Good things continue to happen in the clinic despite all the challenges that Haiti has.
Our numbers are down a little as our patients don’t feel safe leaving their little communities to walk for an hour or two to get to the clinic as they once did. They don’t feel as safe on the streets like they used to. So often times people miss appointments and when they are able to return, they tell of how the gangs were shooting in the street in front of their house, and they spent the day laying on the floor, trying to stay safe.
Here’s one of the kids in clinic who is happy and healthy because of the care he receives there.
Mommas are still having safer pregnancies and deliveries with healthier babies because of the clinic.
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Below, This is Anna with her mom at clinic. The week prior to this, Anna’s mom said that she was shopping in the street market when they started shooting. She said she tried to grab her kids and run but was separated from her older daughter (4 years old) in the chaos. She said that she is still looking for her daughter, but has been unable to find her.
Several days later, she was excited to report to me that she had found her daughter! Her daughter had spent four days at the police station! The police made her pay them $7,500.00 Gourdes to get her back (about $62.00 USD). This is about a months wages or more for many Haitians.
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On June 12th Donald got married!! If you missed stories of Donald, he came to the clinic the end of 2016 after an injury. He has had multiple surgeries and is now a below the knee amputee. We have been working with him since 2016 as it has been a long battle to get him to heal.
Donald and I
It was a real honor to be the best man in Donald’s wedding!
It has been a blessing to be a part of his story, and to see him give his life to Christ, and grow in his faith. Getting married was a part of his growth, and he continues to use his story to bring honor to the Lord, despite the struggles he has faced without his leg.
It was very hot in the church and I hope to never again wear a suite in Haiti! HAHA
I am thankful that my suit was dark so you couldn’t see the sweat marks — like others at the wedding — because I was rather wet. But, it was very special to be a part of this day with Donald and Dorian.
Donald is all set to go to the U.S. to get further medical care for his stubborn-to-heal leg. The biggest hurdle is his U.S. visa. The bad thing is, it is very difficult to get any kind of a visa to the U.S. right now. Please be praying that he will be able to get to America for further care so he can heal completely.
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Anne came to the clinic for a check up and to get everything she needed just before I left for the states. As she stumbled in the door, I noticed she was not look very well. She was sick and was not able to keep any thing in her stomach. This does not help her heart condition at all! I ended up starting an IV on her to give her fluids, to make her feel better and ease the strain on her heart.
Anne was feeling better after a little recharge from the IV (but still not wanting her picture taken:-).
Anne’s progress is slow, as most things go in Haiti, but is moving forward.
She is getting closer to getting to the Cayman Islands for her heart surgery. But her next big hurdle is a transit visa to get there through the U.S. Like Donald, visa’s of any kind are very hard to get these days. Please be praying that both Anne and her mom will get their Visa’s so that Anne can have her mom and a care provider with her for this major surgery.
Thank-You to those of you who gave special gifts toward the cost of this operation to give Anne a chance at a better and much longer life.
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The amount of crime in Haiti continues to increase.
It was reported in May that well over 500,000 children, just in Port-au-Prince, were no longer able to go to school due to gang violence.
The U.N. Commissioner for Human Rights said “Armed violence has reached unimaginable and intolerable levels in Haiti.” This is the ugly reality of life in Haiti right now. Unfortunately, we as foreigners trying to help Haiti are not exempt from this life either.
I ended up leaving earlier than planned for the summer after I was robbed at my home. I was home and sleeping when they killed Ziva, my dog and little buddy. The burglars broke into my compound, and stole my batteries and inverter (my consistent source of power as the city power if very intermittent). It was well-planned. They had all the tools they needed to cut the lock, pry the steel door, disassemble everything, and carry it away.
My stolen battery bank
It was over 700 pounds of stuff that was burgled. I was thankful I was asleep, and did not know was happening. It’s hard to say what may have happened if I had woken up and encountered them — even if it was through my bars and gates.
It will cost about $5,000.00 to replace the items I need. Most of the people I work with in Haiti have been robbed at one time or another. So it seems to just a part of life here.
I was very thankful for the efforts of my landlord. The day I left they started to raise the wall by adding three more blocks. And he put all new razor wire around the compound — including new wire over the gate (where the burglars most likely got into my compound).
This will now make it feel a little more like living in a prison. But if it makes things safer, it’s for the best.
Thank-You so much for all of your prayer support!
It is a priceless part of your participation with the ministry of Kelby’s Kids. I’ll never know what I have been spared from due to the prayers you offer up on behalf of myself and the people I care for.
Thank-you also for your continued financial support for this ministry which makes it possible to continue to serve these kids and adults — even in spite of the setbacks I’ve mentioned.
Because of you, the people of Haiti are blessed and know about a God who cares. I also am blessed and humbled by your faithfulness.
Until No Child Dies,
Kelby