Please forgive me for the amount of time that has passed since my last update.

There is so much gloom and doom in the news and on the internet these days, if feels like an update is just more of the same in this broken world.

But, since many are asking what is going on, I will do my best to share a little without being to disheartening.

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A little while ago some pictures surfaced that shined some light on the true depth of the heartache, sorrow, and suffering that is going on in much of Haiti.

The photo below is of a man whose wife and children were killed by the gangs and his house set on fire with all that he owned inside. He is seen begging the police to “Please, just shoot me” and end his unimaginable suffering as he has lost absolutely everything.

Fortunately, the officer just gave him a hug instead. I don’t know if he was a believer but I hope that he or someone was able to be the hands and feet of Jesus to him on the very worst day of his life.

A little bit ago I was able to have a have a video call with one of the patients that I am still taking care of in Haiti. She was very happy for the continued care and that I am still able to help her even though I am 2,000 miles away.

I had sent her to a couple hospitals before she could find someone that would see her. We would pay the fee to be seen and then after several hours they would be told to leave, as no doctors were coming to work that day. And of course there is no refunds…

But my patient was all smiles as she told me that she is doing much better! And she asked me to Please not give up on Haiti. They need people to help them.

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Things became pretty dangerous again near the clinic for a couple weeks. Many of the people I know living at or near the clinic made plans to come to my house again if the violence got any closer. Fortunately, once again, the violence stopped just short of the clinic. I am very thankful that after all that has gone on, the clinic and my house remain secure!

But, Vanessa with her mom and little brother, had to flee their house for a couple weeks to stay safe during that time. They are staying several blocks down from the clinic. And the trouble was in their neighborhood.

Unfortunately, after the recent fighting, the little house that you rent for them has three bullet holes in the roof. So, with a few other leaks, their house gets pretty wet when it rains.

The beginning of this week we were able to get the needed material to repair it for them. The “Boss” to replace the tin was rather expensive as the roof is actually about three stories off the ground. It’s because these little houses are made to be stacked on top of each other.

The boss, who was paid more for the risk he was taking, than for the work he was doing.

We also continue to help provide some food for her as well as medical care as the prices on everything continue to get higher as things get more difficult to find on the streets.

The other day Vanessa asked Jackenson to “Please send the white guy back, I miss him.” That made my heart happy. I miss her and Haiti very much, too!!

It’s hard to believe that little Vanessa is ready to start school!

Shortly after we found Vanessa living in the street, we got them their little house for safety. We also made it possible for her mom to restart her business again — giving them a little financial stability.

She had lost everything when her husband was killed. And the killers burned her house down.

So, Vanessa’s mom is going to pay for half, and we are going to pay for half of the school bill so that she can start kindergarten this fall!!

Please continue to pray for Vanessa and her family, for safety, health, and that we will be able to get her to the U.S. some day for surgery for her severe scoliosis.

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Several weeks ago, Jackenson stated that he was sitting on the back porch of my house and he had a 9mm bullet land right next to him! You don’t even need to be that close to fighting to be in danger in the city. The 3 guys that work for me and live at my house are very thankful to have tall walls and 2 guard dogs to help keep them safer than many others in Haiti!

They had to order a water truck a few weeks ago to fill the cistern at the house. The driver that normally brings our water was shot by a gang as he tried to navigate the different gang areas between the well and my house. Word quickly spread and the next truck raised the price. So, 3,000 gallons of non-drinkable water was raised to $16,000.00 HTG ($123.00 USD).

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UNICEF said “Children in Haiti are stuck in a vicious cycle of suffering. Children are pushed to join armed groups out of pure desperation, including horrific violence, poverty, and a breakdown in the system that should protect them. The impact on each affected child is a tragedy that demands urgent action.” It’s been reported that now almost 50% of the gang members are age of 17 and under with some as young as 10.

Kids should be allowed to just be kids and just have fun. They should grow up without all of trouble and suffering they face in Haiti. This summer I was able to work with over two thousand kids, plus staff, who live in a completely different world.

I had the privilege of serving as medical staff for 10 sessions of summer camps at 5 different facilities!

Although the work is different than it is in Haiti, it was a blessing to be able to do hands-on ministry at camp, as opposed to doing everything online through technology from so far away.

This summer I was able to work 1,067 hours at camp and drove 1,723 miles to get there. It was great to be able to provide medical care to so many students and staff at all the camps and show them the love of Jesus!

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The UN reports that over 16,000 People have been killed in Haiti since 2022 and displaced over 1.3 million people and fueled human trafficking. They say that there are half a million guns on the streets in Haiti. And of the 6 million people who are in an extreme humanitarian crisis, 3.3 million are kids. The UN has just approved a new 5,500-person anti-gang unit to respond to the situation in Haiti. Earlier in the summer Haiti also reportedly hired the old mercenary group, Blackwater, to help respond to some of the gang violence in Haiti.

Please pray that things will stabilize in Haiti soon and I can get back to work in the clinic. The need is simply overwhelming right now. There is only one reported public hospital that is still functioning in all of Port-au-Prince.

I just talked to my translator from the Maternity Clinic this morning.

She stated that her house has been destroyed by the gangs but she is safe in a new location. She said, “I am really sorry that you still cannot come to open the clinic. Haiti really needs that now since things are getting worse with our healthcare system. I keep praying for calm so you could come again and keep helping those that are in need.”

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Isaiah 1:17 says “Learn to do good. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of the orphans. Fight for the rights of the widows.” I believe that this is what we do and are continuing to do in Haiti. Each place in this post that says “WE” I am not only talking about my employees and myself, but I am also talking about all of YOU! It is ONLY through your sacrificial giving and continued prayers that this work is even able to continue. YOU are making a difference in Haiti despite all the evil that is currently trying to prevail.

I am so very thankful for each of you that have continued to support Kelby’s Kids despite the fact that I am not able to physically be in Haiti right now. Giving has fallen more than 30% over the last 2 years. If you have never given to Kelby’s Kids, would you Please consider a special 1-time gift or even joining as a monthly supporter?

Together we can break the darkness that evil brings to Haiti with the light of Christ’s love!

Until No Child Dies,

Kelby