LESSONS

“Jesus give Paula and I strength, endurance, and a happy heart. Grant us the ability to be okay with change, and to know that we should never count on our own plans. You are in charge, not me. God you are sustainer, comforter, healer, giver of life. and joy… I do not have to rely on my own abilities, so help me not be discouraged. These patients do not have to rely on their bodies or us to recover from sickness, so help them rest in your arms. I pray for wisdom, organization and deep, restful sleep when it is granted. Please heal me and fill me up so that I have more to give. I take a deep breath and give this week to you… and I will continue to surrender over and over, everyday. I love you. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for loving Haiti. Thank you for sending me here for such a time as this.”

Today began our week at the general clinic in Citi Soleil.  After seven 12-hour days at the CTC, we were burnt out and ready to be done. Working at the general clinic means an extra hour of sleep and an end time of 3 o’clock. We planned to have a more relaxing second week involving more free time, getting a tan, and making connections with other volunteers and staff on base. God had something else in mind. When we left the clinic this afternoon, the van delivered us to the CTC. Unaware of why we were there, we sat in the vehicle until someone informed us of the situation.  Apparently, a cholera center about an hour away had an influx of patients over the previous night and today. From 20 patients to 400.  With only a 200 bed capacity, they were needing to transfer patients to our CTC. So the end of our workday became an afternoon of setting up cots and moving patient, to prepare the compound for a lot more patients! We left after a couple hours of work just as patients were arriving and we will be up early in the morning to return. We will most assuredly be spending the rest of our week treating cholera. Please join me in praying throughout the week. We are so thankful for multitude of Haitian staff that will put in many extra hours this week, please keep them in your prayers too.

Jesus is Healer. Lets join together and ask for an end to this outbreak.