CLINIC 2: Ebenezer

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Our day begins with Devotions.  Tuesday was led by Sherri Orr, modifying a Max Lucado piece for our day in Ebenzer.  Watch the video and see your favorite team member.

God provided another generator for our day at Ebenzer.  The Ebenzer facility was crammed with people seeking services when we arrived.   The site is more compact that our Day 1 facility and we quickly set up general medical providers at the top of the hill with Jackie Hyland leading lab outside the provider building.   Triage was in the middle of the hill and surgical/specialty providers were in the buildings slightly down the hill.  More than 250 people were served, including a diagnosis of malaria and sickle cell anemia. 

The theme of Tuesday was a resounding agreement that in our 7^th year, we were watching God’s hand help the mission turn a corner on the sustainability of our efforts.  Most returning team members noted that our Haitian translators, security personnel and nurses continued to show increased knowledge, skills, support and assistance in all that happens when conducting our mobile medical clinics.  For example, Dr. Dan Ng noted that McKendy Cadet, his translator all 7 years, fainted in his first year of translating for Dan’s surgical procedures.  With improving skills over the years, on the second day of clinic McKendy was extremely capable not only with patient support and translation, but providing supplies and knowing the next steps. 

Another example Dr. John Hoefs pointed out was just the help that all our Haitian team members provided in the “human chain” of set up over the past three days and how working together to pull the load allowed us to achieve our set up and tear down in record times.   Dr. Jim Korb and Fabienne Goutier worked to send some patients to the nearby Good Sam Hospital for procedures that could not be accomplished by the team that day and place, but would be life improving for the Haitian patients.

Sabrina Garrovillas, RN was comforted with Jackie Hyland’s love and compassion while taking a rest from a heartbreaking situation: Sabrina found that a 7-month pregnant Haitian woman’s unborn child had no heartbeat.

David Dupre, in Creole, and Francie Moseman, in French, hosted the pharmacy outtake table at Ebenzer, providing clear direction for prescribed medication to our Haitian brothers and sisters. 

First year volunteer Karen Thomsen had a God Moment helping Terry Fee at the prayer table.  After praying over our Haitian friends, they returned the favor and prayer for Karen and Terry.   Our translators, many that have served us in the past, assisted with Triage and Days for Girls instruction, indicating another milestone in our faithful service to Haiti:  sustainability of the knowledge with local leaders.