Faith Hope Love Infant Rescue

School Time!

2011-11-04T10:42:00.000-07:00

Six little boys joined Rosa, Claudine and Johnny in going to the International Missions Outreach school in our neighborhood. They adore school! They love their uniforms and fancy new shoes. And lunchboxes. And backpacks! Their school costs $25 SD per month and every child already has a sponsor. God is so good to these little guys.

It took several tries to get pictures of the kids. Have you ever tried to herd cats? It's much easier than getting kids to stop for pictures!

IMO is a Christian school where the kids will learn the Bible and all about God as they learn to read and write. All of the staff are Haitian. The kids are taught in Haitian Kreyol and in French. They will learn English later. Imagine, they'll be tri-lingual in elementary school! I have to admit that they are really, really smart.

Thank you, Katie Benner!

2011-05-05T12:59:00.001-07:00

Katie Benner graduated from college in 2010 and came to live and work at FHLIR from September until March, 2011. Before she came, I barely remembered her from a visit to the orphanage a couple of years earlier. I wondered what it would be like to have her, a virtual stranger, living in the bedroom next to mine. We were going from strangers to housemates in a foreign country.

Wasn't a problem! Katie belonged with us from the day she got off the plane! The kids adore her as she adores them. She added so much joy to our home. Art projects and games and movies and popcorn and crafts and so much attention. Our kids, as all orphanage kids everywhere, are starved for all of these things. Katie brought them in abundance and wrapped everything in love.

She brought her mom, then her dad, her friends and her pastor and his wife to visit us, too, and enlarged our circle of friends.

It was time for Katie to leave in March. We all were sad to see her leave. We will never forget her. But, Katie, we wish you the best in the rest of your life. We sure hope it includes lots of living in Haiti and visits to FHLIR! We love you!

[I haven't written about Katie leaving before because I wasn't ready to face it yet, she is missed so much. Other young ladies have come before and each one has a special place in our hearts forever: Natasha Rae Taylor Jovin and Casey Nichols were fulltime assistants like Katie. Keziah Furth and Dannae Pasculli lived with us and were part of the household. We hope to have other young people come stay from time to time to further enrich the kids' lives.]

"Another Miracle!" -or- "He Can Walk!!!!!"

2011-05-05T12:38:00.000-07:00

LOOK! Youvendgy is walking, all by himself! He was 3 years old in February, and now he can walk. Thank you, Father God!

Youvendgy came to us in August and went straight into the hospital. [see August post] He was treated for anemia, sickle cell crisis, tuberculosis and malnutrition. When he was younger both legs were broken, at different times I think. His legs and buttocks were SO weak! He scooted on his bottom, couldn't walk or even stand alone.

What a difference a few months of love and good nutrition can make. So maybe it's not an instant miracle of the "Get up and walk" type, but it's miraculous just the same. Where would this little guy be if Laura Lynn "Lala" Nichols hadn't found him and tried to help. She didn't even give up when his mother threatened to kill him. Lala found an official who had the authority and the heart to give Lala temporary custody so she could find help for Youvendgy.

And what brought Lala to Haiti and to the village of Jubilee in Gonaives? God. And who started, funds and runs Faith Hope Love Infant Rescue? God. HE took time from running the universe to intervene in Youvendgy's life. Just because HE loves him. Just like HE loves you, and me, and everyone else.

Praise God and glory hallelujah!

Michilove Noel - My HERO!

2011-02-03T07:42:00.000-08:00

Mich was grinning as we left the dentist's office yesterday, February 2nd, after his 5th visit. Why? "He didn't pull any teeth!" I'm not surprised: at his last 3 visits over the last 3 weeks, 6 teeth have been pulled. Some were broken off and not easy to remove. It was very hard on Mich.

Mich has lived with us since shortly after the earthquake last January. His mother is very poor. When we first saw Mich in 2007 he was extremely malnourished. His bones and teeth were affected.

The only time he cried in fear since coming here was the night before his first major tests at school in December. Once I assured him that we don't beat children for bad grades he was fine. Heartbreaking that a child would expect abuse for less than perfect performance but that is not uncommon in Haiti!

Speaking of school, Mich is in first grade at a Christian school nearby. In this country where less than half of all children go to school, ever, that is amazing. More amazing is how seriously he takes his schooling. We often see him working on his lessons with the nannies.

Despite all the hard knocks Mich has faced in his life he faces every difficulty with a courage that blows me away. How many 14 yr old boys would go to the dentist knowing that several teeth were going to be pulled without a word of complaint! I think I would whine at the very least.

Mich's courage blows me away but God's care for him is even more awesome. The great Lord God of the universe saw this little boy in Haiti and had me leave a good job and home to come to Haiti to help him. Praise the Lord!

Dr. Mondestin explains to Mich what is going to happen and why.

Mich gets his teeth cleaned for the first time in his life at his first dentist's

visit on Jan 6, 2011.

Dr. Mondestin is also trained in orthodontics

Mich's teeth were damaged by malnutrition. Here is a copy of his dental treatment plan.

Despite everything, Mich has a smile that proclaims his joy in life

Mich's ribcage was dangerously narrow

Mich had 21 badly healed broken bones

Mich July 2007, 10 yrs old

Leila Paul Dec 2005 - Jan 2011

2011-02-03T06:16:00.000-08:00

"We have a 5 yr old girl who has been in the hospital for 2 months" said Mdm Phadael, the social worker at the HIV clinic where our children are treated. "Would you take her home with you when she is released?" I was hesitant. We take babies and small children. Older children have different needs. Brenda and I agreed to see her. We walked into the hospital room and fell in love. Yes, we agreed to take her.

Leila and her mom came home with us on November 17th along with 15 prescription medicines to treat AIDS, tuberculosis and a heart problem. Leila's mom signed her over to us without any visible emotion. Leila showed no emotion when her mom left. Sad, we thought.

We grew to love Leila with her silky hair, gentle ways and elfin smile. We noticed she had trouble walking due to pain in her legs and pelvis and back. The doctor commented that she had been really sick. In December she started having stomach pain, so much so that the doctor prescribed a medicine containing phenobarbital. It didn't help much. After another couple of weeks she started having fever every day. We took her to the clinic several times. The doctor came to our house. Tests were run, antibiotics prescribed. Her appetite failed.

On Sunday, January the 9th, she wouldn't even take fluids. The doctor came to the house and sent us to the emergency room. While waiting to be admitted, she died in the nanny's arms. I couldn't believe it when they called me with the news. The doctors were also surprised. The week after her death we learned that Leila's white blood count was only 830. A low normal count is around 4000. Her immune system had failed.

Leila lives with her heavenly Father now. She is free of all pain and sickness. She knows HIS love in a way we back on earth cannot comprehend. I miss her - we all do - but I wouldn't bring her back for anything. Thank you, LORD, for allowing this precious child to be in our lives and for the opportunity to give her unconditional love in her final days on earth.

August 15 news

2010-09-18T07:33:00.000-07:00

Good morning from Haiti! What a couple of weeks we have had. Youvendji went in the hospital on July 22nd. We had to go immediately to the Haitian Red Cross to get blood for him. Denika from Bercy went in on August 6th. We had to go get blood for her, too. We had to get more blood for her this past week. Last Sunday, Wilmerson was taken to the emergency room and admitted with probable meningitis.

Haiti's blood bank is depleted. Each time we waited hours to get blood for the children. If children weren't a priority, we probably wouldn't have gotten blood at all. The Red Cross waited for someone to come in and donate blood, or the bloodmobile to bring it in, then they processed it and handed it out to the lucky ones who were waiting.

Youvendji, 2 ½, is from Gonaives. He is malnourished and might have tuberculosis. He definitely has sickle cell anemia. The hospital didn't wait for confirmation of the TB but started treating him immediately. When I visited a couple of days ago, the nurse proudly told me his weight is up to 8.2 kg, about 18 lbs.! We are hoping he can come home this week. He is unable to stand but he can move his legs. We need a physical therapist to teach us how to help him get strong.

Austin from Bercy brought Denika, 1 yr old, to us on July 31. She, too, is malnourished and might have tuberculosis. Denika will stay in the hospital for a while. We are giving her mother money for food and help with laundry, etc., while she stays with her daughter.

Wilmerson responded to antibiotics right away. He came home today! He seems stronger now than at any time since coming to us in January. Praise God!

We got our new truck on August 5th (the Haitians say it isn't a truck, it's a pickup). The dealership was so happy to be able to finally deliver it, they greeted me with a huge arrangement of fragrant, beautiful flowers and everyone came outside to watch! Thank you, Father, for your blessings.

The truck went right to work the next day, making three trips to the hospital and one to downtown Port au Prince to get blood. I have not driven a stick shift in more than 40 years and driving up and down steep hills in stop and creep bumper-car traffic was an experience. I hope the Lord laughed as much as Laura Lynn and I did. HE is good and the day ended with no accidents and every errand completed.

Four of our children are registered for school at the International Missions Outreach (http://www.imohaiti.org/) just down the street from us. Michelor, Rosa, Claudine and Johnny will start school in October. Thirteen year old Mich has never been to school before: he will be in first grade. Rosa and Claudine will be in pre-k 4 and Johnny in pre-k3. I can't wait to get their uniforms so we can get pictures!

Thank you for the many donations of formula, clothes, etc. and your financial contributions. We had to rent vehicles in July, pay extra staff for hospital care, and pay school registration fees. It takes a lot to do a good job of caring for so many and we deeply appreciate your help.

God bless you!

Dorothy Pearce
Faith-Hope-Love Infant Rescue

Youvendji

Denika

Wilmerson

Miracle of provision

2010-08-07T07:30:00.000-07:00

Yes, God is in the miracle business. See our new truck? The dealership, Atlantis Motors, was so happy to give me the truck after weeks of waiting, they also gave a huge arrangement of flowers. Practically everyone came into the garage to witness the delivery of the truck to me. I thank God for providing for us.

We got the truck on Thursday afternoon. Friday, the next day, I made three trips to St. Damien's Hospital (Petit Frere et Souer), admitted one baby, and drove to General Hospital to get blood for the baby. I can drive automatic transmission; the truck is standard. I think the Lord must have laughed and laughed as I struggled with Haiti traffic and hills and driving after dark in the rain with cars coming toward me in my lane.

He laughs gently, though, and every challenge had a successful resolution. His angels kept the truck from rolling into the cars behind us, the baby got her blood, Laura Lynn and I had a nice meal at the restaurant near the hospital, and we got home safely. We laughed ourselves silly, too.

Spirit, our new 2010 Tata Xenon pickup truck

Miracles - The Lazyboy

2010-08-03T19:00:00.000-07:00

We are going thru a time of frustration. Our Isuzu was given to a Haitian mechanic to fix an electrical problem. He tore the engine out and has left it in pieces. He won't finish it. We have no vehicle.

We purchased, more than a month ago for cash, a brand new Tata Xenon pickup truck: double cab, 4WD, diesel, with air conditioning! Haiti customs held it prisoner for a few weeks. Now Haitian registration/tags are holding it up. We still have no vehicle although we own 2.

One baby is in the hospital: two more should be inpatient. But we have no vehicle.

See why I'm frustrated?

Well, my favorite chair, the Lazyboy rocker/recliner pictured below, reminds me that God knows all things and controls all things and works in HIS own good time.

The chair was shipped in a van to Haiti in 2004. The van arrived during the ouster of former president Aristide. The country was in turmoil; anarchy reigned. The ports were looted and everything movable was stolen. The van disappeared.

We caught up with the van a year later, on the southern peninsula of Haiti. When I traveled down to see it and try to get it back, I was floored to see that even though everything had been stolen from inside the van - including the bench seats, battery and fuel pump - the Lazyboy was still there. Though it took a while longer to get the van back, the police allowed me to remove the chair that day.

The chair, practically a throne to me, reminds me daily of God's power. And that HE works in HIS own time, not mine, not anybody's.

The chair is my reminder that God is greater even than wild mobs of looters and HE is not fazed by time frames that are unacceptable to me.

SO, thanks to one of the best lessons I have ever learned, taught by a Lazyboy rocker/recliner, our no-vehicle problem has been handed to The One Who Can Handle The Impossible.

Thank you, Lord, for putting me back in my rocker. With it you gave me the FAITH to not give up HOPE but to rest in your LOVE with the certainty that you will do what is best when it is best.

THE MIRACLE CHAIR

a powerful lesson

by Dorothy Pearce

Founder of Faith-Hope-Love Infant Rescue

I'm BACK!!!

2010-08-02T18:02:00.000-07:00

Families are wonderful. I enjoyed every minute of the 3 months I spent in the USA with my family. My grandson's heart surgery was successful and we all thank you for your prayers. Now I am thrilled to be back in Haiti with my other family.

The children look great. Josue is crawling and standing: he's nice and fat, glowing with good health! You can't see him now and believe that he almost died from malnutrition and anemia in December. Emmannuella is moving more than ever before. She has been here for a year and has made amazing progress. Praise God for HIS presence and mercy!

Naphtalie, Naphtalia and Emmanuella all got chicken pox after I got back. I sure hope this is the end of the epidemic. They have recovered well. Thank you, Lord!

Mis Audette has been a great addition to our staff. She is a nurse but consented to also teach the children. She is a strong Christian lady who teaches with love. The children, staff and I all adore her. The children are learning about Jesus, French and manners! We need a sponsor to pay her salary of $200 US per month. Please pray about this need.

Katie Benner will come in September to help us for 3 months with the school situation and direct children's activities. Please pray for her as she prepares to come.

Youvendgy, 2 1/2, came from Gonaives. He has sickle cell anemia, malnutrition and pneumonia. Or maybe it's tuberculosis: they're still testing. His hemoglobin was 4 grams and he has had 2 transfusions: It is up to 8 now. He is in Ti Frere hospital (a miracle in itself since they don't take children for orphanages). Please pray for his healing.

The social worker at our HIV clinic asked if we can take more children with HIV. Parents who are sick with the disease and living in tents aren't capable of giving medicines on a regular basis. They can't give the kids the nutrition they need, either. Pray for wisdom in choosing which children to accept and provision of resources to care for them.

Four of our ladies were able to attend a women's conference led by Eileen Murphy last week. It was a treat for them. Crusades for Christ sent ladies to care for the children so they could go. That is how the LORD launched our year of ministry to our ladies. Thank you, Father! They had a good time and learned a lot!

The NEW TRUCK is washed and prepped and ready to be ours as soon as the Haitian government completes the registration and issues the tags. Maybe tomorrow? You'll hear me cheering when we actually take possession!

A German medical group came over Saturday and gave the kids vaccinations. What a relief! Praise God for their help! Good job, PAPA GOD! We give thanks!

The work here is hard and it is sweltering hot, but we can feel the peace of the Lord always sheltering and lifting us. It is most apparent in the children's progress but also can be seen in our ladies as they begin to believe that they can make a difference in the world. So can you! Search for God in your life, put HIM first, above everything else, and the rest will follow.

God bless you all!

Great news! Mothers' Day! Visits! TRUCK!

2010-05-31T12:55:00.000-07:00

May 31, 2010

Wilmerson's PCR test is negative -- that means he does not have the HIV virus! He was 4 months old when his aunt brought him to us after his mother was killed in the earthquake. His screening test for HIV (which only tests for antibodies) was positive but the PCR proves that the antibodies in his blood came from his mother, not his own immune system. PRAISE GOD for this fantastic news! (Wish I had an updated photo of him. He looks much better now!)

Mother's Day in Haiti was this past Sunday. Kez made a party for the nannies and kids with Watermelon!! Thanks for the pictures, Kez! It looks like everyone had a great time. Those wonderful ladies need to know how treasured they are for the great work they do with the kids! Thanks, Lord, for our beautiful Haitian staff and for Kez giving her time to honor them.

Jessica will begin tomorrow to watch over our house for the month of June. Thanks, Jessica! Please send lots of pictures and stories.

A new car. Truck, rather. That has sounded almost impossible to me for a very long time but faithful partners have been working hard to raise the money. Frank King is in Haiti now, doing the shopping. If all goes as planned, we will have a BRAND NEW Tata Xenon dual cab, 4WD, diesel pickup truck by the end of June. I'm still hesitant to celebrate - after all, anything can happen in Haiti - but it really looks like this will happen. THANK YOU, LORD! and Frank! and our many many friends who have been working so hard!

(We're making progress on the generator, too. I hope we can report success in the next update. Generators and vehicles are both scarce in Haiti now.)

Children in the USA reacted with amazing compassion to the earthquake in Haiti. Wanting to help, the Child's Play Preschool at Lakewood Presbyterian Church, where my niece Nicol Mickler teaches, collected socks for our children. 1200 pairs!!!! Young American children are learning that they can make a difference. The LORD is SO proud of them! So am I.

FUN! I have seen THREE of my Haitian kids while in the US! Isna and her family visited me in Maryland. Poutchino and Christelle went to the zoo with Nancy and me. They are beautiful! radiant! glowing! My heart sings praises to the Lord when I see what HE has done for these children!

Mother's Day was a day of mourning for hundreds, maybe thousands, in Haiti. We all need to remember that the needs there are bigger than ever. Our mission will be growing and expanding to help as many as we can. Please pray that we will honor God and bring eternal change as well as improving circumstances, and that everyone around us will see God, not us. We would love to have you partner with us.

Dyana and baby

Kez and Johnny

Claudine and Rosa

Chacha (Richardson) serves watermelon

Guerdline

Eva, our cook, enjoys a rest on Mothers' Day

SOCKS!

Isna - first day of school!!

Poutchino and Christelle at the Jacksonville Zoo

May 20, 2010

2010-05-27T07:58:00.000-07:00

I am still in the United States. My new grandson, Cree, was born in April with a heart defect and a genetic syndrome known as 22q13 deletion or as Phelan-McDermid Syndrome. His heart can be repaired but we won't know until he's older how the syndrome will affect him. For now he is stable. This has been a tough time for my family and I am very glad that I was here when he was born. When Cree has heart surgery I will take care of my 2 year old grandson, Cole, a very active little rascal. Thank you all for your prayers!

The Haitian government has asked large NGOs to scale back on free food donations. More children than ever before will starve. Our ministry must grow to try to save these lives. Our focus will be on taking into our home malnourished infants and children - and their mothers when appropriate - until their families are back in their own homes and working. Please pray that everything we do will demonstrate God's love and draw people to HIM!

Jesula and Claudia, two of our wonderful Haitian nannies, have worked at FHLIR for 4 years now. They are very good but have resisted taking leadership roles. Now that I'm not there they don't have a choice. They have plenty of resources: a pediatrician available 24/7, a nurse 6 days a week, Kez drops in from time to time, mission groups have visited, they have a driver and car, and so on. These wonderful Christian ladies can discover and develop their leadership abilities. What a boon they will be to Haiti! Thank God for the chance to help HIS Haitian people learn to lead!

Isna and her new family met me in Rockville, Maryland, a few weeks ago at the White Flint mall. Isna has bonded to her family. Though I got hugs and kisses and lots of attention, Isna went to her mother or father when she wanted comfort and affection and played with her sister and brother. It was pure JOY to see Isna settled in their wonderful family!

I am proud of my Haitian family for handling everything on their own. Thanks to Beaver Brooks, Kez Furth, Wayne Dollarhide, and Jim & Kim Dewar for visiting our house and helping. Thanks to Andy Leslie who will take a group in the next couple of week and to Frank King who will work on getting the generator bought and installed. Many thanks to Jessica Footz who will stay with the children for the month of June. And to Abby McCullough who will spend the first two weeks of June helping Jessica. This is a beautiful instance of the body of Christ working together. When one can't be there, others will.

Poutchino is blossoming in Jacksonville! He has a new shunt and his multiple infections have been treated. Nancy keeps him busy with occupational therapy and physical therapy and soon will add speech therapy. His response is heartwarming. He makes many more sounds than ever before, participates in his care, is more interactive and interested in the world around him. We are praying that someone will fall in love and give him a permanent home in the US.

Praise God for all his blessings! It is good to be his child and share his love with others. Thank you for working with me in this ministry.

Poutchino with Christelle Brickell in Jacksonville. For more photos, look at Nancy's album on Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1006755217#!/album.php?aid=2052450&id=1006755217

Isna on her first day of school: real school!

Tatiana, Isna, Jabin and Natalie Hollinshead (l-r) riding the train at White Flint Mall in Rockville, Maryland, May 2 2010.

My new grandson, Cree, born April 16, 2010. He will have open heart surgery soon.

My 2 year old grandson, Cole, and me. I will care for Cole while his new litle brother has heart surgery.

March in Haiti

2010-04-09T14:44:00.000-07:00

I am writing from sunny Florida, resting and recharging at my home. Soon I'll head for Maryland to help my son's family when their new baby is born. Another grandchild! God is good!

Jessica is in Haiti now being me and Esther will come soon. The kids, staff and visiting moms and babies are in good hands. Thank you, Lord, for always providing what's needed, especially these wonderful women at this time.

Poutchino left Haiti on a medical visa! His shunt was removed on March 16th and has since been replaced. Four bacteria were cultured from his spinal fluid! I don't think he would have survived in Haiti. Thank God for Angel Missions getting the visa and Nancy Brickell for taking him home with her. Thanks also for Wolfson Children's Hospital, Dr. Philipp Aldana and his partners, and the many other doctors who have aided Poutchino. There is no doubt that they saved his life. I am deeply grateful.

Less than 3 months after what has been called the worst natural disaster of modern times we are pretty much back to normal. We've grown, of course. I finished the latest census just before leaving Haiti: 29 children (including Poutchino) officially under my care plus two infants and 3 mothers in tents in the yard and three nannies with their 5 children now living with us. It's a zoo! a really fun one!

We now have 6 children with HIV. Wilmerson, about 4 months old was orphaned in the quake. His aunt said she wants him back when he can eat table foods. Routine bloodwork revealed his HIV status. We enrolled him in the same HIV program as our other children. Since he is so young there is a chance he does not have the virus, only antibodies from his mother. Pray that he is disease free!

Just before I left, St. Damien's Hospital asked me to take a 2 1/2 year old boy with HIV. He was living in a tent city with his father. Wilson is the first child ever brought to us with a supply of clothes and personal items (including toothbrush, toothpaste and toilet paper!) It was hard for his dad to let him go but at my house families are allowed to visit as often as they like. (I would love for them to come every day!)

Wilson should have started AIDS meds months ago but they must be given every day without fail. If several doses are skipped, the drugs lose their effectiveness. Then new meds have to be given. Since the available medicines are limited the hospital won't start therapy until they feel confident that the caregiver will be faithful.

After the earthquake we were blessed with more supplies than I could have imagined! I wish I could name all the donors but I'm afraid I would forget someone so I'll give all the credit where it really belongs, to the Lord. The real church is made up of all followers of Jesus regardless of church affiliation. Our love for God extends to each other and to non-believers. When one of us is in trouble the others all rush in to help. It is a joy and a privilege to be a member of the real church of the one true God.

Dianne Groves and June Gardner spent several days in Haiti organizing the supplies we received. I could never have done it. Thank you, Dianne and June!!!

March photo album

Nancy and Christelle Brickell pull Poutchino in a wagon at Wolfson's. Nancy brought Christelle in when I was orphanage director in Bercy. She and Klay adopted Christelle a couple of years ago. Nancy also found Poutchino out in Bercy. She knew him before I did, arranged for his first shunt surgery, and is still involved in his life. Nancy has been a blessing to Haiti and its children. Poutchino couldn't be in better hands.

Poutchino with Christelle Brickell at the Jacksonville Zoo the day he arrived in Jacksonville, before going to the hospital. As a former docent at this zoo, I am thrilled that he was able to experience it.

11 kids, 10 infants and Emmanuella who is estimated to be 4 yrs old, live in the infant room. We could only fit 9 beds in the room. Ronald sleeps in a laundry basket. The twin girls, Naphtalie and Naphtalia, are so small they can sleep in the same bed. If anything goes wrong in my day a trip to the infant room makes everything better. You just can't help but grin.

Of our 29 plus children, most live downstairs. They love to have their photo taken! These were made on March 22 2010.

Chrislove is about 16 months old. She and Bobo were found at another orphanage after the quake. Both were severely malnourished and sick. After being treated at Heartline Clinic they came to us for further care since we specialize in malnourished infants. Chrislove has gained enough strength that she can stand up and is trying to walk while holding on to something.

Reubens and his mother also live in a tent in our yard. At 5 months old Reubens still weighs less than 7 lbs. We tried to help her learn how to breastfeed but she can't seem to sit still long enough. Fearing permanent damage due to inadequate nutrition, I gave up and started giving him bottles. This mother, Manuchka, loves her son and won't leave without him. They will stay with us until we have his weight in the normal range and he can thrive on foods she can give him.

Three tents are still up in our back yard. Arbolina, the mother of baby Ronald, lives there.
We moved Ronald into the baby room inside the house. Arbolina is mentally challenged. We don't quite know what to do with her but at least she and her baby are safe with us. We hope to find her family in the next few months. That could be hard because she doesn't know her last name or her age and because families often are glad to be rid of handicapped members. Pray for her.

Baby Nathaniel and his mother are staying in a tent, too. Nathaniel continues to have chest sounds that concern the doctor and he breathes too fast. It looks like his heart is on the right side of his chest. While that isn't always a problem, it looks like it might be for Nathaniel. We are getting more tests done.

Isna is with her new family, one of the many blessings that resulted from the earthquake. Here she plays games with her dad Jeremy, sister Tatiana and brother Jabin. Thanks to technology we get to talk on Skype. Her mom makes sure we get plenty of photos. I am VERY happy for this family.

Back Home Part 2 - Photos

2010-02-22T02:57:00.000-08:00

We now have 4 tents in our yard. They house approximately 40 people. Here are some scenes from our daily life in the yard. Although our house is intact and has been inspected and deemed safe, the adults are terrified to sleep inside. We are preparing them to move inside this coming week, before the rains start.

Tree says (virtually) "Hold me! Make my photo!"

Daily life in our yard

More daily life.

Herode wants to be noticed (and he is!)

Nursery tent. Arbolina, our mentally challenged mom, is learning a lot about child care, hygeine, life.

Jesula came with her mom & two sisters. Baby sister Esther is malnourished. The whole family needs nurturing.

Nursery tent

3 of the 4 tents in our yard, all full

Woode, the son of our nanny Rosie. Woode's father was killed and their home destroyed in the quake. Rosie had just started working for us on January 1st. Now she and her children, Woode and Alexandrine, are living with us.

Back Home- part 1

2010-02-21T11:44:00.001-08:00

I got back to Haiti yesterday morning. It was scary coming back. I was afraid I would be overwhelmed by sad emotions but that didn't happen --- I am HOME!!! It is wonderful to be back!

We went straight from the airport to Agape Flights where we picked up a car full of packages. We met a team from Christian Light Foundation for lunch, then they came to visit the kids. Then a team from Somebody Cares America/International came by. With them were Kids Against Hunger and Victim Relief Ministries. Nancy and I felt so honored: we walked with spiritual giants all day long.

Doug Stringer, Founder and President of Somebody Cares America/International, thoroughly enjoyed telling Nancy and I that one of their donors has sent $10,000 to CLF designated for a generator. We couldn't decide to laugh or cry so we did both, rejoicing with all our hearts. YAY GOD!!!

A group from Much Ministries and Christian Light Foundation is coming over today. It's like extending our fantastic church service this morning: we get to walk with spiritual giants all over again.

Keep praying for Poutchino. We might have a doctor and hospital lined up for him in Florida. If they agree, he can go home with Nancy on a medical visa. He needs to go soon. I know the pattern of his fevers. He is having them everyday, they are getting higher, soon he will start having seizures. He needs to be in the States when this happens.

Medical care here is still pretty scarce. Yesterday Karen B. took a woman in labor to a tent hospital from Florida at the airport. They were unable to help. Karen then took her to Hopital La Paix, a branch of Haiti's General Hospital. They accepted her, then called Karen 30 minutes later to say they had no water and Karen should come get her. The lady was already dilated 3 cm and her previous delivery had been an emergency c-section! [End of story: the lady delivered at General Hospital. Mom and baby are fine.]

Pray for Haiti. We at Faith-Hope-Love and all those who have come under our protection are well cared for but the country has much to face before things start getting better.

Feb 17 2010

2010-02-13T06:56:00.000-08:00

I am in Miami, retreating at my brother's house to try and regain a sense of equilibrium before returning to Haiti in the next few days. Nancy Brickell is watching over the children for me. Thank you, Nancy! Thank you, God! for wonderful friends.

Nurse Kelly went to the site of St. Vincent's, a hospital/orphanage for handicapped kids, largely destroyed in the quake. Someone on the street offered to show her where the feet of crushed children were visible. How can you react to an offer like that except to feel that you have stepped into Alice In Wonderland and fallen down the rabbit hole?

Then it happened to me at One Stop. Nancy and I were grieving at the ruins of my favorite grocery store when the building owner came up. I asked him how many people had died when the building collapsed. He, almost proudly, said "two", "do you want to see them?" [In case you find that hard to believe, yes, he meant that the dead bodies were still visible under the rubble and he thought we would want to look at them.] That was Tuesday. I left Haiti on Wednesday. One trip too many down the rabbit hole.

Relief workers come and go. Expatriates can get out for a break. A few Haitians can leave but most have no respite. Everything is dirty. Minutes after a bath you can once again feel grit on your face. Everyone is coughing from the dirt in the air. Please pray for God's peace, comfort and help for the Haitian people.

A mother brought a child to my door for help a couple of weeks ago. The little girl had a fever, cough and a fine rash all over her body: measles, I think. Her vaccination card said she had been vaccinated for measles. So much for vaccinations. Still, we have applied to Unicef to come vaccinate all of our children. I had ordered vaccines in December but they never came. Nancy sent word that Unicef came to the house with supplies since I left Haiti. Yay for Unicef!!!

Nancy arranged for our nanny Claudia to get a skin graft on her foot. It would never have healed without one: the wound was to large and deep. We took in a mom and baby the night before I left. Nancy's husband told me another mom and baby came in after I left. Then Nancy wrote that another baby and nanny came, too. We are very grateful for the tents, food and supplies donated by so many wonderful people and organizations---these donations help us to help others.

Word is out that Haiti president Rene Preval gave his life to Jesus this past Friday. Pray that it is true, that he will be filled with the Holy Spirit and listen to God's plan for Haiti, and that all government and political leaders and spiritual leader will follow suit. Does that sound impossible? Remember that we serve a God who can do "immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us" Ephesians 3:20

I can't remember or didn't get the names of all the groups who came to us immediately after the quake to bring food and supplies, prayer and love, and any kind of help we could possibly need. Some of those who stand out are

Mission Support International http://www.msihaiti.com;/
Karen Bultje - Haiti Coram Deo http://haiticoramdeo.blogspot.com/
Much Ministries http://muchministries.org/haiti/
Christian Light Foundation, Inc. http://www.christianlightfoundation.com/
New Hope Haiti Mission http://nhhm.wordpress.com/
Operation Blessing http://www.ob.org/disasterrelief/
Pennies for Orphans http://www.penniesfororphans.org/index.html

Others came later but were just as indispensable

King's Kids Worldwide http://kings-kids.ca/
Love A Child http://www.loveachild.com/
Keziah Furth http://myhaitiankids.blogspot.com/ and Cmdr Strong
Agape Flights http://www.agapeflights.com/
MFI http://www.missionaryflights.org/
Omaha Rapid Response http://omaharapidresponse.blogspot.com/2010_01_01_archive.html
Somebody Cares America http://www.somebodycares.org/pages.asp?pageid=94682

I hesitate to name these groups because I know there were others who also helped. I thank God for each and every one of them and beg forgiveness for not listing everyone.

I will return to Haiti Saturday morning Feb 20 greatly strengthened by this chance to mourn and rest, and ready to go back to work.

2010-02-13T04:59:00.000-08:00

February 1 2010

Today is payday and, thanks to so many of you who have given cash gifts, we can give our workers their pay plus extra money. All of them lost their homes in the quake and were left with nothing but the clothes they were wearing. It is a pleasure to watch them rejoice as the Lord takes care of them. Thank you!!!

One of our nannies, Marie, has a 10 yr old son who was living with someone else. The house where he was living was destroyed and she couldn't find any news of him. Some of the neighbors think he is surely dead. Not knowing is so hard for her! Pray for definite news of him. Even if he died, she can start grieving for him when she knows for sure.

Marie's other daughter lives in a tent city in the Delmas 31-33 area. I went there with her and found a very well organized camp. They already had appointed a committee of leaders who had a list of residents. There are 99 families, a total of 512 people. With the help of Much Ministries out of Georgia (the Brooks family and others) we will take food and medicine to them today.

Our staff are still afraid to stay inside the house and I cannot promise them that we won't have another quake or strong aftershock. Pray that someone will bring tents quickly to set up for our infants, all of whom are living outside with everyone else. They need protection from flies and mosquitoes.

Dr. Kelly Crowdis, a veterinarian who lives and works in Haiti, was shuttling patients between the stadium and the Israeli field hospital. She saw that Arbolina did not know how to care for her infant. Arbolina does not know her last name or where she lived before the quake. She only remembers that her house crashed and she got the baby out. Kelly brought her to us with little Ronald. She isn't sure whether Ronald was 1 day old when she got her, or 2 months old, or 4 months old. We think 1 month is about right.

People have said that I am brave. Ha! Right now I feel many things but brave is not included. Life is what it is, you know? Something happens, you are there, you do what you have to do. Without God I would not be able to do anything, the shock would be too great. I have never seen injuries like these and to see them in such huge numbers is just - well, indescribable. Such sadness! Such horror. Every time I see a crashed building I feel sick because now I know the pain it caused. The people who are brave are those who are voluntarily putting themselves at risk to help us. And so many others who cannot come are sacrificing to send help. Praise God for wonderful people!

We thank God for giving us enough for ourselves and enough to share. He has opened the heavens and is pouring out blessings. It is a privilege to watch Him work so up close and personal, something that isn't often so clear in the United States. HE, the Lord God almighty, the one true God, is not a religion: HE is the living God, very active in our personal lives if we allow Him to be.

Claudia, our nanny, is helped to the car by nannies Kattelyne and Margareth.
Claudia was living in her yard sheltered by tarps and sheets.

Dr. Kelly Crowdis brought Arbolina, a little lost lady, to us.

Our laundry area. Laundry is done by hand every day for about 35 people including about 12 infants and children in diapers.

The part of our yard where everyone lives and sleeps.

Wilmerson's mother was killed in the quake. His aunt brought him to stay with us for a while.

Earthquake photos and more news

2010-01-25T15:17:00.000-08:00

This will be short. It is dark and I must turn off the inverter.

Good news. We had heard that Nerland, a precious little girl who lived with us her first year of life, had been killed in a falling building. Today we learned she is still alive! Oh, thank God!

Claudia needed a ride to the hospital today to get her dressing changed. I drove her to Hopital La Paix and watched the procedure. Ouch! The top of her foot was stripped of skin - it looked like very angry hamburger meat. They cleaned it without any anesthetic: she didn't even get tylenol. She was in agony. There is a long, deep gash running up her shin. By the time it was treated it was too late to sew it. She will have some awful scars. However, she is very glad to be alive. Dayana and the new baby are both fine, no injuries. Praise God they got out of the house!

Bebe saw Dr. Karen today. Her knee isn't broken, just badly bruised and swollen. She is feeling much better. In case you didn't know, she was thrown from a truck when the earthquake hit.

I think I can post a link to my Facebook photos. Please forgive me if it doesn't work and let me know how to fix it. Here is the link to the album Earthquake Haiti 2010. Click here.

January 22 2010 newsletter

2010-01-22T07:36:00.000-08:00

Praise God! We found diesel fuel, kerosene, propane and gasoline! The water truck brought 3000 gallons of water to fill our cistern! God is SO good! He promised to provide and He is still doing it. Natasha is taking Marie shopping for fresh fruits and vegetables today.

[Wednesday] A big tremor this morning made me jump out of bed and scurry outside. My big wardrobe shook. I wasn't surprised to learn it was a 6.1 quake though 35 miles outside of Port au Prince and deeper than the first one. The nannies said to me "See, it isn't finished. We cannot sleep inside yet." I don't know how to make them understand what is happening, that it is unpredictable.

We are still feeling aftershocks and Haitian people are still panicking. At the HIV clinic yesterday an aftershock sent people screaming for the stairs. The doctors stopped them before they could harm each other in their rush. Our children and staff are still sleeping outside but our staff are getting braver. They watch Natasha and I look around then go right back to work during an aftershock, then they do the same. I heard Jesula tell another nanny not to worry, God will take us when He's ready and we'll be in heaven. Until then we're okay here.

Good news from the HIV clinic: Johnny's blood test showed his CD4 count very high, a really good thing. We thank God for this precious child.

People ask what we need. At first, thinking only of us for the next few days, I hadn't listed very much stuff. Then we ran out of toilet paper. That's enough to bring you back to reality. For the moment we have what we need. Over the next few weeks we will need everything. We are still finding out what is available on the streets.

We are able to change some money at the gas station. Before the earthquake we got over $8 Haitian for each $1 USD. Now it's only $7 Haitian per $1 USD. Prices have doubled. Christian Light Foundation and Much Ministries brought cash to us so we can buy what we need. We can't thank God enough for providing for us and others here in Haiti.

Violence has not come to our neighborhood: we have only heard about it. In our old neighborhood the citizens formed watch-committees. They beheaded 2 thieves. No mercy is shown for wickedness. What I see the most of is people helping other people.

A family came and said the mother of a 3 month old baby was killed, would we take the baby. We said yes, bring it to us. That was several days ago and they still haven'tcome back. I pray the baby is getting milk made with clean water.

I have been sick - bronchitis, I think. Thank God for azithromycin! Natasha is getting a cold. The kids are starting to cough and run fevers and get stuffy too. Our pediatrician has been helping with relief but will come soon to check our children.

Small groups of civilians are getting in, many thru the Dominican Republic. They have been great help to us and other people in neighborhoods. We have received milk, sardines, tomato paste, diapers, antibiotics, toilet paper, wipes, infant formula, ready to eat meals, cases of Kids Against Hunger meals, and Pop Tarts. Despite great difficulties, God's people have found a way to help others.

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for your love and prayers. We can only take one day at a time. It is much easier to do with your support. Much love from all of us.

Dorothy Pearce

We are still okay

2010-01-20T06:43:00.000-08:00

The aftershock this morning was a little scary but it didn't last long and nothing was damaged. Thank you LORD! We pray for those who were closer to the quake. Surely there was additional damage and loss of life.

Yesterday we found propane, diesel fuel and kerosene. Our water truck is coming today to refill the cistern. Our mechanic Dyno comes by every day to be sure we're okay and see if we need anything. He is coming to start the generator today so we can pump water upstairs and make more drinking water.

Yesterday we took lots of photos while out looking for supplies. I am working to upload some. Most will be on Facebook (easier upload). Just ask to be my friend.

Everyone except me and sometimes Natasha is sleeping outside. Haitians are terrified of going inside buildings, especially sleeping inside. Everyone feels more secure when they are all together. I can't leave the comfort of my bed. It feels wonderful.

Quisqueya Chapel has a medical clinic with doctors and also is doing food distribution. Our nanny Rosie came with her two children yesterday to stay here. Her daughter was injured in the quake, cuts on her foot. The foot is swollen so Natasha took them to the church for care. They aren't back yet (no problem, not gone long enough.)

Richardson, Claudine, Johnny and Emmanuella are all on azithromycin for fever and cough. I just finished a course of it for what I think was bronchitis and am feeling much better. Violent coughing spells leave me weak for a while but only happen a couple of times a day now. Poutchino still has no signs of meningitis --- his fever stopped by itself. Praise God for that too!

I have money but no place to change it into Haitian. PRAY AGAINST THE SPIRIT OF FEAR HERE. IT IS CRIPPLING RECOVERY! We need troops from any country to leave their compounds and guard banks, stores, Western Union offices, etc. so people can resume life.

Blessings! Dorothy

We survived the earthquake

2010-01-15T10:47:00.001-08:00

We survived the earthquake, all of us. PRAISE GOD!!!!!!

Amanda, Natasha and I were just arriving at Sacred Heart Hospital (CDTI) near what we think was the strongest area of the quake. Jesula, our nanny who had been with Poutchino at the hospital, was collapsing on the ground outside, in shock. Natasha ran inside for Poutchino. We parked the car. A man carried Jesula to the car. She was frozen with fear.

Hospital patients were brought outside, injured people came in thru the gate. All hospital personnel worked thru the night and next day with barely a break. Amanda and I took turns holding a flashlight for a surgeon stitching wounds and gradually learned how to do more. Natasha had to stay in the car holding Poutchino.

Some people were beyond help: the doctors gave them medicines for pain and treated those they could help. I counted about 40 people who died during the 24 hours we were there, all ages. Security manned the gate, only letting in the injured people that the doctor felt they could help.

Generators lit the parking lot. It seemed like a scene from hell with all the moans and screams and cries for help and the ground covered with injured people and blood. People panicked at every aftershock. Burns were the worst injuries but thankfully few.

Communications were cut off -- no one could find out about the rest of their loved ones. We had to try hard not to imagine the terribles thing that might have happened to our children and staff. Rumors trickled in about the buildings that had crashed. A rumor started that a tsunami was coming and we had to leave.

Heroes were everywhere. Groups of people sang and prayed and praised God for sparing so many. Doctors and nurses barely stopped to rest thru the night and well into the next day. Pain pills and shots were given freely. Every injured person got a shot of ampicillin. I gave shots, too. The hospital emptied its shelves, giving everything they had to help people. The strong carried the weak. Everyone comforted everyone else. People walked around praying for others. Two people scoured the streets for anything that could be used as splints. I am still amazed and glad that I had donated blood just that morning! We saw God working in us and all around us.

We finally were able to leave the hospital Wednesday afternoon, bring Poutchino with us. Collapsed buildings, wrecked and crushed cars, blood and bodies were everywhere. Coming home was such a blessing! No one was injured, the house was intact! Hallelujah! sweet relief!

Praise God we had just received new supplies of antibiotics. We gave most of them plus a lot of gauze and tape, tylenol and ibuprofen, needles, and IV sypplies to a clinic set up in our neighborhood. We had a little bit left over to give to Healing Hands this morning, and sent home some gauze and soap with a nanny for her injured grandmother.

Poutchino definitely had meningitis but there was no more infection by the time the CSF was tested. Considering the chaos at the hospital we brought him home with us. His abdominal pain is completely gone. He can eat again. I give him 1 gram of ceftriaxone every 12 hours hoping to keep the meningitis from returning. Infection could be hiding in his shunt. An operation to remove the shunt would be difficult to get now.

For those of you who know our staff, Claudia's leg is broken and her house destroyed. Jesula and her family are safe but their house was destroyed and they are staying here. Leonne's home was destroyed and she is staying here. Eva's house was destroyed but she has another place to stay. Suzette's house was destroyed: she can't come to work. Rosemanie is fine. Bébé was thrown from a truck during the earthquake and was injured but is doing okay. She was on her way to work the overnight shift. The other ladies who were here took care of everything. They worked very very hard. Our staff is fantastic!

Both of our usual grocery stores, Caribbean and One Stop, were destroyed. We haven't heard what happened to the people inside. Those were the only places we could cash checks. Gas stations arent open yet. We heard that Sherrie Fausey's building partially collapsed and one child was killed. Sherrie and Julie are fine. Karen Bultje and her kids are fine. Nikki, who went to live with Roberta, was killed by a falling wall. Roberta and all other children are okay. Pastor CJ came by this morning to see if we were okay. He said Pastor Leny and his family are okay. Pastor Genada called. They were in Port au Prince during the quake and a block fell on his daughter's leg. They had to go all the way back to Gonaives to get help for her. Karen Bultje is still being an angel of mercy for as long as her diesel fuel holds out: she brought us several cases of pop tarts so we have breakfast for a while. Dottie was temporarily trapped in her house but is okay now. Nickson and Ivens and their families are okay. Deedee, the Boyers and the Olssons are okay. Barb Lataillade's foot was nearly amputated. The U.S. military got her out to Jacksonville, Florida for care. Our pediatrician called to check on us.

Phones are starting to work again but not yet normally. Helicopters are flying overhead all the time, and small planes. The U.S. military is running the airport now. Civilian flights are all canceled. UN police are in charge of security. Not much is seen of Haitian police, I don't know why. I expect, hope, that relief supplies will come in soon. Our biggest concerns at the moment are cooking fuel and water.

We all are fighting shock, trying not to be overwhelmed with grief and horror. I am trying to plan without being overwhelmed with worry. PRAYER AND PRAISES REALLY WORK TO KEEP SPIRIT UP! Remembering what God has already done in protecting and providing for us reassures me that He will continue to provide for our needs. I am so thank Natasha and Amanda were with me at the hospital and that Natasha can stay here for a while to help.

I have heard that maybe 100,000 people died. I can believe it based on what I have seen. I heard that the earthquake was 7.3 on the Richter scale. We need news from outside but please keep emails strictly to news. We have to use our precious supplies of gasoline to get online. Since we have no place to cash checks I have to work with Christian Light Foundation to find a way to get money to us.

Please pray for all of us in Haiti and for all those sending and bringing help.

p.s. Keziah just came by. She's fine too

2010-01-09T07:32:00.000-08:00

January 6 2010

21 children from 3 months to 11 years had a wonderful Christmas morning thanks to our many friends. Christmas Day started with the story of Jesus. The children sang happy birthday to Him! Then everyone opened their gifts. It was chaos, total fun! Happy birthday, Jesus!

We turned in early on the 31st and barely heard the fireworks. But we celebrated New Years Day with a traditional meal of Haitian soup jiramou. (Everyone spells that differently: it is pumpkin soup, one of my favorite Haitian meals.)

Moving day is coming soon! The mayor personally came to the house to say part of the house must be removed soon for road widening. The owner called and confirmed that we need to move as soon as possible. I found a new house, just down the street, but need immediately $10,500 for a year's rent payable in advance. It seems impossible but all things are possible with God! Please pray with us for this need to be met so we can move in February.

Poutchino walking is our biggest miracle of the year. Many people have contributed to his improvement over the past 4 years. Nancy Brickell, Kathy Brooks; the neurosurgeons from Miami; Healing Hands; Karen Bultje; Michael Hamm; Natasha Rae Taylor; Casey Nichols; Keziah Furth; Karen McCarthy; the U.S. Navy; Kings Kids; all of our financial supporters; and many, many others who have loved on him and prayed for him and encouraged him. Thank you all!

This is how the body of Christ works: it takes everyone working together, each doing their own part, for the whole church to do what the Lord plans for us.

[1/8/10: Today is Poutchino's 7th birthday. He went into the hospital last night with a severe infection, maybe his shunt, maybe appendicitis. He seemed better this morning but is still in critical condition. We do not have the funds to pay the hospital and surgery. Can you help us?]

Surprise (for me, at least)! Lovensky's latest blood test showed his immune system is in great shape! He won't need AIDS medicines for a while. Praise God!

Another surprise! I think the car's overheating problem is finally fixed with a new water pump. It did really well today. Thank you, Lord, for a great Haitian mechanic! Dyno, though a great mechanic, has not yet decided to become a follower of Jesus. Please pray for him. He is a wonderful young man!

Josue is our 8 month old, now 7 pound, miracle. He really should have had a blood transfusion but it wasn't possible. Despite his severe malnutrition and infections and anemia, he is getting better. How cute to see him smiling and "talking" today.

4 yr old Sonson came in before Christmas. We wanted to build him up for surgery on his clubbed feet. He cannot walk. When our pediatrician did the intake exam he said Sonson's scoliosis is compressing his heart and lungs so he needs surgery for that first. Thank God for our pediatrician! Karen is working on a passport and medical visa.

Blessings!

Dorothy Pearce

Jesus is the reason for Christmas. The children sang happy birthday to Him!

Poutchino can walk! Our Christmas miracle!

The Hollinsheads, their friends and Laurel Ridge Church sent gifts!

Josue Joseph, Christmas 2009

Leika and her father - mutual admiration

Sonson came just before Christmas. He had tons of fun!

Gerdeline and Emmanuella Christmas morning

"And now, these three remain: faith, hope, and love.

But the greatest of these is LOVE."

I Corinthians 13:13

Thanksgiving in Haiti Nov 21 2009

2009-11-21T15:46:00.000-08:00

It's almost Thanksgiving. I am SO thankful, for more things than can be named. This past week while we tried to give baby Dathsun a chance for life we were especially thankful for the oxygen concentrator, inverter and batteries, hot water bottle, feeding tubes, syringes, blankets, preemie baby clothes, preemie-xs diapers, our pediatrician, pediatric nasal cannulas and tubing, Karen who drove us everywhere we needed to go and kept checking on the baby at the hospital. And so on.

Dathsun was born Nov 7, 2 months early, to a 13 year old girl in Gonaives. He was 1 lb 10 oz and hypothermic when he came to us Nov 13. We took him to General Hospital the next day. They said he was too old(!) for an incubator and put him in a small cribwith no warmer or other special support. General Hospital went on strike over the weekend. They stopped treating Dathsun and all other patients. Dathsun came home Tues Nov 17 weighing only 1 lb. He stopped breathing twice that day but was resuscitated both times. Oxygen, a hot water bottle and regular feedings thru a feeding tube kept him alive until Wednesday evening. We lost electricity and could not use the oxygen concentrator. Dathsun passed away not long after.

As we used these items I kept thinking of our friends in the U.S. who sent or brought all these things. People say nice things about those who go to other countries to help others. But, don't forget that no one could do anything without all the wonderful people at home! Being allowed to go is a wonderful gift. The real heroes are the ones who stay home and make everything work. How I thank God for you!

Jerry Cheatham brought a group to Haiti recently. As usual a few members of the group spent each day with us. They REALLY loved on the children. They also brought lots and lots of goodies for us, stuff for fun and stuff we really need for operations. They were lots of fun!!!

Myson was pretty sick when we saw the doctor Thursday. She said he would have to go back in the hospital if the antibiotic she prescribed didn't work fast. Praise the Lord, it worked fast! Myson has not had fever since he started the antibiotic and his breathing is much better. Praise the LORD!

Agape Flights graciously delivered turkeys yesterday! We have a nice little turkey that cost only $8 USD in the U.S. Here it would have been at least $50 USD. We are planning a feast! I hope you enjoy your feasting as much as we expect to!

Mostly, I am thankful that the Lord who created the entire universe is personally interested in every human being who has ever lived on earth. He sees past our faults; He care about the smallest details of our lives. Through Jesus He made a plan to forgive our sins. He offers us eternal life with Him in heaven, a perfect place where death and illness and pain and suffering will not exist. All we have to do is repent our wrongdoings and follow Him.

May the Lord bless and keep you.

November 11 2009 Update

2009-11-21T15:10:00.000-08:00

November 11, 2009

Myson was admitted to the hospital a couple of weeks ago with bacterial pneumonia. He is home now and doing better. The doctors gave up their plan of waiting until he's 2 before starting aids meds. He started the meds while in the hospital. Praise God! I was afraid we were going to lose another child to aids. Treatment gives him at least a chance for a good life.

Emmanuella survived another bout of pneumonia. This week she has enjoyed attention from ladies visiting from Kentucky. They even read to her! It is wonderful to watch these ladies showering love on our children. The kids have had a blast! (I also had a blast, and appreciate all the goodies they have brought: food, diapers, washcloths, towels, clothes, shoes, and so much more.) We have been enormously blessed. Thank you, Lord!

A very sad thing happened, too. A sick baby came in from Gonaives and died the same day. It is always hard to lose a baby. Only knowing that he is in heaven brings comfort.

Dianne Groves spent a week with me! She got more of an adventure than she expected. We went to General Hospital to the pediatric ward and then to the abandoned children's ward. Four kids to a crib, cribs crammed into a too-small room --- it was horrible. Then I got bronchitis and then the baby died. Dianne got a taste of the reality of day to day life here. God has something special planned for Dianne to use this experience. We are eagerly waiting to see what it is.

The Lord has answered prayers in special ways. We have sponsors to pay our pediatrician for the next 13 months! Our staff is paid for October, rent paid for November. Our car's wobbling wheel is steady again and the muffler is almost repaired. The neighbors for a couple of blocks around us no longer know when I leave home and return! [grin] The computer died last week and a new one will be delivered tomorrow! Yay God!!!!

Never underestimate the power of the living God. He created and owns everything. He cares for the smallest details of our lives. He never forgets anyone or anything. Even when we don't understand what is happening or why, He already knows the beginning and the end and is working everything out. He has wonderful things planned - greater than we can imagine - for those who follow Him.

Life is a challenge for all of us and I thank you for continuing to support us even in hard times. May you receive the very best that the Lord has planned for you.

Blessings!
Dorothy

2009-10-24T11:47:00.000-07:00

October 23 2009

Dr. Pierre-Louis, our Haitian pediatrician, has been busy. He is expensive, at US$350 per month but has really earned his pay. We are still praying for a sponsor to pay his salary so we can keep him.

9/25, before his contract started, he treated Herode for pneumonia.
10/1, the first day of his contract, we called him about 2 week old Marcus having a fever
10/1 he made a house visit and saw Marcus, Marvens, Leika
10/2 put Marcus in the hospital
10/3 hospital visit
10/5 hospital visit
10/9 house call, saw Leika, Claudine, Marcus, Poutchino, Myson
10/12 phone call, Johnny
10/15 phone call, Marcus
10/18 house call, Rosa, Claudine, Poutchino, Mackenzie, Marcus, Tree
10/16 surgery on Marcus to remove infected 6^th finger
Office visit, Leika
10/23 house call, Leika, Frantzo, Sara

Leika is a baby girl who came to live with us on October 1^st. Her mother died when she was born, on September 23^rd. She is a beautiful baby girl!

Richardson has a school sponsor and a home sponsor! Praise God!! The home sponsor contributes towards his living expenses and, more importantly, prays for him regularly and sends occasional small things to let him know someone out there cares just for him. 14 of our children do not have sponsors.

Myson does not have tuberculosis (sputum cultures were negative) but is being treated for it anyway because something shows on his chest xray. His immune system is low – CD4 9.5% in July – but they are trying to wait until he is 2 before giving AIDS medicines. Pray for him!

Emmanuella improves daily. She actually smiled at a nanny and reached out to touch her face. Aron is growing normally. Gerdeline is now strong enough to turn over and to lift herself on her elbows. Poutchino routinely stands alone now. Kervens, who never had French in school before, is getting A’s! Rosa has settled into our routine and is overcoming her fear of men. Tree’s weight is in the normal range for his age and build. He will go home soon. Herode is in good health again and walking everywhere. We see God's miracles every day. What a blessing!

October has been a blessed month. We got new inverter batteries, paid our rent, paid our staff, etc. The car is still a concern: the front left wheel is wobbling now, I don’t know why. The mechanic is due back in town Monday. The owner of our house will sell the house to us for $210,000. Only a miracle of God can supply that much money but HE is able! We wait on his decision.

I thank God for all of you and for your prayers. Blessings on your households!

Dorothy Pearce

September 30 2009

2009-10-02T19:53:00.000-07:00

September 30, 2009

Our nanny, Claudia, had a baby girl on September 18th. It was a month early but mother and daughter are doing fine.

Myson is the 18 month old boy we took in from the HIV clinic on Aug 18th because his mother was too sick to care for him properly. We learned today recently that she died on Sept 15th. This very sad news is, unfortunately, very common here. Myson is pretty sick himself. He's being tested for tuberculosis this week. I thank the Lord that He provided a home where Myson will receive loving care.

We have contracted with Dr. Pierre-Louis, a Haitian pediatrician who works at St Damien's Hospital in the HIV clinic, to visit our home once a week and to be on call for emergencies. We are required to affiliate with a Haitian pediatrician in order to get our license. I'm still reeling from "sticker shock" - his fee is $350 US per month. We have a 2 month contract to be extended if someone volunteers to sponsor his position. Please pray for a sponsor for our doctor!

Herode had been on augmentin for 5 days and still had a fever. Dr. Pierre-Louis said he had pneumonia, gave him a shot, and ordered blood tests and xrays. What a blessing that the doctor came just when we needed him!

Next month we need to hire a fulltime nurse. As I reported before, Emmanuella was gravely ill when I came back from the States. Natasha had left several days earlier and our staff didn't recognize the severity of Emmanuella's condition. The nurse would give the medicines (a major chore), make sure the kids with respiratory problems get breathing treatments every day, give physical therapy, monitor and treat fevers, do staff training, and so on. Please pray that we will find a loving, competent, Spirit-filled person for this position.

Twin boys! Sherrie Fausey is at it again: this time she sent us twin boys born September 12th. Their mother died, they need baby formula and first year care. They are 4.5 and 5 lbs., named Marcus and Marvens. They appear very healthy, especially if you judge by the strength of their cries when they're hungry!

Please pray for our nanny Jesula Joseph. She is our best worker, one of the sweetest people I have ever known. The love of God shows in everything she does. Her blood pressure is high and I am concerned for her health. (By the way, it would be nice if someone would sponsor school for one of her children!)

Richardson loves school! He needs a sponsor to pay for the school, $525 a year. Please pray for a sponsor for Richardson's school.

Have a wonderful week! May God bless you!

Dorothy Pearce

Ketlyn Marvens Nazaire, born 9-12-09

Ketlyn Marcus Nazaire, born 9-12-09

Gerdeline Beaubrun, 7 mos.
New room plus new toys = Happy Girl!

Claudine St. Felix, 3 1/2 yrs old, 9-4-09

We moved the babies upstairs to the guest room next to my bedroom

Sunset from our roof

Haiti - home again!

2009-09-21T17:06:00.000-07:00

Sep 21 2009

I got back in Haiti Friday late afternoon. It was great to come home! It has been hectic ever since I got here.

When I got to the house Friday evening I went downstairs to hug and love all the nannies and kids. Emmanuella was last as she was in her crib. She didn't look good. Brought her upstairs and Laura Lynn (visiting) walked her to Dottie's guesthouse where a doctor friend was staying. Big ER scene! She had pneumonia. She was so dehydrated the doctor couldn't find a vein anywhere for an IV. He gave her shots, put in a feeding tube. I sat up all night long giving her little bits of pedialyte at a time to rehydrate her. Praise God, she revived!!!! Still in bad shape but has a good chance. (By the way, she's up to 14 lbs!)

Pipes from the water pump had a leak so we were having to prime the pump every time we wanted to use it. The mechanic took it all apart yesterday and, si dieu vle (God willing), all will be fixed today.

The mechanic found a broken belt on the generator. He hopes to bring new belts today and get it running again. God is good!

We had very heavy rain last night. I was sitting in my chair reading - all the kids were tucked in - and wondered why my foot got wet when I put it on the floor. Looked around and water was pouring in through an electrical outlet! The whole room was flooded! So, outside with a flashlight and umbrella. Found that leaves had plugged a drain hole on the roof. Once the leaves were removed, the roof drained and the flooding stopped. Life is just full of surprises!

Saturday I found out new car dealers here don't sell used cars. Toyota wanted $53,000 for a new 4 runner, Hyundai wanted $36,000 for a new Santa Fe. I'm calling around for references to good used car dealers. Pray for a good find! We must have a 'new' car!

My visit to the states was wonderful. I praise God for all the wonderful people I was able to see. I am sad that there were many more I didn't get a chance to visit with. We received enough donations to get out of the hole we were in. People are so generous!

Now we just need to get monthly income up to adequate levels. Pray about sponsoring a child, or a staff position, or just contributing monthly. Even $20 a month is a help. Nothing is too small (or too big).

Praise God, we have a school sponsor for the triplets! Three girls get to go to school, $30 a month total covers all their expenses!!!!!

If you would like to receive updates by email, post a comment with your email address. I am on Facebook, too: dorothypearce47 I love to share stories and news about these precious, adorable, wonderful, beautiful children (I'm not at all biased: this is all true!)

Just found the camera last night! Will send pictures next time. Or, check my blog, I'll update it as we have electricity!

God bless you and keep you! Thank you for your love and prayers.

Dorothy Pearce

Faith-Hope-Love Infant Rescue

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." I Cor. 13:13

Emmanuella's Story

2009-09-14T16:20:00.000-07:00

A Sad Story
Emmanuella might be her name, or maybe not. She is somewhere around 3 or 4 or 5 years old. We have no way of knowing. What we know for sure is that, depending on your position when you look at the scale, she is 12 or 13 lbs. , unbelievably skinny. We know she has seizures that almost never stop.

On July 23 2009 a mission team found a woman carrying Emmanuella, searching for help. The Americans were appalled at her condition and frantic to help. They took them to a missionary, Sherrie Fausey. Sherrie had her driver take the woman and child to two different hospitals to try to find help. The first hospital - Port au Prince's finest pediatric hospital - said it was too late to save Emmanuella and sent them away. The second hospital gave prescriptions for amoxicillin and phenobarbital and sent them away.

The next day Pastor Luke (summer pastor at our church) found the woman wandering the same streets, again looking for help. Emmanuella was worse, if possible. Pastor Luke brought them to us at Faith-Hope-Love Infant Rescue. I thought Emmanuella was in a coma, dying even then. Luckily (if you can call Divine intervention luck), a medical group was in the neighborhood. Two of the doctors dropped everything and came straight over.

Except for constant seizures, muscle contractures from seizing over a long period of time, and extreme malnutrition, Emmanuella seemed healthy. That word, "healthy", doesn't seem to fit but the child's hair was black and thick, her skin good, lots of healthy teeth. The doctors started her on phenobarbital to reduce seizures, approved our normal routine for treating severe malnutrition, and returned to their clinic.

A strange twist
Another woman (I'll call her "the mom") who was staying with us for awhile said she knew the woman calling herself Emmanuella's grandmother ("the grandmother"). The mom said that she, the mom, found Emmanuella in the parking lot at a store, lying on the ground, obviously abandoned. The mom took Emmanuella to the Catholic sisters (Mother Teresa's order) but the Sisters could not take her in. So the mom left Emmanuella on the ground outside the Sisters' gate.

The grandmother came along and saw Emmanuella and picked her up to use her as a prop for begging. According to this vague story, the grandmother expected to use Emmanuella to get money. Blan (foreigners) get really teary-eyed over handicapped children and hand over cash, lotss of it, to help.

Apparently, Emmanuella was in worse shape than the grandmother thought so she went searching for help. After Emmanuella ended up at my house, the grandmother came to visit for the first couple of weeks. She never asked for money but hinted that she was homeless, etc. Our policy is to never give money. We give help. After a couple of weeks the grandmother stopped coming or calling.

Current status

We don't know what to believe. The mom, who told us the wild story, was sick with an infection that can affect thinking. The grandmother had absolutely no information about the child --- no idea when or where she was born, no idea of her medical history. The grandmother simply said that her daughter had gone away a few years ago and they had no contact until just a few days before when the daughter showed up, dumped the handicapped child on the grandmother, and left. A pretty suspicious story, I thought.

Whatever the truth may be, our goal is to protect the child, Emmanuella. I went to the police and to social services and told them the whole story. Both issued orders that Emmanuella is to stay with us and cannot be removed without their permission. Praise God! We were given the legal right to protect her!

Since Emmanuella started getting good food and high calorie supplements, she has started gaining weight and becoming aware of her surroundings. She is now trying to use her right arm to push food into her mouth. She still has seizures frequently but they are better since starting phenobarbital. We cannot evaluate her fully until the malnutrition is reversed: it can cause seizures itself.

Eulogy for Mackenson Edouard

2009-09-14T16:07:00.001-07:00

Mackenson Eduoard
Born Oct 24 2006
Died February 2009

Mackenson was born with multiple congenital defects. Our Haitian pediatrician sent his mother to us for help in February 2007 when he was 3 months old. We provided milk and medical care to help his mother take care of him at her home.

By September 2007 she gave up, she couldn’t deal with him anymore, and brought him to live with us. He remained with us until his death on February 4, 2009. He was just over 2 years old.

At 10 months old, Mackenson weighed just over 9 lbs. We tried everything we could to get him to gain weight but he never weighed more than 12 lbs. Mackenson never interacted with his environment other than to call out at mealtime so he would be fed, too. He did not respond to sounds, toys, mirrors, hugs, laughter, or anything else we tried. But still we loved him. There was something very compelling about Mackenson; he couldn’t be taken casually.

He died in February 2009. I still mourn even though I know it was a blessed release for him. I was present at the moment he slipped away and the angels carried him to his Father. It was a very precious time. All of us who knew Mackenson were forever changed by his presence in our lives.

Natasha holds down the fort!

2009-09-07T10:45:00.000-07:00

Natasha is in Haiti taking care of everything while I am in the States. She has taken in one new child, Tree, as well as a new mother and her infant. She is there with Kervens and Richardson for their first day of school.

Natasha is dealing with serious illnesses in the children, staff issues, inadequate funding, and all of the many things that must be dealt with every day in a family of 14 children, and she is doing it with LOVE, MERCY AND GRACE! She is an angel on earth. Here is the latest addition to her blog.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

follow up....

so the father of tree comes everyday almost...hes a good dad. tree is having diarrhea and vomiting, but i put him on sulfaprim and thank God no more vomiting and the diarrhea seems to be stopping. if that doesnt work we will put him on flagyl. i hope to take him to med lab sooner than later. i hope jeremie (the father) can get things together...funds for a home and job to take him back sooner than later. pray for him. when dorothy can she is thinking about buying some of his art work to help decorate the house....but that may be awhile....many things need to come first.

PRAY PRAY PRAY! she still needs a new car...a generator and invertor...constant sponsors to get funds for water, gas, medicine, doctor appointments for the kids, paying staff, etc.

the mother and baby that are staying here are doing well. i was informed on several things referring after birth and breast-feeding that helped tremendously. i tell you...chris nugester is still such a life savor to me when dorothy is not here and i am in charge. marie (the mother) has all her milk now...it just took a few days to come in with a good supply. her baby is very healthy, but a couple nights ago there was drama surrounding here umbilical cord. in haiti they usually tie a string around it after its been cut and then bandage it which often causes tetanus. chris helped me with this and now we are cleaning it...blessings. dorothy thinks that maybe we can help the young mother get into a sewing school so that she will have a trade, be able to get a job and get back on her feet. pray for this as well.

what else...i was able to get Kervens into school! he is going to TLC the same school that gertie had gone to and richardson will go to! its very exciting!! he will be the first child to come into TLC at his age...so its a lot of responsibilty and honor to have the opportunity. they are letting him in because his english is so fluent and its an english speaking school. its great because it gets him out of the house for about 7 hours a day, he'll be able to walk cha cha home, he'll learn french and he'll get to meet more kids his own age. i am very excited for him and glad to have been a part of making the connections! THANK YOU DOTTIE & TLC!!!!

so i think that is about it other than the fact that ours funds are farely low and i will not be able to take johnny or tree to med lab for tests...like i had planned for tomorrow. we didnt have funds to pay the staff this month so we gave them what we could and then with sr. claudias money missing we have helped her with school fees and then the triplets mom we always help. so its been a bit rough, but this is where you have faith...God will provide and where you can you do with out...but overall...at the end of the day we have a roof over our heads...and SO SO SO much more.

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR DOROTHYS FUNDRAISING. it looks like she will not be back before i leave, which is hard for my heart...i am so used to changing my ticket when i am here (wink) and would be more than willing to if it would work out. i dont like them to not have someone here that can drive to all the doctor appointments...etc. God will make a way.

thanks to all of you for reading, for praying, for taking time out of your day to be a part of my journey...this journey...its full of blessings and each one of you are....Gods, grace, mercy and love fall upon you...

LOVE LOVE LOVE!

Barbara Hughes Art Show Features Our Children

2009-08-08T16:17:00.000-07:00

“Little Ones of Haiti”
a show of paintings by Barbara Hughes and weaving by Larry Cardon

September 28 to October 25, 2009 / Opening Reception, October 3, 3:00 PM to 5:00PM
Shenanigans Gallery, Corner of University Ave and 41A, Sewanee, TN
Info: bhughes@sewanee.edu

Barbara caring for Lovensky
Renowned artist Barbara Hughes spent a week in our home in November 2008 helping to care for our children. She has painted many of them and will exhibit the paintings at a show starting October 3rd in Sewanee, TN. God willing, I will be there for the opening. Barbara has caught the unique personality of each child. Her paintings honor God, reflecting His care for each individual. The work of the Holy Spirit is abundantly evident.

You'll love her website: http://barbarahughesart.com/

Update August 2 2009

2009-08-06T17:57:00.001-07:00

August 2 2009

Sharing Lots of people send us clothes, so many that we can't use them all, so we share. Our nanny Rose took clothes to a family in her neighborhood with 10 children. Mostly the children go naked because they don't have any clothes. Rose was immensely touched when the mother cried with joy because of the clothes Rose brought. Other nannies have had similar experiences. Seeing that they can make a difference has inspired them to even greater efforts to reach out to their neighbors. When our staff share clothes, shoes, blankets, etc., they also share the message of Christ. Praise God that we are helping Haitians reaching out to Haitians!

Kids
Johnny's immune system is crashing and he needs AIDS medications quickly. His blood test last week showed a CD4 count of 383, 5.9%. The clinic approved him for medications but before he can start we have to take a class to learn how to give the medicines. Class is set for August 7th. We are trying to keep him away from anyone who is sick. Please pray with us that Johnny will stay well so he can start the meds right away.

Tuesday of last week, 7/21, a friend called to say there was a crying lady with a 1 month old baby at her house looking for help. They were homeless. This is her 3rd baby. The other 2 died as infants, she doesn't know why. I brought the baby boy, Hulkeluno, and his mother home to stay in our back room until he is older and she can find a job. He has 12 fingers and 11 toes! Our doctor said that can be an indication of heart or kidney problems and we need to get him evaluated. We ran the usual blood tests: he has syphilis! She probably does, too. We'll get them both treated.

Friday of last week, 7/24, was hectic. first Pastor Luke brought us a grandmother and little girl, Emanuella. Emanuella was seizing constantly and looked like she was dying. The day before Sherrie had taken them to two children's hospitals. The 1st hospital said the little girl was too far gone to help. The 2nd hospital gave prescriptions for amoxicillin and phenobarbital and sent them away. 'Luckily' I knew there were American doctors doing a clinic in the neighborhood. Two of them came right away. They said it looks like Emanuella is around 3 years old and has had chronic seizures for a very long time. They loaded her up with phenobarbital and told me how much to give her daily.

I have since been told that the 'grandmother' is a stranger who picked Emanuella up off the street. Our staff is afraid that she will try to use Emanuella to get money from a foreigner so we took Emanuella to the police Friday and told them the whole story. Staff from Social Services were there also and made an appointment for us to meet with them Monday morning. They will let me keep Emanuella and will help me to become a licensed orphanage.

Just after we got Emanuella settled, St. Damien's Hospital staff brought Rosa, a 4 year old girl, and her uncle. Rosa has TB and HIV. Both parents are dead. The staff was concerned because Rosa's caretakers were not giving good care. Some of her behaviors make me suspect she was also being sexually abused. She is beautiful, scared, and doesn't know how to behave in a safe setting. Praise God, our nannies are loving and patient. I am SO grateful that God brought Rosa to a safe place!!!!

Later that afternoon Pastor Emory brought Amania and her mom from Gonaives. Amania is 3 and still doesn't walk so we agreed to let them stay here while we have Amania evaluated. We have an appointment with a doctor next Wednesday.

Sterline's mom brought her along when she needed to get more formula, baby food and vitamins. With a heavier-than-normal head and casts on both legs, 7 month old Sterline only weighs 11 lbs. We gave as much as mom could carry and counseled her on feeding Sterline more food more often.

Kimberly's mom called and said she will come today to take Kimberly home with her. Apparently she has found a home. Praise God! We love it when children return to loving families.

Gertie spent July with her mother in their village of Thomazeau. They came back 7/30 so Gert could get ready to go back to school. But Gertie did not want to leave her mom; she cried. We gave them money for Gertie's school fees in Thomazeau (about $50 USD) and asked that she please come stay with us during school vacations. It was hard to let Gert go - I have raised her for more than 3 years and love her very much - but it was the right thing to do. Her village is beautiful and her mother now lives in a nice home and can care for her.

House hunting We know the mayor of Delmas will force the owner of this house to remove part of the house but we don't know when. Our rent is paid thru September and we will be allowed to stay on a month to month basis ($700 USD per month) until the mayor makes her start work. I have been looking for a new house to rent. Ouch! Anything large enough to house a lot of sick babies and toddlers with occasional mothers is way more than $700 a month, more like $2500 a month. It's time to think about buying a house. I hope the owner will agree to sell us this house for a reasonable price and that we will be able to raise the money to buy it or another suitable house.

Car We don't have a new car yet but the old one is currently running. Like the "little engine that could", it had a really hard time climbing the hill to the lab for blood tests but it made it at last.

Equipment Both the generator and the inverter have stopped working. We are now totally dependent on Haiti's erratic electric service.

Tidbits

Hulkeluno was born June 24. On July 21 his mom told us he was 2 months old. She thought babies were 1 month old at birth.
We had a stinky weed growing near the back steps. One nanny didn't want us to pull it up because, she said, it keeps the lugaru (some kind of evil spirit) away. I made sure to remove it completely and tell her that God and His angels are all the protection we need.
God promised to supply all my needs for this work in Haiti. Luck had nothing to do with having American doctors in the neighborhood when a critical child was brought to my home after being refused help at 2 hospitals. God is always good!

I will go to Florida on August 26th for a 3 to 4 week visit and would like to speak to as many groups as possible about the infant rescue mission. Please let me know if you would like for me to speak to your group.

Prayer requests

The spiritual growth of our staff, for them to be bold to speak the gospel as they reach out to their neighbors
Good health for our children
Protection of all missionaries from spiritual attacks. Many of us are experiencing more than usual equipment breakdowns, frustration of our plans, personnel problems, bureaucracy, etc.
Our equipment needs
Our house
Replenishing our pantry with foods to give hungry families
School sponsors for the triplets, Richardson, Gertie and Rosa
The group coming to do Bible studies with our staff
For all of us to remember to praise God for all that he is and has given us whenever we are tempted to worry about what we don't or may not have

God is good, ALL the time! Thank you for your love and support.

Haiti Update July 9 2009 - Back Online!!!!

2009-07-12T06:15:00.000-07:00

Hello to all! We haven't had internet for over a month. It's good to be back in touch with the world but there's LOTS of news!

I am typing on my own new computer, a generous gift from Casey! Her computer-genius friend saved everything from the hard drive of my dead computer and loaded it on this laptop. This email will be sent from my satellite dish thanks to a new modem contributed by a church in Georgia. I praise God for the wonderful way His people care for each other in His name!

We desperately need a new car, a reliable late-model vehicle sturdy enough for Haiti's roads! Please pray about this with us! The last problem I mentioned in May was fixed only to be followed by a new problem with overheating. Since then the alternator and battery have stopped working. It seems a waste of money to pour more money into repairing a 17 year old car. Not having a car makes it almost impossible to care for sick children.

Our precious Rosetaina went to heaven on July 7th. She left many broken hearts behind but I am relieved that her suffering is over and she is with Jesus. Doctors had planned to start her on anti-retroviral meds on July 1st but her AIDS was too advanced. She was admitted to the hospital on June 15th with vomiting. She improved briefly but then went downhill quickly. Ti-Rose's mother was with her throughout this last illness.

When the hospital got Taina's history from her mother at admission we learned that the mother has had 3 previous children who died around the same age, maybe from the same illness. She also aborted 2 fetuses. It is hard to believe that she didn't know she is HIV positive and I had a real problem with anger towards her. Then I watched the pain in her face as she tended Taina. After that I remembered God's grace [defined as "showing love and kindness to someone who does not deserve it."] and remembered that Jesus willingly died for our sins. He forgives all the awful things I do. He turned my anger into compassion for a sick, hurting woman.

This is the second time I have watched a baby die from AIDS. Fabienne died in 2006 when she was 16 months old. Rosetaina would have been 2 yrs old on July 19th. In both cases the babies were very malnourished when we took them in even though their families had done the best they could. In both cases we were able to restore the children to fairly good health that allowed them to enjoy their lives. In both cases we lost the final battle.

But did we really lose? I don't think so.

God has both babies in heaven for eternity, now healthy
Our nannies, and by extension many others, learned that people with AIDS are normal people with a nasty disease. They deserve our loving care. The nannies are no longer afraid to care for the sick babies.
The children's families, our staff, our community, have seen God's compassion, Jesus' tender loving care, in action. His loving grace draws people to Him.

Doctors were pleased with Johnny and Lovensky at their last visit to the AIDS clinic. We left the house about 7:30 am and got home just before 4 p.m. Lovensky is a very active little boy. It’s a minor miracle that we all had a good day. We updated their chest xrays and will get the results at next month’s visit. So far they’re doing fine without ARV therapy. Both boys are now walking! Praise God for their continued good health!!!

I surprised myself at the AIDS clinic. For 4 years I have repeatedly, vehemently stated that we only take infants. The psychologist in the clinic asked if I would agree to take an abandoned 9 year old HIV+ girl when she is released from the hospital. Without a second thought – and with great peace – I said YES. Starting a home for children with AIDS has been in the back of my mind for a long time. It seems to me that God is ready for me to leave the ‘thinking’ stage and move into the ‘planning’ stage. I envision an organization composed of Americans and Haitians so the work will continue long after I am gone. Please pray about this new venture and whether God has a role for you in it.

The laboratory couldn't get any blood from Aron to run tests. A visiting surgeon was able to get a little blood. All we learned is that he is severely anemic: his hemoglobin is only 6.2. He should be given a blood transfusion but it isn’t a good option here in Haiti. Aron has finally gained enough strength to drink from a bottle. He can smile and coos interactively. It would be impossible not to fall in love with him. He’s up to 7 lbs.!!! His head seems to be growing which means he couldn't possibly have total fusion of all the suture lines in his skull. We need a CT scan - $300 USD - for a precise diagnosis.

Madeline and Roseline were picked up by the Merritts to return them to Bercy. Once again Rusty ‘accused’ me of substituting new children for the ones he left in April (smile). Madeline (between 2 and 3 years old) gained 4 lbs. – from 14 lbs to 18lb 6 oz. The most dramatic change in 6 yr old Roseline is her beautiful, lush, black healthy hair. Madeline cried, as would any small child making yet another major change in her life. Roseline was sad to leave Gertie but happy to be returning to her mother.

Eileen Murphy came to visit in June and, as always when she comes to Haiti, she brought her tools and gave me a beautiful professional haircut. It was a treat! Praise God for faithful friends.

Sterling went home with her mother on July 3rd after having the last set of casts put on her legs at Healing Hands. The surgery in March to treat her hydrocephalus was not successful - her head has grown 3 cm since coming here - so she will need a shunt when the surgeons return in November. It is important for Sterline and her mother to remain bonded but her mother wasn't visiting very often. I sent baby formula, cereal, baby food, vitamins, and everything else we could think of because we know her mother cannot buy these things. She can return for refills but must bring Sterline with her so we can keep an eye on her health. Sterline's vision has been affected but she loves singing, especially Rogers and Hammerstein soundtracks, and tries to sing along. Pray that God will prevent further brain damage from the increasing pressure in her head. Pray that her mother will treasure every minute she spends with her beautiful daughter.

Jameson went home with his mother the same day. He had been here over a year. His mother decided she didn't want to take him back but she doesn't want to give him up either. She is looking for an orphanage to raise him for her. I cannot not agree to do that. My work is to help families stay together. I wish I could find a way to help her move to a better area than Cite Soleil and be able to support her family.

Miltha’s mother took her home on June 22nd. Miltha cried and I wanted to join her. I don't feel confident that her mother will take good care of her. Though my goal is to keep families together that isn't the best thing in every situation. Please pray for God to guide me and all the other missionaries here trying to make tough decisions: we want to help but not take over. We want for people to be able to stand on their own, looking to God for all their needs and giving back to Him everything they have and are.

Jim Hambrick from Christian Light Foundation brought a group from Virginia to visit us. They were very sweet, really interested in the children. They brought lots of goodies, like pediatric masks and nasal canulas, formula, diapers, wipes, vitamins and other things we really need. Mostly they brought love for the children and for me. They prayed over us and left us feeling really blessed. Thank you all, Jim and group!

The triplets (remember them from a couple of years ago?) came to visit a couple of weeks ago. They needed food. As part of our follow-up care with children who return to their families, we provide food and medical care as we are able. (Thanks to two great organizations – Feed My Starving Children and Love A Child – we still have rice to share though we can no longer give milk, peanut butter, oil and other staples.) The 3 girls are due to start school this year. We want to find a sponsor to pay their school fees.

Prayer requests:

A new car
A new home to rent. Part of our house will be torn down in the mayor's road-widening project
Sponsors to pay for the triplets' schooling
Funds to re-stock our stores of powdered milk, peanut butter, oil and other staples we send to our reunited families
God's guidance for handling children who truly need long-term care, whether orphaned or not
God's guidance on whether and how to start a facility primarily for children with AIDS.
Praise God that earlier this week we were able to pay our staff for May and June. Pray for His blessings on these wonderful workers.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers. Blessings on you all.

POUTCHINO WALKS !!!!!!!

2009-06-02T16:04:00.000-07:00

5/30/09

For the first time in his life (6 yrs), Poutchino took steps all by himself today! He walked just a couple of steps to Beaver Brooks. Poutchino was every bit as excited as Beaver. The rest of us jumped for joy when Beaver told us. This achievement is the culmination of a lot of work by a lot of people to help Poutchino progress. Oh, how I praise God for this precious boy!

Baby Aron is still fragile. We have told him 'goodbye' a few times, sure that he could not live another few hours. I have shaken him to make him start breathing again. He keeps rallying! He has survived edema that made him stiff as a board all over - even his cheeks were too hard to move - and a day of rectal bleeding, lots of clots but fresh blood too, plus seizures. The really scary part is that I have dealt with all of this at home with the email guidance of a wonderful pediatrician in the States. God promised me when I came here that I don't have to know everything because HE does and HE will supply whatever is needed! He has surely done that!

I learned that Aron's fused suture lines (skull) might be fixable but we need a CT scan to get a better picture of his skull and brain. Then, I started finding suture lines running out from his fontanel! Was the radiologist wrong? Did God perform a miracle? No matter how you look at it, this boy is a miracle baby. Praise God for what HE has done!!

Keziah left Haiti a couple of weeks ago. Dannae will leave tomorrow. Casey will leave in a week. It will be the first time in almost 2 years that we haven't had another American living here. I wonder what it'll be like, how everything will get done. These young women have greatly enriched our lives. But change is a part of life and I look forward to seeing what God has in store for us next.

A team from Kentucky came and fixed our plumbing! They also played with the children, cuddled babies, cleaned the yard, and brought us lots and lots of supplies. We thank God for sending such wonderful help.

Something happened to a major power plant in Haiti. We haven't had any electricity for a few days except when we run the generator. Without a car to go buy more diesel fuel we can't run it often or long. I will keep in touch as best I can til the problem gets fixed.

Healthy babies go home

2009-06-02T15:58:00.000-07:00

May 24 2009

Do you remember that our mission is to help families keep their children? We take babies in when they are sick or malnourished beyond their family's ability to care for them, nurse them back to health, then return them to their families. We have sent three! healthy children home with their families in the past 2 weeks! Praise God!

Pierreline came in June 26th last year. She was about 6 weeks old, a healthy 9 lb. baby but her mother had died. Her papa visited often during the 11 months she was here. She was happy to leave with him and he was ecstatic to take her home! We had fun packing cute baby girl clothes for her and as much food and stuff as we could spare.

Eliezer just came here in February with swollen legs from beginning kwashiorker malnutrition. Sadly, his mother cried when I said he was going home with her --- not because she doesn't want him but because she can't give him all that we can. I wish she could understand that the love, the belonging, that she can give him are far more important than our food. We gave her lots of food and clothes and assured her she can continue coming here for help. My heart aches for all the families like this one who want so much for their little ones.

Bethsaica came to us early January. She had been losing weight since her mother stopped breastfeeding her at 4 months. We built her up to a good weight and sent her home with food and clothes also. Hers is a close-knit family and we were all glad to see them reunited.

It's hard to describe the mixed feelings I have when a child goes home - sadness at letting them go but rejoicing that a loving family is reunited. Oh, and lots of worry that something might happen to them. I have to remind myself that they belong to God, not me.

Little JJ went to live at Sherrie's orphanage. At over 2 years old and in good health now, he needed to be with older children where he could run and play. Sherrie's kids were his neighbors in Gonaives. When they saw his baby pictures and were told he was coming to live with them, they said that couldn't be true because that baby died! The last they remembered, he was a sick malnourished baby going off to the hospital. Since he didn't come back from the hospital they assumed he was dead. What a nice surprise for them to see him alive in Port au Prince!

As we move healthy kids out we make room to bring in more babies who need help.

Sterline came to us on April 29th. She was 4 months old and had just been operated on for hydrocephalus. She weighed 6 lbs. The physician visiting us from Miami said she probably would have been only 4 lbs. with a normal head. She is gaining weight. Her twisted feet are being treated at Healing Hands for Haiti. She may have vision problems but otherwise seems normal. She reached out and touched my face today. It was a sweet moment...

Herode and Aron came in from Gonaives Friday afternoon. Herode is 18 months old and very malnourished. He has been in the care of a missionary family for a couple of weeks. They did a great job getting him on his feet again. He will only need to stay here a couple of months and can then return to Gonaives.

Aron is only 2 months old, 4.5 lbs. He was in very bad shape, very stiff, tremors, wandering non-focusing eyes, no suck reflex, etc. Worse, we couldn't feel any suture lines in his scalp. The next morning a radiologist confirmed that there are no suture lines: his skull is completely fused which means his head cannot get bigger and there's no room for his brain to grow. We are searching for treatments but the likelihood is that all we can do for this precious boy is give him hospice care, making him as comfortable as possible for whatever remains of his life. Pray for him, please!

Madeline and Roseline came in April to stay with us temporarily while the Merritts, who are going to accept them into their orphanage, are out of town. Madeline, somewhere around 2 or 3, was severely malnourished but now she can stand on her own and should walk soon. She looks like a different child. Roseline is 6. She had nasty sores on her foot so she needed to be in a place where she could be treated every day. Both have been a joy to have in our home.

Our need for a new car is getting very pressing! Part of the cooling system, where a radiator hose attaches to the metal engine, rusted out. Friends - who are busy with their own ministries - are driving us around. Please pray for us to get a new car, a miraculous gift from God of a reliable vehicle so we can get sick babies where they need to go when they need to get there!

My computer died. I am typing this on a laptop loaned by Sherrie Fausey. The pictures I had picked out for this email and my blog are on the dead computer. Praise God for selfless friends, and pray for a new computer for me and for all of our pictures and data to be saved from the dead computer.

We have been going thru a lot of supplies with these sick babies coming in. If you can help, we need:

preemie diapers for babies over 4 lbs
baby formula with iron - regular and preemie mixtures
zantac for Poutchino
singulair for Kervens
injectable phenobarbital for babies like Aron
liquid vitamins with iron for babies
pediatric nasal cannulas

If you can provide any of this, contact me about getting it to Haiti. Shipping thru Agape Flights costs me about $2.25 per lb. so i would rather find someone coming to Haiti who has room in their suitcase.

I would greatly appreciate your financial help should God lead you to send donations thru Christian Light Foundation. Our wonderful staff need to be paid on time but that isn't possible this month.

Keep checking the blog for updated photos! Many thanks for your prayers and support for these sweet children.

2009-04-18T17:05:00.000-07:00

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Jesus laid down his life for us. By his resurrection he defeated death and gave us THE way to have eternal life (John 3:16). Join us in praising God for his immeasurable love and in celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

News update
Hooray for the US Navy. The Navy medical ship Comfort was in Port au Prince last week with an amazing number and variety of medical specialists. They will provided medical care and surgeries to hundreds of people. We praise God for this wonderful gift!

Friday Poutchino was privileged to see a pediatric lung specialist. She can't say whether he has had TB or not but she is certain that he has lung problems due to aspiration of food and liquids. He doesn't swallow properly, probably due to neurological damage caused by hydrocephalus. Poutchino needs a feeding tube inserted into his stomach to keep him from aspirating any more food for a while --- this is to give his lungs a chance to clear out the junk and recover. Given his neurological problems it is too risky to do on the ship. The surgeon who couldn't do the surgery on the ship wants to do it in the states when he gets back to his practice. We have started the process of getting Poutchino a passport and visa. Please pray that the hospital will agree to allow the free surgery and that all the things that need to happen to make this possible DO happen!

The clinic we visited was in Cite Soleil, one of the worst slum areas of Port au Prince and the former (we hope) stronghold of some of the worst gangs. Luckily Karen Bultje is familiar with Cite Soleil and drove us to the clinic. The clinic wasn't where it was supposed to be - we got to the hospital and no one knew where we should go. We ran into a Haitian carpenter Karen knew and he told us to try the wharf. We drove around a while, asked pedesterians for help, and finally found a compound surrounded by bare concrete block walls topped with razor wire. There were no signs but inside the partially open gate we saw lots of people. It was the clinic! We are still thanking God for guiding us that day and covering us with his protection.

About a hundred people were waiting outside an inner gate, clutching tickets which they had obtained locally the previous week. There were people bent over in pain, people limping on bent or broken bones, people with huge tumors, emaciated, sick, desperate people. It was heartbreaking to see them but heartening to know they would get help. Most impressive was the respect, gentleness and kindness shown to these suffering people by the Navy personnel. We didn't see any Navy people who were not actively working to guide and comfort confused, frightened patients. What a blessing!

Lovensky saw an opthamologist from the USNS Comfort. His right eye is too badly scarred to be helped but his left eye is in great shape. Thank you Lord!

Baby Rosetaina doesn't need a feeding tube anymore. She is doing as well as can be expected for a child with advanced AIDS. We pray she will get treatment that will improve the quality of her life in addition to prolonging it. In the meantime, my main concern is to assure her comfort as best I can. She often looks like she just feels miserable. We can get her to laugh sometimes, though. Pray for her comfort, please!

Madeline is another new child. We were told she is 2 yrs old but think she is more than 3, possibly even 4. She only weighs 14 lbs. and is pitiful to look at. She is lovely, though, with the longest eyelashes! She smiles easily and seems grateful to have enough milk to drink and food to eat. Another Haitian beauty! Praise God for bringing her here!

A mother and uncle brought a two month old baby boy to the gate. Ricardo Joseph weighed less than 5 lbs. and was very dehydrated. His mother said she couldn't breastfeed him anymore, that her milk had dried up. He was in bad shape. I gave him 10cc of half strength formula and gave them money to take him to our best children's hospital where he will be treated for free. Thank you, Lord, for a Christian hospital to treat poor children.

Haitian Senatorial elections will be held tomorrow. We are told to stay home. Private vehicles will not be allowed on the streets. We stocked up on generator fuel and food so we can stay in for a few days if necessary. Please pray for peace in this very young, fragile country.

Blessings to you all, and may the peace of God be upon you.

Dorothy Pearce

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." I Cor. 13:13

April 4 2009 update

2009-04-18T16:21:00.000-07:00

Rosetaina is 20 months old and came to us March 20^th weighing 10.5 lbs. She had been released earlier that week from a hospital after treatment for malnutrition. Sadly, she has AIDS. She refuses to take food by mouth so we are tube feeding her. She has gained 1 1/2 lb. in the 2 weeks she has lived here. With a CD4 count of 273 (6.6%) and AIDS wasting syndrome, she needs ARV therapy soon. We enrolled her in the AIDS program and will find out their plans on April 30^th. Pray for this precious little girl!

Our landlord has appealed the mayor's decision to take part of our house to widen the street. The government will have to compensate her for her land and they are not in a hurry to give money to anyone, so we won't have to move in April. Whew! We are looking for a new house for when this lease expires in October and hope the appeals process will keep the bulldozers away until we have moved. Please pray urgently for us to find a new home and for this house to remain intact until we have moved!

Casey has been a blessing! Our walls are covered with new artwork. Kervens is enjoying school. I really appreciate the help with running errands, hugging kids, teaching manners, covering us all with prayer, and all the other wonderful things Casey does for us. It will be sad to see her leave in June but I'm trying not to think about that yet. Praise God for our wonderful helper, Casey!

Poutchino’s fingers are clubbed from chronic oxygen deprivation. They are getting worse, not better, with TB treatment. An American doctor who examined Poutchino and his test results thinks the coughing is caused by aspiration, not tuberculosis. It is possible he doesn’t have tuberculosis at all (PPD negative, x-ray not characteristic of TB). We need to have a bronchoscope and culture done on him. I am trying to find a doctor who can do it. This is an urgent need.

Johnny (2 yrs old today) was diagnosed with tuberculosis. It must be treated before he can receive AIDS medicines.The hospital also decided to treat Lovensky (17 months old) for TB although they aren’t sure he has it. He, too, cannot be treated for AIDS until he finishes TB treatment. TB treatment is a minimum of 6 months.

Johnny (CD4 15.6%) and Lovensky (CD4 25.7%) are both are so sick with AIDS that they qualify for AIDS medicines now. Please pray that they will survive six months of TB treatment.

We have some big needs right now:

5 ml slip tip syringes - 1 case
60 ml luer-lok syringes - 1 case
30 mg phenobarbitol tablets - a large supply (Poutchino takes 1/day)
zythromicin for prophylaxis for the kids with AIDS

Dorothy

Sweet Baby Girl

2009-03-31T06:57:00.000-07:00

Rosetaina Bertrand came to live with us on March 20th, brought in by her mother and big sister. What a precious little bundle she is. But she is so frail - 20 months old, 10 1/2 lbs.!

She had just been released from the hospital after two weeks of treatment for malnutrition. Released! This sweet baby girl has AIDS and I think her emaciation is more due to AIDS wasting syndrome than ordinary malnutrition. She has refused all food except small bits of cheezits and peanut butter crackers. We give her Pediasure thru an NG tube. She has gained 1 lb since coming here and has gained enough strength to crawl and pull up to standing. She is miserable most of the time but does laugh sometimes. She makes us laugh with her imperious demands!

Kez and Casey enrolled her in the AIDS clinic yesterday. She will go back tomorrow for tests. The tests done by the other hospital show her CD4 count at 273, 6.6% (she's very sick). Pray that she can get the help she needs.

Haiti Update - March 17 2009

2009-03-18T08:48:00.000-07:00

March 17 2009

Dr. Karen McCarthy was in town again! She often sends us babies she sees at medical clinics and this trip was no exception. Eliezer Pierre came to stay with us on February 25th. He is 15 months old and weighed 14 lbs. His lower legs were starting to swell from a protein deficiency (kwashiorker malnutrition). The swelling is going down but the skin is still stretched so tight it is shiny and scaly looking. His blood tests look good except for infection and anemia. I expect he will recover fully in time and return to his family. He is adorable!

We started homeschooling Kervens recently. Casey brought books and lesson plans. I am searching for books and movies to make school more exciting. He will study astronomy in science. Do you have videos, DVDs or books that you don't need anymore and would be willing to share? Homeschoolers, please let me know about great resources you have found. Kervens is very bright and needs a variety of materials.

It's time to give the next round of DPT and polio immunizations but - guess what! Haiti doesn't have any vaccines! We'll just have to wait until they get a new supply. The kids who are old enough to remember 'pickies' (as they call them) are very happy.

Thanks to Janice Taylor and lots of very nice people in Kansas and Missouri, Mickenson got his surgery! He is home now and pretty much recovered. Praise God!!

Our dry season is so wet we had 3 inches of water downstairs on March 6th. About 9 pm we had to go down and bring up all the children and mattresses and put up anything that could be damaged by water. The children and nannies slept in the living room. Even though water still comes in when we have heavy rain it has not again flooded so badly. Unfortunately, the water comes in under the walls so there isn't much we can do to stop it. We hope to get a new house in the next few months.

Please pray for Claudia Dorvil, one of our nannies, whose home is scheduled to be totally destroyed April 5th. She doesn't have any idea what she is going to do. She and her daughter could come here, at least temporarily, but we can't house her pig and chickens. She will need money to pay rent at least 6 months in advance, around $600 USD.

The mother of one of the children we have sent home has 5 children. Her husband is abusing her and last week tried to kill their oldest child. We hope to be able to help her find a home for herself and the children. We will also need to help her start a business so she can support her children. Please pray for both of these desperate situations.

Frantzo is 3 years old today. I can't look at him without thanking God that he is alive. He is truly a miracle baby. Twice, 2 years ago, I saw him on the brink of death - the doctors were sure he couldn't live. But he did!!! I prayed very hard for God to spare him and not let him have severe brain damage. Though his development has been delayed, he is now developing like a normal little boy: he is beginning to talk and to tease us and to do all the things he should have done at 1 to 2 years of age. Rejoice with me and praise God for miracles!

We had a fun week with a group from Dublin, Georgia. Will Cooper was pastor of my church in Jacksonville when God told me to move to Haiti. It was a joy to see him and three members of his new church in Dublin, Karen, Paul and Anthony. They did lots of work, especially by building shelves on the front porch and in the depot. Our cat and dogs are happily catching the mice that were displaced when food was moved off the floor. I am happy that our food supply is now safe! Karen fell in love with the kids and was in tears when she had to leave them. All of this wonderful group blessed us. Thank you, Lord!

God bless all of you. I love you and thank you for your support.

Dorothy Pearce

Why did the Mayor write on our wall?

2009-03-17T12:46:00.000-07:00

During the past many years of governmental neglect, desperate Haitians have built their "homes" anywhere and everywhere, including on sidewalks and in streets. Wealthy people have ignored right-of-ways. Now that Haiti's government is trying to bring the country back under control they are destroying all structures that are within the right-of-way. Thousands of poor people have lost their homes with very little notice and no recompense.

Whether the owner of my house ignored a right-of-way or, as she said, built before there was a right-of-way, I don't know. But someone allegedly acting on the Mayor's behalf wrote on our wall after dark on March 12th. The message says that 1 month from March 11th 2009 - which will be Easter weekend - the Mayor will send a bulldozer to destroy our wall. I take the arrows to mean the the house in line with the wall (most of the living room and dining room and cistern) will also be destroyed. The owner thinks only the wall will be destroyed, or maybe nothing will be destroyed. In the picture the black gate on the left is our gate. The wall wraps around our living room and dining room, then protects our back yard where the children eat and play.

We are in limbo, not knowing what is going to happen. This could be a wonderful opportunity for us to leave this house before our lease expires in October. We have wanted to move since the basement has started flooding in heavy rains, forcing us to bring the children upstairs to sleep in the living room. Please pray with us that we will know what is going to happen in time to make appropriate plans. Please pray that either now or when the lease expires we will find an even better house at an affordable price.

Catching up on Haiti news - 2-10-09

2009-03-17T11:39:00.000-07:00

February 10, 2009

Much has happened in the last 2 months, mostly good but some sad.

Our most exciting news is that we started immunizations for the children. They have so far had DPT, oral polio, RR (which is either measles and rubella or measles and chicken pox), and HIB. The first 3 were donated free by the government of Haiti thru a local hospital. The HIB was purchased at great cost but, having had personal experience with this nasty bacteria, I considered it well worth the price. Praise God that the government of Haiti is beginning to work for the good of its people.

Our saddest news is that Mackenson, who was 2 on Oct 24th, died early in the morning on Feb 4th. Keziah and I were with him. He was severely handicapped: it was a struggle for him to breath and eat. He has lived with us since Sept 07 and we loved him. This baby is now in heaven and has no more pain and struggle. Even as we mourn, we rejoice for him.

Mireille, our nanny who gave Mackenson the tenderest, best care possible, was inconsolable. Her life has been changed by caring for him: she is softer and warmer and more loving to everyone. Her life appears more Christ-like. She and all who met or cared for Mackenson learned what true love looks like. We loved and cared for him even though he did not give - could not give - anything back to us, not smiles or affection or progress. All he could do was breathe and eat: those tasks were very hard work for him.

God’s love for us is so like that. It isn’t conditioned on how many things we do for him or for each other. He loved us so much that Jesus died on the cross for us so that we could have life: eternal life, yes, but even now, here on earth in the midst of all its problems, we can have a rich and joyful life.

Bethsaica is our newest baby, a 9-month old girl who came in Jan 2nd weighing just over 9 lbs. According to her shot/health record, she was a healthy baby until she was 4 months old. That is when her mother stopped breastfeeding her. She had been steadily losing weight ever since. She doesn't have HIV, TB or syphilis (praise God! we were worried about all of those) but she is anemic. We treated her for an infection and are adding extra calories and supplements to her diet. She is gaining weight well and has settled in nicely. What a cutey!

A couple of weeks ago Dr. Ed called and said he had a baby at his clinic that would die that day without IV fluids and antibiotics and even then his survival seemed unlikely. There was no time to get him to a hospital, could we take him? Keziah said ‘sure’. He stayed with us for 5 days, Keziah providing round-the-clock nursing care, until we were able to get him into an excellent children’s hospital. I believe he had tetanus. Moise has a dramatic story. Check out Kez’s blog for more info: http://myhaitiankids.blogspot.com/

5 other children have returned to their families: Emily, Mickenson, Patrick, and Naphthalie. All are in great health and doing well. Natasha’s mother raised money in Kansas City to pay for Mickenson’s surgery. We’ll see the surgeon today to set a date for the surgery.

JJ had 3 seizures in January for no apparent reason. He has had a CT scan and EEG and we only need to get back to the doctor now for results. Please pray with us that nothing serious is going on with him.

Poutchino’s seizures had almost completely stopped since starting TB meds but they are beginning to increase again. His health is a constant challenge for us. We thank God that we have found a Haitian pediatrician with some additional training in neurology. Hopefully he can help us get Poutchino’s seizures under control. Other than the seizures, Poutchino is doing great! He feels good so he’s always happy and interacts with us. At 6 years old I think he has reached his maximum mental development but could benefit from physical and occupational therapy. Please continue praying that a family in the states will fall in love with him and adopt him. He would give them much joy.

In November we lost a 6 week old baby girl. She came in on a Friday afternoon, appearing relatively healthy, and died suddenly Sunday morning. We didn't have her long enough to get any tests done! We thought her death might be related to an abnormal heartbeat the doctor had told us to check out but her father thought it might be related to the amount of blood she had lost when attacked by rats. (Why didn’t he tell us that before?!)

Casey Nichols has come from Georgia to live with us four about 4 months. She will be doing pretty much the same things for us that Natasha did. By the strangest “coincidence”, Natasha is going to be spending about the same length of time in Georgia doing the same ministry work Casey did there. It is exciting to watch God develop the lives of these young women with such beautiful spirits.

My health has returned completely. Now that I have recovered from my surgeries I realize just how much the pain I was in for the past year and how much it hindered the work I was trying to do here. Good health is a blessing not to be taken for granted. I am glad that God reminded me how blessed I am.

May God bless you all and keep you in his loving care. Thank you for your part in this ministry.

Dorothy Pearce

Emanuel goes home

2008-12-07T12:09:00.000-08:00

November 21 2008

Emanuel Marcelus and his twin sister, Emanuela, came to live with us in July 2007 when they were 6 months old. Emanuel weighed 6 lbs. His sister was only slightly heavier. Most of her weight was caused by her hydrocephalus, though. Emanuela died in December 2007 of an infection following shunt surgery. Emanuel stayed with us until November 2008.

I drove Emanuel and his mother home the afternoon of the 21st. Emanuel's older brothers were so excited to see him they had him out of the car and halfway to the house by the time I grabbed my camera!

Here is a picture of the family's home. They are VERY poor. We provided money to pay for their mother's chest xray to diagnose tuberculosis, sent lots of food and clothes, and will continue to help with food, medical care and schooling for Emanuel.

Triplets! Remember them?

2008-12-07T11:20:00.000-08:00

November 22, 2008

Remember the triplet girls who came to us in March 2006? They were about 16 months old and only one of them, Natasha, could stand. Natalie could sit up and Naomi couldn't do anything much except turn over. They were badly malnourished.

By August 2006 all three were walking. After a little more than a year with us the girls returned to their family. We helped their mother set up a small business so she could support the girls, their 3 older siblings and their parents.

The girls came to visit us on November 22nd and we were SO thrilled to see them. They are all beautiful and healthy and smart! They turned 4 in October and will start to school next year. We definitely want pay their school fees.

We love happy endings!

Haiti Update - Out of the hospital, again!

2008-12-07T10:49:00.000-08:00

Nov. 21 2008

Hi everyone.

Less than 3 weeks after coming back to Haiti I had to have an emergency appendectomy. Oh, that was an experience I could have done without but it's over and I'm now fine. Kathy Brooks, Sam and Casey flew down from Georgia to care for me and help Kez with the kids and the team we had in this week. Thank you Kathy, Sam and Casey! Thank you Lord!

Nerlande went home with her grandmother while I was in the hospital. Emily will go back to Bercy tomorrow. We will then 'only' have 19 babies. We had agreed to accept another baby from Gonaives found by Dr. Karen at a clinic but she didn't survive even her first night of hospitalization and a blood transfusion at a Gonaives hospital. We pray for the family of this little one who seems to have died of starvation.

We actually have 2 teams in: Sisters from Tennessee and a church group from West Virginia. What a group! They came in, asked what needed to be done, gathered the materials we had on hand and bought the rest and started right to work. They haven't stopped working yet! The house is being transformed with paint and decorations and shelves and organization. Every child gets special attention every day. This is a Spirit filled group and the whole household is overflowing with love. Praise God for these wonderful people!

Oh, and Sister Miriam went out yesterday and brought home a refrigerator and washing machine. She hopes to go shopping today to stock our shelves with all our basic needs. We feel like the heavens have opened and blessings are pouring out on us. Well, to be honest, they are! God is always good but I especially love the blessings part!

Dr. Karen McCarthy from Jacksonville came Monday to examine me and 2 of the children. Poutchino hasn't been himself since starting on TB meds. Dr. Karen thinks his tegretol levels (for seizures) are affected by theTB meds. We'll get test results today to confirm it but in the meantime have started cutting back the tegretol. Poutchino already is more alert and eats better. Levinsky had an infection and she put him on meds. He is much better.

Sorry for no pictures. I jsut haven't been able to get around to take them. When the group shares their photos with me I'll put them up on the blog.

God bless you.

Natasha left today...

2008-10-28T13:57:00.000-07:00

Oh sad day. We took Natasha to the airport this morning. After two delays to help us thru crises, she has gone back to Kansas to wait for God to give her her next assignment and to prepare for graduate school. We know He has great plans for her life and we had to let her go. We (the kids, the staff, Dannae and Kez, all our friends) will miss her, though, more than I am able to express. God truly blessed us when he sent Tasha to us.

A nasty gastro-intestinal virus hit many of the children just before I got back to Haiti. A few were still sick when I got here but all are now recovered. Praise God!!

We are very crowded with 21 babies (Kervens makes 22 children) and were very lucky to find 3 portacribs for sale this morning. A lady (Chris) gave us money to buy a new washer so we went shopping after leaving Tasha at the airport. The store didn't have a washer but it did have cribs. We desperately needed them and I haven't found them in any other store or on the streets. Sweet Chris immediately gave me permission to buy the cribs instead of the washer. What a BLESSING!

We have now tested all of the new children (Miltha, Patrick, Kimberly, Josie and Lavinsky) for HIV and TB. Lavinsky had already tested positive for HIV but he is still young enough to revert to negative. We hope his weak positive on this home test is a good sign. Miltha's skin test is positive for TB. Her mother will come here tomorrow morning to go with us when we take Poutchino and Miltha to the TB clinic where Poutchino is being treated. Miltha will need more tests to confirm whether she actually has TB.

Isn't God wonderful to bring these children to us! His tender care for these helpless children just blows me away. I see it often but am still amazed. He loves and cares for you and me just as much. He sent His own son, Jesus, to die on the cross for us so that, if we believe on Him and make Him Lord of our lives, we will live with Him for eternity. I pray that you all have accepted Jesus and can feel and see His presence in your lives.

Glad to be back in Haiti serving HIM,
Dorothy Pearce

BABY BOOM - FIVE! More Children

2008-10-11T05:32:00.000-07:00

Tasha has taken in FIVE new babies since I left Haiti in early August and she's considering a 4 year old girl (older sister of one of the new babies) with protein deficiency syndrome (kwashiorkor malnutrition). The 4 yr old really should be treated in a hospital so Tasha is helping her mom look for one. Pictures of the 5 new babies are attached. I downloaded them from Tasha's blog.

Natasha is overwhelmed with 5 new sick babies plus Poutchino's ongoing serious health issues plus all the things that happen from time to time with 22 young children in the house plus being the director with a staff of 13 workers! (9 yr old Kervens is our oldest. Next in age is Poutchino who is 5 years old but mentally only 1 or 2 yrs.)

We were already short on cribs and mattresses and highchairs before getting the new kids. Our washing machine broke. Imagine doing laundry for 21 infants, most still in diapers, by hand every day. Please pray for God to provide for all of our needs.

Some very generous friends have already covered our rent. What a blessing!

A glitch in a funds transfer has kept me in Jacksonville longer than expected and I'm still not sure exactly when I'll return to Haiti. This week, I hope! Natasha needs a break. I'm anxious to get back and help.

Tasha extended her stay until October 28th to try to be there when I get back. I am SO grateful to her. I am also grateful that I was able to have total knee replacement surgery. I'm getting stronger and having less pain every day so maybe that's why God is allowing this delay. I will be ready to climb stairs and carry babies when I go back.

Please pray for us, especially Natasha. God bless you all.

Patrick came from Gonaives in September following the devastating flooding there. He might be around 2 years old. This picture shows his sense of humor.

This is Lavinsky. He came in from Gonaives a few weeks ago but has been in the hospital for several weeks because he was severely malnourished and also had infections, possibly related to his HIV positive status. He was only recently released to us.

This is Miltha, a 9 month old girl who came in Sunday October 12th. She is severely malnourished but Dr. Ed thinks she will be okay coming to us rather than to the hospital. She only weighs 11 lbs 12 oz. Her 4 year old sister also is very malnourished. Natasha is helping her mother find a hospital for her.

This little guy is Josie (Joshua). He is 9 months old. His parents died in the Gonaives floods. His aunt can't afford the milk he needs so she brought him to us. She will take him back to live with her when he can eat table foods. Natasha said the aunt has been visiting him. We encourage families to visit any time except after dark and Sunday morning. If we eat while they are visiting, they eat with us.

Kimberly was 1 year old on October 12th. She came in thru Sherrie Fausey's ravine ministry. She is a little more than 12 lbs and too weak to stand up. She and her mother are very attached. Kimberly will return home to live when she is stronger.

Visitors in July!

2008-08-13T15:26:00.000-07:00

Danny and Dianne Groves, Teri Kirby and Terry Lynn Stephens from South Carolina and Linda Tanner from Florida visited in July. They brought a table saw and tons of baby supplies. Before coming they shipped a ladder, ceiling fans, painting supplies, tools, screens and all kinds of other stuff. On top of all that, they worked SO hard

The first priority was safety for the children. Danny replaced almost all of the screens on the babies' windows, replaced the door at the top of the stairs, repaired the gasoline generator, and lots more. Kervens was Danny's apprentice handyman and learned a lot besides having the time of his life.

The ladies sorted and put away supplies and clothes, cuddled babies, did all of our mending , painted the hall, trimmed our overgrown bougainvillea, and much more.

We had a great pool party for the kids Sunday after church and celebrated several birthdays. Oh, what fun We are VERY grateful to this wonderful group.

From Jacksonville ...

2008-08-13T13:17:00.000-07:00

I flew to Jacksonville on August 4th and have been busy doing pre-op stuff. There was a slight snag when I failed the EKG but that was resolved when I passed the stress test. Whew! Surgery is scheduled for August 25th. I expect to be back in Haiti before mid-October.

Natasha is staying with the Haiti family. She has been hit with one crisis after another but is meeting every one of them like a champ. I'm relieved to have her in charge and proud of the job she is doing.

Poutchino is our biggest worry. Despite being treated by the doctor through two rounds of 3 antibiotics, he is still coughing and having fevers. The fevers often trigger gran mal and petit mal seizures. Natasha will try to find help at an excellent, free pediatric hospital, Nos Petit Frères et Soeurs. (We call it Ti Frere et Ti Soeur, or Little Brothers and Little Sisters.) Please pray that they will accept Poutchino as a patient and that they can find out what is wrong with him and fix it.

Her next major problem is our car. Cullie Woodall took it to fix the brakes and discovered that the steering box was about to fall apart. Praise God that he found it before a bad accident occurred! I am waiting for a detailed list of parts needed so I can ship them to Haiti asap. I think it's time we started praying for a new car, 4-wheel drive, big enough to haul children, strong enough to handle Haiti's roads, and new enough that we don't constantly fear breaking down in a bad situation. Please pray with us!

tor The doctor who was treating baby Mickenson for his ear infection has prescribed a very expensive series of shots to help his testicles drop. I'm not familiar with this treatment and would appreciate any information you have. Please post comments.

You prayer warriors out there keep on praying, okay?! We need you! God bless you all.

Dorothy

Boys will be boys! and Kervens is all boy

2008-07-15T20:02:00.000-07:00

Friday July 11th - Kervens was running and slipped. He broke a permanent front tooth and his right arm. We spent the afternoon at the hospital getting xrays and a cast. The dentist came to our house around 8 pm and spent a couple of hours repairing the tooth. (Actually, he had to take Kervens to a guesthouse around the corner from us since we didn't have electricity. The guesthouse has an inverter.) We were all exhausted, naturally, but extremely thankful that everything got fixed in one day.

Playground

2008-07-06T18:48:00.000-07:00

On Friday mornings we take a few childen to the church playground. On a recent morning Michelor, 11, proposed marriage to Natasha.

Claudine was not sure what to do on her first visit. She mostly just watched the others. She let me hold her too.

Kervens plays ball with Deedee's boys. Gertie and Richardson are right at home on the equipment of playing ball or making up games. Isna was shy at first but caught on pretty quickly.

July 3 2008

2008-07-06T18:37:00.000-07:00

Johnny came home from the hospital after 5 weeks there! Finally his ear infection is cured. He has gained weight! The doctors cautioned that he is still anemic so we must be diligent in giving vitamins and good food. He will take antibiotics to help prevent future infections as he is HIV positive. We are SO glad to have this sweet boy with us. There have been many changes in Johnny’s life recently: he left his home to spend a week with Sherrie, spent a week with us, then five weeks in the hospital. He is a little scared of new surroundings and people. Pray for him, please, to be comforted and to be healed.

Pierreline is a 1 month old baby girl whose mother died. The family only knows that mother had a fever 2 or 3 weeks after giving birth, the doctor gave her medicine and she died two days later. Papa and aunt love the baby and did their best for her: they gave her Gerber baby food. They didn’t understand that she needs enriched milk more than pureed fruit but they did know they needed help. She is beautiful and, thanks to a concerned family, is in good condition. We are thrilled to be able to help her.

Pierreline’s papa acknowledged that he is not a Christian but it is okay with him that we will do everything in our power to be sure that Pierreline learns to love the Lord. We will try to introduce papa to Jesus, too. Please pray for this!

Silly car! It has been running so well for a long time but now the a bar in the front end is falling down. Add car repairs to the list of needs that we are asking you to pray for. The Haitian mechanic said the bar isn’t important, it only stabilizes the car. Hmmm, not important to be stable?

A friend worked on the diesel generator and we think it only needs a battery and an air filter to make it run. The Haitian mechanic said we need to replace brushes in the gas generator.

It seems like we have a lot of problems, doesn’t it? Two broken generators, a broken inverter, broken car, lack of rain forcing us to buy water again ... Well, that’s life. We are in the Lord’s hands and I know He will solve each of these problems in His own time. He is already working on them. We practice I Thessalonians 5:16-18: Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. We give thanks for a houseful of healthy and healing children, for always having food to eat and water to drink, for having a house full of joy and peace, and much, much more.

We thank the Lord for you, too, who are our partners in prayer and ministry. God bless you!

No cavities! June 18 2008

2008-06-18T21:53:00.001-07:00

June 18, 2008

Dr. Marly and Lori Desir visited us for a dental clinic Tuesday morning. They did in-service training for our staff on oral health. They examined all of the children with teeth. Three of our children had a little plaque which was removed. None had cavities! I was very proud of our staff! They are doing a good job of keeping the children's teeth clean and can do even better now with their new knowledge.

Dr. Desir also examined the staff members who wished an exam. One nanny had brought her 10 year old daughter, Diana, who was also examined. Two of Diana's baby teeth were not allowing their permanent replacements to come in. Dr. Desir extracted the baby teeth. He will give us estimates for the extensive work needed by staff members. We would like to help them if possible.

God has been good to us. Just to give you a small idea, I am highlighting two of our children and one child close to us below. If God had not intervened in their lives, all 3 of these children would be in very poor condition if they were even still alive now. But God did intervene. Many people in several countries are working together in His service to help these and other children. Praise God!

Emily Marie Francois ("Emarie")
Emarie came to us this past January from Bercy where she was found abandoned. She was very anemic and malnourished, had wispy orange hair, weighed 7 lbs 10 oz., and we guessed she was around 7 months old. She is now 17 lbs and has beautiful black curly hair. Dr. Desir thinks we were right about her age.

Mackenzie is getting a new family
Mackenzie came to us in November 2006. At 23 months old he weighed 12 lbs and was a floppy baby, unable to hold his arms or legs up. A victim of child abuse and severe neglect, Mackenzie thrived on our loving care. He recently learned to walk and developmentally is a little more than 1 year old. He now needs more one-on-one stimulation than we can provide and, praise God, he is going to get it! Our good friend Deedee was a special ed teacher before moving to Haiti many years ago. She now raises Haitian boys. She is the ideal person to be Mackenzie's mom. She fell in love when she met him. We are all spending a lot of time together so Mackenzie will be comfortable with the move.

Michelor
This is a story you will love to hear. Last July I met Michelor, then 10 years old, who has brittle bone disease. He had numerous badly healed fractures (later shown to be 21 breaks). His family had been told he would never walk again so they just let him sit in the dirt in his village. A friend found him a home with Deedee. Since then he has grown several inches and learned not only to walk but to run! Enjoy the photos (he is in the yellow shirt). He will be Mackenzie's new brother.

We have 16 other children with stories similar to Emarie and Mackenzie. From time to time I will share their stories and progress.

Please pray with us for the following needs:

Repair or replacement of generator and inverter
My surgery in August and the extra funds needed
Car repairs: power steering fluid leaks, hard time climbing hills
Natasha as she deals with children and staff issues while I am gone
Johnny, still in the hospital.
Healing for Poutchino
Monthly expenses, about $3500
Rent due in October, $8,400

Thank you SO much for your continued friendship, prayers and support. May God bless you richly!

2008-06-10T19:11:00.001-07:00

Oh how we miss the inverter! The other day the tank above the house ran out of water. We couldn’t pump water up without electricity. The temperature that day must have been over 100 degrees: we all needed baths. Tasha and Dannae did the best they could to cool off and clean up before bed using the little bit of water left in one bucket. I couldn’t resist a photo. Sorry girls!

Out of touch

2008-06-07T03:20:00.000-07:00

Our inverter is broken! Horror of horrors, that was what was keeping us in touch with the outside world. Now we can only get online during the wee hours of the morning when we really need to be sleeping. Please be patient. We will contact everyone as often as possible. Please pray for the inverter and the generators to be repaired.

Poutchino had another gran mal seizure yesterday, this time with no apparent outside causes. He was not sick, ate and drank normally, etc., then the seizure hit. We are very worried about him. Neurologists are almost impossible to see here. The only good one we know of is more interested in politics. Poutchino needs your prayers.

Please pray for us. Much is happening here: Poutchino's illnesses, failure of our household appliances, lack of electricity, low funds. We need your prayers and support.

May 31 2008 newsletter

2008-05-31T05:01:00.000-07:00

Johny Joseph, 13 months old, was brought to us by Sherrie Fausey on May 18th, a precious boy who only weighs 12 lbs. and has a bad ear infection which did not respond to antibiotics. We went to Medlab that afternoon for blood tests. Sadly, he is HIV positive, anemic, and has bacterial infections. Johny was admitted to the hospital this past week. They discovered he also has lesions on his lungs. Please pray with us for his recovery.

Johny is from Gonaives, an area devastated by mudslides a couple of years ago and still not recovered. His parents are both too sick to care for him. Pastor Genada, a Filipino missionary to that area, has been unable to find any programs in that area that treat AIDS. He asked Sherrie and I to help the baby. We are very glad to do so.

My 2 week visit to the States in early May was very busy. I saw doctors and filed taxes. I will return to Jacksonville on August 4th to prepare for a total knee replacement on August 25th. I should return to Haiti in early October. Praise God for medical insurance and a Christian doctor and hospital who will help with the cost!

Natasha is going to to extend her stay so she will be with the children while I am gone. In spite of being sick with fever and cough, she did a great job with the kids the 2 weeks I was gone. It is a huge responsibility and she is very brave to accept it for 2 months. We hope that friends of hers can visit during that time and possibly others who can help with the children's health needs. Please pray for her!

Getting ready to leave in April was hectic. Nerlande (10-11 mos.) had been very sick (vomiting) for over a week. As she was finally recovering, Nephtalie (5-6 mos) had to be hospitalized for a respiratory infection. She was released just before I left, after several days on oxygen and IV antibiotics. The bill for her stay at a private hospital took a huge chunk of our operating funds but God somehow still provided all we needed. Praise God for the recovery of these children and for His miraculous provision for our needs.

We really miss Jessica (1 year) who returned this week to the orphanage that brought her to us. They are starting to process her adoption. We took her in last July because her mother has AIDS and we were afraid Jessica would get the virus from breastfeeding. Jessica was positive but we all hoped she didn't actually have the virus and would revert to negative eventually. That is what happened! Praise God for sparing her from that horrible virus. Pray for her to be placed in a loving Christian home.

It is impossible to care for an baby, nurse them thru illnesses, hold and rock and sing to them, watch their firsts - turn over, crawl, walk, talk - without falling completely in love. It is hard to let them go. But it is our preference that children either be returned to their biological families or moved on to permanent families. Soon it will be time for Nerlande and Izaola to go home.

Several others cannot return to their families or be adopted. We will provide a permanent home for them. Pray that we will continue to have the funds necessary to educate and nurture these children until they become adults who will be Christian leaders in this country in desperate need of Jesus.

I am still learning about blogging and still have tons of information to post. Please feel free to make suggestions. Your comments are welcome, too. God bless you all!

Dorothy

April 21 2008 newsletter

2008-05-30T09:44:00.000-07:00

April 21 2008

Port au Prince has been peaceful for the past week. Everything is back to normal. Praise God! Thank you for your prayers.

Baby Regina saw the doctor last Friday. He confirmed she has spina bifida and will never be able to walk. The goal of therapy and any surgery would be to move her legs to a more normal position. Her mother was devastated by this news. We have tried to reassure her that Regina can have a normal life in every other way but she will need her mother’s help.

Since there is nothing we can do to improve Regina’s condition, it is time for her to return to her mother’s care. Unfortunately, mom does not have a home of her own so we invited her to stay with us for a while. As I observe this young mother with her baby, I see that she knows absolutely nothing about how to be a mother or even, for that matter, how to behave in a home. All of us, especially our Haitian staff, will try to bring this young lady to Jesus and teach her how to be a mother. This is a tough situation for all of us. Please pray for this lady and baby.

Mackenzie, who was 3 years old in December, took his first steps alone this weekend. He is the little boy who has brain damage from being abused by his mother. When he first came to us almost a year and a half ago he could not even sit up. His progress is one of the most amazing things I have seen over the past few months. Praise God for saving his life!

Next week, on April 30th, I will fly home to Jacksonville for approximately 2 weeks. I will see a knee surgeon about repairing my right knee so I can go back to doing everything I could do a year ago. If surgery is indicated, it will be planned for late summer or early fall. Natasha is a little nervous about being responsible for all these children while I am gone so please pray for her.

Sadly, our puppy Goldie was poisoned. She died a very painful death Friday. We are still sad; I am angry at the person who did it; Kervens prayed for the person. I felt ashamed (of myself) and proud (of Kervens) that I wanted revenge but Kervens prayed for the person’s repentance and salvation. God is doing wonderful things in Kervens’ heart.

Natasha has been very sick for the past few days with a GI virus. She is finally getting up and around again. Baby Nerlande is much better. Baby Nephtalie is upstairs today getting the best treatment we can give her for croup: a bucket of hot water beside her bed with a sheet spread over the bed and bucket to make a tent. (A cool mist humidifier would be better but we don’t have one yet.) Our nanny Sr. Jesula’s 5 yr old son, Harry, has the same GI virus Natasha had. We brought him to our house today to rehydrate him.

This afternoon Gertie, Richardson and Isna rode in the car with Kervens and I to take our nanny and her son home. These three little ones - 4, 3 and 2 ½ years old - seldom get out of the house. Isna has almost never been out. It was so fun driving and hearing hushed voices in the back seat exclaiming with awe: “Gade!” (gah-day, meaning ‘look’). We stopped at the store and bought candy on the way home. They giggled when we went over bumps, a frequent occurrence since many roads haven’t been maintained for 10 to 20 years and driving is like off-road mountain driving. It was a wonderful end to the day.

Blessings to you all, and many thanks for your support in this ministry to poor children and families in Haiti. We love you.

Dorothy Pearce

Introduction to Haiti Infant Rescue

2008-05-29T08:46:00.000-07:00

My first blog - how exciting! I have been dying to share news about the precious Haitian children who live in my home.

Faith Hope Love Infant Rescue is a Christian organization founded in 2005 in Port au Prince, Haiti to take in sick and malnourished infants from poor families who have no other hope. Whenever possible, we return children to their families when their health has been restored.

As of today, May 29 2008, we have 18 children in our care. They range from 6 months to 9 (almost 10) years. Most are still in diapers.

I am Dorothy Pearce from Jacksonville, Florida. God sent me to Haiti in 2004 to work with needy children and families in Haiti. I have two grown sons, one daughter[-in-law], one grandson, and am 60 years old and proud of it! Working in Haiti is the best job I have ever had and that is saying something as I have had some wonderful jobs in the past as a real estate paralegal.

To introduce you to our everyday life I am going to post emails that I have previously sent. Here is a picture of me, Natasha Taylor and Mary Dekoter (l-r). Natasha came in January 2008 to help out for 6 months. We have persuaded her to stay a little big longer. (She adds so much joy and love to our household we never want her to leave!) Mary is a nurse from Canada who visits twice a week to check on the children. (We would be lost without you, Mary!)