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

Latest updates

We are working very hard on finalizing plans to get to Haiti Wed. The immediate prayer requests are for flights and anitbiotics. I am getting into FAME an organization in Indy on Monday. They are willing to share supplies with us. Which is a great praise. I hope they have lots of antibiotics to share. God seems to be lining everything up. We have 2 doctors 2-3 nurses and 3 others comming to help coordinate for us. The clinic is sitting empty and is urgently needed.
Pastor is working currently with GAIN out of Canada for relief supplies and food to reach people that need it.
We will have security for our clinic which is a blessing as it will be crazy Im sure. Pray for all those already there working, it is exhausting mentally and physically.
Well keep you updated.
Prayin,
Steph

Nelson Jean Felix

Some photos of my translator/friend and good friend of the Pierres from my first trip to Haiti. He truly loved God and I know is in heaven now. Your friends and family will miss you greatly.

More news from Haiti

We have confirmed that all our students, teachers, and workers are safe. I told Tom I thought that would be a miracle so I am claiming one in the name of Jesus!
Pastor has assessed the situation and feels we need to get a medical team in as soon as possible. We are going to be contacting Missionary Flights International for flights. Pray we can get in with them. We would like to start traveling as soon as next week.
There are a lot of logistics with peoples schedules, meds, flights etc to coordinate but I know God can do it.
The bus can get through to Chambrun so we will be working out of our clinic there and having patients trucked to us there to be treated.
For me specifically I need to get off work and get my kids watched. We do not have a leave date yet, it might depend on the flights more than anything.
Please pray for favor with flights, everyones bosses and work to be understanding, and for our families that are willing to let us travel to help.

On a sad note the first translator I had on my very first trip to Haiti died. He was with me all week and we spent many hours talking about the U.S. and Haiti and getting to know each other. He worked for Campus Crusade and was a friend of the Pierre family. He will be very much missed.
Praying,
Steph

The Pierres

The Pierre family has finally been reunited. The house as only a few small cracks. Pastor is going to be out assessing the situation and asks for prayer on how to move forward and best help. We are hoping he will get to Chambrun to update us on their status out there as well. We are all still praying for them and all of Pastor Pierres workers live in PAP at different locations. There are 4 men and 2 women. We hope they are all alright and have homes still.
If pastor feel that teams can begin to immediately come in pray God would open up the doors for that to happen. If you want to donate to NVM or to me going back you can send a check to
NVM
P.O. Box 48
Westfield IN 46074
In the comments write either for Earthquake or Stephanie Mueller trip

I am hoping to go for 2 weeks very soon but we do not have any idea how that is going to happen. God has opened many doors for me to order quickly medical supplies that we will need if we can get there quickly. Pray he keeps the aid flowing where it needs to go all over PAP.
Steph

What we are doing now

We are so happy and blessed to say that Pastor Pierres family is ok. Now we move on and press ahead.
I am currently trying to find any resources I can for antibiotics, dressings supplies and wound care and paing managment.
We want to start coordinating small teams to get down there to help.
Getting there will be the difficult part.
As medical personnel working in offices and hosptials it is not always easy to get off work. I have many medical people including myself that are ready to go help we just need prayer to get off work and get down there.
I have been able to find supplies already which is a great praise. I was afraid I wouldnt find anything on short notice.
We are hoping Pastor will make it into PAP today on his flight. We are hearing many reports of planes not being able to get in.
Keep praying,
Steph

I Cried

I finally cried a little while ago. I dont know why it took me so long. It didnt feel real maybe, I wanted to fully trust God to deliver everyone I know there, maybe if I cried I wouldnt be believing. I still believe God is bigger than all this. I still believe God can use this for good somehow. I know he is in control.

I cried because I dont know if so many people are alive or dead.
I cried for Diane, Charissa and Lemmie.
I cried for Pastor and Nathan for the torture they are going through not knowing and not being there.
I cried for my favorite NVM worker Ponpdlo and his pregnant wife. Are they alive, do they have a house left.
I cried for Jean who Tom and I sponsor for his medical care.
I cried for Claudine who is the child we love and sponsor, where is she now.
I cried for Judith my favorite teacher at the school.
I cried because it seems so unfair.
I cried because I feel helpless here.
I cried because we are so blessed, my kids are snug in bed sleeping.
I cried because I know even before this happened life was a struggle every day in Haiti now it will be 10 times worse. I didnt think it could be much worse than what they already live with now I know it can be.
I cried for everyone I know that is adopting from Haiti and their children are there. They are very worried about them and the next months.
I cried because the place I love, feel like is a second home and the people are my second family are suffering beyond what I can even imagine, emotionally and physically.
I cried for the exahusted workers doing their best with not enough equipment and help.
I cried because every time I close my eyes I see images of bodies on the sidewalk and rubble.
I cried because I had to get it out.

Now I continue praying.
Steph

Update

I spoke with Pastor Pierre about an hour ago. He and Nathan are still in Miami. They are scheduled on a charter flight with Missionary Flights International in the am to PAP. We have still had no word on his family or anyone in Chambrun. He is trusting God that they are alright.
This all seems so sureal and unfair and very difficult to understand and put into words. I love Haiti and the people so much. To have this happen is uncomprehensible. The loss and devastation will be immesurable.
We have had no internet contact in the last several hours except with only a few missionaries and many photos of the destruction and many many bodies on the roadsides are hard to see.
I want to be there giving medical care. I hate sitting here doing nothing. I know prayer is the most important thing I can do but I am a "do'er". There is an organization I know that is trying to organize some nurses to go for disaster relief. I want to go so badly and utilize my skills to help but it seems so unatainable. Does God even want me to go now I dont know. This is all so hard to process.
I leave my plans in Gods hands with Him knowing I am willing to serve however He wants.
First we desperately want info on Pastors family.
Please continue to pray for info and that he gets there,
Steph

Update Haiti Earthquake

Pastor Pierre is on his way to Miami hoping to get to PAP today. We have still had no contact with his wife and children in PAP.
The structure of the childrens home in Chambrun was not the greatest. We are very concerned about all of them. Our workers, teachers, students and really for a lot of us that work closely there it is like our second family.
The loss of life in PAP will tremendous. The not knowing is very difficult. Sitting and watching the news, praying and watching email hoping for word.
I pray the aid will flow quickly and not stop. Thinking about how many people are trapped and suffering. IF they are rescued where will they go for treatment?
Too many thing to process right now.
I will update as soon as we hear any news from the people we know and love there.
Praying,
Steph

Haiti Earthquake

Haiti has suffered a 7.0 earthquake at 5pm this evening. We have been unable to communicate with Pastor Pierres family. They are in PAP and we have heard it is bad there. Nehemiah Vision Ministries works in Chambrun which is just outside PAP as well.
Pastor is in Trinidad with his oldest son for Campus Crusade. We hope to hear from them soon.

His Home for Children had a wall fall down at one of their complexes but all children are fine.

I have seen posts from 2 other ministries I follow and everyone is fine. Still havent heard from others.

Pray for minimal loss and that recovery can happen. I have heard the people are very out of sorts and scared which isnt good there.

Praying,
Steph

Sendy

Sendy got her medical visa a few days ago. She will be comming to the U.S. on the 20th with someone visiting the orphanage. I do not know that we will even see her while she is here. She will be staying with the same family that had her the last time. Im sad that we wont see her or have her at all during her stay. I guess God's plans arent our plans sometimes.
Steph

Sendy

These are two bells that Jeremy got from Santa. One this year and one last. They symbolize for him his extreme compassion. He loves the idea that Santa gave him something because of this. (This all started after watching the Polar Express last year).

I surprisingly have peace about not getting to bring Sendy back with me. God is in control. I have not heard since I have been back if she has gotten her visa yet. I pray she can be healed.

I dont understand why twice I thought I was going to have her and twice I didnt. I guess we don't always know the reasons God works the way he does.

Steph

Jerica

I was able to visit with Jerica the tiny baby we had helped in the last clinic. She is developing Hydrocephalus now. Her fontanel is bulging and her eyes are starting to turn down. I dont think she can see. She does not track anything. She looks heathlier that she did when we were there last. She is eating better. I dont know that there is any hope for her. The last pic is inside their house. It is also a 10 x 10 mud hut. They have a bed, table and radio. That is her big brother naked and filthy. It is so sad. Her mother became a christian after we helped Jerica. She comes to church every Sunday. Pastor says she is very bright and seems to understand all the lessons very quickly and is an eager student. She is very on fire for God right now.

The family took Jerica to a Bush Doctor. This is not a voodoo doctor but they do strange things with herbs and other remedies. When I took Jericas hat off all of this strong smelling yellow powder came out. I noticed they had a string tied around the hat very tightly.

Pastor asked her father about it. He said the Bush Doctor said that it is not fluid in her head but air. If they put the mustard seed powder on it, it would drive the air out. Pastor asked him what he believed. The father said he was not sure but his mother in law believed and he didnt know what else to do.

What a sad desperate situation to be in. I wish we could help her but I dont know if it is the best for her right now to go back to Haiti after treatment here as bad as she is. Flamanda was much more stable. We just dont know if she would be a good candidate for a medical visa.

The mother asked pastors wife last week for cereal for the baby. She has not much to feed her.

So many difficult situations to deal with there.

Praying,

Stephanie

NVM Childrens Home

I had brought the kids some magnetix toys. They were enthralled by them. It was so fun to watch and play with them.

Steph

Random Shots from Chambrun

Every time I go there is a child half naked and filthy. This was the one this time.

Roosters running through the laundry.

She was so cute and not afraid of me at all!

I see this girl every time I go into the village. I dont think she goes to school.

Chief voodoo doc in Chambrun that gave his life to Jesus a few moths ago!

My favorite pic of the trip. I love the elderly in Haiti. Their faces have such character. I love how his beard and the hat and the dark skin on the light wall all look together.

Love the hat this little guy made.

Another little cutie.

Myrta watching her new cement house being built. A church raised and donated money for her to have a block house. Something she could never have imagined having in her entire life. What a blessing it will be for her and her daughters some day to have.

Everything built by hand in Haiti.

I love this pic too. Notice his hat! It is great, and NO SHOES. Pastor made him wear shoes to work the next day and he came with 2 left boots that were different but he wore them. This gentlemen was the man with the giant abcess comming out of his chin from infected teeth on my last trip. Pastor said he had not seen him since then and he showed up again when I was there to work on Myrtas house. He was totally healed. He might have died from infection if he had not come to the clinic a few months before.

After returning Flamanda home the rest of my trip was spent visiting in Chambrun with the community and the childrens home. While Myrtas house was being built there was a large gathering of people watching. The kids love to play and have their pictures taken.

This little girl was adorable. I always wonder at their large smiles amongst the poverty, hungry bellies, filth and pain.

Pray for NVM to continue to do good work in Jesus name there.

Steph

Flamanda's return home

The 28th of Dec. I traveled to Haiti to return Flamanda to her mom. It was a very long day getting there. I had many bags and Flamanda in her stroller. I have to say that American Airlines was amazing. All the workers were extremely helpful. I have never traveled with a child before. It is challenging but everything went well. A stranger even offered me his dinner on the last leg of the flight which I gladly took since I had only managed to get a pack of crackers the whole day trying to feed and keep her happy in the airports.

I flew first class on that last leg down because when I booked my flight there was no other seat. It was amazing! I have never flown that way before. I couldnt believe how we were treated and the food and service. Definately spoiled!

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.

Steph

Christmas

We had a busy but good Christmas. The kids got laptops for gifts this year from their grandparents. We are truly blessed more than we should be. Many other small gifts and games as well. We enjoyed getting to spend time with family. My 94 yr old grandpa was able to join us at my moms house too which indeed was a blessing. He passed away very peacefully the 28th of December when I was in Haiti. We were able to make the services in Ft.Wayne this weekend. He lived an exceptional life and will be missed.

Steph

Handprints

Hello all, sorry I have not had time to update from Christmas or my recent Haiti trip. I will post soon. Life has been extremely crazy since christmas eve.
I really liked this. It was on my work web site. It is nice to work at a religious hospital. I try to ask God to show me where he wants me to leave my handprints and follow through.
Steph


By Chaplain Don Williams

In the frontier days many of the settlers built their prairie homes out of logs and used muddy clay to fill the cracks between them. The clay would harden and they would have a solid, air-tight wall for the winter, but each fall the pioneers had to repack the clay before winter. One fall a toddler pressed his little, chubby hand deep into the soft clay where his mother had just patched a gap between the logs. She picked up the child, carried him into the house, and cleaned his hands. She forgot to go back and redo the spot where the toddler had left his handprint. That winter the child became ill and died. The pioneer mother never redid the spot where her little boy had pressed his hand deeply into the clay. A number of years later when her eyesight was very poor, her husband saw her stooping down beside the cabin and gently rubbing her hands across the little handprint that their young son had left for them.
I am reminded of the number of times that Jesus left His handprint in the lives of others. He took the hand of a young girl who had died and said, “Young maiden arise,” and she came to life. He made clay out of dirt and saliva, rubbed it on the eyes of a blind man and gave him sight. He touched the leper and made him whole. He went to Calvary and allowed nails to be driven through His hands for you and me. He did that so that we could see, be whole, and have life now and forever more.
Each one of us leaves our handprints in the lives and hearts of more people than we will ever realize. The questions we must ask ourselves are: “What kind of ‘prints’ am I leaving in the hearts and souls of others? Will they stoop down and gently rub their hands across our print and remember it with love and affection? How do I want my handprints of life to look in the hardened clay of time?”
You determine what you do with your hands and what kind of prints you will leave. This New Year, use your hands like Jesus used His: to help others, to lift burdens, to heal, and to offer friendship and love. Let us lift, “Holy Hands to God.”