Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Haiti Here I Come


These are the kids of the Nehemiah Childrens home. They are so cute! I cannot wait to go back and visit with them again and see how they have grown. My favorite part of all the work I do for Haiti is the hands on with the people. Seeing it real, first hand is so rewarding for me. I am so thankful for my nursing skills that I can utilize when I am there to make a difference for the people of Chambrun. Once again Tom is staying home so I can fulfill what I think God is calling me to do and I am so thankful for him doing that.
I still need $600.00 to pay for the rest of my trip. If anyone feels lead to donate you can mail me a check made out to Nehemiah Vision Ministries and put my name in the comments.
16640 Wanatah Trail
Westfield, IN 46074
I am not sending out a letter to everyone this time as I know the economy is bad right now. Most of all your prayers for saftey and for the lives of the people there to be changed by the love of Christ are needed. I will be leaving Oct 13-20th.
Thanks,
Stephanie

Shnaider


What a difference a year makes! We had Shnaider with us last July/August. I cant believe it has been that long ago. His family says he is doing fabulous. He just checked in with Dr. Young and got a glowing report. His speech is really taking off and they report he is pure joy and all boy! We are so happy to hear how he has grown and is doing so well.
Steph

Thursday, September 10, 2009

God's Promise

Daily Verse


“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” (Isaiah 46:4)

Thank you God for never leaving us!!

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Daily Devotional from Today

This was my daily devotional for today. I thought it was just right for Flamanda and myself.

God show me how to do your work. I am your servant. Teach me to do your will. My heart is dismayed. Show me the way I should go.
For Flamanda and her mother, rescue me and save my life. I put my trust in you and consider what your hands have done. Answer me quickly, my spirit fails.

We both put our trust in you and believe in your unfailing love.

We still have not found care yet for Flamanda but are actively looking. God loves her more than her mother and we can even comprehend. His will and timing are perfect.
Steph



Psalm 110:4-10

4 So my spirit grows faint within me;
my heart within me is dismayed.
5 I remember the days of long ago; '
I meditate on all your works
and consider what your hands have done.
6 I spread out my hands to you;
my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.
Selah
7 Answer me quickly, O LORD;
my spirit fails.
Do not hide your face from me
or I will be like those who go down to the pit.
8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.
9 Rescue me from my enemies, O LORD,
for I hide myself in you.
10 Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground.
11 For your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life;
in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.
12 In your unfailing love, silence my enemies;
destroy all my foes, for I am your servant.

Monday, September 7, 2009

Flamanda



The top picture was in April when I first met Flamanda. I had met her mother on a previous trip to Haiti. She brought her to the clinic where I was in Chambrun to be seen. We knew she had hydrocephalus at that time. After some consideration Pastor Pierre felt that he should help this family as I had offered to try to find someplace for her to have surgery through Hands That Heal. The mother has been bringing Flamanda to church faithfully praying for her to get better and for us to find someplace to help her. I felt that the surgeon in Indy would do her case. Sabrina came along at that time and we were desperate to find help for her as well. He accepted Sabrina which we were so thankful for but now cannot accept Flamanda or another charity case until next year. I just found this out a few weeks ago. Since then we have forwarded her information on to many surgeons and I have been calling hospitals. I have not been successful yet in finding anything for her.
Pastor sent me this new picture tonight. I have been so upset since seeing it. I knew she was getting worse but this is the first new photo I have seen since her passport pic in June. I cannot believe how huge her head is getting so quickly and it will only continue to grow. I feel very sad, confused, frustrated and helpless. I know her mother and pastor are counting on me to help her and I am failing her. I cannot imagine being her mother in Haiti. They live in a very poor area. They have no way to help her. How helpless she must feel. How can what I feel even compare to that.
I know we wont be able to help every child we come across with Hands That Heal and God's ways and timing are perfect but it is so difficult. Why couldnt I have just scooped her up and brough her here in April? Why does she have to suffer like so many other children in Haiti? Why cant I find help for her? I will continue to make calls to doctors and hospitals in hopes that her life can be saved. I know God is asking this of me. I dont know why he has put the burden of these children on me. It is so hard. Flamanda has a normal size brain and could have such a good outcome if we can find help for her soon.
I am praying that God will show us his mighty power and that he is bigger than all of us. I will be in Haiti Oct 13th for a week. I am praying that I can bring her back with me. I know that nothing is impossible with God. We would need to find a hospital and surgeon in the next week or so for us to have enough time to get the necessary paperwork together for this to happen.
Please pray with me for a miracle for her.
Steph

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Kweku

This is Kweku. He is in an orphanage in Ghana. He sufferes from severe Cranial Stenosis (bones in his skull are fused at birth causing his head and eye orbits to not form properly). Hands That Heal has been contacted about possibly helping him. We have never worked outside of Haiti but have decided that we will try to help him. We are in the process of finding out what the U.S. Embassy in Ghana requires for a medical passport and making connections there for him. We already have a doctor wanting to help him! They are in the process of getting approval from the hospital. God seems to be laying out this for us. He needs a forever family as well.
We are unsure of what the costs will be and our funds are limited. We are praying that God will help us through everything with his case. He is apparently a sweet boy and desperately wants his eyes fixed. His treatment will entail 3 seperate surgeries.
Please pray that we get all the information and charity care we need to help him have a chance at a normal life and for Hands That Heal as we go through a new process that we have never done before.
Thanks,
Steph