by Jim & Cheryl Warner, GAiN USA Missionaries

Staying at NVM this week is a medical mission team led by Gary and Sylvia Thacker from Mercy Ships. This is a mighty team of 12 from California, Massachusetts, Georgia, Connecticut and Texas. They are going to an IDP camp near Port-au-Prince to conduct a medical clinic. Their mission is to bring hope and healing to the forgotten poor.

On day one of the clinic they saw 153 patients and on day two, 143. They have three days to go. They are seeing mostly normal medical problems including vitamin deficiency, pregnancies, abscesses and malaria.

This team is indeed ministering to those in need. Please be praying for them over the next three days as they continue their mission in Haiti. They are the hands and feet of Jesus reaching out to those in need for us all.

By Shelli Elliott, NVM Missionary

E.S.L. students with Professor Jim Warner

Today was the first E.S.L. class graduation. After 10 weeks of study and a final exam, each student received a laminated certificate while we celebrated with music, cake, candy, and punch. I am so impressed with how far the students have advanced over the past 10 weeks and am confident they will become fluent in no time. Thanks to the hard work of Amy Shultz, Chris Bosma, and Jim Warner for all their hard work in making the first of many E.S.L. classes successful.

Having fun in class

Party time!

by Leslee Sell, NVM Nurse

The days since my last post have been filled with more sorrow but also unexpected joys.

So tiny and precious.

Last week I held the smallest baby that I have yet. She was one month old and weighed three pounds. I didn’t think it was possible to hold a baby smaller than Nachka but I’ve been sadly mistaken. She was so tiny I felt like all I was holding was a blanket. E’tienne and I tried to feed her formula but she kept refusing to take it and choking and spitting it back up. It’s a battle in these situations to keep hopelessness at bay.

My roommate back in the States, Patti, sent me an awesome blog written by one of the members of Third Day that gave me some great perspective. It talks about how our hearts are MEANT to break over the things that break God’s heart. Yeah, it’s hard to be here and hold babies that are starving. But my heart should break for them. My heart should break for injustice everywhere. It’s often easy when I’m home to put up a

My first pediatric IV!

shield around my heart. I hear about earthquakes and famines and hurricanes and I think, “Oh, that’s too bad. Those poor people!” and then I go on about life. I pray that when I move back home on October 1st, my heart will break just as easily as it does now. The pastor at my church at home, Dave Rodriquez, refers to having a “low-grade fever of sadness.” I don’t think I understood what that meant until coming here. My head acknowledges that I should constantly feel the fact that our world is not as it’s meant to be. But until now, my heart never embraced it. It’s hard, and I don’t like it. But I think that’s how it’s meant to be. I feel like I have nothing to offer and that every last ounce of hope is being squeezed out of me sometimes. I pray often that God will lift my head and show me hope.

   And then days like last Saturday happen.

There is a little girl named Elderlie who first came into the clinic 3 or 4 months ago. She had horrible skin problems – sores from head to toe and chunks of skin peeling off. She had been in the hospital for a month and finally they discharged her, told her family there was

Elderlie

nothing more to do and they should find Doctor Edmond. Doctor Edmond would heal her. So she shows up at the clinic. It took about a month, but Elderlie was finally diagnosed with dermatitis herpetiformis. It is an autoimmune disorder that relates to a gluten sensitivity in the small intestine. She has to be on a medication used to treat leprosy for 6 months and eat a gluten free diet the rest of her life. When she first started coming, she came into the clinic all the time. This was before my time here so I’ve only had the privilege of meeting her twice. She is looking so much better! She still has skin problems that I pray don’t turn into permanent scars. But the key is she is IMPROVING. Aubree told her that once she started improving she could come to the NVM campus and play on the playground.

Fast forward to last Saturday and E’tienne, Aubree, and I are working on the garden here on campus. In the middle of weeding, Aubree exclaims “Elderlie is here!” and runs to meet her. Her dad brought her to play on the

Playing!

playground! We had a marvelous time! A bunch of kids joined in the fun and we played for several hours. We even had a water fight! E’tienne and I filled up a bunch of water balloons and that quickly accelerated into dumping pans of water on each other. Elderlie had so much fun. It was great.

Posted by Jim & Cheryl Warner, GAiN USA Missionaries: 19 Aug 2011 09:02 AM PDT

One of the exciting new projects on the NVM compound is the construction of a new hospital. Don Bradley is donating his architectural skills and many mission teams are coming to work alongside Amos and other Haitian workers to bring the hospital to reality. The first photo shows the metal roof being put on which is happening this week.

The new hospital will provide the best medical care in this direction from Port-au-Prince.  Here is what this facility will offer. It will include two surgical suites, exam rooms, a lab, in-patient beds, a pharmacy, a vision clinic and a dental clinic. Mercy Ships is partnering with NVM to provide much of the equipment and furniture to outfit the hospital and will be providing some staff to make it operational. But to build and operate the hospital on an ongoing basis will require partnerships with many churches and other mission groups outside of Haiti.  This medical facility will be a huge blessing to thousands of people in the months and years to come.

The date the hospital will open has not been determined. It depends of funding and the number of work teams that come to help construct the building.  Please be in prayer for this effort that it will move along in God’s timing.

by Shelli & Aaron Elliott, NVM Missionaries

This week has been a bit slower around here since we haven't had any teams on campus. It has been a much needed little break. Aaron has estimated that we have hosted over 1,000 people in the past 9 months we have been here. That is a lot of people!

The last few nights at dinner have been fun. We have the least amount of people on campus yet. It is just our family, The Warner family, our three awesome nurses (E'Tienne, Aubree, and Leslie) and our 10 or so onsite Haitian staff. We have been able to eat as a "family"... albeit a large one!

One big family!

We are always in a state of change around here. With the ministry growing so rapidly and the turnover of teams, staff, and interns, things are always changing. On one hand it is sometimes hard to keep up, but on the other it does keep things exciting!

Some of the changes and things going on right now:

1. We have found our replacements! Katie and Brandon Hutchens (from Genesis church in Noblesville) will be moving down to Haiti the first week of November to start the takeover!

Katie and Brandon

2. We have gained two new nurses (E'Tienne will be here an entire year, Leslee for 2 months) with one more on the way (Brooke Smalley will be here next week and will stay the year).

3. We have a new Project manager coming next week. Adam Brugraff will join our Haiti family for a year.

4. A container of non-perishable food (worth $20,000) is heading down here. The money was raised by one of the Mercy Chefs and his father (Paul Sofka and Paul Sofka Jr.) who visited previously this year. Amazing what one person can do when they put their mind to it! Another container was just shipped full of supplies from the warehouse in Kirklin, IN.

Loading hospital equipment onto the container in Kirklin

5. Current building projects on campus include; hospital construction, new administration building, and two children's homes.

6. English classes and bead/jewelry making classes are still ongoing. The Jesus Film Project is still showing the movie weekly in areas around Haiti.

7. We said goodbye to our wonderful summer interns... we miss you guys, Josh, Erica, Chris, Kathryn, and Nick!

Summer intern reunion party

So- those are just some of the things going on right now. Please continue to pray for this ministry. Nehemiah Vision Ministries is growing quickly and we all desire to support Pastor Esperandieu Pierre and his vision for NVM in the best way possible. Pray that we will all make wise decisions in the development and management of the ministry to bring glory to God!

by Leslee Sell, NVM Intern Nurse

“So the poor have hope, and injustice shuts its mouth” Job 5:16

I hate injustice. Hate it. It makes me feel out of control and reminds me how out of control this world is. I’ve seen a lot of injustice in my mere 2 1/2 weeks in Haiti. My angst with injustice is amplified by the fact that so often here it is experience by infants. Completely helpless infants.

Hanging in Chambrun!

This week in the clinic has been busy. Of course the only thing I have to compare it to is last week when we were incredibly slow thanks to Tropical Storm Emily that miraculously dissipated at the border of Haiti. The doctor last week joked that she sends all storms to the U.S. because “they can handle it.” Because when it storms in Haiti, people die. Injustice.

But back to this week. We’ve been busy. My first patient on Tuesday was Jean Clif. He weighed less than 3kg at 1 month old and had a 102.2 fever. After weighing him and taking his temperature I quickly scurried off to find my lifeline, Aubree. Per her instructions, I stripped him naked and dripped infant tylenol into his mouth. It was one of my greatest joys to feed him 4 oz. of formula and wipe his hot little body with cool cloths. He gulped that formula down so fast! Thankfully his temp came down quickly and we didn’t have to put an IV in him. The little peanut pooped on me twice for my efforts, but it didn’t bother me in the least. I was in love. I reluctantly sent him home with his mom after the doctor saw him and diagnosed him with jaundice. You know how they treat jaundice in Haiti? Sit in the sun. Injustice.

Wadline. A malnourished baby that comes into the clinic and to our mobile clinics! She is gaining weight!

Also Tuesday in the midst of being focused on Jean Clif, my attention was suddenly drawn to the baby Shelli was triaging. (It had been such a crazy day we had to pull Shelli in to help!) This poor baby’s face was completely purple and mottled and horrifically swollen. Her eyes looked swollen shut and her lips were so puffy I don’t know how she eats. The doctor tried to figure out what was going on from the mom but it just didn’t make sense. Apparently she had been hospitalized for a month but for what we couldn’t figure out. The doctor said it might be something auto-immune or leukemia. I won’t forget her face for the rest of my life. We sent her and her mom off to get tests and her records from the hospital. There was just nothing we could do for her right then. Injustice.

I'm a total sucker for big brown eyes!

I think the patient that really did me in came in on Wednesday. As I was triaging in the morning, I came across a name I recognized. I exclaimed to E’tienne (one of NVM’s nurses) “I think Nashka’s back!”. Nashka and her brother Dashka were both in the clinic several weeks ago, before I came to Haiti. I looked at the pictures on Facebook before coming of these tiny twins and I fell in love with them! They each weighed less that 1.5 kg at their first visit to the clinic. I went out to the waiting area and called Nashka and her mom back. E’tienne and Aubree came over to check Nashka, now a month old, and to ask about Dashka. Nashka’s mom told us that Dashka died. Presumably on the way to the hospital. As I held without a doubt the smallest baby I ever have, all I could think was “God, please don’t let this baby die here in my arms”. She was so small and lethargic – Aubree literally asked me once if she was breathing. She didn’t have a fever, but her little body is so malnourished that her feet are swollen from a lack of protein. Aubree looked at me and said, “We are putting an IV in her, and we have to get it”. After was seemed like hours of looking for a vein and trying to get her to drink 2oz. of formula – E’tienne and Aubree both stuck these teeny tiny little veins. All to no avail. Even the doctor attempted. And then Nashka threw up the ounce and a half we had managed to feed her. I think that’s when my heart broke and little thoughts of hopelessness crept into my mind. Injustice.

Nashka

My heart cries out, WHY? Why is it that when there is PLENTY to go around, some still get completely screwed? And even more so, why is it a helpless baby? How can people with SO MUCH do nothing for those with less?

In the end, the doctor instructed Nashka’s mom that she needed to be taken IMMEDIATELY to a hospital. She needs IV fluids and probably a feeding tube. My distress over Nashka was compounded by the fact that her mom repeatedly asked for stuff in the midst of us working over her daughter. Food, water, my phone. I wanted to look at her and tell her to focus on her daughter who needs her right now. I’m ashamed of myself for that. I find it so easy to judge, especially in another culture where I can’t speak the language and rarely know the whole story. I don’t know when last Nashka’s mom ate or drank. I know nothing of her situation. I don’t know where Nashka’s dad is during this crisis. I know that she is only 15 years old and that she has already watched her son die. Even if Nashka’s mom neglects here, she still deserves my love and attention because she is loved by God. And part of the injustice that exists in Haiti is that women like Nashka’s mom are uneducated and lacking in self-esteem.

It is during weeks like this (well, all the time really) that I have to focus on the fact that God is sovereign. He is a God of love, and justice, and mercy. And that, in the end, He has OVERCOME injustice.

I don’t know what will happen with these three babes. And I may never find out. But I do know that I trust my God and these three will be in my prayers.

My heart is steadfast, oh God,

my heart is steadfast.

Posted by Jim & Cheryl Warner, GAiN USA Missionaries

09 Aug 2011 05:10 PM PDT

This past week two teams from Indiana came together at NVM to reach out and touch people physically and spiritually. The teams were from Genesis Church in Noblesville, IN and Crossroads Community Church in Shelbyville, IN. They are wonderful folks with a real heart for the people of Haiti. They set up medical clinics in two IDP camps and one neighboring community. During their week here they helped nearly 300 people in those communities and shared Christ with every patient.

And some of the team members rolled up their sleeves and helped on the compound. One of the urgent projects they helped with was the pouring of the foundation of the new office building on the compound. They were a great help.

We want to say a big thank you to the members of both of these teams. And may God bless you all as you continue your lives and ministries in Indiana.

Jim, Cheryl and the Girls

by Brandon Hutchens, Team Leader

We had a great and full day in Onaville, Haiti, a large tent city where permanent housing is being built for many of those that have moved out of Port-au-Prince. Onaville is 20-30 min from Chambrun at the base of a mountain. We saw 160 patients and prayed with almost everyone one, God is good. Several people in the village today were even sharing their faith with us which was very cool and a great example for us as we trqavel back to the States.

I don't know why it still amazes me that when we serve people God blesses us more than we can bless others if our heart are open. Thank you God for being amazing!

by Shelli Elliott, NVM Missionary

We should be plenty safe here with our own well for water, generator for electricity, and plenty of food. But I can't help but wonder what 75 mph winds can do to a tent.

This is Onaville. Looking down from a mountain onto one of the largest tent cities in the country... just a few miles away from us.

This is just one of the many tent camps set up around Haiti since the earthquake, they are known as IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camps. It is estimated that over 1.5 million people lost their homes in last years devastating earthquake and moved out into these IDP camps. Nearly 1&1/2 years later there are still an estimated 1 million people living in tents.

And I use the term "tent" lightly. Most are merely tarps held up by sticks. Surely even a "real" tent couldn't stand up to 75 mph winds let alone a tarp on a stick. And if the wind isn't scary enough, there is the rain. Last time we had 3 inches of rain overnight there was massive flooding and several fatalities. I don't even want to think what 8 inches could do.

So as we watch the path of Emily I am thankful it isn't a hurricane, but worried for all those people who are just a strong wind away from being homeless... again.

**UPDATE**

After looking quite ominous for 2 days we are so happy to report that nothing came of Emily. Looking at the radar/satellite images we are still not sure how Haiti was spared the wrath of the storm, but we were. And we feel so blessed. The storm hit the Dominican Republic with fierce rain and wind but once it crossed the mountains into Haiti (not far from here) it just died out. Against all odds and to the amazement of the weather forcasters, it disappeared. I can't help feeling like we all dodged one giant bullet... quite miraculously.

by Leslee Sell, NVM Nurse, from her blog Leslee in Haiti

One week in Haiti down! What a week it has been… I loved being with the students in my high school ministry and serving alongside them. And I especially loved GETTING ENGAGED!!

On Tuesday, Ryan kept telling me that we had to go along with Aaron Elliott (he and his family live in Haiti and coordinate teams) to run an errand. I was so confused because he kept being so vague about it and every time I questioned him he would just tell me he didn’t know but we had to go. That afternoon we were out in the village of Chambrun playing with the children there and then the decision was made to walk two miles to the lake. Most of us didn’t know the walk was two miles and let me tell you it was a LONG two miles.  Our complaining was squelched, however, when we found that most people in the village of Chambrun walk at LEAST that far anytime they need water.

As soon as we got to the lake, one of NVM’s interns got a call that Aaron was on his way to pick up Ryan and I. Once again, I was confused as to why Aaron was going to all the trouble to pick up Ryan and I to run this “errand”. But then Ryan said that another of the adult leaders, Mighty, was going along as well so that they could film some interviews and get some footage with his awesome camera. So Aaron meets us on the way back from the lake and picks us up to drive a ways up the mountain near NVM’s campus. I was absolutely FILTHY by this point. We had moved boxes in the storehouse all morning and then played in the dirt with the children for most of the afternoon. But I didn’t think anything of it. We drive a little ways up the mountain and then stop at this little overpass where we park and get out to look out over Haiti. To your left we can see the Dominican Republic and to your right we can see all the way to the ocean. Absolutely breathtaking. In the middle of our view we can see the lake we just walked to and the village of Chambrun and the NVM campus. We tried to look for our poor tired high schoolers walking back but couldn’t see them. :)

Soon after we got there I noticed something weird about Ryan’s shirt so a picked at it and a mic fell out from where it was clipped. I was like “Ryan, why do you have a microphone clipped to your shirt?” and his reply was that he was being interviewed by Mighty. Strange, I thought, but I let it slide and enjoyed the view. Ryan and Mighty conducted an “interview” of sorts and then Ryan calls me over. I was NOT thrilled to be on camera and said as much but he was insistent. So I get over there and he points to somewhere out in the distance and I look and don’t see anything and turn back around. I found out later that he hadn’t had enough time to get the ring out of his pocket at this point and so he tried to cover by telling me to speak in Creole on camera. Which is hilarious because I know hardly any Creole so I’m all like, this is awkward, I don’t know what to say and I’m getting out of this shot! But Ryan kept insisting and telling me to talk into the microphone. Somehow he finally got me to turn around and this time when I turned back to him he was down on one knee and all he said was

“Leslee, will you marry me?”.  I instantly busted out with YES! And then I had to stop and say, “Wait, is this for real?”, “Are you serious?”. I looked over at Aaron and Mighty and my friend Aubree who had come along and all I could say was, “is this for real?” It was beautiful. My ring for my time in Haiti is sterling silver with the words “Mwen renmen ou” engraved

in it which means I love you in Creole. His wonderful mother made it with a time crunch of four days! I feel immensely blessed to be able to marry my best friend and a man who I look up to and just plain love to be around. It’s so fun to be able to look forward to planning our wedding when I get home. It was without a doubt the highlight of my week.

I can’t express how much I enjoyed getting to know and spending time with the high school students we brought down for the week. They worked SO HARD at NVM’s warehouse. We organized and put away huge shipments of food and Crocs and medical supplies. It was great to see the end results of all the hard work! It was extremely hard to see them go on Saturday. I went to the airport to see everyone off and it was heartbreaking to say goodbye to Ryan and my team and know that I wouldn’t be going home for another two months.

Merge high school team

I know that this is where I am supposed to be right now and I am thrilled to get to spend two months immersed in the culture and Haiti and serving those that desperately need it. But honestly, I’m scared. I’m scared that I don’t have what it takes. I’m scared that I don’t know enough. I’m scared that I’ll be lonely.  But there have continually been moments of re-assurance. Of God’s love just washing over me. One was today during church as everyone was worshipping. I can’t understand most of the words, but today I was just overwhelmed with a sense of God’s presence. Here we were, white and black, all together in a room all out praising regardless of whether we all knew the words or not. I love the way Haitians worship because they get their whole bodies into it. It was fun to just let loose and join in. The second moment happened a little bit later in the afternoon. The other nurses, Aubree and E’tienne, and I were relaxing AKA napping in the house watching friends when all of a sudden one of the staff members Jim knocks on the door and says that the police are here and have brought some people who have been hurt in an accident. We rush to clinic and find a man and woman who have been in some sort of motor vehicle accident. On first glance, it looked as though they both had some road rash and scrapes but nothing serious. On further assessment, Aubree and I realized that the woman’s jaw was badly fractured. We cleaned up their cuts and road rash and sent the woman to the hospital. During the process, there was so much I didn’t know. I didn’t know where anything was or even the best way to go about taking good care of this woman with what I had. But it was ok. I felt so blessed to have the training and experience that I do to be able to at least know that her jaw was broken. And Aubree would without a doubt have been fine without me there, but I loved getting to be a part of it. This is the kind of nursing that I am so looking forward to. It’s been quite a week, hard at parts but awesome at others. I’m ready for the next 8!