Thanksgiving in Haiti Nov 21 2009

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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.