Trapped in Haiti ? Part 1 of 2

Hope Force International is actively engaged in mobilizing volunteer medical professionals from across the country to help save lives in Haiti as a growing cholera epidemic has already claimed the lives of thousands. Global health officials are predicting as many as 650,000 cases due to the ?perfect storm? of earthquake damage, tent cities and an abysmal waste water management system. The growing roster of Hope Force Reservists is providing a task force of highly-committed individuals willing to brave the terrain of a treacherous, cholera-stricken nation. 

"This team did great & remained focused on the hard work God called them to do," said Christine Thompson, Director of Medical Outreach for Hope Force International. "Their mission was to provide comfort and healing to the sick and the dying. They truly are the hands & feet of Jesus."

Teresa DeWolfe, RN, flew to Haiti with four colleagues on December 3rd with a one-week deployment in mind near the epicenter of Haiti?s cholera epidemic: Port-de-Paix. ?Many people were lifting us up in prayer,? Teresa points out. ?My prayer at the onset of the trip was that God would use me to love, encourage and help my team mates. My deep desire was to have time to be present with the patients. I went into it believing that God would prompt me when I needed to pray, to reach out to someone or speak into their lives.? 

All ten of the team?s duffle bags arrived safely at the airport following their international flight, allowing thousands of dollars of donated medical supplies to join the team?s efforts. Another team arriving at the same time from another agency was not so lucky ? none of their checked bags came through.  ?We got on the UN helicopter that flew us to Port de Paix.  That was an interestingfirst time ride in a helicopter.  It flew low so we had a good view of the Haitian countryside. I think it was much nicer landing in a helicopter than a small plane on the gravel runway!?

Teresa graciously granted permission to Hope Force to publish excerpts from her field diary ? written around 12-hour night shifts. What follows is a snapshot of a truly unique undertaking and a team that showed tenacity, faith and fortitude in the face of turmoil and tragedy: 

Port de Paix ? Day One 
All these sick people!  Some are hungry.  Dionele was brought to the clinic today.  He looks to be about 18 months old.  When his grandmother brought him in he was completely limp in her arms, eyes rolled back and unresponsive, very near death.  The Haitian nurses who are experts at starting IV?s tried many times to get a line in him but could not find any veins, he was so dehydrated.  

We could give him fluid but we knew only God could give him life. After about two hours he started to move a little.  He was still critical but we had flickers of hope.  

Port de Paix ? Day Two 
Last night was tough. So many sick babies came in ? so dangerously close to death.  Little Dionele is still so fragile but he seems to be improving.  In the US he would be in a clean hospital pediatrics ICU unit but here he is lying on a table wrapped only in blue paper underpants because he doesn?t have any clothes or blankets.  I am so thankful for the big box of diapers my friend Lindsay donated that help to contain the constant watery diarrhea.  

Port de Paix ? Day Three 
It is time right now (6 pm December 20th) when they are announcing the preliminary results of Haiti?s general election.  We were told there would be rioting in the capital, however it turns out.  God?s grace has allowed me to say ?I am not afraid.?

My heart breaks for Poppy, the old man who was brought to the clinic and then abandoned.  No family is there to feed him or empty his bucket when he has diarrhea or vomits.  He looks so sad and lonely.  

Port de Paix ? Day Four 
It was a very busy night at the clinic.  Cholera is rampant here ? so many sick people.  Haiti has so many problems. In the midst of this I am thankful to see the healing Dionele has experienced and am trusting that he will grow strong and safe in the orphanage.  Truly, God is the giver of life!  I pray that the dying man on the ward will die peacefully.  I?m thankful I have morphine available to help him breathe easier and be comfortable.  

My heart still breaks for Poppy ? he needs to have someone to feed and love him.  I noticed that some of the other families are sharing food with him.  

We hear there is serious unrest across Haiti now ? fires, riots, violence ? because of the election results.  The airport and roads are closed so we aren?t going far away anywhere today.  I believe God is in control - I am not afraid.  I need strength to keep working.  Cholera continues and the people need our help.  I am so close to cholera bacteria constantly but I am healthy.  

Poppy was so cute last night.  I gave him two bottles of ?serum? (oral rehydrating salts) and I mixed Crystal Light in it.  He drank it so fast that the plastic bottles collapsed!  I gave him a cereal bar and he smiled. I sat on his dirty bed and hugged him.  His eyes are cloudy with cataracts; I don?t know how well he can see.  No one has come back to see him since he was dropped off.  

Port de Paix ? Day Five 
It was so sad to go in at 7 p.m. last night to the sound of a mother wailing and screaming for her 18 yr. old daughter who had just passed away.  She had cholera and sickle cell anemia.  She had been in so much pain but we were able to give her some morphine.  She was screaming in mourning but also to keep the spirits away and from taking her daughter?s soul, according to the local belief.  It went on for two hours before they came and took her body away.  

So many babies are brought in near death.  We are so happy when we hear them cry when their IV?s are started because it shows that there is enough life in them to react to pain. Usually they come back quickly when they are rehydrated...