If we were to list everything that has been accomplished this past year, we would have to print a mini-book! But more than anything, we THANK GOD for you who have let us be your hands and feet to the people of Haiti. I wish I could include each and every one’ s name or organization who have helped us to make a difference but again the list would be too long to allow me to thank all the teams that have come alongside to help minister to the people at the camp. Thanks to my wife, Debbie for all her support. Thanks to my stateside coordinator, Anna Martin- she is a gift from heaven. Thanks to Scott & Connie Peterson from Moorhead, MN for all their coordination efforts to get supplies to Haiti. Thanks to the team at Missionary Flights International and thanks to our staff in Haiti. Thanks to Rotary International’s Past District Governor Richard McCombe and his wife Carla from Nassau, Bahamas. PDG Dick is one of the greatest gifts to Haiti.
We are looking to 2011 with great hope and expectations! We will start the year with the beginning of the construction of a 42,000 sq. ft. warehouse in Pignon that will allow us to be ready to respond to disaster within 8-12 hours. We are looking forward to working with other partners to build a village outside of Port au Prince. We are looking forward to continue to provide assistance with the Cholera outbreak. We will be working in helping a school in the south of Haiti. We will be building some shelters in Pignon and making housing available to some people from Pignon that are still living in tents in Port au Prince. Stay tuned and wait expectantly to see what God is going to do!
Caleb Lucien
National Director, Hosean International Ministries
www.hosean.org
Over the past few days, I have received calls from several friends worldwide wanting to know what’s going on with the cholera outbreak in Haiti. Here is the latest info I’ve received this afternoon:
It is extremely difficult to estimate the true scale of this epidemic now. This is a grossly uncontrolled, uncontained epidemic of cholera that has exceeded public health capacity to investigate and assess every site reported and every sample received.
People are afraid to help each other as they are afraid of it spreading
MSF: "ALL OF THE HOSPITALS IN PORT-AU-PRINCE ARE OVERFLOWING" (Doctors Without Borders)
Current official stats are more than 12,300 cases and nearly 800 fatalities. In some areas of Haiti, we have confirmation that in-patient statistics are under-reported by as much as 400%. There is no question of under-reporting. If we assume the case counts are 1/4 the true community load, then we now have nearly 48,000 cases shedding pathogen into the environment. We believe the true statistic to be closer to more than 60-70,00.
We have confirmed cases in our local hospital in Pignon, our base of operations. Here is what we have done thus far:
*We have sent cleaning supplies, gloves, and hand sanitizer to the communities of Verrettes, Petite Rivere, St. Mark, and Aquin.
*We have purchased through Missionary Flights International (www.missionaryflights.org) about $10,000 worth of supplies such as gloves, IV sets, hand sanitizer, antibiotics that is being distributed to different health centers.
*We have responded to the call for help from the mayor of the community of St. Michel de L’Attalaye and this morning a load of supplies is being delivered-Ringer’s Lactate IV’s, water purifier tablets, gloves & IV sets, and cleaning supplies.
*Tomorrow, we are distributing 350 solar powered radio sets so our radio station can give out correct public health info. to the most remote areas in our listening audience of over 350,000 on the central plateau.
*We have received MannaPak Potato based food from Feed My Starving Children (www.fmsc.org) these food items are documented to help people recover from acute diarrhea. As of this morning a truck load is being sent to Verrettes for distribution. Once that truck returns, we will be sending it out again with the same material to St. Michel.
*We have distributed literature to our congregation and contacts regarding prevention and care during the disease.
Please note, the interventions are being made based on the most up to date information I am getting from my networks on the ground of the needs they relate to me. These communities are the earliest and hardest hit at present.
What you can do:
1. First you can pray. People are very afraid. Some people in the remote areas are scared to go the hospital because they see the high death rate. It is an example of “for lack of knowledge my people perish.” (Hosea 4:6) Today we have begun a Radio Campaign to educate the communities that we reach about cholera prevention. (Estimated audience: over 350,000)
2. You can help by giving to Hosean International Ministries www.hosean.org to help with the outreach. Here is an example of how your giving would be spent via a pharmaceutical supplier who has agreed to sell us the needed supplies at a very good price. Therefore, it requires no shipping cost:
1 box of latex gloves (100pr)………………………………$7.50
1 box sterile gloves (50 pr.)…………………………………$17.00
1 box of Aqua tab (water purifier/100)…………………$3.50
1000cc of IV Ringer’s Lactate…………………………………$2.00
IV sets (20 G & 22G)………………………………………………. $1.30
We can get these items along with other meds only with a phone call and it will be delivered to whatever place we want it delivered in Haiti.
Please pray for the Lord’s provision so that we can continue to reach out to many. Thanks for standing with us. In His
Grace, Caleb
Once again, Haiti is in the international news with a Cholera outbreak in the Artibonite Region less than 20 miles from our headquarters in Pignon, Haiti. This morning after spending all afternoon Sunday going through remaining donated supplies, Caleb sent two pickup trucks loaded with cleaning supplies and gloves that we still had in stock. They are headed to Verettes and the community of Petit Rivere, two of the hardest hit communities to be distributed by the Rotary Clubs of the Artibonite. Further, Caleb has made arrangements with Missionary Flights International to fly in supplies worth $15,000 to Port au Prince for distribution through the Rotary Clubs there. These supplies will include: more gloves, IV fluids, IV lines, oral rehydration solution, and cleaning supplies. This past Sunday, we made 1,000 copies of Dr. Kris Thede’s information on Cholera prevention in Kreyol for area residents. It was gratifying to see all the church members carefully reading and saving this life saving information. Please be praying that solutions can be found quickly to stop the spread of it. We will continue to intervene as the Lord provides.
- Debbie Lucien