Hands That Heal

Ken...

2011-05-11T09:58:00.000-04:00

Yeah, another little precious angel has made it to the States for life altering procedures. Ken, like Jerrensia, is from God's Littlest Angels Orphanage, in Kenskoff, Haiti. We started Jerrensia and Ken's medical visa process at the same time and finally Ken came to the US a few weeks ago. He has adjusted to life well in Nashville, TN with his amazing host family! The host family has 3 older children that are spoiling Ken rotten, and from what I have heard, so has their entire town. :-) Thank you Elizabeth and Jason for taking Ken in to your home and welcoming him with outstretched arms and love!

Ken will start his appointments next week for his ptosis issues with his eyes and then he will be seen by a pediatric Orthopedists in the following weeks for his deformed left leg. With Ken's personality, he is going to win over the doctors and nurses and be their favorite patient.

Here is an update from Elizabeth, Ken's host mom:
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On April 9 after ten months of a lot of “hurry up and wait,” Jason and I could hardly believe we were on our way to Haiti to bring 13-month-old Ken back to Nashville. Those ten months included applying for and being approved to be medical foster parents; traveling to Haiti last June on a mission trip with another organization but getting to experience a brief-but-wonderful 30 minutes holding Ken while picking up his x-rays at GLA; being rejected by numerous doctors and hospitals for Ken’s pro bono care; identifying an enthusiastic surgeon in Nashville who championed his case and ultimately secured the pro bono commitments; and waiting for birth certificate, passport, medical visa and travel documents.

Aside from our decision to get married, I don’t suppose that we have ever been able to say with as much conviction that God was calling us to a particular action. But, in this instance, caring for this precious child, this particular child, has seemed from the beginning to be a connection crafted by our Creator. We have also been gratified and overjoyed to watch God work in our family, as Hannah, Caroline and Ben have embraced the idea and the reality. They have been every bit as excited and happy as Jason and I are.

When we arrived at GLA on April 9, Jason and I found Ken on the balcony playing with Emelyne , one of his very favorite volunteers. He allowed me to hold him but looked at me a bit warily, as I would expect any 13-month-old to do, and returned quickly to Emelyne’s arms. As we sat on the floor to play, though, he warmed up quickly and we began to see his winning personality emerge! Though Ken was born with fibular hemimelia (he is missing the fibula in his lower left leg), he can crawl like crazy and even stands on his strong right leg. He also has a ptosis of the left eyelid and seems to deal with strabismus in both eyes, but we were thrilled to find that he seems to see quite well. Every moment felt like a gift after loving Ken for all those months from a distance, not getting to really know him. Soon, we packed up some supplies and headed to the GLA guest house to spend time getting to know Ken better and allowing him the chance to get comfortable with us before our trip home. We were prepared for the transition to be difficult for Ken, but he embraced us with a trust that made it clear he had been well loved during his year at GLA. Soon, he was showing us his huge, toothy grin and darling dimple.

The day we left Haiti, Dixie provided us with perfect, step-by-step instructions for making our way through the airport and immigration so that we faced no surprises on the trip. Ken entertained folks on the flights and in the airports with his beautiful baby babble (or is he speaking Creole?) and, though we arrived close to midnight, he was such a trooper and smiled sweetly at his Nashville siblings. In the days since his arrival, Ken has welcomed so many friends and family here in Nashville who have prayed for him for months. He has settled into our lives as if he has always been here, even attending his sister’s senior prom! This week, we begin the appointments with pediatrician, ophthalmologist, ocular plastic surgeon and orthopedist. Our God has blessed Ken with just the spirit, determination and charm he will need to weather the challenges ahead. Let the healing begin!

Here is a brief update from Ken's host mom on his recent appointments. Thank you GLA for keeping all of your children so healthy!!!!!
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Pediatrician
He has seen our pediatrician twice now, and though below the charts in weight for his age, was pronounced completely healthy. He had lost one ounce at first visit, so returned one week later with a 15 oz weight gain.

Yesterday, we saw both the ophthalmologist and the orthopedist.

Ophthalmologist

The ophthalmologist said Ken’s “good” right eye is completely normal. The left (ptosis) eye has some amblyopia, so she asked us to try patching his good eye for one hour per day, which we began today (see attached picture). No strabismus surgery is necessary at this time so we will proceed with appointment with ocular plastics doctor next week for scheduling first eyelid lift surgery.

Orthopedist

The orthopedist named 7 issues with Ken’s left leg and recommended a combined straightening of the tibia and amputation of the foot/ankle in one surgery, with the heel pad being moved to the stump to allow for weight bearing skin should that ever be needed. He suggested that, if we were interested, we consult with Dr. Dror Paley in Florida who is the leading limb lengthening surgeon in the country. We don’t feel inclined to do that at this point after reading so many accounts of the pain and multiple surgeries required in limb lengthening. The orthopedist said that clearly Ken is happy and active and will learn to walk whenever his limbs allow for it! (He also predicted that Ken will be a famous musical entertainer someday)

Jerrensia...

2011-03-31T08:26:00.004-04:00

(Miss J and her two fabulous host brothers...)

Here is the latest on Miss J, as she has stolen the hearts of everyone who meets her! Jerrensia, sweetheart, God has marked you for amazing things and we are all just so very blessed to be a part of your journey!
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It was eleven weeks ago, today, that our family woke up to a little princess sleeping in the room next door. I expected there would be an adjustment period, especially going from 78 degrees in the mountains of a tropical island to 14 degrees and multiple feet of snow in Michigan. In addition to the change in weather, Jerrensia woke up to a new home, room, bed, blankets, toys, kids, grown ups, sounds, smells, food, car seat, schedules, music lessons and gymnastics (for her brothers), school drop offs and pick ups, doctors, physical therapy, occupational therapy, x-rays, casts, cast removal, more casts, surgery, MRI, audiologists, ophthalmologists, and a host of other things. This is a lot to embrace for a kid. I’m not going to lie, I expected this to be extremely traumatic for her. By the grace of God, I was absolutely wrong. Getting in late the night before, the first glimpse Jerrensia had of her new world was when she woke up in her ridiculously wonderful fuchsia bedroom the next morning. Our boys, eight and four years old, could not wait to meet her! We had been praying for this sweet girl as a family since we met her ten months earlier. The part that is still so surreal to me, is that she woke up and seemed to know that she was ours and we were hers (in a manner of speaking). There was no transition period. It was like she had always been here. Everything just fit.

Since she’s been here, she’s learned how to use a spoon and fork, drink from a sippy cup, say ‘mama,’ ‘dada,’ ‘brah’ (short for brother), use sign language for ‘food’ and ‘more,’ and scoot around on her toddler wheelchair. She loves to sing and dance, climb on her brothers who are absolutely smitten with her (the four year old calls her Miss Princess), and play with her Little People Princesses in her brother’s Batman Bat Cave. She’s also been known to play with Batman in the Princess Castle. Fortunately, the boys don’t mind. They’re just as content to play with the princesses alongside Batman.

We jumped right into physical and occupational therapy to begin to assess her abilities, and what areas we needed to focus on. Soon after, she saw the pediatric orthopedic surgeon who diagnosed her with a rare birth defect called Caudal Regression Syndrome. She doesn’t fit all the characteristics but her joints can be described as Arthrogrypotic. Many of them just never fully developed. Current known issues: her hips are dislocated, her knee caps never developed, there is webbing behind her knees preventing her from straightening her legs, toes and ankles are underdeveloped, she has little muscle control, and bilateral club feet with the severe contractions in the middle of her feet. Right now, we’re focusing on her feet and getting them to a plantable grade as well as working on stretching her knees to try and get them as straight as possible.

Next step would be having the prosthetics department build her a standing frame that will help her to become weight bearing on her feet. If she does have muscles in addition to the isolated ones she’s shown us, that will help them to grow and become strong for additional mobility. She just had the Tenotomy done last week which released her Achilles tendon, allowing her ankles to flex, and is in another set of casts which will continue to be replaced every couple of weeks for an indefinite amount of time.

The MRI was done yesterday to begin to investigate some of the neurological issues we’re noticing with the right side of her face. This is still the very beginning of a long road of healing for Jerrensia. She has been very brave with all the appointments but she does have a high level of stranger anxiety that, so far, only the physical therapist and one of her sedation nurses have been able to break through. However, we could not ask for a better medical team to surround her. I’m truly brought to tears by their generosity and the high level of care they have given Jerrensia and to our family throughout this process. Our doctors have the wisdom that so many prayed for and as I mentioned earlier, she’s adjusted so well to life in our home.

But the path from a wheelchair prognosis to one that would include walking is a long and very difficult one, and right now, she doesn’t understand any of it. So our largest prayer request would be for her peace in the medical process, and of course, continued healing. Thank you to all of you who have kept this precious girl in your prayers!

Look Who's Lookin' Pretty in Pink...

2011-02-15T23:25:00.004-05:00

Jerrensia was able to start her series of castings last week. And... if you have to wear casts for weeks at a time, you might as well be stylin', and that is the way Miss Jerrensia is going. :-) Since getting her casts last week, she has had to have both legs re-cast. Since her legs are the way they are, her casts can slip really easily and more than 1/2 " of slipping and they have to be re-cast. They are going to try to use some adhesive binder, but it sometimes can lighten pigment. So pray with me that her casts stay on and that if they do use the binder, that her skin stays nice and beautifully brown.

We have 3 kiddos on the docket, ready to come over. Please keep Ken, Sonia, and Michno in your prayers. All of their medical issues are different and they are all in different stages of their medical visa process. Pray that doors are opened and each of these 3 angels gets a second chance to a much more normal life.

Rebekah

Update on Jerrensia...

2011-01-22T12:37:00.005-05:00

(Doesn't she look like a young Della Reese?)

Hands That Heal has been so busy lately. We went from no patients coming to the US in 2010, to working on 4 patients, all from God's Littlest Angels orphanage (GLA), all at the same time. God gave us a rest in 2010 to gear up for 2011. God is moving in so many ways it is making my head spin. I can't wait to fill you all in on some of the amazing ways that God is using 'the least of the least of these'!

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (NIV)

²⁶ Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. ²⁷ But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. ²⁸ God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, ²⁹ so that no one may boast before him. ³⁰ It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. ³¹ Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

I love how The Message version of this passage is written:

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (The Message)

^26-31Take a good look, friends, at who you were when you got called into this life. I don't see many of "the brightest and the best" among you, not many influential, not many from high-society families. Isn't it obvious that God deliberately chose men and women that the culture overlooks and exploits and abuses, chose these "nobodies" to expose the hollow pretensions of the "somebodies"? That makes it quite clear that none of you can get by with blowing your own horn before God. Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. That's why we have the saying, "If you're going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God."

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Speaking of a child that God is using for His glory, here is an update on Jerrensia: This is paraphrased from Jen, Jerrensia's host mom! Thanks so much Jen and Jay for taking such good care of this princess...

The first week has gone really well... better than I anticipated actually. Jerrensia seems to be taking everything in stride. She plays really well with my boys and overall seems very curious about her new world. The car seat doesn't bother her though you can tell she'd prefer not to wear the puffy coat. She's eating and sleeping well too. She's still very cautious around men. Jay's parents came to visit yesterday and she didn't want to have anything to do with Jay's dad. She was initially very cautious around Jay but she's warmed up to him in the last couple days too. I can now leave the room when he's holding her and she won't cry! She really doesn't babble too much, but she sings and dances constantly.

In terms of the doctor's appointments, here is what we've had thus far, and what we have ahead:

Wednesday 1/12
Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy Assessment:

They did a fairly thorough evaluation of the range of motion and fine motor skills. I don't think we really learned anything new in this appointment. Her hips are the biggest issue, of course. She has incredible upper body strength which will be in her benefit should she need orthotic bracing. The range of motion in her knees is extremely limited. They gave us a sheet of exercises to do with her at home to help "stretch" the skin because it's so tight right now. She has something going on in the right side of her body. When she is sitting or reaching for objects, she's overcompensating with her left side which is throwing her spine off center. There is an overall weakness on the right side. In terms of fine motor skills, she's moving food around in her mouth and mashing it at an age appropriate level. They recommend we start her on table foods and she's been doing great with that. Developmentally, she's still around 9-12 months with picking up objects and being able to deliberately put them down in specific places, as well as use her index finger and thumb to pick up food rather than just grabbing it by using her fist. She hasn't worked at developing the fine motor skills because of the need to use her hands/arms for mobility. Her feet are the size of a newborn baby because they're not weight bearing yet. Apparently feet don't really start to grow until a baby starts standing.

Thursday 1/13
Pediatrician Checkup
Our primary care physician did a slightly different evaluation on Jerrensia. Spina Bifida was ruled out, her heart seems perfect (no murmurs), and her lungs clear. She did an light test on her retinas and the right side shows a bit of cloudiness-- not as reflective as the left which she thought was a possible indicator of a level of blindness. The right eye is also "lazy" primarily when she looks up, though I noticed it strayed when she was looking straight at me a couple days ago. Both of her ears tested low (right side lower than left) using a tool that bounces sound waves into the ear drum and measures what comes back. Both her eyes and and ears were enough of a concern that we received referrals for a pediatric audiologist and pediatric ophthalmologist. Those appointments are January 27th and February 1st, respectively. She had initial thoughts on her legs and possible courses of treatment, but I'm looking forward to hearing Dr. Maples assessment.

Moving forward, we have 2 - 1 hour physical therapy sessions every week (Tues/Thurs) and 1 - 1 hour occupational therapy appointment following the physical therapy session on Tuesdays.

In other news, Dr. Maples had a cancellation and will be able to see Jerrensia on Monday!!! Woo hoo!!

Jen Kroll
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So, that is the latest on Jerrensia, and more to come on Sonia, Ken, and Michno soon. If you want to get the latest on Sonia, go here.

Thank you for all of your support for HTH. On behalf of the HTH team, and the precious ones that we work for in Haiti: THANK YOU!!!

Rebekah Hubley
Founder and Director of Hands That Heal

Are You Still Out There???

2011-01-15T22:19:00.003-05:00

(Jerrensia and Jen--Her amazing host mom)

If we still have any readers checking on us, we are still here... :-) Being the Founder of HTH, I, along with our nurse coordinator, Stephanie Mueller, keep this blog up. Both of us have had one of the busiest/hardest years of our lives. Both of us have children with special needs, and some of our children have had an eventful year. In saying all of this, 2011 brings us both to a year of healing and moving forward.

We did not have any children come to the US on Medical Visas in 2010, which was a blessing from God. We just had our first medical visa child of 2011, and Jerrensia Charles could not be a more beautiful way to start off 2011. I will be getting weekly or bi-weekly updates on Jerrensia from her host family,and will be posting them here.

Please pray for Michno and Ken, as they are 2 and 3 on our waiting list to get their medical visas. Michno has his passport and is just waiting on one more doc letter and then we can apply for his MV. We are still waiting on Ken's passport and then we will be able to proceed with his case. Both boys have host families waiting and praying for them. Please pray for patients for their host families as they wait. It can be very agonizing as host families to wait, knowing that the treatment is right at their fingertips while we wait on bureaucracy.

Thanks so much for praying for HTH, and for faithfully checking in on us!!!

Rebekah Hubley--Founder and Director of Hands That Heal

Jerrensia...

2010-04-09T13:52:00.003-04:00

Everyone has fallen for this little peanut! How could you not... If you want to read the latest on her, go to here, to Melissa's blog.

Dixie is going to be taking her and another little boy to get x-rays soon. Then we will be able to start on her medical visa and getting her the care that she so deserves!

We are really still here...

2010-04-09T13:38:00.002-04:00

Big post coming soon..... We have been very busy working on details and we have joined forces with GLA (God's Littlest Angels Orphanage). My son was adopted from GLA and we have had a fair share of HTH patients come from there. So, after the earthquake and restructuring how HTH is going to function post earthquake, it only made sense to both GLA and HTH to form a team. We are going to be looking for more medical based people to help with finding donated care for these kids. There are going to be a lot when medical visas open up; which we heard will be soon.

There is going to be a sponsorship program. We will still be doing medical visas for other children and adults too, as we have in the past, but this partnership is just going to be a bonus.

Can't wait to share all of the details with you soon...

In the midst of the chaos, Denel was ready to go back to Haiti to reunite with his family. You can read a glimpse of his return to Haiti here...

Thanks for your patience in our silence... We have felt all of your prayers...

**Also, Stephanie, our Nurse Coordinator, is back in Haiti for a week. This is her second trip to Haiti since the earthquake. She will be updating here...

One Month Ago Today...

2010-02-12T22:02:00.003-05:00

One month ago today the entire world was drawn to Haiti. Some for the first time ever. Some people, prior to Jan. 12, 2010, would not have been able to find Haiti on the map. Now, that is not the case. But, as we reach one month out from the earthquake, where is Haiti on TV??? We cannot and will not forget Haiti! Hands That Heal was here long before the earthquake and we are here for the long haul.

Will you pray with us today, as Haiti fasts for 3 days, that Medical Visas would be re-instated again and we would be able to begin reaching out to Haiti's most vulnerable.

I leave you with this amazing tribute and prayer to Haiti...

Keep praying for Haiti!!! Rebekah

Update on Jean

2010-02-11T12:53:00.000-05:00

Jean is one of Pastor Pierres workers that I see every time I am in Haiti. He is like a haitian brother to me. He has Epilepsy. Through Hands That Heal we were able to get him a CT scan and medicine that is not available in Haiti. Since he has been on the medicine for approx 3 months he has been seizure free! He is soooo happy. I talked to him about it this trip. He had the biggest smile, it was great. Jean is very quiet and reserved. I had to beg him to smile for this picture. He showed me a picture of his 1 yr old daughter and introduced me to his sister last week. It is amazing what a simple pill can do for someone to change their whole life. He lived with terrible seizures for 25 yrs and now can function and not be afraid to be alone.
What a blessing to be a part of that for me. God is so good!
Steph

Update on Flamanda

2010-02-11T12:50:00.003-05:00

Flamanda is doing very well with her mom back in Chambrun. Her head has only gone down a tiny bit from when I saw her a month ago but she seemed still better. She smiled at her mom and let me hold her 2 Sunday's in a row at church the entire service with out crying. Her mom came to see me most every day while I was there. I'm thrilled at her progress! I will continue checking on her when I am in Haiti. I plan to return in April. Her mom does an amazing job taking care of her.

Update from Haiti

2010-02-11T12:47:00.001-05:00

Many have been asking how my trip to Haiti was. I appreciate all you thoughts and prayers.

This trip ran the range of emotions for sure. It was happy and sad, scary and joyous, gutwrenching and aweinspiring all at the same time. We got there 10 days after the earthquake so the majority of bad injuries were already taken care of initially or the people died. We worked outside of PAP in Chambrun which is on the NE side and the epicenter was on the other side of PAP. Our clinic was extremely busy though. Everyone was effected by the earthquake even if it wasnt a physical injury. No food, water, shelter, anxiety, lack of sleep, aftershocks continued the first week I was there which made the Haitian people even more fearful. Most even if their homes were still standing would not go into them and slept in their yards under sheet tents.
Those that lost their homes are called Internally Displaced People or IDP. Many IDP camps are growing and growing. People making tents from sticks, trash, sheets or anything they can find. They find open flat areas and start building. Other join and pretty soon it is a large tent camp. Unfortunately the areas are not meant for living. No wells, or latrines available.
In the 2 weeks I was gone the camps grew and grew. We took our bus as a mobil clinic to some of the camps and administered meds there. It was an experience to see them first hand. One we got to walk through. The people are desperate and scared which made the clinics more dangerous and not as secure. Late into the day the people knew we could not see everyone and they would begin to push, shove and cut line which caused fights. Thankfully we had no major incidents at the IDP camps or in Chambrun which had the same thing going on every day.
We saw some injuries from the quake but not many. Luckly we had access to a helicopter service that could fly our most critical patients to a hospital. We flew around 7 or so patients out. Several very malnourished babies that had not had food for as long as 8 days. A broken arm that needed surgery and woman that had a miscarriage during the quake that had been bleeding for a long time. Otherwise we saw the same respiratory, GI, skin infections, colds and fevers. Many hungry people and dehydrated needed help. We started a handful of IV's and gave out tons of antibiotics, tylenol, antiacids and vitamins. All together we saw in 2 weeks 5,300 patients between Chambrun and the IDP camps.
Most of our translators have no place to live either and are sleeping in their yards or on the street. The university was completely collapsed with hundreds dead. In 45 seconds their lively hood, homes, some family members and all belongings were completely gone. Thier spirit remains intact somehow. The Haitian people are so strong! Their faith that God has a purpose for them and the will to continue on is amazing. We saw life continuing on as usual in many areas. People selling, buying, walking, smiling and living.
The gratitude is unbelievable that they share with us. They are truly thankful for anything even as small as a hug or a baggie of tylenol. It gives them the hope they need to continue going on.
We found out last week that 50,000 IDP's are going to be relocated across the street basically from our compound! God has definately placed us where He wants us to be able to minister to them. NVM has been financially blessed since this has happend and I am so happy to announce that we are going to begin construction very soon on our hospital. God has been very faithful to provide what we need. GAIN (Global Aid Network) has been partnering with NVM to help get aid and supplies as well. It has been a great blessing.
We are praying that through this tragedy that God will shine into the darkness of Haiti and real, permanent change will begin to be seen!
I was blessed beyond anything I can imagine to be able to serve with the people I did and witness the Haitian people surviving!
Thank you to all who prayed and supported me to do this. Tom and the boys did great while I was away. What a blessing!
Steph

Please pray for Stephanie...

2010-01-21T15:03:00.003-05:00

Tomorrow at 5am our nurse coordinator, Stephanie Mueller, will be heading to Haiti for 14 days to do medical missions. She will be literally entering the pits of hell for a medical team. There are no supplies and medicine will be being practiced as it was 100 years ago. Here is her blog entry from her personal blog:
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Finally a plan
We are heading to the airport at 5am tomorrow morning. Flying into the Dominican Republic and renting a van to drive to PAP. Life has been more busy in the last week than I have ever had in my life. It is stressful, crazy and a lot of pressure. I am finally at a good point now. Packed supplies for team, myself, coordinated most everything I need to. I purchased hack saws and Vodka for doing amputations. Vodka for sterilizing instruments and maybe for the patient. They will be awake for the procedures. No narcotics available. It is going to be civil war style medicine. It sounds crazy and barbaric but if your limb has gangreen set in or is completely crushed what else is there to do. The amt of Haitians missing limbs will be staggering.
Im nervous, relieved to have a plan though.
Please pray and then pray some more. We should get into SantoDomingo tomorrow night and to PAP by Sat night.
I am staying for 14 days. I have not been away this long ever. Pray for the boys and Tom while Im gone too.
Steph
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Please keep her team and all of the other medical teams in your prayers!!! Pray for the people that they will be treating and pray that the love of Jesus will shine through to the people.

Thank you for all of your support and prayers!

Rebekah Hubley--Founder and Director

**Please consider making a donation through paypal today. 100% of our funds goes to helping the people of Haiti.

Denel hears Daphlene's voice for the first time...

2010-01-17T23:15:00.002-05:00

Denel finally got to speak with his daughter, Daphlene, for the first time since Tuesday's quake. Two of Denel's sisters work at GLA,(God's Littlest Angels Orphanage) and they brought her there after retrieving her from Carrfouer. The house she was playing in fell on her and she had to be pulled out from under the rubble. It was a very emotional reunion, but it was twinged with him knowing that his fiance, Daphlene's mom, is sleeping on the streets and has nothing to eat or drink. Dixie, the director of GLA, has been able to take in some children of the staff, but she does not have the room or means to take in extended families. So, his reality of what is going on is so raw as he is warm here, clothed, and has more than enough food to eat.

***This is a disclaimer for the video: They had me translate into a microphone after I re-watched the skype. They DID NOT use the right clips with what I was translating. I am by no means an expert in Creole, but I translated great for him today, but the clips do not match up with what I was saying... :-) I just wanted to throw that out if you speak creole... I know my words do not match up with what he is saying in the clips... He really did say the things that I translated, only in different clips. lol...

Enough about that... Here is this amazing video of reuniting a family...

Denel and Witlene...

2010-01-13T23:27:00.002-05:00

I spoke with Dixie Bickel today at GLA and she told me that Denel's house collapsed in the quake and that his daughter had to be pulled from the house. She is reported to be injured, but not badly. He is so understandably shook up! He will not believe that his fiance and his daughter are alive until he hears their voices. He was interviewed by our local stations today and you can click on it to see the report. Please use the side PayPal button to donate to our patients here in the US, and the ones that have returned to Haiti.

I got a hold of Witlene's brother today who lives in Buffalo, NY and he was able to tell me that Witlene and her family survived the quake, but their house, just off of Delmas, is completely destroyed!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please be in prayer for the people of Haiti.

PLease Pray for Haiti...

2010-01-12T22:58:00.003-05:00

As many of you know... Haiti suffered the effects of an earthquake today with a magnitude of 7.3. Many after shocks of 5.0 and higher were felt for hours after. Here is an update from God's Littlest Angels Orphanage... (We help GLA with kids that need to go out on Medical Visas) Djemy and Jean Widler are from GLA. Sabrina also was from GLA. Here is an update from Dixie:
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NOTICE: WE ARE FINE AFTER THE 7.3 EARTHQUAKE. THE HOUSE SWAYED AND SHOOK. KNOCKED DOWN PEOPLE, KIDS, THE FOOD OFF THE STOVE FOR SUPPER, ALL OF MY GLASS WARE OUT OF THE CABINET, BUT WE ARE ALL OK! SHOOK UP A LITTLE, BUT OK! WILL POST MORE LATER! STILL HAVING AFTERSHOCKS AN HOUR AFTER THE MAIN EARTHQUAKE! PLEASE PRAY FOR US AND FOR HAITI!

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Here is a good article from Yahoo News:

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – The strongest earthquake in more than 200 years rocked Haiti on Tuesday, collapsing a hospital where people screamed for help and heavily damaging the National Palace, U.N. peacekeeper headquarters and other buildings. U.S. officials reported bodies in the streets and an aid official described "total disaster and chaos."

United Nations officials said a large number of U.N. personnel were unaccounted for.

Communications were widely disrupted, making it impossible to get a full picture of damage as powerful aftershocks shook a desperately poor country where many buildings are flimsy. Electricity was out in some places.

Karel Zelenka, a Catholic Relief Services representative in Port-au-Prince, told U.S. colleagues before phone service failed that "there must be thousands of people dead," according to a spokeswoman for the aid group, Sara Fajardo.

"He reported that it was just total disaster and chaos, that there were clouds of dust surrounding Port-au-Prince," Fajardo said from the group's offices in Maryland.

State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said in Washington that embassy personnel were "literally in the dark" after power failed.

"They reported structures down. They reported a lot of walls down. They did see a number of bodies in the street and on the sidewalk that had been hit by debris. So clearly, there's going to be serious loss of life in this," he said.

Alain Le Roy, the U.N. peacekeeping chief in New York, said late Tuesday that the headquarters of the 9,000-member Haiti peacekeeping mission and other U.N. installations were seriously damaged.

"Contacts with the U.N. on the ground have been severely hampered," Le Roy said in a statement, adding: "For the moment, a large number of personnel remain unaccounted for."

Felix Augustin, Haiti's consul general in New York, said a portion of the National Palace had disintegrated.

"Buildings collapsed all over the place," he said. "We have lives that are destroyed. ... It will take at least two or three days for people to know what's going on."

An Associated Press videographer saw the wrecked hospital in Petionville, a hillside Port-au-Prince district that is home to many diplomats and wealthy Haitians, as well as many poor people. Elsewhere in the capital, a U.S. government official reported seeing houses that had tumbled into a ravine.

Kenson Calixte of Boston spoke to an uncle and cousin in Port-au-Prince shortly after the earthquake by phone. He could hear screaming in the background as his relatives described the frantic scene in the streets. His uncle told him that a small hotel near their home had collapsed, with people inside.

"They told me it was total chaos, a lot of devastation," he said. More than four hours later, he still was not able to get them back on the phone for an update.

Haiti's ambassador to the U.S., Raymond Joseph, said from his Washington office that he spoke to President Rene Preval's chief of staff, Fritz Longchamp, just after the quake hit. He said Longchamp told him that "buildings were crumbling right and left" near the national palace. He too had not been able to get through by phone to Haiti since.

With phones down, some of the only communication came from social media such as Twitter. Richard Morse, a well-known musician who manages the famed Olafson Hotel, kept up a stream of dispatches on the aftershocks and damage reports. The news, based mostly on second-hand reports and photos, was disturbing, with people screaming in fear and roads blocked with debris. Belair, a slum even in the best of times, was said to be "a broken mess."

The earthquake had a preliminary magnitude of 7.0 and was centered about 10 miles (15 kilometers) west of Port-au-Prince at a depth of 5 miles (8 kilometers), the U.S. Geological Survey said. USGS geophysicist Kristin Marano called it the strongest earthquake since 1770 in what is now Haiti. In 1946, a magnitude-8.1 quake struck the Dominican Republic and also shook Haiti, producing a tsunami that killed 1,790 people.

The temblor appeared to have occurred along a strike-slip fault, where one side of a vertical fault slips horizontally past the other, said earthquake expert Tom Jordan at the University of Southern California. The earthquake's size and proximity to populated Port-au-Prince likely caused widespread casualties and structural damage, he said.

"It's going to be a real killer," he said. "Whenever something like this happens, you just hope for the best."

Most of Haiti's 9 million people are desperately poor, and after years of political instability the country has no real construction standards. In November 2008, following the collapse of a school in Petionville, the mayor of Port-au-Prince estimated about 60 percent of the buildings were shoddily built and unsafe in normal circumstances.

Tuesday's quake was felt in the Dominican Republic, which shares a border with Haiti on the island of Hispaniola, and some panicked residents in the capital of Santo Domingo fled from their shaking homes. But no major damage was reported there.

In eastern Cuba, houses shook but there were also no reports of significant damage.

"We felt it very strongly and I would say for a long time. We had time to evacuate," said Monsignor Dionisio Garcia, archbishop of Santiago.

The few reports emerging from Haiti made clear the country had suffered extensive damage.

"Everybody is just totally, totally freaked out and shaken," said Henry Bahn, a U.S. Department of Agriculture official visiting Port-au-Prince. "The sky is just gray with dust."

Bahn said he was walking to his hotel room when the ground began to shake.

"I just held on and bounced across the wall," he said. "I just hear a tremendous amount of noise and shouting and screaming in the distance."

Bahn said there were rocks strewn about and he saw a ravine where several homes had stood: "It's just full of collapsed walls and rubble and barbed wire."

In the community of Thomassin, just outside Port-au-Prince, Alain Denis said neighbors told him the only road to the capital had been cut but that phones were all dead so it was hard to determine the extent of the damage.

"At this point, everything is a rumor," he said. "It's dark. It's nighttime."

Former President Bill Clinton, the U.N.'s special envoy for Haiti, issued a statement saying his office would do whatever he could to help the nation recover and rebuild.

"My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Haiti," he said.

President Barack Obama ordered U.S. officials to start preparing in case humanitarian assistance was needed.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro said his government planned to send a military aircraft carrying canned foods, medicine and drinking water and also would dispatch a team of 50 rescue workers

Haitian musician Wyclef Jean urged his fans to donate to earthquake relief efforts, saying he had received text messages from his homeland reporting that many people had died.

"We must think ahead for the aftershock, the people will need food, medicine, shelter, etc.," Jean said on his Web site.

Brazil's government was trying to re-establish communications with its embassy and military personnel in Haiti late Tuesday, according to the G1 Web site of Globo TV. Brazil leads a 9,000-member U.N. peacekeeping force there.

Felix Augustin, Haiti's consul general in New York, said he was concerned about everyone in Haiti, including his relatives.

"Communication is absolutely impossible," he said. "I've been trying to call my ministry and I cannot get through. ... It's mind-boggling."

Yahoo News
---------------------------------

PLEASE PRAY FOR HAITI AND HER PEOPLE!!!

Flamanda's Return Home

2010-01-05T16:10:00.006-05:00

On December 28th I traveled to Haiti to return Flamanda to her mother. It was a long day flying back but Flamanda did great.

Her mom was super surprised. She did not know I was comming. She only knew Flamanda was comming home that week. She as you can see she is covered with mud. She had a big bucket and had been gathering mud to patch their mud hut. What a life. I cannot imagine. It was dark by the time we arrived. I left her with a few supplies and returned the next day to give her everything else we had brought for Flamanda and her brother. They live in a 10ft x 10ft sq mud box. Everything we brought filled up half her house. There was a small bed and a table, that was it. When I arrived the next day she was doing laundry in basins by hand. Again I cannot imagine. She said Flamanda had a difficult time falling asleep that night, she just kept looking around in the dark. Im sure it will take her a while to readjust to being home.
We left her mom with lots of food and formula. We hope she transitions well to Haitian food.
Thanks for all the prayers for her. It was a great honor to be a part of her journey from beginning to end. We are so thankful for Beaumont Hospital in MI and Dr. Zakalik for donating her surgery.
Steph

Georgy and His New Host Family...

2009-12-19T23:54:00.004-05:00

This post will be short, as I have 5 minutes left of this day. But, before I go to bed I wanted you to all see Georgy with his new host family. We had him for 10 days when he first arrived and then he was transitioned to The Bearman's, the Saturday after Thanksgiving. He was sad to leave our family, but was so excited to have 6 new 'siblings'. He started school the following week, and has had some rough bumps, but is getting much more accustomed to how things 'work' in America. He will be here for a long time for his treatments and surgeries, so we knew that school would be an essential piece to his life here. He is doing great and is very smart.

Today I went over to The Bearman's on our way to a family Christmas. Beth, Georgy's host mom, wanted me to quick snap some pics for their Christmas cards. I was there for about 5-10 minutes and this is what we got. They are an AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL family, so it was an EASY SHOOT!!! :-)

Here are some of my favorites in random order:

Denel...

2009-12-04T09:01:00.002-05:00

Denel is an adult here in Fort Wayne with HTH. One year ago, Novemeber 6, 2008, his life was FOREVER changed!!! Denel grew up in Jeremy and then furthered his education in Port Au Prince. He went to the University there to further his education and received a degree in accounting. Denel was one of the lucky ones: he got his degree and he was able to find a job at a bank.

He lives in Carfou with his family and a 5 year old daughter. Last year on his way from Carfou to Delmas, the car in front of his got stopped by the infamous kidnappers. Denel was riding with 2 other co-workers and he was not driving. Their car was told to stop and they did. After the kidnappers were busy with the car in front of them, the driver of his car decided to attempt to escape. (I want you all to know that there were police that witnessed everything, but they were too scared of the kidnappers to get involved. They knew that they would be killed also.) His co-worker attempted to drive away and as they were being shot at, the vehicle hit a pothole and either got stuck or it slowed them down enough for some of the shooters to get close. (I am not 100% sure on that detail.)

So, as one of the shooters got closer, he shot through the window and one of the bullets went through Denel's right temporal lobe and out the left. When the bullet exited Denel's head, it his the woman sitting next to him in the arm. Fortunately, they got away and no one was killed. Denel survived this horrific, senseless, crime and woke up 10 days later with no vision and no sense of smell. The shock of the bullet going through his temporal lobes shattered his retinas off his eyes, destroyed the muscle for the eyelid in the left eye, and destroyed the olfactory lobe and left him with no sense of smell. He tastes very little since he cannot smell. He can tell if something is very sweet, salty, or spicy.

For the past year, Denel's family have spent most of their savings finding him help. Denel's sister works for God's Littlest Angels Orphanage, where a lot of our patients are from, and that is how we got involved.

In sharing Denel's story with you, I want to ask you all to cover him in prayer!!! We have seen the first ophthalmologist about 3 weeks ago and he can do cosmetic surgery for the one eye that can not open, but the retinal specialist needed to see him to see if any sight correction could be achieved. We saw Dr. Walker, a retinal specialist yesterday and Denel was told that there was nothing that can be done to restore any eyesight.

Obviously, Denel is devastated!!! He turned 32 in August, and was in the prime of his life as a Haitian man. He had a good job and was able to provide for his girlfriend and his 5 year old daughter. Now, with the news of never regaining his sight, he is left with soooooo many questions! "How will I survive in Haiti?" "How will I provide for my family?" "Will I ever work again?"

It is one thing to go blind here as an adult. It is just as devastating, but at least there are services here to assist these patients. In Haiti, there is NOTHING!!!!!! People are not accepting of disabilities. The disabled are made fun of and are not respected. This is now his REALITY!!!

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE cover him in prayer! Denel is VERY INTELLIGENT and is a hard worker. He has been studying English since he arrived the end of October. Please pray that we are able to get him a job as a translator somewhere in Haiti!

Think of how blessed you are this Christmas season! Don't be focused on the 'things' that you can buy for Christmas, think of the way that same amount of money could help feed a family for more than a week. Now is the time to pay it forward to someone like Denel. Use your $ to help someone instead of buying a toy on a shelf that will more than likely break in a couple months. With HTH your $ is going to save or change someone's life FOREVER!!!

Would you consider donating to HTH today by using our Paypal button?

Thank you in advance for your continued prayers and support of Hands That Heal!

Rebekah Hubley
Founder and Director

A LOT to update...

2009-12-02T12:56:00.002-05:00

I have a lot of updates on all of our kiddos, but one is pertinent right now!
Jean Widler is here on a US medical Visa for his strabismus (crossed eyes), but has had constant respiratory issues and ear infections since he arrived and before when he was in Haiti.

His host mom took him for a consult with an ENT (Dr. Stein) on Monday, and he scheduled surgery to remove the adenoids and to place tubes in his ears, for today. Surgery went great! They removed a lot of fluid from his ears and they are treating the infection now with antibiotic ear drops and an oral antibiotic for the thick mucus that they discovered in his lungs. He entire sinus tracks were filled with thick mucus and they were able to suction all of that out.

He is in recovery and when he is sleeping, his SATS are dropping as low as 78. NOT GOOD! The anesthesiologist is on the fence as to admit him overnight or not. Dr. Andrew Landrigan our Pediatrician for our HTH kids is going to see him after his lunch break.

Please pray that he gets to go home today and does not need to be observed overnight. Pray that his SATS come up miraculously and that they stay constant.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support for HTH!!!

Flamanda

2009-11-29T16:57:00.001-05:00

Flamanda was released from the hospital yesterday afternoon. She is doing well. She is eating babyfood well but they left the feeding tube in with formula going in for extra nutrition. She has a doctor appointment with the surgeon in 2 weeks. They will decide then if she still needs the feeding tube in depending on how well she is getting fluids in. The surgeon was happy with how her head was looking. It should continue to slowly drain fluid. She can close her eyes all the way now which she couldnt do before as her eyes are not bulging out as much. The surgeon was impressed at how she tracked objects and how alert she was.Continue to pray for healing and that the drainage hole stays open.
Thanks,
HTH

Flamanda

2009-11-25T10:21:00.002-05:00

Flamanda had her surgery yesterday. She did great with it. They were able to put in a drainage hole instead of a shunt to drain the fluid off her brain. There is a 30% chance the hole could close. In that case she will need a shunt and that is much more difficult to maintain in Haiti. Please pray the hole stays open. Pray for her mother as she is away from her and for her host family dealing with surgery and being away from family over Thanksgiving.
What a praise that we were able to get her here for surgery and that she is doing so well.
Thank you all for your continued support and prayers for our kids,
HTH

Crazy Busy...

2009-11-22T23:39:00.003-05:00

Life at our house has been 'Crazy Busy' since Georgy got here last Wednesday. I will update more in a day or so. We have learned SO MANY things about his life in Haiti, and it breaks my heart!!!! He is learning things so quickly. He is LOVING, LOVING, LOVING our shower/bathtub. He laughed hysterically the first time I showed him that the water can actually stay in the tub. :-) We will be transitioning him to a new host family in the next couple of weeks. Pray that the transition is not too stressful on him and pray that we have direction on where to place him. We have a couple options and both families are amazing!!!! We should be going this week for his first set of blood work. More later... Here is a pic from the other night... (Luca and Georgy)(Thanks Pastor Kerry!!!)

Here are 2 photos that I took the night that he arrived. He traveled with an amazing AA Ambassador, Dennis! The little boy in these 2 photos is not the same little boy just 4 days later!!! He is soooooo happy and ran around like a 'mad man' playing tag at a park today. It is amazing what love, attention, and food does to a child's spirit!!!

Georgy is here...

2009-11-18T23:32:00.001-05:00

Georgy is sleeping now. WOW... That is all I can say. I see how we have WAY TOO MUCH through his eyes. He walked in the back door and there were little shoes scattered on the floor. He looked at me with his big eyes, and you could totally read his thoughts: "You have that many kids???" He has ONE pair of shoes... He came with one very small duffel bag. WE HAVE SO MUCH COMPARED TO THE REST OF THE WORLD!!!!!

Georgy

2009-11-17T10:52:00.004-05:00

Hands That Heal has a new patient coming tomorrow night from Haiti. His name is Georgy. He is 11 years old, from Angel Missions Haiti, and we have been told he is a very pleasant child. He will be seeing a urologist in Indy and having genetic counseling done. His care will be life altering for him and will require a very dedicated family with a lot of sensitivity to his emotional needs as we are not yet sure what all will be required to fix his specific needs until he arrives and testing can be done.
Rebekah and her family will be keeping Georgy for a few weeks until we can find a longer term family for him. More information will be available as he arrives.
If you are within 2 hours of the Indy area and are interested in hosting him or know someone that might be, or would like more information on him please contact either Rebekah or Stephanie.
Rebekah is also in need of clothing for Georgy. We are guessing size 8-10 slim boy, girl or neutral clothes are good, we are trying to build up supply of clothes for future kids too all sizes. Shoes and underwear are also a need. If you are in or near Ft.Wayne and can help with this please contact Rebekah.
Prayer for Rebekah's family and for Georgy's transition would be very appreciated. His case will be very delicate and we do not have a lot of details yet.
Thank you,
HTH

HTH in the news...

2009-11-11T23:17:00.002-05:00

HTH got some PR today... Hopefully this will cause some more awareness of the need to help within our community. God always provides in mysterious ways!!!

Here is the video... (Hands That Heal interview)

Linda Jackson did a great job editing our 45 minute conversation. HTH was prominent and that was my hope! This ministry has nothing to do with me, but all to do with the people of Haiti needing help, and how God provides in the most miraculous ways!!!

Halloween...

2009-11-02T23:33:00.003-05:00

Jean Widler had his first experience with Halloween. His host family could not have picked a better outfit for him. He is obviously seeing better, since he could see where the candy was 'hidden'. :-)
-------------------------------------------------
Here is a little note from his host mom, Nancy.

Cutest little bumble bee of this year!

Notice, it didn't take long for him to figure out where the loot
is...he kept trying to climb the stairs for different angles to that
wonderful bowl of goodies that he was just a bit too short to reach!
-------------------------------------------------

Jean had another eye appointment this past Friday and the doctor is having the Stanley's patch his good eye for one hour a day to start strengthening and retraining the muscle in his right eye. He does not want to do corrective surgery before he sees if the brain will retrain the muscle by itself, now that he is able to see with his glasses. By patching the good eye, his brain will be forced to work with the right eye muscle and learn to use it properly. He will go back to the eye doctor in 6 weeks to see if there was any progress made. At that time, more definite things will be decided for Jean's eye surgery. First Steps has also evaluated him and he is behind in all areas except cognition. We have always known that he was one smart cookie. He will start receiving services as soon as the therapy plan is written up.

Thank you for remembering to pray for HTH, our patients, and our AMAZING host families!

We could not do this without your support!!!

Flamanda's Doctor Appointment

2009-10-29T13:55:00.002-04:00

Flamanda's Appointment
Flamanda had her first doctor appointment today. The doctor says from the CT done in Haiti he does not think she has much of a temporal lobe. They are going to be getting an MRI on the 5th. She had her pre-op lab work done and is doing great with her family. She is eating well and loves rocking with Papa Terry in the rocking chair. I think she is getting spoiled! They are doing a great job and their kids are loving having her with them. They say she seems very aware of what is going on around her.The doctor is going to do the procedure where a hole is drilled in the brain first to drain fluid. If in 2 days that isnt working he will place a shunt. If it seems to be working and draining fluid they will send her home to be watched for a while to make sure it continues to work. This also is dependent on what the MRI shows but that is the current plan for her.What a blessing for her to be able to receive this care.God is good!Stephanie

Photos of Flamanda

2009-10-22T10:35:00.004-04:00

First picture of Flamanda and her mom after we got the visa, second of Flamanda in her carseat on her way to Michigan and the third is her new host mom and one of her new brothers who is also from Haiti.

Praise God Flamanda is here

2009-10-22T10:18:00.003-04:00

Well we made it home without any problems at all. Flamanda was a great traveler and I was so blessed to have a great team with me to help carry her. Her head is very very heavy and my arms are killing me. She only cried a little on each plane. She is missing her mom and breastfeeding very much. She does take a bottle and we have found out loves baby food! Yesterday I was so tired. I drove her 4 hours up to Michigan and she decided that our saftey laws and car seats really stink. She literally cried and screamed the entire way. It was a very long drive but we made it and met up with her host family. They are very experienced and have had several children like her before. I felt so comfortable leaving her with them. They have many older children that can help too. She has her doctor appointment next wedneday for all her pre op stuff and hopefully her MRI also that day. Please continue to pray for her to adjust and her mom to adjust in Haiti to not having her there. It was very obvious how much she loves her and was emotional and hard but happy to take her from her at the airport.We are very happy to have the Swarthout family taking care of her. They will be updating us often. She called me this morning and said Flamanda slept in her crib all night and is chowing down on baby food and drinking a little better from her bottle. What a praise and blessing.

Pray for Flamanda

2009-10-08T09:11:00.003-04:00

Please join us in praying for Flamanda. We are in need of a family in or very near Detroit. We have a doctor and hospital but need the host family. She is getting worse and her head is extremely large now. Her CT scans show that she has had or still possibly does have an infectious process in her brain. She may require a lot of care initially. I am leaving for Haiti next Tuesday and returning the 20th. We are praying for me to bring her home that day with me. If we dont find the host family soon we will be unable to get the paperwork done in time for her to get the visa.
Please pray and if anyone that reads this know of an appropriate family in or very near Detroit that might be willing to take this task on please let us know.
Thanks,
Stephanie

AFRICA...

2009-09-12T20:24:00.008-04:00

Are you wondering why on earth I would entitle a post "AFRICA"???? Well, God has called Hands That Heal to broaden our ministry to Africa. Not something that we were looking for, quite frankly, it was a bit overwhelming at first!!! But, it was God directed, and we will follow wherever He wants our ministry to go! Our primary focus has always been Haiti, because well, I know Haiti and our Nurse Coordinator goes to Haiti every 6 months on medical mission's trips. Haiti is comfortable, familiar, close, etc...

God has spoken in a VERY CLEAR WAY, and we are just going with the flow!!! Our primary focus will still be Haiti, and probably 95% of our patients will still come from Haiti, but our advisory board has agreed to consider any patient from any country and we will go where we feel God leading. Obviously, there are sick people all over the world that need medical intervention. One small organization like us is a speck of dust in the grand scheme of things. We just feel extremely blessed to be able to be such a small part of God's plan!!!!!! This is my passion, and I know that I am in the center of God's will for my life when I am doing His work for "the least of these"!

So, do you want to meet our first patient from Africa???

Meet: Kwaku Danquah

Kwaku has a congenital condition called Crouzon Syndrome. He is not missing his arm, it is just behind his back. (Here is the brief explanation that my son's Ophthalmologist gave on Kwaku.) It is a condition where the sagittal cranial suture of the skull that is not usually fused in an infant to allow for rapid growth of the skull becomes prematurely fused. The remaining sutures are not closed so the skull continues to grow and this results in the odd shape of the head. The risk it that there could be increased pressure on the brain as well. Also, this condition is sometimes part of a hereditary syndrome called Crouzon syndrome that also includes facial abnormalities like protruding eyes (exophthalmous) and/or strabismus and jaw abnormalities.

Dr. McCabe diagnosed Kwaku from his photo and I started doing research on this particular syndrome. There was a sight that had a lot of information on it, and they had before and after photos of the kids that they treated, and they were amazing. They do not even look like the same kids!!! So, there was a contact button and I e-mailed them, not knowing "who" they were, and the next day got an e-mail stating that he was being submitted to charity care immediately.

Little did I know that I had contacted the World Craniofacial Foundation and Dr. Genecov had forwarded my e-mail on. Kwaku was being submitted to Dallas City Medical, where the conjoined Egyptian twins had been separated, and Dr. Genecov was one of the main surgeons on their case. Dr. Salyer was the leading surgeon and he has now retired. Dr. Genecov studied under him for 12 years.

I was stunned!!! I had 'accidentally' contacted the best place in the world for cranial facial reconstruction, and the best place for Kwaku to have a shot at a much more normal life.

In the last couple of years, they brought a boy here from Uganda with this same condition. I will put some links below for you to go and watch his story on You Tube. It is truly amazing!!!!!!

So, where are we at in his case??? Ghana is getting his passport. We are just waiting for Dallas City Medical to accept his case and we will get all of the letters together for his Medical Visa. God is so cool and I can't believe that we get to be a part of this!!! Please keep Kwaku in your prayers and that we would here something on Monday about his case.

Here are before and after photos of another boy from Africa that they helped. (Blogger will not let me rotate the first set of pre-op pics. It is not this way in its original form.)

AMAZING TRANSFORMATION, RIGHT!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDY20BwDisU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoTMdRInf4Y&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGLTm2Jz8FM

Here is a link to The World Craniofacial Foundation:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Alk2QIL5DY

Please take the time to watch all of these. These doctors are transforming lives and spirits!!!

Hands That Heal wants to say a special Thank You to Dr. Genecov for pursuing Kwaku and for the amazing work of WCF!!!

Rebekah Hubley
Founder and Director

Flamanda

2009-09-07T01:01:00.002-04:00

Hello everyone, this is Flamanda. She is a HTH patient that we have been unable to find care for as of yet. The top picture is of her in April and the bottom is now. Her Hydrocephalus is getting worse and worse. I had hoped that she might have surgery in Indy but they cannot take on any more patients until January. Since I found this out a few weeks ago I have been trying with not much success to find a place for her to be treated. It is so sad and unfair, if she would have been born here she would be a totally normal girl. She is living with her family still and they are praying for us to find somewhere to help their little girl.

I am praying for a miracle for her as she is getting worse every day. Please pray we can find somewhere for her to be treated very soon.

Thanks

Stephanie

Wow... What a Crazy 2 Weeks...

2009-08-30T22:50:00.008-04:00

My last post was about Jean coming... Well, as the post said, he made it and our host family coordinator and his host family was going to be going to MI to get him the next day. Well, they got him and he was not feeling too good. He had a fever and cough in Haiti, and has a history of asthma. Well, the next day he was getting worse and his fever was high. By this time, he had been running a fever for over a week. We had an appointment with the pediatrician that Thursday and could not get him in on Wednesday because they were all booked with well checks since school was starting. Luckily I live close to my parents and my dad just happens to be a doctor. So, Nancy and I loaded him up and took him to my parents house for a "house call". He was so sick that he let a strange white man exam him on my parents kitchen table. My dad heard wheezing in his lungs and could not see good in his ears because of wax build-up. Nancy suspected an ear infection because he kept pulling on his ears. So, my dad ordered him antibiotics which he threw up that night... :-(

The next day I thought he might be admitted. We have such great pediatricians that see our HTH kiddos and they check him out thoroughly! He had blood work, a chest x-ray, and a complete exam. The findings after all of the tests were back: pneumonia in his right lung, a double ear infections, dehydration, and giardia. Poor baby!!! He had an IV hep-locked in his arm for 3 days while he went in to get daily rocephin infusions. By Saturday if he was not improving, Dr. Landrigan was going to have to admit him. Praise God he was doing better and his fever broke. He got his IV out last Saturday and has improved daily. He is eating like a champ and his personality is emerging. I will get over to the Stanley's this week to do a photo shoot with Jean Widler. I can't wait!!!
I will leave you with a photo journal of his trek thus far.

(Jean on his way to the airport)

(Kristin V. with Jean on the plane)

(Carla, HTH host family coordinator)

(Nancy, Host mom)

(You can't see his face, but this is Bob, Host Dad)

(I think this is Ali, Jean's host sister)

(The Stanley family, Kristin, Isaac, and Abby Vanderwell)

(Not feeling good, but being loved!)

(Snuggling with Liza)

(Too pooped to care...)

(Not a good pic, but that is me... :-)

(Playing the drums with Bob, even with an IV in...)

(Feeling much better 2 days after antibiotics)

(Feeling even better and dressed in some cute clothes)

(This family is GREAT!!!)

Please pray that he gets strong and gains some weight!!! He was scheduled to have his surgery last Tuesday and obviously that did not happen. The ophthalmologist is out of town on a missions trip for the next week or so. So, Jean will not have his pre-op appointment until Sept. 18th. Then surgery will be rescheduled. Our plan is definitely not God's plan. He shows us that over and over with each patient that is brought over!!!

THANK YOU STANLEY'S FOR TAKING SUCH GREAT CARE OF JEAN WIDLER!!! I HOPE YOU ARE ALL GETTING MORE SLEEP NOW!!!!!!!!! :-)

Jean Widler

2009-08-17T12:50:00.004-04:00

A team from Grand Rapids that has been at GLA for a couple weeks is bringing Jean Widler in today. Pray for Kristin Vanderwell, his transporter, as they have "Amazing Race" like connections to make it to Detroit tonight.

We are scheduled to meet them 1/2 way tomorrow in Battle Creek to pick him up. Pray that all hand offs are peaceful and without trauma for Jean.

Jean Widler has infantile esotropia, which in laymen terms is called strabismus, or crossed eyes. He will be having surgery to correct his right eye in the next couple of weeks. He has also had some fever and respiratory issues lately and hopefully at his well check this week, all will be taken care of...

Thanks for your prayers, and please keep The Stanley's in your prayers over the next 8 weeks as they invite him into their home to love him as one of their own.

God's Workmanship

2009-08-13T14:49:00.000-04:00

“For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)

Thank you all for your prayers and support. This scripture is so appropriate for Sabrina and all of us. He created her perfectly for His purposes so that she could do good works for Him.He knew in advance what her life and death were to be and God makes no mistakes. We were blessed to have her in our lives for the time we did as was the orphanage.

She will have lasting impact on her mother, us, the Ingle family, Hands That Heal and everyone that knew of her and prayed for her. Even this week I have had opportunity to talk with my sons new teachers, our neighbors, and thoses we work with about Sabrina, what Hands That Heal does and the effect she had on our lives. Even after her death she is enabling us to share how God has allowed us to extend the love He gives us to others and be a testimony to God.

Pray that the service goes well tomorrow and facilitates closure for all involved.

Thanks Steph

OOPS!!!!

2009-08-11T20:26:00.001-04:00

I just looked at Sabrina's obituary on the blog and realized that a lot of it got cut out. I am not sure how that happened, it is all there in the pre-post. Oh, well... Please read it again for all of the details... Sorry!!!

Sabrina's Obituary...

2009-08-11T16:10:00.006-04:00

This was published in our Ft. Wayne paper today.

SABRINA (HOPE) SAMPEUR, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009, at St. Vincent's Hospital, Indianapolis. She was born in Port Au Prince, Haiti. She is survived by her mother, Martine Sampeur; and her long term host family, The Ingle's, of Cincinnati, Ohio and all those who helped along the way. Service is 11 a.m. Friday at D.O. McComb & Sons Lakeside Park Funeral Home, 1140 Lake Ave., with calling one hour prior. The Rev. Kerry Huffman officiating. Burial in Lindenwood Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Hands That Heal in care of the Avalon Missionary Church, 1212 Lower Huntington Road, Fort Wayne IN 46819. To visit our website, go to www.handsthatheal-mk1618b.blogspot.com. To sign the online guestbook, visit www.mccombandsons.com
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ANYONE is welcome to attend her viewing, memorial, and burial. We all prayed for her and now we will all put her to rest, dignified, and celebrate how much she taught us all!

In Honor of Sabrina...

2009-08-10T00:00:00.004-04:00

In honor of Sabrina, I am changing our blog song for this week. Please read the below post...

This poem was just written by Rhyan Buettner, another 'mommy' to Sabrina when she was at GLA. Rhyan was at GLA the day Sabrina was brought there by her aunts, and she was there to witness a mother's tears as she looked at her daughter's 'broken' body.
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God Chose Me

God chose me to hold you close
Sweet baby for a moment or two
God chose me to hold his angel
and I cherish the day He gave me you

I held you child for 9 whole months
The dreams I had may never be known
But I loved you baby I promise you that
I held you until you had grown

I held you while I heard them speak,
the women who loved you so
I held you while your name was given
why God chose me I may never know

I am another who held you close
while God granted us your time
I prepared your feeds and nursed your hurts
For those moments, you were mine

God also chose me to hold you dear
for a season of your days
I carried you as we left the land of your birth
and held you along the way

I held you Sabrina close to my heart
Photographs of you play through my mind
I fought so hard to bring you here
Doing the work God assigned

God called me to hold His child
A baby in need of care
All night and day I cared for you
for that time I was there

God chose me to pick you baby
to keep you as my own
I was to be your mommy here
how I wanted to give you a home

God chose each of us sweet Sabrina girl
To walk your road with you
God placed in our arms an angel of his
Until your time was through

He gave you a life, He gave us a passion
and somehow the two paths crossed
He gave you breath, He gave us vision
And through it, your story will never be lost

Author: Rhyan Buettner
August 10, 2009

Baby Sabrina...

2009-08-09T23:51:00.002-04:00

It is with a sad heart that I write this post. Sabrina died around 2:30am August 8th. She was breathing kind of funny when I spoke with Stephanie Mueller, our nurse coordinator for Hands That Heal, Friday afternoon. It sounded like she had the hick-ups. When Steph would re-position her, she would be fine. Heart, lungs, and everything else checked out normal. This continued off and on a few times on Friday, so Steph took her to the ER Friday night. I was camping with Hannah and I never heard my phone... Once in the ER, her breathing became more shallow and within a couple hours she passed away. Her little body was unable to fight any longer. We are all SHOCKED!!! Just the day before, First Steps was evaluating her and writing up a long term plan for her therapies. She was doing "great" for Sabrina!!!

Please pray for Stephanie and her family: Sabrina died in her arms and she is taking this very hard!!! Stephanie has been taking care of Sabrina for the past few weeks. She was her temporary host mom until she was released on her post-op appointment. Her boys loved Sabrina, and Jeremy in particular, is taking Sabrina's death really hard!

PLEASE PRAY FOR HER LONG TERM HOST FAMILY: Sabrina was scheduled to go to the Ingles, in Ohio, August 20th after her post-op check. They were hosting her long term. They were adopting a child from Liberia and trying to get him out on a medical visa, and he died two weeks ago. This family is grieving and needs our prayers!!! Their children are taking all of this incredibly hard!!!

Please pray for Hands That Heal this week: God has blessed us with a Funeral company that is going to donate everything for Sabrina's memorial. I am not sure what all will be involved: we meet with the director tomorrow morning.

Pray for all of the hands that kept Sabrina alive in Haiti and loved her so much while she was there. This little girl has touched so many lives in her short time on earth. To man's eyes, she was the most unlikely vessel to share His love, grace, and compassion. To God, Sabrina was the most perfect vessel to bring people closer to Him!!!!!! She has meant so much, and has taught so many people so many lessons!!!!

Sabrina, may you run and play with all of the other children that were on this earth way too short!!!! May you fly with wings that are full of life and happiness... I can just see (imagine) Berlancia, (a little girl that died a year ago at GLA: she died of Aids) with her big eyes and ornery smile, standing at the gates of Heaven saying, "We have been waiting for you to come and play...you just needed some time down there to finish what He wanted you to accomplish..." Both Berlancia and Sabrina were loved by a "momma", Anna, who is only 20 years old and so wise beyond her years!!! Both girls were abandoned by their earthly mothers, loved by so many at GLA, and were blessed to receive Anna's love like they were her own. Both knew a "mother's" love before they were held by their Heavenly Father!

What the world looks at as "the least of these" we know to be God's jewels and are mandated to love these children as He has loved us!!!" To God, these children are His BEST AND MOST PRECIOUS VESSELS!!!!

Sabrina: Your life on this earth was way too short, but what you taught so many in your 11 weeks, no one will ever forget!!!!!!

Thank you: Hands That Heal is honored and humbled to have gotten a chance to be involved and blessed by you, in your short life!!!

Changing all the time

2009-08-05T18:11:00.005-04:00

Here are some new photos of Sabrinas head shape. Her head circumference is down to 53cm. It was 59 at her largest. We are starting to wean the seizure meds today. Pray she tolerates it and doesnt begin to have more seizures. Her weight is down a little too but she is still losing fluid. She is near 12 lbs still. She is not taking a bottle still. She chokes at first then does attempt to get into a rhythm but doesnt suck strong enough to pull the milk out. I have tried several different nipple shapes and sizes. Her abdomen isnt healing totally and is leaking a little. She is very quiet. I did see her move her arms randomly today when we were doing her "baby exercises". Several times a day we move all her joints so she doesnt begin to get stiff.
Pray for her continued healing.
Thanks Steph

Midnight

2009-08-05T18:04:00.005-04:00

Little Miss Sabrina was wide awake at midnight! She was so alert and I swear she smiles!

Bath Time

2009-08-05T17:59:00.004-04:00

Sabrina does not seem to mind getting a bath. She doesnt like her head washed though. I use a heating pad under her to keep her temp up. She cannot be submerged yet until her abdominal inscision is totally healed.
She is doing well.

Just a LITTLE Photo Shoot...

2009-07-22T19:52:00.007-04:00

I am a photographer, and I love photographing babies, especially our Hands That Heal babies. Kids are not easy to photograph, but when the images come out how I want them to, I feel very accomplished... Little Miss Sabrina cooperated wonderfully yesterday, and she looked stunning: As always!!!

So, with no further ado: SABRINA SAMPEUR...

Doesn't She Look Great!!!!!

2009-07-20T23:18:00.002-04:00

This does not even look like the same baby that came here last Wednesday. Her head circ. is down by 3 cm, she is not vomiting feedings, she was making some noises today like cooing, and her seizures are not as frequent.

PLEASE GOD, GRANT THE MIRACLE THAT WE HAVE ALL BEEN PRAYING FOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sabrina is doing AWESOME!

2009-07-19T16:26:00.005-04:00

Sabrina is doing awesome! She has not vomited since 6am yesterday morning over 24hrs!! She is only having very mild seizures when she is disturbed for feeding, holding, pooping etc. and they are no where near what they were before. Her head is shrinking. It is amazing to watch it. The skin is sagging down where it was bulging out and it is jiggly. You can actually see her bones sticking out.
Her abdomen is large where the fluid drains and her body has to reabsorb it slowly. She has not been very active. She will stretch when you change her diaper, suck on her pacifier occasionally, she only cries when she is moved.
The seizure meds are a little sedating too though. She hasent even needed any Tylenol since she was in the hospital.
Anna is a huge help here for us and Tom is learning her care too. The boys are doing awesome. God is so awesome! Thanks for all the prayers and support. They are being answered.
Steph

Sabrina is in surgery...

2009-07-17T10:54:00.003-04:00

Just an update to let you all know that Sabrina is in surgery. Dr. Young just started about 5 minutes ago. She had a really rough night and Steph brought her to the ER. It was a blessing in disguise, because they put her on a different seizure med, and they started her on IV fluids.

Everyone is amazing here and we are just hanging out in the surgery waiting room.

Thank you all for your prayers and we are coveting all that are being sent up now!!!

Sabrina's Doctor Appointment...

2009-07-16T22:29:00.004-04:00

We are so relieved to have Sabrina in the US, and she got to see Dr. Young this morning. He tapped 100 cc (3.3 oz) off her head today. He saw her head, and said, "WOW!!!" It is the biggest head he has ever seen on a baby. She is having surgery tomorrow @ 10am. He said she is at risk for a lot of complications, so we will appreciate any prayers that will be raised up for her!!! Thanks...

Here are some pics from the appointment...

Remember to check out Stephanie's blog for updates too...

Last Update for the Night...

2009-07-16T00:19:00.003-04:00

They arrived safe in Indy and are headed back to Stephanie's house. No issues with Sabrina at all... Praise God!!!!!

I will update after her appointment with Dr. Young tomorrow morning...

Thanks for the ongoing prayers...

Update...

2009-07-15T22:07:00.002-04:00

Anna and Sabrina are safely in Chicago, and should be flying out in 40 minutes for their final destination: Indianapolis. Thank you all for your prayers. Their day has been uneventful and that is just how we prayed it would be. When I spoke with Anna, she was getting ready to do Sabrina's 8pm feeding and giving her meds. Anna said that she was finally in a deep sleep. Her temp has stayed up and the day could not have gone any better.

I will update when land in Indy and get a report from Stephanie.

Sabrina Is On US Soil...

2009-07-15T16:55:00.002-04:00

Our little angel is on US SOIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Praise the Lord!!!!

Pray that her flight to Chicago is uneventful, and pray that Anna has the time to get her visa extended in Miami...

Keep praying!!!

Steph Is Ready...

2009-07-15T15:04:00.003-04:00

Stephanie Mueller, our HTH nurse coordinator will be hosting Sabrina. Here is what she shared on her blog today. You can follow Sabrina's journey on her blog or the Hands That Heal blog.
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I think were as ready as we can be for Sabrina's arrival tonight. The plan is if she is looking good that we are coming home with her. If she is not breathing well or her temp is really low we are going to the E.R.
I will stay up with her tonight and sleep on the couch. Anna is going to be tired from traveling all day. If I wasn't a NICU nurse she would be going straight to the hospital.
Toms sister is spending the night so it will work out perfectly that they will be here with the boys while I go to the airport at 11:30pm to get them since Tom is working night shift. Especially if we end up at the hospital tonight.
They should be on the plane now. Pray that Sabrina travels well. They have a layover in Chicago before getting to Indy. She has been vomiting a lot.
Steph
We see Dr. Young at 9:00am tomorrow.
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Please pray that Sabrina does well tonight. I will update as soon as I hear from Anna...

Pray For Safe Travels...

2009-07-15T12:23:00.002-04:00

Sabrina and Anna should be bording the plane in Haiti any time now. The flight to Miami is scheluled to leave today @ 12:15. For those of you who have traveled from Haiti know that they really won't leave at 12:15 :-). Pray that Sabrina stays stable through the flights today and that she does not suffer from headaches due to head pressure. She loves her paci, so that will help.

Pray that Anna has extreme discernment to Sabrina's care today, and that God would just put His Peace over everyone involved. There is a nice layover in Miami, so she will have plenty of time to go through immigration.

She then flys to Chicago and will arrive in Indianapolis tonight at 11:30pm. She will see Dr. Young tomorrow @ 9am.

Thank you for all of your comments and prayer support!!! You have all prayed Sabrina here.

Thanks,

Rebekah

Hey, Guess What????

2009-07-14T13:41:00.001-04:00

WE GOT A VISA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MORE DETAILS LATER...I HAVE A 5 DAY CLUB AT MY HOUSE IN ABOUT 20 MINUTES...

Please stop and PRAY!!!

2009-07-14T10:17:00.002-04:00

I just got a message from Dixie that she called Nancy McCarthy, and she is headed down to the Embassy with Sabrina to ask for her Medical Visa.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE STOP AND PRAY FOR SABRINA AND EVERYONE INVOLVED IN HER CARE. PRAY THAT NANCY HAS MERCY ON HER LIFE AND ISSUES THE VISA WHILE DIXIE IS AT THE CONSULATE.

Please pray that everything comes together today so that Anna and Sabrina can fly out of Haiti tomorrow!!!!!

Thanks for your prayers, and hopefully I have an amazing update in a few hours...

Pray some more...

2009-07-13T14:42:00.002-04:00

Dixie has not been able to get the Consulate to answer her e-mails about Sabrina since Friday. Sabrina has an appointment to see Dr. Young on Thursday, with surgery being scheduled for Friday. We have to get her out by Wednesday...PLEASE PRAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

WE HAVE THE LETTERS!!!!!!!!!!

2009-07-10T14:59:00.002-04:00

YES... We got the hospital acceptance letter just about 30 minutes ago. PRAISE THE LORD!!! Now, pray with us that everything is sufficient for the US Embassy and they grant Sabrina a visa, and a chance at life!!!!!

Dixie should get an appointment this afternoon.

I will update as soon as I know something new....

PRAY, PRAY, PRAY... AND THEN PRAY SOME MORE!!!

PRAISE JESUS!!!!!!!

2009-07-09T10:01:00.001-04:00

PRAISE JESUS!!!!!!! The first letter is being faxed to me anytime!!!!!!!!! Dr. Young is faxing me his acceptance letter and he is also faxing it to Lorraine Brown at the hospital. I expect to hear from the hospital later today.
PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!!!!!!! OUR PRAYERS ARE BEING HEARD!!!

Your Prayers are Being Heard...

2009-07-08T14:33:00.003-04:00

Please keep praying for Sabrina. The doctor is going to be dictating his letter later today for her care in the States. Then we will just be waiting for the hospital letter.

Your prayers were all answered last night with Anna's plane ticket. I called to re-arrange her flight once again, and the last woman who helped me a month ago made her ticket an open itinerary, and I did not even know it. We didn't have to cancel or change anything. The AA representative last night told me that when we get the 'go ahead' from the hospital, just to call AA and they will create a new itinerary for us with no additional charge.

Please pray that Sabrina's head size will remain stable and that her temp will stay consistent. They are making a 'diaper' for her head to keep her heat in.

Dixie was going to be going up to the NICU today with some staff and volunteers to lay hands on her and pray for God's healing touch and for Him to bless her journey here to the States if it is granted, and for her strength during her surgery. This little angel has fought for 49 days of her life, and will you please pray with us that God grants her favor and performs a miracle in her life!!!!!!!

Pray specifically for Loraine Brown, Executive Director of Missions Affairs and the CEO of the hospital today that they will have mercy on her life and grant her a chance at surgery and a new lease on life.

Thank you for your continued prayers...more pics of her to come later today...

Rebekah
Founder & Director of Hands That Heal

Thank you all for praying....

2009-07-08T00:06:00.002-04:00

Thank you all for your prayers!!!!!!! Keep praying for the staff at GLA that are taking care of Sabrina. This is getting very hard for them to see her like this! They are having a hard time keeping her temps up, and she is starting to spit up some of her formula.

I spoke with the hospital today, and they are going to conference with Dr. Young tomorrow and hopefully make a decision. I feel as though they will say,
"Yes", but keep praying steadfastly!!!!!!!

Okay, God is sooooo good!!! I just got off the phone with AA to change Anna's ticket for transporting Sabrina. Well, when we changed it last month, they did it for only an $8 charge that would be processed at the ticket counter in PAP. Well, instead of the agent booking another ticket, she just held an itinerary. So, I did not have to cancel anything, or receive any fees for changing the current ticket... We will just let AA know when all of the letters come together, and then make our new itinerary. God is sooooooo good and is in all of the little details!!!

Why do we ever doubt or worry???

Another kiddo coming soon...

2009-07-06T00:04:00.003-04:00

Jean Wilder will be coming soon (hopefully in the next few weeks) to Fort Wayne for eye surgery. He suffers from Congenital Strabismus. The doctor will perform surgery to either lengthen or shorten one of the muscles in his right eye. We have a great host family lined up for him and we are just waiting on a confirmation from the doctor.

Once Jean Wilder is recovered, he will head back to God's Littlest Angels Orphanage and hopefully he will find an adoptive family soon...

PLEASE KEEP PRAYING!!!

2009-07-04T01:17:00.002-04:00

Please keep Sabrina in your prayers. Time is not on our side! God is our GREAT physician, and He can perform this miracle!!!
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Here is an update from Dixie at GLA today:

I hope she will stay stable until we can get her out
-more seizures
-head bigger
-59 cm today
-I did 80 cc tap today
-not holding her temperature but warms up under the heat lights
-losing a lot of heat from her head!
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None of that is good!!!

PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!!!!!!!!!

Pray The Date... JULY 8th...

2009-07-02T00:10:00.004-04:00

July 8th is when Anna, our transporter from GLA, is scheduled to return to the US with Sabrina. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE spread the word to pray that all of Sabrina's paperwork is done and that her visa is issued to come for her surgery. We had a doc in Sacramento and then when he saw her CT scans, he said, "no." We had a doc in Indy that was willing to shunt her and then the hospital said, "no" because they did not know what her outcome would be.

So, as of yesterday, we have a new doctor. Dr. Young, my son's neurosurgeon said, "yes" to taking her on without hesitation. Today I got the anesthesiologist to commit that Dr. Young wanted to have working with him on her case. So, tomorrow I contact the hosptial, St. Vincent's in Indy, to see if they will approve her. I will be speaking with Loraine Brown, if you want specifics to pray for. Please pray that all of the paperwork will be expedited and that we can get her out next Wednesday!!!

She does not have much time to spare. The orphanage has been tapping her head and withdrawing 50cc's of fluid every other day, and Dixie feels now that is not enough. I am consulting with the neuro doc tomorrow to see what to do. They can not keep up with the fluid collecting around her brain. Pray that her Cerebral Spinal Fluid would slow down in production.

This little angel was spared death at birth, and we are all praying that God once again chooses to spare her life once more!!!

Thank you in advance for your prayers, and I will keep you updated... Here are some recent pics of this angel...

Sabrina

2009-06-19T13:19:00.002-04:00

We are still working on Sabrina's case. It is very complicated due to the very serious nature of her disease. We have found out some more information about her medical status that we didnt have initially. The doctor in California is not going to be doing her case now. We are in contact with a peds neuro surgeon at Riley Hospital in Indy. He will possibly be doing her case. We are deciding hopefully today if surgery is the best option for her. She needs much prayer as do the people at Gods Littlest Angels orphanage that are caring for her now. We are praying that God helps us make the best decision for her care.

Witlene

2009-06-19T13:10:00.002-04:00

Well it has been a while since we have updated everyone on our patients. We are soooo happy to let everyone know that Witlene is back in Haiti already!

Just to recap her case she came here with a baseball size tumor on her pituitary gland. We expected her to have to have surgery but the neurosurgeon decided to try medications first. We were thrilled to try this and see what happened. Within a few months time her symptoms started to disappear. We were very hopeful that meant her tumor was shrinking.

A few weeks ago we were all praising Jesus for a complete healing. Her tumor was gone! She was so happy and thanking Jesus. Without this treatment she would most likely have gone blind, never been able to have children and eventually died.

Hands That Heal is so thankful for all the "hands" involved in her case. Doctors, hospitals, host families and many others. It is so awesome for us to see the hands of Jesus working together for this outcome that glorifies His name.

Witlene will continue on her medications in Haiti but they are unable to get them there. We are working with the distributor to get it and mail it to her.

It is so amazing how God can work and we give Him all the glory for her healing.

Hands That Heal Auction--TOMORROW--

2009-06-12T09:16:00.003-04:00

Come support a great cause! Benefit Auction for Hands that Heal Sat June 13, 8:30 - 12:00 located at 1212 Lower Huntington Rd. in Waynedale. Hands That Heal is a non-profit organization under Avalon Missionary Church. Our mission is to bring Haitian children and adults to the U.S. for life saving surgeries. We find doctors and hospitals that donate their services and host families to keep the children while they are in the U.S. Funds are needed for airline tickets, X rays, meds and various other expenses while they are here.
Over 100 items will be auctioned off both silent and live. Sweetcakes comedy will have face painting and balloon art from 10 - 11 a.m. There will also be a car wash during the auction. A Concession stand will have all kinds of goodies!!!

Here is a sample of just a few of the things we have gotten!!

1-person Hot Air Balloon Ride
2 person plane ride around FW area (1-2 hours)
Signed Nascar and Indy Car items by Danica Patrick, Jimmy Johnson, Matt Kenseth and Kyle Busch and a green start flag signed by 19 well known Indy drivers from 2009 including the winner (Helio Castroneves)
Vera Bradley bags, beautiful handmade Quilts, Gemstone Rings
Manicures, haircuts, Mary Kay, Arbonne, and Avon products
DeBrand Chocolate tour
FW Civic Theater, Embassy Theatre, Rave, and Tin Caps Tickets
Handyman for a Day
4 Desserts, Dinner for 8, Pies for a year (one per month)
Overnight stay at the Hilton and Residence Inn
Landscaping services
Handmade Haitian goods
Knock-out rose bushes
3 month YMCA family membership
Estate Planning
HUGE lot of precious moments collector figurines in original boxes

Pray for Sabrina...

2009-06-01T15:16:00.002-04:00

We have a host family: Thanks Kagstrom's!!!

We have a doctor: Thanks MAT!!!

We have CT scans being photographed and e-mailed to the doc today: Thanks Dixie!!!

We have 2 people--one being a nurse--ready to transport her: Thanks Steph and Anna!!!

We have people praying: Thanks to you!!!!!!!!

Now what needs to happen???

**Hospital approving her ASAP!!!

**Haiti expediting all of her paperwork, and that there would be no issues with documents!!!

**Flying to get her and bringing her to the most amazing host family ever!!!

Sabrina...

2009-05-26T14:46:00.002-04:00

Please be praying for little Sabrina. She is at God's Littlest Angels Orphanage. Her mom brought her to GLA last week, at 3 days old, to see if they could help. Her head circ is 54.5 cm. Weight 12 pounds. (A normal head circ of a newborn is between 33-38 cm.) Probably 4-5 lbs of her birth weight is water on her brain. Without immediate surgery, this little girl will die.

We are working on finding her a doctor/hospital as I type. Right now, with the help of the Medical Advocacy Team, we might have the answer to our prayers. Please pray that this will work out and she will be able to live.

PLEASE BE PRAYING FOR SABRINA, HER MOM, AND EVERYONE WORKING ON GETTING THIS PRECIOUS ANGEL ALL THAT SHE DESERVES!!!!!

Update on our friend Shnaider

2009-05-05T11:19:00.002-04:00

Wow what a difference a year makes. It was a year ago now that Shnaider arrived for his first surgery. He looks like such a little guy and now he is all grown up! Shnaider proved himself to be a very resilient child. He went through 3 surgeries before all was said and done. He spent time with a couple different families and did amazing through all of it. He is such a happy go lucky kiddo.

On his last check with Dr.Young he was thrilled at Shnaiders progress. The shunt that is in place to keep the fluid drained off his surgery site gets to stay in place which means no more surgery! He will go back for a recheck soon but all seems to be healing properly.

We are so thankful to God for how he has protected Shnaider and brought all the right people into his life to care for him. Many have gotten to witness Shnaider's love and have touched his life. We thank God for Dr.Young, St.Vincent Hospital, the Truesdale's, the Mueller's, and the Hall family for being a part of his life.

Georgey

2009-05-04T17:21:00.005-04:00

Hello everyone, Hands That Heal has a new child comming soon from Haiti. His name is Georgey. He is 9 years old and will be having surgery at St.Vincent hospital in Indianapolis. The surgery is to correct his gentalia that have not developed properly. The surgery itself will only consist of a few days in the hospital but he will need to have weekly visits with a counselor due to the nature of the surgery and how it will effect him emotionally.
We are coordinating his care with Angel Missions Haiti. He is a very quiet, calm and sweet child. A very special family will be needed to help him through this emotional time. We are in need of a family that is interested in hosting him. If you think this may be something God is calling you to do and would like more information please contact us.
Blessings,
HTH Team

This Is Why We Exhist...

2009-05-03T23:40:00.004-04:00

(A new referral: Mishna--clubbed feet)

³⁴"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

³⁷"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

⁴⁰"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Matthew 25: 34-40 (NIV)

AUCTION...

2009-03-11T10:31:00.002-04:00

That's right, Hands That Heal will be having an auction June 13, 2009. I am so excited for this!!! Four years ago I was campaign coordinator for a little boy who was having a kidney transplant. We did a benefit auction for him at our church, and we raised over $14,000.00 that day. It was the most amazing and energizing day!

If we could even come close to this amount, think of all the people that will benefit... Missionaries would not have to worry about finding the $ to get the kids here, and host families would not be required to carry the whole financial burden of adding an additional member for a time being. Also, there are a lot of little things that add up when our patients are here.

So, what can you do???? Do you make anything that you want to donate for the auction? Do you have any sports memorablelia that is collecting dust? Do you know any famous people that could autograph something??? ;-) Anything will help!!!

If you want to donate an item, or just make a monetary contribution, I will be able to get you a "In kind donation" form for tax purposes.

Also, if you live anywhere close to Fort Wayne, Indiana; mark June 13, 2009 on your calendar and come and join us for a morning of great fun and God's goodness!!!!!!!!!!!

THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR DONATIOINS!!!

Just leave me a comment if you have any questions, or would like to be involved in any way.

The "Miracle" Visa(s)...

2009-01-15T14:06:00.006-05:00

Djemy and Joyce leaving for his medical visa appointment.

Here is a glimpse into the miracle of Djemy's visa... The below 2 paragraphs were written on a GLA Yahoo group last week. The host parents for Djemy have been in an adoption battle for the past year to get their twins home from GLA. To make a long story REALLY short, everything was going very smooth in their adoption of Sonia and Sonel. Well, as smooth as Haitian adoptions go... :-) They got through Parquet, where the Haitian Court Systems do a birth parent interview, and that went well, and so passports with were issued with Tuttle as their last name. They were legally Ralph and Beka's children now. The US added another birth parent interview on to the end of adoptions in the last year or so. So, at the last birth parent interview, the birth mom said, "That she had never intended on giving them up?????!!!! What???? She did not want them back, and had NO MEANS to care for them! She was in an abusive situation herself, and her children would be in grave danger if she were to ever get them back. She said that she wanted them to live at GLA forever??? So, the fight for Sonia and Sonel began February of 2007. Finally, almost one year later, the USCIS office in San Diego wrote a letter to the Consulate in Haiti to release the children to the Tuttle's, because they fully met the requirements of orphaned children. End of story, and visas were issued. Below are two messages written by Djemy's host mom, Rebekah Tuttle...
---------------------------------------------------------------
(Written January 9, 2009)

I can't type because I am shaking from head to toe but I just had to
announce the news! God has given me the best birthday gift of all and
that is visas for Sonia and Sonel as well as a medical visa for
Djemy....all on the same day!

My wish is for everyone of you to realize that God is faithful and He
still moves mountains! Give Him ALL the glory!!!!

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised
is faithful!" Hebrews 10:23
------------------------------------------------------------------
(Written January 13, 2009)

Hi! I just have to post even though my list of to-do's continues to
grow instead of shrinking. We are leaving on Sunday to bring our
children home! Praise God! We have been singing the Doxology over and
over because it fits our feelings of praise so well! What words can't
say, songs do.

First of all, I want to make sure that I tell all of you as a group
of friends how thankful I am for your friendships and the love and
compassion you have shown. God has blessed me 'above all I could ask
or even think' and I am so thankful! Thank you for your posts,
emails, cards, phone calls and for the incredible outpouring of
congratulations you have given. I am printing them all out to put in
our "Miracle Day" file. One of these days we are going to be able to
share with our children the process that we went through to see them
come home. If I were to have imagined the last two and a half years,
I could never had done it but God knew we were in for a bunch of
heartbreak and agony. He strengthened us and we now come out on the
other side of this with greater blessings that I could ever imagine.

You all of have been used by God to help me continue on even on those
days when I literally begged God to help me breathe. Not only did He
help me breathe but He gave me such compassion for all of you. Every
day now I wake up praying for you and your children that God will
complete what He has started and will bring your children home as
quickly as He wills. I have learned to say the Lord's Prayer and mean
it. It is really not about my will but His.

I can tell you that what God has joined, man can NOT separate. We
have several stories in the Bible that spoke to us during our wait
not only for children but also in those years we have been struggling
with the infertility (make that 14 years). Job came to mind when we
had the miscarriage of our twins. My dad passed away from pancreatic
cancer, two of my sisters were diagnosed with thyroid cancer, Ralph
was called up to go with the Marines to Iraq (God canceled that bump
in the road) and we were trying to get through medical school and the
120 work hour internship year. Those things happened within two years
of each other.

I believe now that God was preparing us for the biggest fight we
would encounter. We were in a Red Sea situation where we would drown
if we continued forward but the army was behind us and we had no
choice but to move forward knowing God had to provide and there was
no other option for us. I will never forget the day back in June or
July when Ralph walked up to me with tears streaming down his face.
He looked at me and said, "I was just sitting at the computer and God
assured me that He has answered our prayers!" God never goes back on
His promises!

One day I was praying and I had this clear picture in my head of
guardian angels hovering over Sonia and Sonel where they were sitting
in the orphanage. We prayed for so long that God would dump buckets
of joy over our heads and we believe that is exactly what has
happened.

I am not a 'signs and wonders' person but we were presented with
nothing less than that on our trip to Oregon. Remember, we have been
praying that God would send the rain and that He would complete the
work He had started in the heart of our daughter, Caitlin. Two hours
from home, the weather turned dark and the snow started coming down.
For three hours, we drove in SoCal with that kind of weather. We got
to central California and we had a rainbow literally follow us for
the entire day until it was evening. Again, the snow began to fall
and we had to stop for the night because the roads were impassible.
The next morning we got up, put the chains on our van and crept up
and over the mountain into Oregon praying we would get there in one
piece. The snow continued the entire two weeks we were gone. Oregon
has never had that kind of weather. I grew up there and this storm
broke all records.

We arrived on Tuesday, logged onto the computer and found that Ralph
was accepted into a residency program that would extend our time in
California for the next few years so we could complete Caitlin's high
school and finish the adoption that God has called us to. Before I
crawled into bed, I logged onto the computer again and found the
email telling us that it appeared we would be adopting not two more
but also a third little sister who needs to be loved and have a home
with her siblings.

Talk about a God-sighting...showing us that He always shows up on
time and is NEVER late. I know, there were times when people would
tell me that "all in God's timing" and I was not wanting to hear that
but looking back, we can clearly see that God was working even when
we could not see Him. I begged Him to show me that He loved me! There
were days that I did not post anything because I hurt too badly. That
should end the speculation that I never questioned or had absolute
faith. I didn't....but I believed God and chose to trust on days when
I didn't want to.

I have been praying for months that God would bring the twins and
Djemy home all three together. I have prayed that believing God could
do it if He chose. On my birthday, we heard that the twins were going
in for their visa appointment. It came out of the blue. It was like
Peter knocking on the door saying, "I am here," and no one believing
it even though he was standing right there. I read the words and it
just would not register. I called for Ralph who had come home to take
me out for lunch. We blinked together and then called GLA! I can't
remember much about the rest of my day except that we kept looking at
each other with a comical look of disbelief and expectant
anticipation that God had answered our prayers!

Friday morning, my phone rang and it was Dixie. She was so excited to
call with the news that was all good. Not only did we have two visas
for our twins but she also was able to pick up the medical visa for
Djemy! God not only poured out His blessings. He dumped buckets of
joy on our heads!

I can tell you that JESUS NEVER FAILS! We have two beautiful children
coming home named Sonia and Sonel who are living proof of that. This
wasn't a case of working it out or finding the right person who could
argue clearly or finding a person who wanted to be nice. The visas
were printed because God performed a miracle against all odds.

This is longer than I intended but I want to give you hope. The
adoption wait is terrible but it would be impossible without the
support of this group which Kristin started and a Friend who never
fails! Thank you, my friend and Friend!

You are all forever in my heart and I am now back at the beginning of
an adoption and most of you will have your kiddos home before I have
the next batch of three. That means I will get to root for you and
send congratulations your way when the good news comes.

"I am still confident of this; I will see the goodness of the Lord in
the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord." Psalms 27:13-14

God has given us back more than we would ever have dreamed. I am the
mommy of 6 children! Glory to God!

In one week, I will be hugging on my children and yours!

Love all of you,
Beka
----------------------------------------
Here is a glimpse of a family that God made by His own hands, and He will complete...

Guerlens

Djemy

Dieuna

Sonel Tuttle

Sonia Tuttle

Be praying for the Tuttle's (Ralph, Beka, and Caitlin,16)! They leave for Haiti on Sunday, January 18th, and will arrive back in San Diego the following Friday. It will be like 'man on man defense'--3 on 3... ;-)

PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!!!!!!

2009-01-09T16:22:00.002-05:00

PRAISE THE LORD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!!!!!!! Djemy was issued his medical visa today! I have to run, but I will update the entire story tonight!!!!!!

God is still doing MIRACLES TODAY!!!

New Pics of Shnaider...

2008-12-16T22:35:00.003-05:00

Shnaider is getting sooooooo big!!! He is not the little baby that I brought home from the airport! Look at how GREAT he looks! Thanks to the Hall family for taking such great care of this precious boy!

GREAT News for Djemy!!!

2008-12-16T21:50:00.005-05:00

Djemy and Guerlens--Dec. 2008

We just found out this week that Djemy has been accepted for Surgery in San Diego, CA, at Rady Children's Hospital. Letters have been written and are in transit to Haiti, via Fed Ex today. Please pray that they arrive in Haiti on Thursday, as expected!

We are praying that everything will fall in line to get him to the States before Christmas.
Will you please pray for this with us?

Djemy will be having multiple surgeries over the next year or more, to reconstruct his nose. We need to get him here, to bulk him up before his surgeries begin.

Please be praying for his little brother, Guerlens, that he will be leaving behind at God's Littlest Angels Orphanage. They are VERY CLOSE, and will miss each other terribly!

Update on Witlene...

2008-12-16T21:33:00.002-05:00

Sorry for the silence on Witlene. We have AMAZING NEWS!!! After her MRI and blood tests, we went up for the consult with the Neurosurgeon. He flipped through the slides, and then looked at her blood tests. He almost jumped... (you never see a neurosurgeon get excited!) and had a smile on his face, and said, "Yes, this is what I wanted to see!" What he was referring to, was her Prolactin levels. If the levels are too high or too low, medicine can not be used to shrink the tumor; surgery is the only option.

Her Prolactin levels were too high from the tests done in Haiti. They were repeated 3 or 4 times to make sure. Well, that day they were right in the range, (THANK YOU GOD!), and the doctor is able to start shrinking the tumor with medication. She will return to the doctor at the beginning of January to have her levels taken again. The doctor will know from the blood results if the tumor is responding to the medication. There are only 2 medications used to shrink this kind of tumor, so please pray with us that it is working.

She is having some side effects from the medicine, but that should subside soon. Please pray that all of the side effects (nausea, dizziness, etc.) would dissapear!!!!!

She has some family here in the US, so they are enjoying some time with them. Witlene's brother and his wife have 3 children that were born here in the States, and before this trip, Witlene and her mom had never met them in person. What an amazing opportunity for Witlene and her mom to be able to spend Christmas with family that they have only ever gotten to see photos of, and "hear" about... This will be a Christmas to remember!!! Especially since there will be snow and no Palm Trees this year! :-)

Update on Shnaider

2008-11-26T19:46:00.006-05:00

Well if any of you caught it I said that I "had" been hosting Shnaider. We are very excited to let everyone know that he has transitioned on to his prospective adoptive family. They are a wonderful christian couple that got to know about Shnaider through their daughter. Kate Bowley that hosted little Widline recently is prospectively going to be his big sister! This family is amazing. They have adopted many children over the years and currently have 5 children living with them that have all been adopted.

Shnaider transitioned so well with them. We were very sad for him to leave us but very excited to see God bring him his forever family. The top picture is of Shnaider and his two soon to be brothers from Haiti also. The middle are his new parents to be and I cant even believe how big he looks in the last picture. He is getting so big and grown up looking.

He was recently at Dr. Youngs office and the doctor was thrilled with Shnaiders progress. He feels that he will not have to do surgery again and the bone patch that covered the defect is in place. Dr. Young was so happy with Shnaiders growth and development as well. In January they will take out the shunt that had been placed to keep the swelling down and prayerfully the site will have been completely sealed over then and he will be totally done with treatment.

His new family will be keeping him through the duration of his medical stay and are working on the process of adoption.

Keep them in your prayers.

Stephanie

Helping Hands that Heal

2008-11-26T19:40:00.002-05:00

Hello all, my name is Stephanie Mueller. That might sound familiar to you because I was hosting Shnaider Alliome. I have gotten to be friends with Rebekah throught the process of hosting and already had a heart for Haiti before I even met Rebekah. I am a nurse and I live in Indianapolis, IN. I have been to Haiti 3 times and run a medical clinic when I am there in a rual area of Haiti called Chambrun.
Through getting to know Rebekah and what Hands that Heal is doing I am now going to be assisting her in helping in any way that I can. I am excited to see how God will use and grow this ministry and to be a part of that.
Stephanie

Witlene...

2008-11-19T00:56:00.000-05:00

The two pics below were taken the day after Witlene, her mother Marie, and her brother Walter, had gotten to Indiana. The cute little blonde boy is my youngest son, Luca. I love seeing him snuggling on Walter's lap! He loved being with Walter.

Marie, Witlene, and Walter.

Please keep Witlene and her family in your prayers tomorrow! I, along with her mother, the host parents, Dr. Binkley (the doc from Haiti who asked us to find her help) and his wife Donna, will be accompying Witlene to her MRI and appointment with the neurosurgeon tomorrow. Please pray that my Creole is "on" tomorrow too! :-) I will be the sole tranlator until Dr. Binkley and his wife get to the doctor appointment tomorrow afternoon. I think I will do fine, but there are always words that I don't know...But somehow I am always able to describe the word that I am wanting to use, in Creole! lol...

Her MRI is at noon, eastern time, and her appointment with the neurosurgeon is at 3:30. We will then know the course of action that he wants to take with this tumor. As of the last appointment, 1 week ago, the tumor was the size of a baseball.

----------------

Please also be praying for Djemy. We should be hearing any day on his case. The panel of doctors were meeting last week to decide what kids they were accepting for charity work. I should know something by tomorrow...

Slow Connection...

2008-11-12T00:06:00.000-05:00

I am posting this from my sister's apartment in Indianapolis, and her connection is not very good. So, I will not be posting any pics, or much of an update tonight. My oldest son is having surgery tomorrow in Indianapolis, so I will try to get pics uploaded tomorrow night.

Here is who I will be updating on...

Shnaider: pics and some VERY exciting news...

Widline: Hoping to get some more pics of her with family in Haiti...

Witlene: She and her mom are having a great time with the host family. Thanks Dave and Jo for making them feel so welcomed!!! She has an eye doctor exam on Monday, and her MRI and neurosurgeon appt. on Wednesday, the 19th. She was anointed at our church on Sunday, and we are praying that the size of the tumor has shrank. She is just so ready to have some relief from her pain!!!

Djemy: We are waiting to hear from Fresh Start Surgical Gifts, to hear if he will be accepted as a charity case for Rady Children's hospital in San Diego, CA. I am hoping to get a call tomorrow from them.

Some new patients:

Joseph: He is 14 and has very large tumors on his legs. Dr. Didelot from St. Vincent Hospital, in Indianapolis, has agreed to operate on Joseph. we are getting letters together, and arrangements made for him to come over: hopefully by January.

Gregory: He is 8 and has some major urological issues. Dr. Cain from St. Vincent Hospital, has agreed to take Gregory on as a charity case. We are hoping to have him to the States shortly after the New Year.

Both of the above new patients, are being referred to us by Angel Missions Haiti.

Witlene is here...

2008-11-05T00:03:00.000-05:00

Witlene is here in Indiana, and I had the privilege to host her, her mother, and brother last night and today. We went to her 1st doctor's appointment this morning and we found out the tumor on her pituitary gland is about the size of a baseball. Over the next couple weeks, she will be getting a lot of blood work done, complete vision screening, and a MRI. She will see the neurosurgeon on November 19th to discuss all of the results from these tests, and the best possible way to fight or remove the tumor.

I will post pictures and more information tomorrow. She and her mother are FREEZING here in Indiana, and we are having seasonally warm weather for November. (71 today) The 40's, that are coming this weekend will be a terrible shock to their systems. They sat in my living room with winter coats on, while my 2 yr. old son, Luca, ran around in jeans and no shirt. :-) It was really funny and they were laughing about it!

I am thanking God that she is here finally, and is able to get the medical attention that she so deserves!!!

PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!!!!!!

2008-10-15T15:32:00.000-04:00

I just got this e-mail from Witlene's brother:

Family in Christ,

I don't know how much to thank you for your support praying for my sister. I am excited to let you know that she just received her visa today to travel to the United States where she will undergo surgery for her tumor. Please continue to pray for the remaining of the process. Pray for the doctors, nurses and Technicians, pray for Witlene's host family, pray for Rebekah's family and her organization for God's provision, as well as anyone who will be involved in this process.

With gratitude,

Walter Thermidor

Visa appointment...

2008-10-14T00:31:00.000-04:00

Please be praying for Witlene today. She has her visa appointment at the US Embassy today at 11am. God willing, Witline will be coming to the States ASAP to get a tumor removed from her pituitary glande. We have the doctor, hospital, and host family all lined up: Now we just wait on the US Embassy.

Please God, make the meeting go smoothly, and that Witlene would get her visa without any hassels!!!!!!!!!!

Widline back in Haiti...

2008-10-12T21:08:00.000-04:00

I don't know much, as Vanessa is still in Haiti, but what I do know is that Widline is in Haiti, and has been reunited with her family. She flew back to Haiti with Vanessa, Angel Missions Haiti, on October 6th. These photos below were taken October 8th. The man in the photo is her grandpa. I won't even try to understand how HARD it was for the Bowley family to say goodbye to Widline!!! But seeing her reunited with her grandpa, and seeing his smile, makes me smile knowing that he entrusted her to us, PERFECT STRANGERS, and now will be able to see his grand daughter grow up to lead a more normal life. This is what Hands That Heal is all about: Helping families get life-saving medical care for their loved ones, that is not accessible in Haiti, and then reuniting them healthy and whole!

Please continue to pray for little Widline, as she acclimates herself back to Haiti, and her family. For her little mind, she would not remember anything about Haiti or her birth family! Also, please keep the Bowley's in your prayers. I have talked with Kate, Widline's host mom, multiple times since Widline left, and the void of her being gone is still very fresh and painful!!! The family loved her like one of their own, and now they are all mourning the loss of her being a part of their family!

BOWLEY'S: WE LOVE YOU AND ARE PRAYING FOR YOU GUYS!!!!! THANKS FOR BEING SUCH AN AMAZING HOST FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- Stepping back for a bit -

2008-10-06T20:13:00.001-04:00

Well, after much prayer & thought on this subject, I feel I need to step back for a bit as far as doing much 'hands on' work goes with Hands That Heal. The reason has nothing to do with having a problem with anything or anyone [not at all!], but instead, it has to do with everything going on here at the house.

As some of you may know, we adopted a baby girl that's 4 weeks old today. We were at the hospital when she was born & brought her home with us at 2 days old. She's doing fabulous in every way except for the fact that at night when she's sleeping, she stops breathing!! It's really bothering us & we've had her at the doctor 2 times so far for it already & she's going in for extensive testing on the 20th. Due to all that she's going through, we're like getting no sleep at all [almost literally].

If that's not enough, we're moving into another home in less than 3 weeks. Moving can be a trying time in & of itself for a family of 2 or 3, but we're a family of 8 & so it'll be nothing short of miraculous to get this done [when 4 of the 8 are 6 & under!].

I'm the type of person that if I say I'll do something, then you can count on me to throw 110% into it or I'd just as soon not do it at all. That's why I'm at this point now, I don't feel with everything that's going on here, that I can give 110%, so therefore I feel the need to step back.

I've talked this over with Rebekah & things between us are great, it's just that this' something that I need to do for our family at this time. I'll still help out when/where I can, but it'll be more of a 'behind the scenes' thing for now.

Thanks to all those that have been praying for Hands That Heal, since it began. Your prayers are so appreciated & will be what makes this organization continue from here on.

Please pray...

2008-09-30T13:49:00.000-04:00

Please pray for the Bowley family today. This will be their last day with Widline. They should be in one of their appointments right now, and the other appointment should be around 2:30 EST. Please, please pray that if there is something more that needs to be done, that it is VERY CLEAR AND EVIDENT! We are helping Widlene through an organization called, Angel Missions Haiti. They are her POA, and will be making any and all final decisions.

Pray for peace as they leave her with Vanessa's sister today, and pray that Widlene does not cry!!!!! Kate is dreading this. This is the hardest part about being a host family: Saying goodbye to someone that you love and have cared for, for months!!!

11 months old...

2008-09-26T22:36:00.000-04:00

How can it be that Widlene is 11 months old already??? Here is a little something about this little Haitian princess from her host mom, Kate:

Well our little PRINCESS is 11 months old today! That is so hard to believe. She is amazing in everyway! She is really starting to mature and change. I am seeing her change and get stronger each day! She is pulling herself up and rolling over. Yesterday at soccer she balanced herself standing for about 8 seconds!

Widlene's next doctors' appointments are next Tuesday. If the doctors are done with her care, she will leave that day from Columbus, with Vanessa Carpenter, AMH. We are all praying that it will be very evident if there is something more that can be done for her here in the States!

Please pray for the Bowley family in this time of transition! They love Widlene like one of their own children, and have really bonded with her over the past seven months. Please pray for her host brothers, as it is always harder for kids to understand the "whys". Pray for Widlene, as she has a lot of major life transitions taking place in the next couple of months. She was too young when she came here to remember her family back in Haiti. Pray that she bonds quickly with them! Lastly, pray that she continues to grow and stay healthy!!!

Can I say, "CUTE"!!!

2008-09-04T23:32:00.000-04:00

Look at how big miss little Widline is getting! Really, does it get any cuter than this? Thanks Kate for letting us use your video. I had to share with the world how great Widline is doing!!!!!!!!!! This sweet little princess will turn 1 on October 26. She is growing up way too fast!!! We all love you Widline! :-)

Meet Djemy...

2008-08-28T20:50:00.001-04:00

Here is our latest little guy that will be coming to the States for surgery. Djemy is 2 years old and was brought to GLA (God's Littlest Angels Orphanage) in June with the beginning stages of Kwashiorkor.
------------------------------------
Kwashiorkor: Kwashiorkor is a type of malnutrition with controversial causes, but it is commonly believed to be caused by insufficient protein intake. It usually affects children aged 1–4 years, although it also occurs in older children and adults. Jamaican pediatrician Cicely D. Williams introduced the name into international scientific circles in her 1935 Lancet article[1][2]. When a child is nursing, it receives certain amino acids vital to growth from its mother's milk. When the child is weaned, if the diet that replaces the milk is high in starches and carbohydrates, and deficient in protein (as is common in parts of the world where the bulk of the diet consists of starchy vegetables, or where famine has struck), the child may develop kwashiorkor.

The name is derived from one of the languages of coastal Ghana, translated literally "first-second", and means "rejected one", reflecting the development of the condition in the older child who has been weaned from the breast, often as the result of the birth of a sibling.
(Wikipedia definition)
-----------------------------------------------
At the beginning of July, he had diarrhea and refused to eat. A feeding tube was placed to assure that he was getting enough calories. He had the feeding tube in for 7 days. On the 9th day, he developed NOMA on his left nostril. The necrosis developed rapidly. He ended up in surgery, to save his life, but in the process he lost half of his nasal septum and nasal flair. He was treated with 3 VERY strong antibiotics for 3 weeks following the surgery.

This photo was taken after the surgery to remove the dead tissue.
-----------------------------------------------
NOMA: Exact etiology is not known, but noma is likely caused by bacterial infection, specifically by fusospirochetal organisms.[3] Risk factors include severe protein malnutrition (e.g. Kwashiorkor) and unsanitary conditions.[3]

The mucous membranes of the mouth develop ulcers, and rapid, painless tissue degeneration ensues, which can degrade tissues of the bones in the face.[4]

The disease is associated with high morbidity and mortality and mainly affects children under the age of twelve in the poorest countries of Africa. Children in Asia and some countries of South America are also affected. Most children who get the disease are between the ages of two and six years old.[5] The WHO estimates that 500,000 people are affected, and that 100,000 new cases are reported each year. (Wikipedia definition)
-------------------------------------------

He is doing well now, and is has gained a lot of weight.

We already had a host family lined up for him: Thanks Ralph and Beka! So we started looking in the San Diego area to find him care. God had everything all in His control. The first Cranial Facial Plastic Surgeon's group that I called, accepted him. Thank you to Julie, the nurse coordinator, and Dr. Amanda Gosman, the surgeon, for taking this little guy under your care! The surgery will take place a Rady Children's Hosptial in San Diego, CA, and will be sponsored by Fresh Start. We are waiting for some last minute details to come together, and we will be able to get all of the paperwork together, and FED EX it off to GLA.

GLA was able to contact the birth father, so he is in the process of signing for the passport, ect... This will speed up the process sooooo much!!!!!!!

Please keep Djemy in your prayers and I will update as things transpire!

Update on Shnaider...

2008-08-28T20:45:00.000-04:00

Here is another update from Stephanie: This was written Tuesday when they arrived home from the hospital.
--------------------------------------------
We just returned home a few hours ago from Shnaiders latest surgery. His shunt was leaking from the site inside his back. It seems to be draining the fluid between his eyes again thankfully.

He had an extremely hard time comming out of anestheia this time. We arent really sure what happened, possibly a reaction the the amount of Morphine he had but he was hysterically thrashing, screaming, and crying for 7 hours post op. He was totally out of control. It was difficult and my arms hurt so bad today from trying to contain him. About 8:00 pm he finally came out of it and was fine. He is acting great this morning. He even let one of the nurses and the doctors assistant hold him! Usually he cries when someone comes near him at the hospital. Being his 4th time in he is pretty wise to the whole thing.

The doctor would like to go in next week and fix the bone graph in the front and use a special medication as well that crystalizes when it comes in contact with spinal fluid. It will help to create a barrier so the leak can stop. If all works as planned and the shunt keeps functioning that should be it.
Thanks for all the prayers yesterday. I had a feeling going in that it wasnt going to go smoothly for some reason but we made it through. Shnaider is so strong. I cant imagine having having 4 surgeries between the end of May and now.
We will update as we know more about the next procedure.
Stephanie
----------------------------------------------
They will go in to see Dr. Young next week, and we will know more about his next surgery and when exactly it is.

Thanks for all of your prayers for this little guy!

Almost 5 months...

2008-08-23T20:38:00.000-04:00

It doesn't seem possible that on September 5th, Shnaider will have been here 5 months. Honestly, where does the time go??? He came the the States as a malnourished little boy that did not even have the energy to stand. Now, he is a different little boy! He is everywhere and has the best personality.

I remember the night that Lori and I went to the airport to pick him up. When he cried, it was not even that loud because he had no energy behind it! At church the next day, he just sat on my lap and ate the whole time. He ate all the time for the first couple weeks. He started walking when he was with the Truesdale's. He had such a good time with his host brothers, Carson and Chase. Now, he is with the Mueller's and he is acting like a typical almost 2 yr. old. He will be 2 November 20th. This little guy is so strong, and he is going to do great things for God as he grows! What a testament to God's faithfulness that his life will, and has already shown! Here are a couple pics: The first one is from 4 months ago, and the other one is from today.

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Please keep Shnaider in your prayers as he will have surgery again on Monday to fix the shunt. Here are some pics of where the shunt is, and how the fluid is collecting around the sights. His head has started to swell again too. The shunt should be floating around in his peritoneal cavity, and draining the fluid off his spine and around his brain. Well, somehow his shunt tubing slipped through the fascia, and created a pocket that is not letting the Cerebral Spinal Fluid to reabsorb. They are going to tack the shunt tubing to his abdominal muscles Monday, so it does not slip again, and it should drain properly from here on out. But, if any of you know about shunts, they can malfunction any time for any reason...

Please pray for Shnaider...

2008-08-22T13:58:00.000-04:00

Here is an update from Snaider's host mom: Stephanie. Please keep Shnaider, Dr. Young, and his host family in your prayers!
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Shnaider's shunt seems to be malfunctioning. His swelling is back on his face and is swelling around the inscision sites on his abdomen and his back. We are scheduled for an office appointment at 8:45 Mon. morning and they have blocked out surgery for him after that. He seems to have every complication that can possibly happen. Please pray for healing for him, wisdom for the doctors and strength for our family to get him through this.
Stephanie

Witlene...

2008-08-16T01:02:00.000-04:00

Please join us in prayer for Marie. She has a tumor on her pituitary gland, and we need to get her over here soon. We started working on her case almost 3 months ago. We have the doctor, and we are just waiting on paperwork from the hospital. With everyone's busy summer schedules, it has been hard to keep things moving! Please pray that all paperwork is final this next week, and that she could travel here in the next month for surgery!!! In the meantime, pray that God gives her relief of her pain and symptoms, while she waits on all of the legalities to be finished up here in the States.

Update on Shnaider...

2008-08-16T00:43:00.000-04:00

I don't know how to link to another blog, so I am just pasting what Shnaider's host mom, Stephanie, has had to say over the past couple days. Thank you for all your prayers for this family!!!! They have been felt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Day after surgery:
We made it home from the hospital a few hours ago. Shnaider did a very good job. It was a tiring night. He is still sore and not too happy today but he took a long nap and is eating in his highchair now. His bump is about half the size it was. It should continue to drain the rest of the way. We have another appointment the 28th and we will then have to schedule his next surgery to repair the bone piece that has come off from the first surgery.
Nick had 2 good days at school which is a blessing. Our basement is cleaned up now too. Hopefully we are headed in the right direction now. Thanks so much for all your prayers.

Two days post-op:
Shnaider is doing well today. He slept all night last night and is in minimal pain. He has pointed to his back a few times and whimpered. That is all! He is eating and playing some with toys. The fluid has completely drained as you can see in the top picture which is what we were hoping would happen. Now the leak should be able to seal itself without all that pressure built up and we will go in soon to fix the front.

Nick had another great day at school yesterday and seemed good getting on the bus today. We take it day by day. We have noticed he has good months and bad months sometimes it seems to come in spurts. He is still bothered by Shnaiders crying or loud talking and told me yesterday he feels a little jealous. That is huge for him to say what his feelings are and that is an entirely appropriate feeling to have. Im not sure he fully grasps what jealous is or could define his exact feelings about it. We are trying to do as much as possible with the Jer and Nick one on one with either myself or Tom. This experience of Fostering is new to all of us.

Three days post-op:
Shnaiders favorite place to be, I'm convinced, is in the highchair. He loves to eat. Appetite is totally back today and he woke up from his nap very happy. Yeah!!
Nick had another awesome day at school. Praise the Lord!!
The bump is even flatter today (this pic was yesterday too). No fluid at all in it.

Shnaider had surgery today...

2008-08-14T00:19:00.000-04:00

This will be short, because I am up way too late tonight! I will give details tomorrow...

Shnaider's surgery to place the Lumbar Peritoneal Shunt was successful. He will be released to go home with his host family tomorrow, (Actually today, since I am writing this after Midnight... :-)

His bone graph did dislodge, so they will be doing another surgery to fix that in the next few weeks.

Thanks for all of your prayers for Shnaider and the Mueller family!

Shnaider has surgery tomorrow...

2008-08-12T21:32:00.000-04:00

Here is another update from Stephanie: Shnaider's host mom.

Shnaider is having a lumbar drain placed tomorrow. They have to drain the fluid permanently in hopes of the leaking spot to heal. We will be in the hospital overnight tomorrow. Pray all goes well. He has been on the crankey side I think because of all the pressure built up. My kids start school tomorrow. We have made some major decisions related to my husbands and my jobs and our family life. Our basement flooded a few days ago and many other stressors are happening right now.
Shnaider will most likely need another surgery soon to make another repair as well and will need to stay much longer than we had originally thougth.
We have much going on with our family right now and Satan is taking advantage of the stress. The beginning of the school year is always a huge stress with Nick. Change and something new do not go well with Autism.
Thanks for all your prayers.
Stephanie
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Please be in prayer for the Mueller's! Not only do they have Snaider, who has physical needs, their youngest son, Nick, is autistic. He has done great with Shnaider living with them, but with all of the new changes of school, etc., this can be really hard on an autistic child. School starts tomorrow, and Stephanie will be staying with Shnaider at the hospital. Pray with us that God wraps His arms around this family and that they feel the peace that only God can give!!!!!!!!

To put in simple terms with what is going on with Shnaider's seal; think of trying to patch a pool full of water. The water pressure is going to push the patch away and prevent a good seal. This is what is going on with Shnaider. His first surgery went well, but the patch and bone graph did not have a good chance to heal and scar over before the fluid started building up. So, instead of the body just reabsorbing the fluid, it pushed its way through a "healing patch". So, by placing the lumbar peritoneal shunt, it will drain the excess cerebral spinal fluid, and all of the pressure will be gone and the original surgery sight will be able to heal and scar over, and form a good strong barrier. Then, in about 6 months, Dr. Young will remove the LP Shunt, and the body will resume its job of reabsorbing the cerebral spinal fluid.

Shnaider will probably only be the hospital for a 23 hr. hold. Pray that he does not have any compications, and that he is released as expected!

I will update tomorrow as soon as Stephanie lets me know anything!
We appreciate all of your prayers.

Here is a pic of Shnaider taken today by Stephanie.

Shnaider...

2008-08-11T21:50:00.000-04:00

Here is a quick update from Shnaider's host mom: Stephanie:

Just a quick post, he is still doing well. His bump has totally swelled up again to as big as it was before. We are supposed to hear from the surgeon today about potential surgery Wednesday this week. He is eating and sleeping and playing fine. We are praying to get the surgery this week and start moving in the right direction for healing for him.
Steph
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I talked with Stephanie after this update, and after she had spoken with the doctor: they are hoping to get Shnaider in Wednesday. They have 4 surgeries scheduled for that day already, but are hoping to squeeze him in. If not Wednesday, the secretary said that the surgery will be scheduled for Friday of this week.

Please pray for the Mueller family as they make all of the arrangements with their children/jobs, etc., to be with Shnaider during his surgery and post-op. Pray that Shnaider does not start running a fever in the mean time, and that the surgery is successful!

As soon as I hear something new, I will post...

- SHNAIDER UPDATE -

2008-08-05T22:55:00.000-04:00

[taken tonight from the host mom's blog]

Shnaider had his big test today. God was with us for sure. He went to sleep for the first part of the procedure and then they let him wake up and we had to wait for 3 hours with packing in his nose and and IV in. He wasnt very happy but a little morphine helped him sleep for 2 of the 3 hours we had to wait. Taking the acutal scans we had to just hold him down crying but he was a trooper and we made it through it. He took a 3 hour nap when we got home! He is a little cranky tonight.

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We hope to have the results of the test and a surgery date soon. Thanks to everyone for all the prayers. I definately had a peace the whole day and Shnaider did great considering everything they did to him. We pray they find the leak and it will be minor to fix.

Update on Shnaider...

2008-07-30T20:19:00.000-04:00

Here is an update on Shnaider, from his host mom: Stephanie. Thanks so much for taking such great care of this little "stinker"!

Snaiders test is next Tuesday morning. We have to be at St.Vincent at 6am. They will give him general anesthia then they have to do a lumbar puncture and inject dye into his spinal column. They will let him wake up and then we have to stay at the hospital all day to do scans waiting on the dye to travel. They are looking for where the spinal fluid leak is comming from. Im sure it will be a long day and I will be there with him alone all day. Ill post again about it before it happens. Keep us in your prayers.
Steph

Update on Widline...

2008-07-30T20:15:00.000-04:00

Here is an update on Widline from her host mom: Kate. Thanks Bowley's for taking such good care of the "princess"!!!

We went to Widline's appointment yesterday with Dr. King. She now weighs 12 pounds 8 ounces. He mentioned that if she continues to grow at the same rate, she should catch up by the time she is 15 months old. So for what it is worth! She is doing really well. We now have the sz 15-16 dilator. He would like us to do 15 for two weeks then 16 for two weeks, then do nothing for 2 weeks, and bring her back after 6 weeks. I mentioned her possibly not being here that long because I was not sure what the plan was for her. He said under those circumstances, to just send the dilator with her. He said under normal circumstances he would see these types of patients at least every 6 months. He did mention working with fruits to keep her from getting constipated...right now she is on Miralax as needed.
So, we will be going back to Columbus on AUG 8th to orthopaedic. I am anxious to see what they have to say about her.

Here is a cute picture of Widline showing off her pearly whites! Finally got a good picture of them!

Take care--
kate